Equipment needed for surfing and surfboard explanation

Summer is coming, and the coastal areas are full of fun. The thought of surfing makes me excited!

If you're determined to have a unique experience on the sunny coast, get ready to ride the waves!

Surfing Equipment

First, wear appropriate surfing attire. Billabong, Quiksilver, and Rip Curl, three popular Australian brands, are readily available in major Chinese cities, but did you know they were born for surfing?

Generally, men only need surfing shorts—loose, comfortable, quick-drying, and durable. Of course, if you're still unhappy with your belly or don't want to get a tan, a surfing rash guard is also an option.

Women usually wear bikinis when surfing; there are too many brands and types, even I don't know them all, haha. Anyway, choose bright colors, comfortable and secure fit.

Well, you can really dress like that, but are you really not afraid of people beating you up thinking you are a water ghost from the sea...

In addition, you can prepare a set of thermal protection and anti-friction clothing if necessary, providing warmth, increased buoyancy, and good anti-friction function, making long periods in the water and friction with the surfboard less unpleasant.

Surfing definitely requires a surfboard. I previously mentioned that different surfing activities require different surfboards. For surfing, surfboards are generally classified as follows:

Surfboard Classification

Softboard: Designed for beginners, softboards are fun, easy, and suitable for everyone. The large waterline makes paddling easier, and the design provides a stable platform for beginners, allowing them to confidently stand on the board. These boards are usually made of durable soft materials, making them perfect for beginners to quickly learn basic techniques and advance to an intermediate level.

Shortboard: Ranging from 5'9" to 6'8", characterized by a thin, pointed nose, a sharp triangular nose shape, smaller size and less buoyancy, requiring sufficient thrust and good wave shape for enjoyable riding. Shortboards are performance boards, flexible for turning and tricks. However, their small size makes them less stable. Shortboards usually have 3-5 fins, suitable for experienced surfers.

Longboard: Ranging from 8'6" to 11', with a semi-circular nose, long size, usually only one fin, wider, and slightly pointed tail. Longboards have great buoyancy and slow speed, suitable for small waves and beginner practice.

Egg: Ranging from 6' to 8'5", short and wide, with a round nose. Mainly used for recreational surfing, less for performance or tricks. This board is a good choice for beginners due to its stable width and excellent performance in small waves.

Gun: Similar in length to longboards, but with pointed nose and tail, offering the fastest speed. Similar in shape to shortboards but larger, the increased length allows for faster paddling in large waves. Guns are used to ride 10' to 30' waves, rarely seen in calm conditions, only appearing in big wave areas or before typhoons.

Fish: Shaped like a fish, ranging from 5'6" to 6'11". Essentially a type of shortboard, usually wider and thicker. It often has a swallow tail (sometimes used in other board types) and double fins. Due to its slightly larger buoyancy, the fish performs well in small waves compared to shortboards.

Funshape/Minitank/Mini Mal: This board is a recent development, reducing the size of traditional longboards. As the name suggests, it resembles a longboard but is 7' to 8' long. Like longboards, it usually has a single fin, or possibly three fins. Due to its reduced size, surfers move faster in the water, resulting in less stability and paddling. However, it retains the advantages of a longboard: great buoyancy and suitability for small waves, but its smaller size provides greater maneuverability.

After so many board types, are you sleepy? Let me highlight the key points!

How to Choose the Right Surfboard

First, consider your height and weight. General recommendations: 60+ kg, choose 7.2-8.0 ft board; 70+ kg, choose 7.8-8.6 ft board; 80+ kg, choose 8.2-9.2 ft board; 90+ kg, choose 8.6-10.0 ft board. In short, the heavier you are, the larger the surfboard should be, providing larger surface area for wave propulsion and greater buoyancy for easier paddling.

Second, consider the usual surfing conditions. For frequent medium to large waves, choose a smaller surfboard; for frequent small waves, choose a larger one.

Then, consider your surfing skill level. Longboards are suitable for beginners, while shortboards are for advanced users. For beginners, larger, thicker boards are easier to handle. Larger surfboards provide more buoyancy and better balance, but less maneuverability, making stylish moves difficult.

Beginners are advised to choose foam softboards designed for beginners. These boards are affordable, durable, and less likely to cause injury. As your skills improve, you'll want lighter, harder plastic hollow boards.

For advanced users, the better your physical strength and skills, the smaller the surfboard you can use to improve maneuverability. Longboards also have their own style of play. Larger surfboards make it easier to catch waves, while shorter boards have less buoyancy, require more effort, and are harder to paddle.

Also consider the board's durability. More robust boards are heavier but save money on repairs and last longer.

Besides surfing clothes and boards, other essential items for surfers include a surfboard leash and wax.

Leash

The only piece of equipment that guarantees safety in surfing. If you fall, you can use it to retrieve your surfboard. The leash should be the same length as the board or slightly longer; if it's too short, you may hit yourself when you fall.

Surf Wax

Surf wax is also essential equipment. Applying wax to the surfboard increases friction between the board and your body, allowing you to stand more steadily. Remember to scrape off and reapply the wax regularly to prevent a thick layer from building up on the board.

Surfing is considered a low-cost extreme sport that doesn't require a lot of investment in equipment. Of course, if you want to create a cool image of yourself while surfing, a GoPro or similar camera is essential.