Surfing Accessories

The Surfboard

The Surfboard is the essential piece of surfing equipment. Without it you ain't surfin'. The modern surfboard has come a long way in design and construction since the Hawaiians started surfing on wooden planks. The modern surfboard is hand shaped by professional shapers out of foam and finished with a fibreglass coat. They are light and strong, and the cutting edge of surfboard design changes as quickly as a cold surfer does on a windy day. Let's have a look at what the different bits of the surfboard are called so that you can sound knowledgeable when talking your mum into buying you a nice new board.

Surfboard Bits And Pieces

The pictures below shows the different parts of the surfboard and what they are called. The images are of a surfboard but the naming of the different parts applies to every type of board - whether you board is a Shortboard, Longboard, Gun or Fish (see types of boards for more info on these boards). First, the top view:

The first thing to note is that the Nose of the board is the bit that faces forwards. The Surfboard sits in the water deck site up, as you have probably already figured out by looking at the Surfing Lessons and seeing surfing pictures or movies.

Deck

The Deck is the top side of the surfboard and is where the surfer stands to surf and lays to paddle. Wax is applied to this top surface for grip. Often surfers will use deck grip for extra traction. If you look at the deck of a surfboard you will usually see a slight camber from the rail to the middle then back to the rail. This is know as a Domed Deck and helps promote easy rail to rail movements. The other tpe of deck is the Flat Deck - no prizes for guessing what this type looks like.

Nose
The nose of the surboard sits out of the water. On shortboards, fish and guns the Nose is normally pointed and on funboards / minimals and longboards the Nose is usually rounded. This is by no means set in stone. Some surfers use a surfboard nose guard which can protect the surfboard from dings and also protect the surfer from a good poke from a disgruntled board!

Tail
The tail is at the back of the board. There are quite a few different tail shapes with each shape providing different board performance. Check out surfboard tail shapes for more details. As pointed out in the above diagram, the tail will have a Leash Plug. This plug is where the leash is attached to the surfboards. The plug is set into the deck and the leash is looped through. Take a look at out handy attaching a surfboard leash guide.

Rails
The rails are the 'edge' of the surfboard and run from the tail to the nose and are where the deck and the bottom meet. Like the tail shapes, different rail rail shapes provide different surfboard performance. It may not be something you have thought about but take a look at the different shapes next time you are in a surf shop. More about Surfboard Rail Shapes here.

Stringer
The Stringer is a strip of strengthening material (typically wood) that runs the whole length of a foam surfboard. It is already present in the surfboard blank before it is shaped. Epoxy, Soft and Carbon Fibre (space age eh!) surfboards will not often have stringers.

Now you know all about the top side of a surfboard we'll get on with the bottom. Underside of the surfboard. Also have a look at the different types of surfboards.

Wetsuits

A Wetsuit is a must if you are the average surfer and want to surf all year round. You are one lucky surfer if you are fortunate to be able to wear your boardshorts all the time, or rich enough to follow the summer all year round. Wetsuit technology has come on an awful long way since the first restricting rubber fetish outfits. Now they are super light, super stretch and some don't even have zips!

The Modern Wetsuit

Wetsuit Material And Construction

neoprene, a stretchy synthetic rubber material. The Wettie (like that - cool surfer speak!) is made out of several of these pieces of neoprene stitched together to cover the desired body parts. Wetsuits come as shorties (the Wetsuit has short legs and arms), full suits and some even have detachable arms and legs. The neoprene comes in different thickness', from 2 to 6 mm. The thicker the neoprene the warmer the suit. Surfers who brave extreme cold conditions usually wear a semi-dry suit which is not made out of neoprene at all but we will not be going there OK!

Your average Wetsuit will have a zip to make it possible to get in and out of the Wetsuit. With a particularly tight suit this can be the most exhausting part of your day! The zips are situated in different places on the suit, traditionally down the back of the Wetsuit, but can be found across the shoulders or high up on the chest. The latest Wetsuits are made out of neoprene so stretchy that you can get in through the neck. Pretty cool stuff.

Wetsuit Stitching And Sealing

There are various ways a Wetsuit can be sealed together and the way depends on the designed use of the Wettie. We will not go into details but some of the different methods of stitching and sealing are blind stitching, taped, glued, flatlocked and heat sealed. Interesting eh! Anyway, what type of Wetsuit you go for depends on the conditions that you will be surfing in. Take England for example, for winter comfort you would be after a 5/3 mm, waterproof zipped, blindstitched / taped suit, booties, gloves and balaclava, and maybe a nice titanium rash vest for those long midwinter surfs. Makes you cold thinking about it.

How Wetsuits Work

A Wetsuit works by trapping a thin layer of water between the Wetsuit and the skin. The body temperature of the surfer heats this water giving a nice warm water blanket. This is why getting a Wetsuit that fits well is a must. The Wetsuit should be a nice tight fit (not too tight that you can't move freely) and should be no baggy areas where the suit comes away from your body. If it is for cold water make sure that there is also a nice tight fitting neck - there is nothing worse than ducking under a wave and getting a blast of cold water right down your back.

So that is the Wetsuit. All our warm weather surfers will be chuckling to themselves. Curse you all you cold water surfers, curse you all ;-)

Wetsuit Size Charts

Mens O'Neill Wetsuit Size Chart
Mens Quiksilver Wetsuit Size Chart
Womens O'Neill Wetsuit Size Chart
Kids / Groms O'Neill Wetsuit Size Chart

The Surfboard Leash

The leash, or leg rope as it is also known, is used to attach your board to your leg. It's an absolutely invaluable piece of surfing equipment for several reasons. The main point is that you are never totally separated by your surfboard.

• After falling off (again) you do not have to go swimming back to the beach to retrieve your board. This saves you a big swim every time you bail.
• You are able to increase your recovery time after coming off because your board is right there to get back onto.
• Your board will be protected from from being washed up on rocks etc if lost.
• It acts a safety stop if you are out in the waves and getting pounded. Your board will be on the surface and you will still be attached to it.
• It keeps your board under control and less of a hazard to other surfers paddling out behind you.

One end of the leash is attached to a plug (aptly named the leash plug) near to the tail of the surfboard. The other end is attached to the surfers back leg buy a velcro strap (cuff). Depending on the type of leash it will either be attached just above the ankle or around the top of the calf.

Parts of the Leash

The Cord
The Cord is made of polyurethane. The thicker the width of the cord the stronger the leash will, the less likely your cord will break. Thicker cords create more drag than thinner ones.

The Cuff
The Cuff is the part that attaches around the leg. Velcro is used to hold it in place. Chose a Cuff that looks comfortable and that will stay nice and snug and in place when you surf. Also consider on with a key pocket so you can take your car key out with you for security (just make sure it is not an electronic key!)

The Rail Saver
The job of the Rail Saver is to protect the surfboards rails from the cord. When you come off your board and the leash pulls tight there can be a lot of pressure on the rail. The wider and longer the Rail Saver the more protection is given to the board, but again creates more drag. The Rail Saver is the end that attaches to the leash cord which in turn attaches to the leash plug on the surfboard.

Leash Swivels
The connection between the Cord and the Cuff, and the Cord and the Rail are sometimes on a swivel joint. A Swivel helps keep the leash from getting tangled up around the surfers feet.

Surfboard Bags

Would you believe it, the Board Bag is actually a bag to put your board in. Who would have thought it. Still, if you want to keep your board in good order then best go out and purchase yourself one. If you are thinking of traveling for a surf and your board will be going on a plane then stop reading this and go and get a board bag right now! - Oy, you - we said stop reading now!!!

The type of board bag you want will depend on what you will be using it for. We'll look at what is best for day to day use, storage and also travel. Make sure you get the right boardbag and your board will remain ding free (you wish!). There are three different types of Surfboard Bags - the standard bag, the sock and the hard case. Each has their own place.

Standard Board Bag

Standard board bags can be split into two types, Travel and Day Bags. Travel Bags are obviously for the traveling surfer and offer a greater level of protection. Day Bags are for general day to day use and home board storage. Boardbag's come in different shapes for the different surfboard shapes - remember this when buying your bag.

Day Bags
Day Bags have a lightweight waterproof or semi waterproof covering, are closed at the nose end of the bag and zip up at the tail end of the board. The most lightweight (and the cheapest) bags do not have any additional padding for board protection. A slightly more protected board bag will have a 5mm high density foam padding to cover the board.

• Used for one board at a time
• Offers little protection
• Handy for day to day use
• Good for short distance board transportation

Travel Bags

Surfboard Fin Details

Fins are the bits that poke out from underneath the surfboard. They all have a similar curved appearance but come in a variety of shapes, sizes and flexibility depending on a surfers needs. There are two general types of fins, glassed on and removable, The only difference is that you can take your removable fins out when you like - all other performance properties are based on their measurements,. The purpose of the fin is to help steer your surfboard. Let's take a look at the Fin in detail.

Fin Measurements

Depth
The Depth is the measurement from the tip of the fin to the base of the surfboard (not the end of the fin plug) or how far the fin goes into the water. The Fin Depth effects how the board 'holds' in turns. The deeper the fin the better the control in the turn.
Remember: Depth = how far fin sticks in water!

Base Length
The Fin Base Length is measured at the widest point of the fin, where the fin meets the bottom of the board. The Base Length determines its speed and drive. The longer the base length the more speed and the greater the drive the fin contributes. Want to go fast? think long base!
Remember: Base Length = Length of Base of Fin!

Fin Plug (Removable Fins Only)
The Fin Plug slots into the Fin Box on the base of the surfboard. The fin can then be secured in place for surfing. Fin Plugs com in different shapes and sizes depending on the type of removable fin system. Below is a close up image of an FCS™ Fin System showing the Fin Plug, Fin Box and Fin Screw (to tighten the Fin into place once it has been slotted into the Fin box).
Remember: Fin Plug = Plug to attach removable Fin!

Removable Fin and Fin Box

Glassed On Fin

Rake
Nothing to do with gardening I'm afraid. Rake, also know as Sweep, can be thought of as the amount of the fin outline that is curved backwards. Essentially it is the angle created between the back of the Fin Base and the offset of the tip of the fin. The Rake affects the turning ability of the board. The smaller the Rake angle (i.e. the greater the offset) the better the drive but less maneuverable the board will be. The larger the Rake angle (i.e. the less the offset) the tighter the board will be able to turn.

Constructed for the traveling surfer. The Travel Bag has more padding than the Day Bag and as a result offers more protection. A decent travel bag should have at least a 10mm high density padding layer. This type of board bag is often constructed to fit more than one board. Some bags are built for up to 4 boards and are referred to as coffin bags.

• Option for Single or Multiple Board Bags
• 5mm to 10mm+ foam protection for extra ding resistance!
• Essential for the traveling surfer, transporting a board or long term storage
• Some have wheels to aid with transport

Things to Look For In Your New Board Bag

• Extra Nose Protection
• Padded Carry Strap
• Thickness of padding for your requirements
• Wax Pocket
• Corrosion Resistant Zipper

Boardshorts

Boardshorts are now essential wear out of as well as in the water (for those lucky enough to surf where it is warm enough. We have loads of brands to choose from and detailed information below to help you choose a pair that suit.

	Boardshort Addict Boardshort. 100% Nylon. ContrastPanels. Addict Logo rubber tab and velcro. Triple top stitching.	£22.99 £22.50
	C-law Swat Short - Woodland Addict are the kings of the camo print, and nowhere is that better seen than on these Swat shorts.	£44.99 £39.99
	Classic 2mm Neoprene Wetsuit Shorts The Aleeda neoprene wetsuit shorts can be worn alone, under boardshorts for extra warmth and protection, or under a wetsuit as a thermal layer.	$55.00
	Aqua Boardshorts The men's Alpine Stars Aqua boardshorts feature a 2-way stretch fabric, a side patch pocket with a velcro flap closure, a custom logo pull tab at the flap, a bungee ...	$54.00
	Aqua Boardshorts The men's Alpine Stars Aqua boardshorts feature a 2-way stretch fabric, a side patch pocket with a velcro flap closure, a custom logo pull tab at the flap, a bungee ...	$54.00
	Aqua Boardshorts The men's Alpine Stars Aqua boardshorts feature a 2-way stretch fabric, a side patch pocket with a velcro flap closure, a custom logo pull tab at the flap, a bungee ...	$54.00
	Aqua Boardshorts The men's Alpine Stars Aqua boardshorts feature a 2-way stretch fabric, a side patch pocket with a velcro flap closure, a custom logo pull tab at the flap, a bungee ...	$54.00
	Excell Boardshorts The men's Alpine Stars Excell boardshorts feature a 4-way stretch fabric, a printed sublimation stretch panel, a hidden welt pocket with a zipper closure, an inside ...	$60.00
	Excell Boardshorts The men's Alpine Stars Excell boardshorts feature a 4-way stretch fabric, a printed sublimation stretch panel, a hidden welt pocket with a zipper closure, an inside ...	$60.00
	Excell Boardshorts The men's Alpine Stars Excell boardshorts feature a 4-way stretch fabric, a printed sublimation stretch panel, a hidden welt pocket with a zipper closure, an inside ...	$60.00
	Excell Boardshorts The men's Alpine Stars Excell boardshorts feature a 4-way stretch fabric, a printed sublimation stretch panel, a hidden welt pocket with a zipper closure, an inside ...	$60.00
	Quantum Boardshorts The men's Alpine Stars Quantum boardshorts feature a 4- way stretch fabric, a hidden side welt pocket with a zipper fly closure, an inside bungee key loop, a zipper ...	$60.00
	Quantum Boardshorts The men's Alpine Stars Quantum boardshorts feature a 4- way stretch fabric, a hidden side welt pocket with a zipper fly closure, an inside bungee key loop, a zipper ...	$60.00
	Spray Boardshorts The men's Alpine Stars Spray boardshort features a 2-way stretch fabric, a spray paint print all over, a side patch pocket with a velcro clap closure, a bungee key ...	$56.00
	Spray Boardshorts The men's Alpine Stars Spray boardshort features a 2-way stretch fabric, a spray paint print all over, a side patch pocket with a velcro clap closure, a bungee key ...	$56.00