Thursday, August 31, 2017

Two Things to do Before Buying a Used Surfboard

When you decide to buy a used surfboard instead of a brand new one, there are a couple of important things to do in order to assure you that you made the right investment. By doing a little research and taking the right steps, you can find a used board that offers lots of value and will last you for many years. Before going shopping for a used board, make sure to do these two things first.
  1. Check The Feel of it: Also known as the under-arm check, holding the used board yourself and seeing how it feels is one of the first things worth doing when shopping around. It isn't advised to buy a board, new or old, without first seeing how it feels to you personally. As a general rule of thumb, if you don't like how it feels under your arm when you are standing, there is a good chance you won't like how it feels when you are riding the waves.

  2. Do a Quick Eye Inspection: Obviously, when you are buying a new board, there will be a bit more wear. How much wear is the important question. If you notice small cracks in the board or it is soft in certain places, don't bother buying it. It has absorbed too much water, rendering the board useless. You also want to look out for buckles (when the board is creased). While some can be repaired, other buckles are too serious a problem. If you don't see these issues, chances are you've found a good, used board. 
Looking for more tips? Contact us today!
Read more >>

Thursday, August 24, 2017

Surf Tips For Beginners: 4 Mistakes Every New Surfer is Guilty of Committing

Learning to surf is an amazing experience. However, it does come with its ups and downs. While actual time spent in the water is the best way to hone your new craft, knowing the most common mistakes new surfers commit is also key to succeeding. The list provided below will help beginners avoid some of those missteps.

Not warming up
Warming up before heading into the water is essential to your body's well-being. Surfing is a physically demanding sport, and if you are not careful you can easily injure yourself. Stretching and going for a short jog before hitting the waves will get the blood in your body flowing and your joints lubricated and ready to withstand the physical requirements of surfing.

Don't look down
New surfers often end up looking down at their surfboard. Unfortunately, this can throw off your balance, and balance is a huge part of surfing. Keeping your eyes on the horizon doesn't only help you stay on your surfboard, but it also keeps you safe. If you are looking down, you can't possibly see what is in front of you, meaning you are not only putting yourself in danger, but also the people around you.

Keep your arms steady and your knees bent
Controlling your arms while you are on your surfboard will help you maintain your balance. On the other hand, waving your arms around will have the opposite effect, which will most likely cause you to fall. It's also recommended to not raise your arms above your shoulders. If you do feel like you are loosing balance, fight the urge to frantically flap your arms around, and instead bend your knees. The lower your center of gravity the better.

Consistency
As with any sport, the more consistent you are, the quicker you'll learn. Obviously, spending time in the water is key to bettering your technique, but you should also practice on dry land. The combination of both will help you build muscle memory and increase your reflexes. Studying surf videos and getting advice from more experienced surfers can also help you master the sport.

If you're new to surfing and you're looking for a new or used surfboard, please contact us today to check out our large inventory surfboards and surf gear.
Read more >>

Thursday, August 17, 2017

Get Some Boardshorts

You looking to pick up some new boardshorts this summer? It is not too late. We have plenty. All colors and types to choose from, contact us to see what you like. 

You ever wonder what makes these shorts so darn comfy? We wondered that too.

Take this one for example: The Hurley Phantom Series. They put a lot of work into this one for us all. This fabric is really soft. These are the kinds of shorts you can wear all day. They have about a 30% stretch to them. That means they will move with you. It doesn't matter if your surfing, washing the car or grilling some veggie burgers these guys got you covered. They dry super fast too, that is a big plus if you have somewhere important to go right after a sweet session.

Ok, moving on to some other shorts that blow us away. Volcom makes a killer boardshort. They have some called Lido that will make you want to own another pair just for when you cut the grass. They make these out of high quality yarns that create a 4-way stretch effect. That means up, down, left and right. That's all directions my friend. 
Not only that, but these shorts are water-repellent. All Volcom boardshorts are.

One more, Billabong Carter. This pair of shorts is made of suede polyester. It's soft to the touch, but tough enough to get the job done. What's cool about them is they look like a chino short, but still work just as hard as any other boardshort in the waves. You could wear them to work, if you want.

These high quality products are built for serious function, yet still provide serious comfort. Shorts with a purpose.      
Read more >>

Thursday, August 10, 2017

Things to Consider when Buying Surfboard Bags

Your surfboard is exposed to numerous hazards both in and out of the water. You can’t do much to protect your board while you are surfing, but you can take advantage of the right bag to keep it safe at other times. Here are some things to consider that will help you know if you have chosen the right one.

Selecting the Right Size
The right size and shape of board is essential. Ideally, your bag should be no more than a few inches wider or longer than your board. That way, you can use the same bag for more than one board, yet there will not be too much room for it to move around. Ensure your fins fit inside the bag to prevent them from damage as well.

Choosing the Shape
Check the nose shape to see that it conforms to your board. When using the same bag for more than one board, ensure each one has the same nose shape; otherwise, you will need to purchase two different bags. Surfboard bags come in three basic nose shapes:
  • Round
  • Pointed
  • Semi-round (hybrid)
Other Considerations
Some other things to consider include:
  • The amount of padding. Ideally, your bag should contain at least a thin layer of padding, but you’ll need an inch or so if you regularly haul it on top of your car.
  • Zippers, as a primary reason for discarded bags are broken or worn zippers. Avoid metal zippers whenever possible, as they do have a tendency to rust.
  • Extra pockets, which can be useful for holding wax or an extra set of fins.
These are just a few things to consider whenever you are in the market for a new surfboard bag. For answers to more questions about buying surfboard bags, please contact us.

Read more >>

Thursday, August 3, 2017

The Do's and Don'ts of Properly Maintaining Your Surfboard

Whether you just bought your first surfboard or your third, proper surfboard care and maintenance is a topic you need to be familiar with. Not knowing what you should do and what you shouldn't do with your board can wreak havoc on its well-being. To help you keep your board in good health and you successfully riding waves, we've created a list of surfboard do's and don'ts.

The Do's of Surfboard Care
  • When you're done surfing for the day, rinse your surfboard with fresh water. Salt water left on your board will damage it in the long run.
  • Mother nature can be harsh on your surfboard. Storing it inside will save it from the sun, rain, and even morning dew. Unfortunately, if you do leave your board outside for prolonged periods of time you could end-up damaging its structural integrity.
  • Buy a board bag to keep your surfboard safe while you travel to and from the beach. It's also a good idea to dry your board off before putting it in its bag. Putting your surfboard in soaking wet will eventually lead to delamination.
  • Always use a leash when surfing near rocky breaks. Not using one can end in large repair bills or worse.
The Don'ts of Surfboard Care
  • Leaving your surfboard in a sweltering hot car or sitting outside for long periods of time in direct sunlight is never a good idea. Both circumstances can lead to a damaged board. Extreme heat and drastic temperature changes can weaken or crack the outer layer, which may eventually cause delamination, meaning the outer coating separates from the foam core.
  • Continuing to surf on a dinged up surfboard is asking for trouble. As time passes, water will enter your surfboard, damaging the foam core. Getting your board fixed as soon as possible is a must; otherwise, you'll be left with a waterlogged mess. If you need to fix a ding temporarily, you can use wax, but this is not a permanent solution.
  • Leaning your surfboard upright against your car or even a wall is risky. All it takes is a gust of wind or someone accidentally knocking into it for your board to go clattering to the ground. Unfortunately, a hard enough fall can lead to cracks and costly repairs.
If you're looking for a new or used surfboard, please contact us today to view our large inventory of surfboards and surf gear.
Read more >>