If you just got a new surfboard for Christmas — congrats! That’s a great place to be.
When cared for properly, a surfboard will give you many, many years of enjoyment. Decades, even. Long enough that your kids might teach their kids to surf on it someday.
This is not a precious guide. Surfboards are meant to be ridden. But there are a few simple rules that make a big difference if you want your board to stay strong, functional, and good-looking for the long haul.
Rule #1: The Sun Is Not Your Friend
This is the big one.
The worst thing for your surfboard is extended exposure to the sun. This is true of all surfboards—none of them benefit from baking in direct sunlight.
Solution:
Store your board inside whenever you can. A north-facing wall is ideal. If it’s indoors and out of the sun, you’re already doing better than a lot of people.
Rule #2: Most Dings Don’t Happen in the Water
Collisions in the lineup happen sometimes. (More often if you live in Malibu.)
But the truth is, most surfboard damage happens outside the water — walking to and from the beach, loading the car, leaning a board against something it shouldn’t be leaning against.
Solution:
Use a board bag when the board isn’t in the water. It prevents the kind of dumb, avoidable damage that slowly adds up over time.
Rule #3: Fix Your Dings Right Away
If you get a ding, crack, dent, or rail shatter — fix it right away.
Water getting inside the board is no bueno. It softens the foam and leads to bigger problems down the road.
A simple rule of thumb:
If you can feel it with your thumbnail, it should be repaired.
Dry it out. Get it fixed. Get back in the water.
Rule #4: Heat Is Also Not Your Friend
Heat causes different problems depending on the board, but none of them are good.
On fiberglass boards, heat can cause the air inside your foam blank to expand, which causes the glass to bubble or delaminate from the foam. This is worst-case scenario stuff and very hard to fix permanently.
On the R-Series boards, extreme heat can cause the foam beads to shrink, leaving surface scarring. The foam itself is rated for high temperatures, but the issues we’ve seen usually come from things like sunlight refracting through windows, hot car interiors, radiators, or motorcycle tailpipes.
Solution:
Don’t leave boards baking in hot cars. Use a board bag. Keep them out of weird heat situations. Shade and airflow go a long way.
A Few Simple Things That Help a Lot
Strip Your Wax Once in a While
Nothing makes a board look newer, faster, than scraping off old wax and starting fresh. It’s simple, it’s satisfying, and it reminds you of what your board looked like when it was new.
Use a Leash
Leashes don’t just save you swims. They help prevent damage from rocks, shorebreak, and boards taking an uncontrolled ride toward dry land.
Store Your Board Safely
When you aren't using your board, store it in a board bag or hang it on the wall, where it can be appreciated and more importantly where it will be safe from harm. We sell a variety of options for hanging your board proudly on the wall.
Final Thought:
Surfboards are tools. Beautiful ones, but still tools.
If you store them inside, protect them on land, keep them out of excessive sun and heat, and fix problems early, they’ll take care of you for a very long time.
That’s how your brand new board turns into an old, reliable favorite.
