What type of surfboard do I need? If you're fresh to surfing, your best bet is to pick up a longboard or a foamie (soft top). Cruise over to your local surf shop and have them pick out a board that'll suit your frame and build.
While it's tempting to pick up a shortboard-who wouldn't want to be shredding up waves-starting off on one is generally frustrating enough to stop most newbies from ever trying again. So unless you've got the learning curve of a surfing GOD, a longboard's consistency and stability is what you'll need to improve quickly.
A quality longboard will last you a lifetime. Even after you become a better surfer, longboards are ideal for small wave days and teaching visiting friends, family, and groms how to cut their first wave.
What's a leash? Its a rubber cord that ties your board to your leg. Leashes keep your surfboard from floating away from you or shooting out from under you and into someone's face.
Do I need one? Having to chase down your surfboard gets old pretty quick. Get a leash.
Why do people use surf wax? Normally your board will be extremely slick and next to impossible to grip when wet. Wax fixes that. If you aren't a big fan of wax, you can always look into a traction pad for your board.
Traction Pad? These is a grippy foam plate that attaches to the surface and towards the rear of the board. They function just like wax.
Water temperature: The water temperature will determine everything from the kind of protective gear you wear to the wax you use For convenience, the guide below is grouped by the type of surf wax you want to use. Make sure you've got the right wax for the water conditions you want to surf; otherwise it'll fleck right off.
- Tropical 75F+: The water is as warm as its gonna get. You're probably gonna want to keep it to a boardshorts and a rash guard-this'll keep you from looking like you're allergic to sea water once you finish catching waves. If you find yourself shivering in the water, you may want to invest in a "shortie", a 2mm thick wetsuit with short sleeves and legs.
- Warm 65 to 75F: You can get away with just wearing board shorts and a rash guard on good days, but you're gonna want a Springsuit for the chillier days. Springsuits look like wetsuits with short sleeves or legs, depending on personal preference. They're typically 3/2, (i.e. the base layer of the suit will be 2mm thick with an additional protective 1mm wrap around specific areas like the knees and the chest).
- Cool 60 to 65: - Your best bet is to check out a full wetsuit so you don't have to suffer.:) The most common varieties of fullsuits are the 4/3, 5/3, and 5/4. If the water only gets colder throughout the year, you'll want to grab a 5/3 or thicker-just remember, the thicker you go, the harder it is to paddle. For the rest of you, a 4/3 is enough to keep ya warm.
- Cold 60-: Armor up. Hooded wetsuit, booties, gloves. Maybe even a dry suit, depending on how cold you want to go. Note that at the upper 50s, you can still get away with wearing a full wetsuit, so don't shell out the extra cash if you don't have to.
