Once you have all the right gear for surfing you need, that’s it, everything is free from there on out.
Unlike many other sports you don’t have to ‘pay-to-play’, and you can enjoy the ocean and everything it has to offer without any further investment.
But what are the essential pieces of kit you need to get started, and what are the non essential ‘nice to haves’?
In this mega list we’ll be sharing it all with you.
So strap in, there’s a lot to get through.
SURFING GEAR MEGA LIST: EVERYTHING YOU NEED, PLUS LOTS THAT YOU DON’T…
1. SURFBOARD
The surfboard is obviously the most essential piece of gear you’ll need.
They come in all shapes and sizes, and it’s important to be on the right surfboard for your level.
Beginner surfboards will be big and very buoyant for stability, whereas more advanced surfboards will be small, built for manoeuvrability.
2. WETSUIT
Surfers wear wetsuits to keep themselves warm in cooler waters.
The best wetsuits for surfing are built from high quality neoprene, to provide a thermal layer to keep warmth in, and the cool out.
3. LEASH
A surfboard leash, or legrope as its often known attaches to a surfers ankle connecting a surfer to their board, and stopping the surfboard from floating away when you wipeout.
They come in a few different sizes, varying to match the size of the board you’re riding, from 6ft to 9ft.
4. SURF WAX
Surfers use specially designed wax to add grip to their surfboards.
Rubbed all over the deck of their boards, the wax helps surfers to stand on their boards without falling.
You can learn how to wax a surfboard here.
5. RASH GUARD
Rash guards are tight lycra tops that surfers sometimes wear in warm climates to protect them from the sun whilst they surf, also reducing rub and chafe from paddling too.
6. SUNSCREEN
Surfers spend a huge amount of time in the sun, and as such need to wear sunscreen a lot.
Not all sunscreens are made equal, so do your research and find one that will offer up proper protection in the surf.
7. SURF FINS
Surfboard fins help a surfboard to turn, and they come in a bunch of different shapes and sizes.
The type of fins you ride will impact the way your board rides, so you’ll want to do your research to be on the right fins.
This guide to surfboard fins will fill you in on all the details.
8. SURFBOARD BAG
Surfers use board bags to store their surfboards safely when out of the water, and also for surf travel on airlines too.
You can get board bags that store just a single board, all the way up to coffin bags that can carry upwards of five surfboards.
9. DING REPAIR KIT
Dings are an unavoidable part of surfing, so owning a ding repair kit is an unavoidable bi-product.
Being able to fix small dings on the fly will save you a few bucks, and minimise time spent out of the water.
10. BOARD RACK
If you’ve got a quiver of boards, why not get yourself a board rack for the home?
A safe place for storage, and a great way to show off your equipment too.
11. SURFBOARD TRACTION PAD
Surfers use traction pads as an alternative to wax to add grip to their boards.
Most surfers will add a traction pad to their surfboards tail, this is called a tail pad.
12. WETSUIT BOOTS
In colder water, the first thing to get numb is your feet.
That’s why surfers wear wetsuits boots to continue surfing in even the most frigid of waters.
If you surf in cold water, you’ll need to get yourself some boots.
13. WETSUIT HOOD
Ice-cream headaches are an all too familiar occurrence for surfers in cold water.
To combat them, surfers wear wetsuit hoods.
With a huge amount of heat being lost from the head, a wetsuit hood will go a long way to keep you warm in cooler waters.
14. EARPLUGS
Earplugs stop water from going in your ears when you surf.
They’re very useful, as extended periods of time with ears exposed to cold wind and water can result in surfers ear, a situation whereby bone grows over the ear canal.
Earplugs stop this, so they’re well worth the investment.
15. SURF WATCH
Surf watches can help you to track the tides, swell forecasts, and they can even track how many waves you get in a session.
Pretty cool if you ask me.
17. WAX REMOVER
Every now and again, you’re going to want to remove the old wax from your surfboard.
This can be done with a specialised wax remover product, or simply with Turpentine – either will do the job.
18. WETSUIT DRY BAG
A wetsuit dry bag is an epic way to transport your wet wetsuit around with you.
Chuck your wetsuit in, lock it up, and throw it in the car and you’re away.
19. FIN KEY
Depending upon the fin system you’re using: FCS or Futures, you’ll need a fin key for removing and tightening your fins.
Easy to come by, and super cheap, an essential bit of gear for every surfer.
20. KEY LOCK
A key lock is a piece of surf gear that often gets overlooked.
Get one of these and no longer will you have to store your key on your wheel arch, instead your key will be securely stored all the time.
21. SURF HELMET
Surf helmets are coming back in to vogue as the stigma of wearing them is finally being dispelled.
Worn by surfers riding big, dangerous waves.
22. SURF HAT
With the ozone layer not what it once was, exposure to harmful UV is a big deal.
And thankfully, surfing hats are now excepted and seen in line ups all around the world.
23. WETSUIT GLOVES
Wetsuit gloves will be needed if you’re surfing cold water.
They come in different thicknesses from 2mm-6mm.
24. WAX COMB
Wax comb’s are little tools that surfers use to remove old wax from their surfboards.
Cheap, and easy to get hold of – a wax comb is a key component of all surfers toolkits.
25. SURFBOARD ROOF RACK
Surfboard roof racks are an alternative, cheap way for transporting boards on your car roof.
If you travel to the surf and haven’t got room in the car, get yourself a set of these.
26. SURF CHANGING ROBE
Believe it of not, but these surf ponchos or changing robes were invented by my mate in Cornwall, UK (true story).
They’re pretty cool, and allow you to get changed in the cold without exposing your cold bits – not that there’s much to see in times like these 
27. SURF TIE-DOWN STRAPS
Surf tie-down straps will help you strap your boards to any car – regardless of whether it has a roof rack or not.
I travel with these religiously, and they’ve got me out of trouble in a number of situations.
28. NOSE GUARD
The nose guard is a bit of a relic to the 90’s.
What is it?
It’s a little piece of rubber that sticks the the end of your board with the goal of adding protection from injury.
29. INDO BOARD
The Indo Board is an epic toy for practicing balance for surfing.
Sure, they don’t come cheap, but damn they’re fun.
30. GO PRO
Now that you’re doing all this surfing you’re going to want to document it right?
And what better way to do it than the best action sports camera on the market, the Go Pro.
31. ZINC
Zinc is what surfers use as the ultimate protection for their skin against the suns harmful rays.
A non-negotiable, this should 100% be a key part of your surf gear.
32. CHANGING MAT
Such a cool idea hey.
Get changed on the mat to keep your wetsuit clean, then wrap it up and done.
I love it!
CONCLUSION
Do you need all the gear on this list just to go for a surf?
Absolutely not.
But, maybe I’ve tickled your tastebuds on a few extra pieces of kit to add that little extra spice to your surfing.
Yew!Rowan 
ROWAN CLIFFORD
Rowan is the technical nerd behind the scenes. A lover of everything entrepreneurial, and living a minimal, simple life. Surf, Travel, Create.
