| Surfing doesn't require a lot of gear, but it's | | | | of your surfing gear. There are two types of |
| important to choose the right gear. Ability, | | | | common wetsuits for surfing, full suits and spring |
| location, and climate are just a few factors that | | | | suits. Full suits are for water temps in the low |
| determine the best surfing gear for you. A | | | | sixty degrees (fahrenheit) and lower. 3/2 mm |
| Surfboard, most likely a wetsuit, and a few | | | | thickness are used from about mid sixties to mid |
| accessories are really all you need. | | | | fifties. 4/3 mm thickness for mid fifties to high |
| There are many types of surfboards. Longboards | | | | forties. Below that full suits with 5/4 mm |
| are 9ft or longer. These are definitely the best | | | | thickness are in order. Spring suits, depending on |
| kind of surfboards to learn on. They float well and | | | | your comfort level, are used in the low seventy |
| catch slow moving waves the best. Funboards | | | | degrees to mid sixties. Booties and hoods are also |
| are shaped like longboards with wide tails and | | | | used with colder temps. Some major brands of |
| noses, but shorter at 7ft to 9ft in length. These | | | | wetsuits for surfing wetsuits are Quicksilver, |
| are best for longboarders moving on to | | | | O'neill, Rip Curl, and Billabong. All wetsuits should be |
| something smaller or for less than full sized adults | | | | checked very carefully for fit. There are size |
| that are learning to surf. Fishboards are very | | | | guides for almost all brands but it's best to try |
| short but wide surfboards that make for a good | | | | several wetsuits as they are all cut slightly |
| progression from funboards. They work great in | | | | different. |
| smaller, weaker surf while offering more | | | | The most important surfing accessory is the |
| manuevarability than longboards or funboards. | | | | leash. Usually they have a standard thickness and |
| Shortboards are for more advanced surfers and | | | | a thinner one called the "comp" leash. The comp is |
| offer the most performance. They are also the | | | | lighter but breaks more easily and should be |
| hardest boards to paddle and not the surfboards | | | | avoided for beginners. The other basic but useful |
| to learn on. The two main construction types of | | | | surfing accessory is the surfboard rack. There are |
| surfboards are epoxy and traditional. Epoxy is | | | | soft racks that travel easily and hard racks which |
| becoming very popular because of the lighter | | | | are easier to use but are more permanently |
| weight and high strength, but many lack the same | | | | affixed to a vehicle. |
| drive and performance of traditonal construction. | | | | Although surfing is not an equipment intensive |
| Fin setup is also a major consideration for | | | | sport, it's important to choose your surfing gear |
| surfboards. Tri fins are popular with many | | | | wisely. With so much time spent looking for surf |
| surfboards. Twin fins and Quad setups are | | | | and time spent in the water, you don't want bad |
| common with fishboards. Single fins come with | | | | surfing gear reducing your wave count. Spend the |
| many longboards. Of course you need some surf | | | | time asking other surfers their opinions about |
| wax for that surfboard. | | | | gear. Also consider that most people working at |
| For colder climates , which is most of the US | | | | your local surf shop should be able to steer you in |
| most of the time, wetsuits are a mandatory part | | | | the right direction. |