Surfing Tips for Beginners and Experienced Surfers

Top 5 Best Surf Forecasting Websites

October 8, 2021by Dan Harmon

Some beachfront properties welcome us with weather stones to humor us with the weather. If you don’t know what a weather stone is, it is a rock hung to poke fun at the intricate technology used in current weather forecasts. Typically hung from a tripod with a sign how to read it, the accuracy is less than perfect. Fortunately, we never had to rely on the weather stone. Otherwise, the chances of getting swept by big waves or bored by slow ones could be high. Technology brought us so much convenience, including reliable surf forecasting websites that we can reach through a touch of a finger. This article lists out 5 of the best surf forecasting websites you can check out before you head out to the beach. We also tossed in some handy information that might answer some of the questions you have, like: How to predict surf What is a good surf forecast? How To Predict Surf Offshore swell data is what the process of surf forecasting utilizes to predict wave conditions. The same technique is used by millions of people globally, including experts who put their forecasts online. While the exact prediction of the surf, such as the breaking waves’ shape and size, the offshore swell date is an excellent factor to consider in making a close to accurate prediction. Predicting surf requires understanding how waves are formed, bathymetry, and data such as tides and location. Bathymetry is the study of the depth of water in oceans, rivers, or lakes. It digs deep on the “beds” and “floors” of any body of water. Top 5 Best Surf Forecasting Websites Reviewed The internet has brought us abundant surf forecasting and weather information resources, but not all of them may have the essential details you need. This results in visiting multiple sites to get the complete data you need for the upcoming surf. There have been many attempts to create a one-stop go-to website for all surf forecast needs. And, with all sorts of buoys, satellites, and measuring tools, surf forecasting evolved and is now easily accessible through surf forecasting websites. Five of the best surf forecasting websites are: Surfline MagicSeaweed Surf-forecast Swellnet WindGURU 1. Surfline Headquarters: Huntington Beach, California Founded: 1985 Area Served: Worldwide Website: surfline.com One of the earliest surf report systems, Surfline was founded in 1985 as a pay-per-call telephone surf report. Southern California surfer Jerry Arnold partnered with David Wilk ad Craig Masukoa to form a unit that can relay dawn surf conditions. A unique phone system made the reports available to callers for 50 cents each. 976-SURF became popular amongst surfers, and the company started receiving more than 6,000 calls per day. The system later expanded to Northern California, Florida, and Texas. The 6,000 calls per day grew bigger eventually. Surfline became an online service in 1995. It began offering live video streams of surf breaks on top of the written surf reports. These live video streams had a significant impact on surf culture. The increase in real-time footage changed surfer’s lifestyles. One of the million Surfline’s users, Rob Machado, claims it is his go-to every day to know where to go. In one of his interviews with Surfline/Wavetrak, he went, “I’ve used it from day one and will be a lifetime Premium Member.” 2. MagicSeaweed Headquarters: Kingsbridge, Devon, United Kingdom Founded: 2002 Area Served: Worldwide Website: magicseaweed.com/ Since 2002, MSW or MagicSeaweed has been offering detailed and free long-range surf forecasts on the web. Travel pros, big waves afficionados, local heroes, and weekend warriors have widely used this platform. MagicSeaweed is a favorite surf forecasting website because it is simple to use but is packed with all the necessary details you need to arm yourself with on your way to the beach. This website gets about 1.5 million users every month. What people love about MagicSeaweed is how it tells you where and when to go, rather than becoming your own surf forecasting expert. It takes just a few clicks here and there to get you your accurate surf prediction, wherever that surf break is. MagicSeaweed covers more or less 3,000 beaches in 180 countries. It uses live winds, ocean buoy readings, HD webcams, detailed long-range forecasting, hurricane tracks, videos, and a lot more to cover all the surf spots from around the globe. 3. Surf-Forecast Headquarters: Wales, United Kingdom Founded: — Area Served: Worldwide Website: www.surf-forecast.com/ Surf-forecast monitors 7,000 of the world’s best surf spots to provide daily surf forecasts and surf reports for almost 1 million users every month. You can take this handy surf forecasting platform anywhere you go – on surf holidays or for scoring a local break before the crowds. This surf forecasting website offers a collection of swell, wind, and wave maps that help you have a bigger picture of what a specific spot is. This picture, along with an email alert system, lets you know whether you can get waves or not. Surf-forecast doesn’t have that trendy and exciting look for a surf forecasting website but, that’s what makes it stand out. Its simple layout allows for easy navigation, even for a grom. 4. Swellnet Headquarters: New South Wales, Australia Founded: 1998 Area Served: Core focus is Australia, with surf reports for other breaks around the world except for Indonesia and parts of the Americas Website: www.swellnet.com/ In 1998 when the world was just beginning to appreciate the internet, Swellnet was born. This surf forecasting unit’s initial forecasts were sent out to a small network through fax and email. Over time, it evolved into an online service. In March 2002, when it finally became a surf forecasting website, many WCT competitions, including the Quiksilver Pro, the Rip Curl Pro, and the Billabong Pro, contracted them to give surf predictions. Swellnet is one of the most frequently visited established surf reports and surf forecasting websites not just for Australian surfers but every rider from all over the world. 5. WindGURU Headquarters: Praha, Czech Republic Founded: — … Read more

How Long Do Wetsuits Last? | Truth About Wetsuits

August 6, 2021by Luke Morris

Do wetsuits age, and do they lose their elastic qualities over time? Wetsuits are expensive, but they have become an essential part of surfing. They are considered a good investment. But how long do wetsuits last? Ultimately, the length of your wetsuit’s life depends on the watersport you use it for and how often you use it. On average, a good wetsuit from a trusted manufacturer lasts anywhere between two years and five years. Cheaper wetsuits can last you a good season or two before ripping or getting loose seams. How Long Do Wetsuits Last According To Different Water Activities Aside from care and maintenance, how you use your wetsuit tells a lot about how long it will last. Surfing Wetsuits for surfing can last anywhere from a single season to a few years, depending on their quality, how you care for them, and how you use them. If you hit the waves almost every day, a high-performance stretchy surfing wetsuit can last a maximum of one year. After which, it may lose some of its elasticity. But, if you are an occasional surfer and wear it only when you get the chance, it may last a year or two. Moreover, if you buy it and keep it unused until the next season, the suit may begin to harden and appear shrunk when put on. This is because of the rubber’s own life span, which deteriorates whether you use it or not. Paddling and Kayaking Frequent users must invest in stretchy and high-quality wetsuits. Too many movements while paddling and kayaking puts force on the wetsuit seams and may cause wear and tear over time. The best wetsuits for this water activity are ones with reinforcement around the bottom and knee areas. Diving Another water activity that gives some use and abuse to a wetsuit, diving, requires a neoprene made of compression-resistant materials. Like surfing, if you dive only a few times a year, your budget-friendly suit may last you a year. Otherwise, invest in a higher-quality neoprene. You will definitely feel your money’s worth out of it. Triathlon Triathlon not only abuses a wetsuit. It beats it. During runs, triathletes usually rush to get in and out of their suits. The wetsuits get stepped on, thrown onto things and surfaces, you name it. In addition, they are also used in often chlorinated pool water, which is a challenging foe for neoprene. Triathlon wetsuits are extra stretchy and soft and thus are susceptive to tears, especially during the usually rushed method of getting in and out of it during a race. Ripped or holed neoprenes are almost always not as effective as they are brand new. Wetsuit Care and Maintenance The best way to extend the life of your wetsuit is to proper care and maintenance. The neoprene that wetsuits are made of gets even stretchier when wet. Therefore, the first step in caring for it lies in how you wear it and take it off. Keeping your wetsuit clean is another factor. Even before taking off your wetsuit, it is a good practice to rinse it in the showers. This practice is to make sure salt residue is removed. Saltwater degrades not only the neoprene but the glue that holds it together. After wearing, finish rinsing both sides with fresh water to wipe out any trapped salt water. Do not use hot water. Try as much to deep clean it with wetsuit shampoo every once in a while. Doing this keeps the wetsuit fresh and free of bacteria. Lastly, hang it up to dry. Do not put it in the dryer or leave it under the sun to dry. Conclusion Two to five years is a reasonable length of time for a wetsuit to serve its function. That is if you provide it with the utmost care it needs. Remember, the better you take care of the wetsuit, the less damage it gets, and the longer it lasts. FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions) Q: How do you know when to replace your wetsuit? A: Over time, the neoprene’s insulating air pockets can begin to erode your wetsuit and will make it feel thinner and lightweight. This feeling is your signal to put that wetsuit to rest and get a new one. Moreover, a regular touch test can tell you if the neoprene starts to feel stiff or crumbly. Those are good telltale signs that they are good to go. Related Resources What to Do With Old Wetsuits Best Cheap Wetsuits Best Hooded Wetsuits Best Winter Wetsuits Best Costco Wetsuits Luke MorrisLuke Morris is an avid athlete and the driving force behind Surfhungry, a vibrant online platform dedicated to sharing the joy and passion of surfing and water sports with enthusiasts around the world. With a deep-rooted love for the ocean and a lifelong commitment to riding waves, Luke’s journey as a surfer has inspired him to create a community where like-minded individuals can come together to celebrate their shared passion.

What to Do With Old Wetsuits

August 2, 2021by Dan Harmon

If you’ve been surfing for a few years, it’s likely that you have a few old wetsuits in your closet. This could either be because you have outgrown them, they have become damaged, or the seals are not keeping water in properly anymore. You could throw your old wetsuits away, but it makes a lot more sense to make use of your old wetsuits by recycling them, saving them to cut up and use for wetsuit repairs, or donating them to someone who needs them. The following article will take a look at what you can do with your old or broken wetsuits that are lying around your house. Donate Your Wetsuits to Charity Giving your old wetsuits away to someone who will use them to their full advantage is one of the best things you can do. There are many companies and charities around the world who will be happy to take in a wetsuit that you no longer use and provide it to those who need it. Some of these charities include: Valpo Surf Project Ampsurf Surfpop 1. Valpo Surf Project Valpo surf project is a non-profit based in Chile that uses surfing as a means to help young people that have grown up in violent, and drug-riddled communities better their life. 2. Ampsurf AmpSurf is an American-based organization that teaches and aids those with disabilities to surf and enjoy a part of the surfing lifestyle that brings so many of us happy. AmpSurf is always on the lookout for donations of kids-sized wetsuits, surfboards, booties, hoods, and other surfing equipment. 3. Surfpop Surfpop is based in Cape Town, South Africa, and uses surfing as a means to introduce young people from surrounding townships and underprivileged communities to an alternative lifestyle. Not only does Surfpop take kids surfing but they put an emphasis on education and proper nutrition. The above charities and organizations are just a few examples out of thousands of community projects that use surfing to connect with the youth and bring them toward a better life. By simply searching around the internet or asking people at your favorite surf spot you will likely discover a similar project that is locally based in your area. It is always a good idea to support local communities, especially when it is giving the youth a better path. Recycle Your Wetsuit If your wetsuit is too damaged to be donated and reused, you could always recycle it and change it into something else. What you do with the material is only limited by your own imagination, but some ideas could include using the arms and legs as a water bottle insulator, making a homemade wallet with the material, or using the wetsuit material as a buffer to protect your board while you travel or store it in your home. If you find that your creative inspiration is dead, you could always give your wetsuit to a company such as Suga, which takes old wetsuits and turns them into yoga mats. Not only does this help reduce trash, but you will also receive a 10% discount when shopping at their store. Another such company is Green Guru Gear. Green Guru takes donations of old wetsuits, climbing ropes, tents, and bike tires and turns them into bags, laptop cases, wallets, belts, and many additional products. If you would like to see the material of your old wetsuit used to its highest purpose, these companies could be your answer. Use Old Wetsuits to Patch Holes in Other Wetsuits If you come home from the beach one day to find that you have torn a hole in your favorite wetsuit, not all is lost. You can use an old and broken wetsuit to create a patch, and therefore repair the suit that you want to wear. This is a fairly simple task and will only require an old wetsuit, wetsuit glue, a small brush, and a little bit of your time. How to Patch a Wetsuit Patching a wetsuit is a simple job that will not take much of your time. By following the steps below your wetsuit should be in working condition well before you plan to hit the waves again. Step 1: Make sure your wetsuit is clean and dry. You should make sure that it is properly rinsed with fresh water before allowing it to dry off. Step 2: Turn your wetsuit inside out and clean up the torn area. Cut away any nylon or cotton from the surface layer of the suit and remove a thin layer of the neoprene so that it is tapered towards the hole. Because of the cleared area and tapering, you will have plenty of space to connect the patch and avoid stress tears. Step 3: Grab your old wetsuit and cut a patch that is big enough to cover the entire area of the hole. You should remove all the material from the side of the patch that will make contact with your wetsuit. The patch should also be tapered in the same way as your wetsuit. Step 4: Grab your chosen wetsuit adhesive and follow the instructions provided. The glue should be placed both on the patch and around the hole in your wetsuit. Do not be stingy with the adhesive, it is likely that you will need a fairly large amount to properly secure the patch and keep it watertight. Let the glue dry slightly before sticking it onto your suit. Step 5: Press the patch onto the hole and secure it with a weight such as a book. Leave it for the recommended time provided by the instructions for the glue and you are good to go. Step 6: Finally, it is time to test it out. Put on your suit, hit the ocean, and find out how your handyman skills have worked. Conclusion Throughout your life as a surfer, you will likely go through a few wetsuits. Instead of throwing these away, which would add to the trash … Read more

How To Clean A Surfboard | 5 Effective Ways

July 27, 2021by Luke Morris

Choosing the best surfboard is an integral part of what makes you a good surfer – maintaining it will have an equally significant impact on how you ride. Plus, given that surfboards are expensive, it is certainly crucial to thoroughly clean them to extend their lifespan. Many are quick to complain that their surfboards don’t last long. They miss one of the fundamental issues to be able to use it at its best because they are busy blaming the manufacturer. Cleaning the surfboard is one of the easiest ways to keep your surfboard in great shape and lengthen its life. Clean your surfboard as regularly as you can. This article tells you about better practices on how to clean a surfboard. And, if you follow them religiously, who knows just how long you and your surfboard can last together? What You Need To Know About Cleaning Your Surfboard Ideally, it would help if you were at least rinsing and wiping down your surfboard after every use. Saltwater would leave quite a toll on the integrity of your surfboard, especially if it suffered a few bumps and dings. You wouldn’t want the salt water to penetrate and damage it from within. It can be as simple as giving it a freshwater rinse after every surf. This best practice is easy to do and won’t make much of your time. Aside from rinsing, your surfboard also needs a deep cleaning, at least after every few sessions. Where you surf and how often you stay in the waters make a big difference. But, a good rule of thumb is to keep it tidy after every session. Supplies You’ll Need for Cleaning Your Surfboard Effective cleaning starts with the right tools. The basic supplies you should have for this task include: Hairdryer Wax comb with a sharp end Warm water Cloth Surfboard cleaning spray Coconut oil Towel Steps How To Clean A Surfboard One of the reasons why some put off cleaning a surfboard is its size. It can be pretty intimidating to clean something taller than you. But, cleaning a surfboard is pretty straightforward. Start with the prep work first, and the rest will be easy. Prep the board Make Diagonal Cuts with Wax Comb Apply Warm Water Apply Surfboard Cleaning Spray Finish off with Coconut Oil Step 1. Prep the board The first step is always the most challenging. While that may be true, there are a few ways you can beat that. Our first step is to ensure no old, sandy, and dirty wax on the board, as some might have accumulated over time. Doing this is simple. It will help if you put your surfboard somewhere with sunlight. The warmth of the sun will help soften the wax. Then, it would be easier for you to melt the hardened wax. You can still help melt the wax if the sun decides to shy away. Use a hairdryer until the wax is malleable. Be sure to apply just the proper heat evenly across the board. Do not use too much heat, whether it’s from sunlight or a hairdryer. You don’t want to damage your surfboard. Step 2. Make Diagonal Cuts with Wax Comb Diagonal cuts in the wax done with a serrated-edged wax comb make it easier to remove wax instead of a straight line of scraping. Once you have enough cuts made through the wax, flip the wax comb and use the sharp end to scrape. The number of coats you may have used is a significant factor in how many attempts you have to make to get most of the wax removed. Step 3. Apply Warm Water You wouldn’t want to overdo the scraping of wax on your surfboard’s surface. After what you feel is enough attempts with your wax comb and you still see some light spots of waxing, the next best step is to apply warm water. Pour some warm water over the remaining wax. This warm water should be enough to soften the remnants to the point where they can be wiped away with a warm damp cloth. Step 4. Apply Surfboard Cleaning Spray Some residual amounts may be unnoticeable at this point, but they’re still there. You want to make sure to remove all noticeable wax, whether visually or if you feel them with your hands. Applying surfboard cleaning spray like SOLAREZ Wax Remover & Cleaner for Surfboards can help. Smear an even coating across the surfboard. Instructions may depend on the spray. Be sure to follow what is said for how long it must sit. Wipe it away when the duration indicated is done. Step 5. Finish off with Coconut Oil The last step is to wipe the whole surfboard thoroughly. You can apply a thin coat of coconut oil to give some additional conditioning and a glossy coat. Let it dry before applying a fresh coat of wax or finishing spray. Conclusion It can’t be stressed enough just how important cleaning your surfboard is. No matter how expensive or promising your surfboard can be, its longevity can be significantly decreased if it is not cared for properly. Like a house or any big purchase, it is necessary to take care of your surfboard. And, taking care means cleaning it as regularly as possible. Your surfboard and your surfing skills will thank you later. FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions) Q: Should I clean a damaged surfboard? A: If the damage is as bad as having the core exposed, you may want to repair the board first before cleaning. Some surfboard cleaners contain solvents that may be harmful and cause permanent damage to the foam core. But, if there are a few minor bumps or moderate dings, you may proceed with the cleaning process. Q: Why do surfboards turn yellow? A: Too much sun exposure makes surfboards yellow. We may not notice, but we’re overexposing our surfboards – in the ocean as we ride, while letting them dry after a ride, or leaving them on … Read more

What Causes a Surfboard to Turn Yellow? (Update)

July 6, 2021by Dan Harmon

two yellowed surfboards... what causes surfboards to turn yellow?

“Yellow what?” You might have experienced before when a surfboard turns yellow with the time (usually after a few years). However, it can also happen only after a few months if you don’t take good care of your surfboard, but let’s explain first what causes a surfboard to turn yellow. What Causes a Surfboard to Turn Yellow? In short, the factors that cause a surfboard to turn yellow are sun exposure, high temperatures, and poor quality materials. Sun Exposure High Temperatures Poor Quality Materials #1. Sun exposure The main reason why a surfboard turns yellow is sun exposure, and unfortunately, it is something we can’t fully prevent as surfing takes place in the outside and most of your sessions will be on beautiful sunny days. Also, the ocean reflects the UVA and UVB rays which makes sun even stronger inside the ocean, that’s why it’s so important to use sunscreen to protect your skin while surfing, what a pity that sunscreen for surfboards it’s not available in the market, right? #2. High temperatures As well as sun exposure, high temperatures damage the laminated and foam of the board. Sometimes you might see bubbles appearing, and yellowing after leaving your surfboard in the car on a hot August summer day. 3. Poor quality materials The materials used on the construction of the surfboard are very important, and they affect to how breakable, durable and strong is the board. Regarding yellowing, it is important both the foam (core of the board) and the resin used (laminated). They are individual parts of the surfboard, that’s why having the best quality resin, but a cheap foam might also suffer from yellowing and vice versa (best foam quality with cheap resin). Nowadays, there are options of resins with UV filters (most of them have a blue, purple color), of course, at a slightly higher price but much recommended if you want to keep your board for long. The same way, there are UV filtered foams which are more resistant to the action of the sun. Now that you know the reason why surfboards turn yellow, we give you 5 tips you can follow to prevent your surfboard yellowing this summer! 5 Tips to Prevent Your Surfboard from Yellowing #1: Avoid sun exposure as much as possible As we mentioned, this is the main cause of your surfboard turning yellow, so the easiest way to prevent it is not leaving your surfboard under the sun. We know it’s not possible in the water, but try to always look for a shadow if you are planning to stay at the beach for hours to avoid extra UVA damage. #2: Don’t leave your surfboard in the car High temperatures can damage the materials of your surfboard, and it is a common mistake to leave our surfboard in the car and spend the day at the beach while our surfboard roasts on the sunny days of summer. If you don’t have anywhere else to leave your surfboard, at least try to leave a window open, so the air can cool down the space. #3. Use a good board bag An efficient way to extend your surfboard life is getting a board bag. There are different types of bags, soft bags or socks which are cheaper but also less protective and sunlight protected board bags which use heat reflecting technologies for a maximum protection. All bag is better than no bag, but we recommend you to look for a padded, UV protection bag, so you can not only protect your board from the sun and heat exposure but also from crashes while transporting, or storing it. If you don’t want to spend the money on a surfboard bag, you can try to use a towel, or some cloth to protect the surfboard from the sun. #4. Fix even the smallest ding Dings and cracks on the board can make the salty water coming inside the board damaging faster also the materials, that’s why it’s important to fix any ding immediately and don’t wait until the water is inside the foam as it can rot the core. An example of this is local yellowing that sometimes appears in areas where the laminated has been damaged. #5. Look for good quality surfboards As we mentioned, the materials used to build the surfboard can make a big difference. It’s not always a matter of price as some expensive surfboards are made by cheap materials and cheaper surfboards can have good quality resins, that’s why it’s important to check when buying a surfboard, how it has been built if possible with the shaper or the factory. In case is too late, and your surfboard is already yellow: If the yellowing already happened, first try to analyze why? It’s a super old surfboard? Have you left it at the beach for hours? Has it any not correctly repaired ding? Also it’s important to difference if the yellow is coming from the foam or from the resin, as the foam can’t be recolored but the resin can. In some cases it’s not worthy to try to fight the yellow, if the board is very old and too damaged maybe the best option is to hang it in your room and get a new one. However, if you haven’t used it for long and it hasn’t been repaired so the inside is quite intact to water, you can try to remove the yellow aspect of your board by: #1. Polishing You can gently polish your surfboard with an abrasive pad to buff the discoloration off of is surface. It can work for minor damage, but if the foam is yellow it won’t be possible to return to the original surfboard color. #2. Repainting You will need to prepare the surface by removing wax, cleaning the board and sanding, so the paint is well absorbed. Once the surface is ready, get creative and start painting your board. Before choosing the color, have in mind that dark colors attract … Read more

Top 7 Best Balance Boards for Surfing | Reviews (Vew-Do)

April 10, 2020by Luke Morris

At first glance, surfing looks pretty sick, which is why almost everyone who sees it wants to go at it right away. However, surfing is definitely not as easy as it looks. You need patience, passion and a significant effort from your whole body. Plus, you need to be good on your balance. The Best Balance Boards for Surfing: The Top Picks A balance board is an effective way to improve your surfing skills, especially the balancing part. Without the need for water to practice, you can still enhance your skills with this kind of board. If you’re looking for the best balance boards for surfing, you can never go wrong with these: 4th Bee Core Balance Board for Surf Ebb and Flo Goofboard Surfing Balance Board Vew-Do Surf 33 Balance Board Nalanda Wooden Balance Trainer with Roller Stability URBNFitBalance Board Trainer – Roller Board Trainer Indo Board Pro Balance Board for Surfers Vew-Do WODFitters El Dorado Balance Board #1. 4th Bee Core Balance Board for Surf – Best Balance Board for Shortboards Specifications: Deck Length: 29.5 inches Roller Length: 13 inches Profile: Multi-functional Balance Board for shortboards Designed for: Surfers, Skiers, and Skateboarders The Core Balance Board for Surf by 4Th Bee is one of the best balancing boards because of its versatility. Aside from surfing, you can also use it to practice your balancing for skiing and skateboarding. Another excellent thing about it is that it’s portable, where it’s easy to carry anywhere you go. Plus, it’s a competent trainer in enhancing the balance and coordination of your body. The Core Balance Board for Surf’s deck has ideal size for any level, whether you’re a beginner or a novice. The Deck measures 29.5 inches by length, 10.5 inches by width, and 4 inches by thickness. As for the roller, the diameter measures 4 inches, while the length measures 13 inches. Furthermore, it can carry a weight capacity of 500 pounds. The deck of the Core Balance Board for Surf is cold-pressed, which uses 10-ply maple material. As for the roller, it comes from an excellent quality and high-density cork, which will prevent it from scraping the floor. It’s guaranteed durable, and it features a rubber-plastic surface for an anti-slip advantage. Moreover, it has built-in stop plates on both sides to decrease the risk of slippage. The Core Balance Board is very sturdy, especially the roller. Plus, they love how it works out their core and leg muscles. All in all, the Core Balance Board for Surf is one of the most recommended balance boards when it comes to aspiring surfers because it’s stable as you use it. It’s easy to control, even on barefoot use. Furthermore, this balance board has stop plates to stop possible slippage. #2. Ebb and Flo Goofboard Surfing Balance Board – Best Balance Board for Longboards Specifications: Deck Length: 44 inches Roller Length: 37 inches Profile: Multi-functional Balance Board for Longboards and Paddleboards Designed for: Surfers, Skateboarders, and Yoga If you’re frequently using a longboard, the Goofboard Surfing Balance Board is the most suggested balance board to buy. It measures 44 inches by length, 15 inches by width, and 4.5 inches by thickness, which is not far from the size of actual longboard surfboards. As for the roller, the length measures 37 inches, while the thickness measures 4 inches. Moreover, it can hold up to 450 pounds. The Goofboard Surfing Balance Board comes with patented flo-blocks, which is a dynamic tool to practice yoga balancing pose and pop-ups, as well as stability. It makes this balance board an excellent way to strengthen leg and ankle, as well as paddling balance. Furthermore, it has excellent style fluidity. The deck of the Goofboard Surfing Balance Board comes from a premium-quality of birch plywood material, which assures its sturdiness despite frequent usage. The roller comes from a premium-quality of recycled cork. Hence, this balance board is eco-friendly as it doesn’t use any plastic. Furthermore, it’s available in different styles, which include Palm, Tangerine, and Lagoon. People love the Goofboard Surfing Balance Board because it’s versatile, where not only surfers can use it, but also skateboards and people who do yoga. They also appreciate it because it’s useful for working out. Furthermore, they love it as it’s an excellent training for strengthening the knees. The Goofboard Surfing Balance Board is the suggested balance board for surfers who frequently use longboard while surfing. The size is ideal, which can effectively train you for balance. Also, it uses eco-friendly materials, from the deck to the roller. Furthermore, the flo-block accessory provides a rocking motion for an alternative way of exercising balancing. #3. Vew-Do Surf 33 Balance Board – Best Overall Balance Board for surfers Specifications: Deck Length: 33 inches Roller Length: 9 5/16 inches Profile: Multi-functional Balance Board Designed for: Surfers, Skateboarders, Stand-up Paddlers, Snowboarders, Wakeboarders The Surf 33 Balance Board is designed for surfers, which is a useful training tool, whether on big or small waves. It features a rail design, unique channel, and oversized rock, which lets surfers rotate the balance board with control. Furthermore, it’s versatile as it’s not only useful for surfers, but for skateboards, snowboarders, stand-up paddlers, and many more. The Surf 33 Balance Board uses quality materials, which guarantees durability despite daily usage. The deck comes from a premium-quality of 5-ply maple material with a laminated wood rail. The roller comes from a hand-turned maple material as well. Moreover, the deck comes with a 5-millimeter EVA foam, which makes it very comfy even for barefoot riding. People love using the Surf 33 Balance Board because it’s versatile, where they can use it to practice balancing for surfing, skateboarding, or snowboarding. They also love its foamy top, which adds comfort, primarily when they use it with barefoot. Moreover, they find this balance board useful to practice balancing. The Surf 33 Balance Board is one of the most suggested balance boards for anyone who’s riding boards, especially for surfing, because of sturdiness. It uses high-quality materials, … Read more

Top 6 Best Surfboard Repair Kits (Solarez)

March 24, 2020by Dan Harmon

Your surfboard – no matter how tough they were made to be is going to get dinged. No matter how careful you are, they’d still get bumps and bruises. All thanks to the reef, rocks, baggage handlers, and the brute force of the ocean. Even your recklessness. One of these things has the potential to ding or shatter your surfboard. And, when that happens, especially to your favorite board, it is not always necessary to have to take it to the surf shop to have it fixed. Repairing your dinged, damaged, or broken surfboard is easy and can be done at home. In this write-up, we will tell you how and the best surfboard repair kits to use. Top 6 Surfboard Ding Repair Kits Repairing by yourself is easy particularly if you use a dependable surfboard repair kit. The market offers many types of these, but be sure to get to know the products first. These repair kits have differences and some are more appropriate for a particular type of board than the rest. Epoxy Ding Surfboard Repair Kit by Solarez Standard Surfboard Repair Kit by Ding All Standard Epoxy Surfboard Repair Kit by Ding All Q Cell Filler Repair Kit by Ding All Sun Cure Polyester Fiberglass Repair Kit by Ding All Polyester Ding Repair by Solarez #1. Epoxy Ding Repair by Solarez – Best Overall Surfboard Repair Kit Features Resin Type: Epoxy Sizes: 0.5 oz, 1 oz, and 2 oz No mixing required Provides complete crosslinking Comes with 60/240 grit sand pad Wahoo International – the makers of Solarez started with created composite surfboards and bodyboards in 1985. They utilized unusual materials and approaches like UV curing resins, composite structures, and vacuum reserving methods. During the testing phase of this method, they saw how UV curing can have potential in cleaning and field repair, as much as it has for manufacturing. Thus, the birth of the first Solarez polyester putty field repair kit became a smash in the surfing community, worldwide. One of the popular repair kits they released is the Epoxy Ding Repair. It is a repair putty that is a blend of clear, extremely tough, fiber-reinforced epoxy resin with an incredible solar-activated catalyst. This product comes in a travel-friendly 2oz bottle sealed with a tight screw cap. The packaging makes it very portable and you can carry it around every time you need to take the board with you. Solarez Epoxy Ding Repair is one epoxy resin that you can use for either polyester or epoxy boards. It doesn’t require mixing and you can use it straight from the tube. Just lay it smoothly in the area that you needed fixing and let it dry – preferably under the sun. This eco-friendly resin is known to take care of all sorts of dings. You can use it without wearing a face mask since it doesn’t smell as toxic as most repair kits. It is non-flammable, too. The package comes with fine-grit sandpaper that you can use to smooth the surface when you are done. #2. Standard (polyester) Repair Kit by Ding All – Best for Polyester Boards Features Resin Type: Polyester Sizes: 2 oz Easy application The kit comes with: 6” x 13” – 4 oz. Lightweight Fiberglass Cloth 2-Sided Sanding pad Measuring cup Clear mylar cover sheet Allows easy sanding Who would have thought a class project would blow up into proportions and make a small company known for it? Dale Christenson formulated the repair kit Ding All in 1985, as a class project at a college in Florida. It became successful that Ding All eventually had its line of repair kits. Along with that were the births of other lines that include Sun Cure and Surf Science Products. Fast forward to today, Dale has partnered up with family members. Their company, The Surf Source now caters to the US and global consumers for more than 300 products/surfing needs. The Standard Repair Kit contains Silmar brand 250A Polyester Sanding Resin. This is undeniably the highest-quality resin that is available for the industry. And, are normally used for surfboard hot coatings. This material is very successful for use in ding repairs. It contains 2oz. Sanding Resin Plus Hardener is intended for small to medium-sized surfboard dimple repairs. If used under 77°F, the resin can cure in 60 minutes or so. It dries up quickly and is non-tacky so you can easily sand it for a smoother finish. #3. Standard Epoxy Repair Kit by Ding All – Best for Epoxy Boards Features Resin Type: Epoxy Sizes: 3 oz Easy application The kit comes with: 5.9” x 13.38” – Lightweight Fiberglass Cloth 2-Sided Sanding pad 1 Measuring cup and 3 mixing sticks Clear mylar cover sheet Allows easy sanding Proof that tells you a brand is good is when it has 2 of its products in one list of “best of” items. The second entry from Surf Source under their Ding All line – Standard Epoxy Repair Kit is for epoxy boards. This repair kit is their version for epoxy surfboards. Containing Ultra Clear, SS 2000 resin that is used in Epoxy surfboard construction, it is dual-purpose and can also be used to repair polyester boards, too. Standard Epoxy Repair Kit by Ding All is remarkable and it comes with a handful of items that you will need useful when you are repairing boards. It is known to simply and efficiently fill the cracks on the surfboard sans the fumes that usually become the problem with repair kits. You are guaranteed a tough lamination that will cover any dings or cracks leaving your surfboard looking and feeling as good as new. With components that are quick-drying, especially when exposed to the sun, the repair will not take long. Standard Epoxy Repair Kit by Ding All comes in a package along with a tube of epoxy, hardener, filler, and cloth. The complete kit allows an easy method for small or medium surfboard repairs. #4. Q Cell Filler by … Read more

7 Easy Steps on How to Wax a Surfboard

December 19, 2019by Luke Morris

If you are a beginner, you may not know how to wax a surfboard properly. We’re here to help. But first, let’s get things straight. What is the purpose of surf wax? Well, in short, surf wax will keep you on your board while you surf. When you apply surf wax on your board, you get proper traction and a stronger grip in the waters. Surf wax also serves as a protective layer that can prevent your board from falling off while you are overcoming the ocean waves. How to Wax a Surfboard: The Easy Way #1. Prepare all the needed materials. To wax your surfboard accurately, you will need a few supplies, including a wax comb, a basecoat wax, and a topcoat wax. If you are reapplying wax, you will need a wax cleaner and paper towels too. Make sure to buy the right wax for the water temperature in your location – soft wax for cold water, and hard wax for warm. However, if you are going to have a basecoat and topcoat, make sure to choose the hard wax for the base and something softer and stickier for the deck. It will give you an extra grip when you are going to apply a basecoat and topcoat. The basecoat will hold the topcoat to stay in place and stop it from being rubbed off easily. #2. Clean your surfboard. Before waxing your surfboard, clean it thoroughly first. If there’s any residue of old wax on your surfboard, you will still lose the new wax’s quality, and it will also flake off easily. You have to make sure that you are applying your new wax directly on your board’s body. To clean your board, you must use your wax comb to scrape the body. Make sure also to scrape the wax off the rails using the curved side of your wax comb. Additionally, you can also use a high-quality wax remover to dissolve any excess wax, so you can easily wipe it off. If your board looks shiny, you will know that all residue is now removed. You can now proceed with applying the new wax coat. #3. Apply your basecoat. The basecoat is the most adhesive wax for your board. Your topcoat may get worn and rub off with long-term use, but the basecoat will remain until the next time you wax your board again. If you have left an area without a basecoat, your topcoat will easily rub off even if you apply too much. The primary purpose of a basecoat wax is to create a bump pattern that keeps the topcoat intact. This wax helps the topcoat to last longer. In applying your basecoat, you must put enough pressure when rubbing it on to your board. If you rub it lightly, nothing will come off the wax, and it will take you a long time to finish. You will notice a strange sound while rubbing this wax on your surface, which is okay. It means that you are already forming bumps on the board, and the wax is bouncing over them. You have to start making a broader stroke until you see the bump patterns emerging. Here are the different techniques that you can use in applying your basecoat: Straight-line pattern: Applying the wax up and down the board, in parallel straight lines. Circle pattern: Applying the wax in small circles, moving it up and down until the bumps begin to form. Crosshatch pattern: Applying the wax on a diagonal pattern, and then perpendicular to the diagonal, forming a pattern of crosshatch. Kitchen sink: Applying the wax in any direction, using any of the above patterns, or make your own. You’ll know you’re doing it correctly when you see bumps starting to form. Continue until you have created enough thickness or the required amount of wax. #4. Apply your topcoat. The topcoat is sensitive to the water’s temperature, so make sure you have the right type of wax for your location. When the water temperature is warm, the wax becomes too soft. To ensure the optimal level of your wax’s softness, various chemicals are added to the wax. The ideal wax type for warm water is tropical wax, while the cold wax will remain tacky in cold water where most wax gets frozen up. The rule of thumb is that you can use cold wax in warm water, but you cannot use warm wax in cold water. To be safe, consider using a topcoat wax that has a different color from your basecoat. If your topcoat and basecoat have the same color, it will be difficult to tell where you’ve applied them. If this is the case, make sure to wax in one direction. Applying the topcoat is similar to the basecoat application procedure. The only difference is that you no longer have to apply too much pressure since it is softer. You can rub it lightly from back to front. #5. Comb the wax on your board. After applying your basecoat and topcoat, grab your wax comb and run it throughout your board. Comb your wax in diagonal crosshatch lines to rough up your wax. Additionally, it will also allow you to have a better grip while using your board. #6. Spray some cold water over your surfboard. Cold water does an excellent job of wax hardening. It will also help your wax to stick better on your surfboard. #7. Check your board after you surf. If you notice that some of your topcoats flaked off, you need to add a small amount of wax on specific areas. As time goes by, the topcoat gets flat and loses some traction, which is why you also need to comb it every time you surf. If you don’t want to apply a new coat yet, you just have to comb your board in a diagonal scrape to make a crosshatch pattern. Expert Tips Make sure to use the ideal wax type for your water temperature. … Read more

7 Easy Steps on How to Stand Up on a Surfboard

December 19, 2019by Luke Morris

Surfing is one of the physical and mental activities that require endurance, balance, flexibility, power, speed, and mental toughness. If you want to overcome the bigger waves, you must be willing to commit to strict training and follow the instructions in this article. Even experienced surfers spend most of their time in training to boost their athletic capacity. Do you know how to stand up on a surfboard properly? Mastering this stance will help you jumpstart your surfing prowess in no time. So, it is essential to know how to properly do it, as well as to avoid suffering from injuries. Standing still in a surfboard can be tricky. You must learn the correct techniques to achieve the right position of your body while overcoming the waves. Fortunately, this article is here to discuss the seven easy steps on how to stand up on a surfboard. How to Stand Up on a Surfboard #1. Practice your proper position on land. Before hitting the ocean, take time to practice your standing technique on land. Lay your toes touching the tail on the board. Afterward, put your hands near your ribcage, lift your stomach, and place it like you are doing a push-up. Place your thumbs in line with your lower ribs. Always remember to look straight up. Refrain from looking down or from moving your head. You should also avoid using your upper body strength to launch and take off. #2. Slide your knees. Without changing your hands’ position, slide both of your knees up. This step means that you are now kneeling at the center of your board. #3. Shift your palms up and rest them on your fingertips Shift your palms to rest on your fingers. At first, you will always look down at your board to check whether your hands are in the right position. But remember that this is only fine when you are practicing on the sand. When you are already in the water, you must be confident, keep your chin high, do this step, and look straight ahead. #4. Bring your dominant foot forward. Now that you’re resting your fingertips while in the kneeling position, it is time to bring your foot forward. If you have a surf coach, he will teach you which foot to bring forward. If you don’t, you can choose whatever is comfortable. After putting it forward, place it flat at the center of your board. Make sure that your foot has a slight angle for balance. Additionally, make sure that both of your feet are in the right position. If they’re too far from each other, your board won’t be able to speed up. Otherwise, your board will lean out and collapse. #5. Twist your hips, then stand! After putting a foot forward, it’s time to twist your hips to the side and crouch your body. Keep your knees bent and face forwards since it will help you keep your balance. #6. Ride the waves. Keep your knees bent at all times. With this position, you will help your body to maintain its balance and lower your center of gravity. Keep your arms up and look straight forward. When your arms are always in the “surfer’s position”, you can keep your momentum going. Push your hips forward so you can transfer some pressure on your front leg. Additionally, you should also dip your back leg slightly to give you a more comfortable position. When you want to paddle, make sure to arch your back slightly so you can easily engage with your shoulders. Plus, your thumbs should be the first ones to enter the water. Afterward, close your fingers and draw the water under your board slightly. When the wave is getting close, paddle as fast and as strong as you can, but if you feel the wave pushing your surfboard, stand up. #7. Catch the broken waves. You wouldn’t want to be rolled over by big waves. However, you should not also insert yourself into them right away. Instead, practice catching the waves on shallower water near the shore. While you are doing this, never turn your back on the waves since they can seriously injure you. Face the waves while waiting for the perfect one. Practice this technique in shallow waters. If you can do it at least half of the time, then you will be ready to pull through the bigger waves. How to Stand Up Like a Professional Surfer? #1. Practice angling your board. If you want to experience the longest ride possible, you must ride it parallel to the shore. To do this, you must continue to bend your knees. Afterward, lightly put pressure in your desired direction. This way, you can elicit a kneel impact that breaks into the water and direct your board. #2. Take time to study the waves. For professional surfers, observing the waves and their behaviors allows them to become better. It will take some time, but eventually, you’ll get there. With committed learning, you will be able to tell the best wave to ride on. Additional Expert Tips Try to stand up on your surfboard as soon as the wave hits you. When you wait too long, you’ll eventually get to your knees before you decide to stand up because it’s too woolly to do so. Aim to get up right away. When you start to stand up and surf, keeping your head looking straight forward is crucial. When you notice that you are slipping off your surfboard, you will probably look down. Trust yourself and keep looking up. If you have experience in boarding like skateboarding, snowboarding, wakeboarding, and so on, you may quickly learn how to stand comfortably. But if you haven’t, you must place your most muscular leg at the back. This way, you will find it easier to maintain your balance while standing up on your surfboard. Common Mistakes While Surfing #1. Positioning your push-up hands in front of you. Some surfers unconsciously put … Read more

How to Improve Your Surf Balance: The Ultimate Guide

December 19, 2019by Luke Morris

When you’re out of the water or want a productive Saturday afternoon, consider learning to improve balance in surfing. To be a good surfer means having a good balance. It also reduces the risks of water injury when you’re surfing. There are lots of ways to improve surf balance. Whether you’re at home, at the gym, or at the beach, there are ways to help you get ready to catch the perfect wave on your next surfing session. In this article, we will talk about tips and tricks that are proven to be effective in improving surf balance and overall, your surfing skills. How to Improve Your Surf Balance: The Truth 1. Try skateboarding. If the idea of hitting the gym and doing balance workouts doesn’t appeal to you, you should try skateboarding instead. Jumping on a skateboard and on a surfboard is similar in many ways. It requires you to maintain your stability when you’re zooming in on the momentum of both air and water. Skateboarding is also a great way to practice surfing when you are not in the water. There are no dangers of falling and drowning here, making it ideal for beginners in surfing as well. 2. Practice yoga. Yoga is not only for mindfulness and relieving yourself of stress and anxiety. It can help to improve balance in surfing. It is one of the best surfer exercises that you can try. Yoga helps to improve your flexibility, and balance, and strengthen your core, aside from helping you relax after being out on the water for a long time. Make sure that you focus on yoga workout routines that are anchored to improving your balance. As a result, you’ll be able to stand on the board without losing your balance. If you can’t afford a yoga instructor, you can always buy a yoga mat and get started in the comfort of your home. #3. Exercise at home. You don’t need to hit the gym just to work out. If you want to improve your balance in surfing, spend every vacant time of yours exercising and trying to be healthy at home. For instance, you can try a single-leg balance. This exercise is famous among surfers because it helps them to stand on the board and control bigger waves easily. When doing a single-leg balance, all you need to do is get up, keep your dominant feet on the floor, and raise your non-dominant leg. Make sure that you maintain your hips square and your knees bent slightly. Now that you’re standing on one leg, slowly place your hand on your knee and keep that position for at least 30 seconds. After that, repeat the same process using your other leg. Aside from the single-leg balance exercise, there are other workout routines such as diamond press-ups, wide press-ups, sit-ups, and even tossing a tennis ball that can help you in improving your surfing balance. You can do all of these in the comfort of your home. #4. Invest in the right surfing gear. If you want to get serious about surfing, aside from investing in the best surfboard out there, you should also invest in the right surfing gear and gadgets that can help to improve your balance in surfing. Some exercise routines may also require proper equipment for effective execution. For instance, one of the most vital surfing gear that you should invest in is a balance board. This rolling cylinder and board combo will allow you to improve your stability and strengthen your legs. It is also a great way to practice placing your feet firmly on the board. Balance cushions are also a significant investment. This cushion allows you to stand atop and improve your stability, the perfect activity to do during a rainy afternoon when you can’t go out and surf. Aside from these, there are also fitness balls that help to improve your core. Coordination between your hands and your eyes is vital when surfing. Fitness balls can help you get the most out of your exercises at home. 5. Maintain your position. This applies when you are in the water. After you’ve captured the green wave, make sure to maintain the right position. It prevents you from falling in the water or getting thrown off your board. Bend your knees just a little but keep your spine straight and stiff. Make sure that you relax your arms when it’s hanging down. Try not to stiffen as it can add weight to your board, making you lose your balance when you are surfing. Aside from that, you also need to master compressing your lower body while keeping your upper body in a straight position. Bend your knees and make sure that it is pointing toward each other. Bending your upper body down will only shift your weight and may cause you to lose your balance. 6. Choose your board wisely. Choosing the right board plays a significant role in improving your balance in surfing. There are lots of surfboards that you can choose from. Some are ideal for beginners, and some boards are for experts. For starters, it is best to invest in a high-volume surfboard. Aside from its excellent weight support, this type of board is easy to ride, allowing you to maintain your balance when you’re in the water. You should also consider investing in surfboard traction pads and surf wax. The texture of your surfboard should prevent you from slipping. It also helps to keep your balance while on the board and gain better control when you are surfing. Frequently-Asked Questions (FAQ) Related Resources Common Surfing Mistakes Surfing Wetsuits Surf Gloves Surfing Tips Epoxy vs. Fiberglass Surfboards Bodyboards Luke MorrisLuke Morris is an avid athlete and the driving force behind Surfhungry, a vibrant online platform dedicated to sharing the joy and passion of surfing and water sports with enthusiasts around the world. With a deep-rooted love for the ocean and a lifelong commitment to riding waves, Luke’s journey as … Read more

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