The holiday season is upon us, which signifies two very important things.
Foremost, it means that it’s the season to spend time with your most beloved friends and family (and in-laws, I guess). Secondly, it’s time to shower the aforementioned loved ones (and in-laws, I guess) with lavish gifts because customs and tradition make strange acts of kindness wildly acceptable. You probably don’t need much help in figuring out the logistics of how to spend time. So let’s help you spend money.
On gifts. Specifically for those who surf.
We won’t sugarcoat this: surfers are hard to shop for. And, often times, damn near impossible. Tastes in surfing are insanely diverse and there exists a very fine line in everyone’s mind that separates what’s cool from what’s offensively tacky. Navigating the poster-drenched walls of a surf shop and walking out with a product that your target will genuinely adore is no petty task. But we’re here to help.
So, without further ado, here are the five best and the five worst gifts to give a surfer.
The Worst
Surfboards
Purchasing a surfboard is such a thoughtful, earnest attempt at making a surfer happy – and it’s probably one of the worst gifts you could conceive. This is akin to an arranged marriage. The only person selecting a surfboard should be the one who’ll be riding it (maybe with some feedback from a shaper). Otherwise, it’s forced and uncomfortable.
Zinc
Please, rid your mind of those rosy memories of Baywatch episodes when considering surf/beach culture – you’re clearly lost.
Surf-themed decorStop
Seriously, just stop.
Popular surf books
Another novel (pun definitely intended) concept that translates horribly into real life. Soul Surfer and the lot are all cute books – just not for anyone that actually surfs.
Clothing
We’re done here.
The Best
Magazine subscription
Sure, print is dying. And sure, everything you could ever want to see or know about surfing is readily available on the internet at the click of a mouse. But, no, the surf mag is not obsolete. While the concept of a subscription is nowhere near as appealing as it was years ago (looking at you, 1990s), it’s still as safe as a gift can be. Because, let’s face it – the internet just doesn’t cut it for Sunday morning reading or a long flight.
Wax
Be sure it’s Mr. Zog’s Quick Humps. Everything else is a candle.
A plane ticket
Deep pockets? Give the gift of experience! While you may or may not send someone to discover the next G-Land, there are very few surfers in this world that’ll bicker about a surf trip anywhere. Bid them a bon voyage.
GoPro
Everybody secretly wants a GoPro, and giving one as a gift takes the narcissism out of someone purchasing a camera that the consumer will incessantly film their face with. The best part is that you’ll surely be seeing the fruit of your gift on social media outlets shortly after it’s been given. About that narcissism…
Niche surf books
You’ll have to trudge through the darkest corners of your local Barnes And Noble – or just utilise the internet – but there are certainly a few gems of surf literature out there. Welcome To Paradise, Now Go To Hell is a must-read. Most people will dig Tom Carroll’s autobiography. Dora Lives isn’t half bad either.
Source: Redbull.com
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