25 Knarly Gifts for Surfers

A waterproof watch is an excellent gift for a surfer because it helps them keep track of time in any environment. But don’t just go for any watch that’s advertised as waterproof. Instead, get an Apple Watch, which is waterproof and has many features and apps.

The Apple Watch is also great because it now supports cellular connectivity. Thus, surfers can receive and make calls while still in the water. Apple watches also have health apps that track the number of calories burned and one’s vitals.

A beach towel is an inexpensive and practical gift for surfers because they don’t want to be wet after getting out of the water. Quick dry or absorbent towels are fantastic for surfers, especially during winter.

If you want something fancier than a towel, then a towel robe will do just fine. A towel robe is an ideal gift when surfing in cold water or weather. Robes are also great because they can help surfers keep warm.

A surfboard sock is a cover that helps prevent the surfboard from getting damaged. Surfboard socks have a stretchable knit fabric that helps fit any board’s size. The quality of the sock’s fabric is also vital for protecting your car’s interior from damage when driving to and from your surfing spots.

Surfboard socks come in a variety of colors and sizes. You can choose the type of sock that best suits the needs and preferences of the surfer. The bottom of the sock contains a storage pocket where surfers can hide snacks and other goodies.

A changing mat can help keep surfers clean and in minimal contact with beach sand while changing. You can go with a grass-changing mat as they help dust off any sand or dirt particles you may have when changing.

A mat can also help store your wetsuit after surfing. You don’t have to worry about getting the car wet after getting out of the water. Most changing mats come with closure straps, so you can place the wetsuit on the mat and roll it up.

Grass-changing mats are also great for children or adults with sensory needs. The grass bristles improve the comfort one feels under their legs when changing.

A traction pad is a great gift for surfers who are relatively new to the practice. Traction pads serve as add-ons to a surfboard to help increase the board’s traction, thereby minimizing the risk of slipping when surfing.

Modern traction pads get built using 3D technology, which allows for hyper-detailing. Numerous patterns and designs are available, and traction pads provide a great warping effect. Traction pads help surfers become more skilled at the craft and catch bigger waves.

Wetsuits as a gift for surfers are always a great idea because one may never have enough. A great wetsuit is essential, especially when surfing in cold water or during winter. Wetsuits come in different sizes and varying thickness levels. Thus, you may not get the right size by shopping for it online unless you know the surfer’s thickness and size.

Wetsuits help keep surfers warm when in water and can act as protection from the sun. If it isn’t the right time to get a wetsuit, consider buying surfer board shorts. But ensure the board shorts are stretchy, comfortable, and lightweight.

The women’s long sleeve bikini cut wetsuit is an excellent gift for female surfers. It’s hand-made and comes in a comfortable neoprene fabric with a stripe on one leg.

Surfers use a lot of sunscreen so getting this as a gift is very practical. Buy a sunscreen that doesn’t contain many chemicals to minimize the risks posed to marine life, such as the Sun Bum Sunscreen.

The Sun Gel from Lifejacket is also an excellent choice because it’s clinically approved for sensitive skin. Sun Gel is also water-resistant and non-greasy.  

Wax is an excellent gift for surfers if you are on a budget. Surfers depend on wax to increase the grip they have on their boards. There are several wax products for surfers in the market. It’s often better to get a base coat and temperature-specific bar.

Wax helps give surfers optimal balance when cutting through waves. The sticky bumps wax is one of the most popular in the industry. Sticky Bumps uses biodegradable material in the manufacture of their wax.

The use of wax leads to a buildup over time, making the surfboard seem old and ugly. When this happens, a wax remover is the only product or gift surfers would genuinely appreciate. 

The Sexwax Pickle Wax Remover is one of the more popular brands in the market because it:

• Comes with a wax comb
• It’s not toxic and comes in biodegradable packaging
• It doesn’t require additional chemicals or spirits

Wax removers give surfboards that new and fresh feel. It’s an ideal gift because old and overly-waxed surfboards become inefficient.

Maintaining a clean wetsuit is a challenging task. Wetsuits need to get cleaned properly to ensure they stay free from bacteria and stenches. A wetsuit cleaner or shampoo helps remove organic residue, salt, and chlorine.

A wetsuit shampoo or cleaner is key to maintaining the sportswear’s freshness and the suppleness of neoprene.The shampoo can last up to 10 washes, meaning surfers always need more. Luckily, this is an inexpensive gift you can get surfers anytime you go shopping.

Taking care of surfboards and other surfing materials is not easy because the risk of damage is high. A repair kit is handy for fixing any issues surfers may encounter, such as pressure dings. You can also get a surfer a wetsuit repair kit to help them patch up any tears they may suffer.

Enthusiastic surfers often think about surfing even when they aren’t in the water. Getting them a balance trainer helps them practice to improve their coordination and balance. Balance trainers help prepare surfers at any level for anything the water might throw at them.

Sunglasses are an ideal gift for surfers as they come with an ultra-lightweight frame. Oakleys prism lens sunglasses give surfers excellent vision by cutting through the sun’s glare when on water.  

Let your surfer friends and loved ones capture every moment out on the water by giving them the waterproof GoPro Hero 11 camera. The camera is unique because it has a digital stabilization feature that allows shaky hands to capture perfectly still pictures.

The GoPro camera has cloud-connectivity capability, meaning each picture taken gets automatically stored. Although a bit pricey, this is a gift any surfer would appreciate as it gives them the power to take professional shots and videos while out surfing.

It sucks when water gets into one’s ear. Imagine surfing and worrying about keeping water out of your ears without earplugs. That’s why buying earplugs as gifts for surfers is such a great idea. Earplugs will keep water out, reducing the risk of surfer’s ear.

The Creatures of Leisure earplugs are a great choice because they allow sound into the ear. Surfers don’t have to sacrifice hearing each other or anyone else while protecting their ears from water.

Storing surfboards can create a messy garage. Getting a display rack or a board storage rack for a surfer helps solve this problem. An excellent display rack helps protect surfboards from damage and lets surfers appreciate their boards’ beauty.

Display racks look great, whether inside or outside the house. Go for display or storage racks that have padded arms and easy-installation features.

Surfing boots are a necessity if the person you are buying them for usually surfs in cold water or during winter. These boots help keep the feet warm during surfing, as wetsuits don’t extend the entire body length.

During warmer climates, consider getting a surfer some sandals. Sandals are a great gift to help ease their movement when they are out of the water.

Surf gloves are another gift for surfers, ideal during winter or for surfing in cold water. Surf gloves are a must-have for keeping a surfer’s hands warm or improving their grip on their board. Surf gloves come in various sizes, but you should get a glove with an adequate level of thickness for optimal comfort and grip.

Surf hoods are an excellent gift for helping surfers keep their heads warm when in water. Most surf hoods are neoprene-based and come in various sizes and shapes. Surf hoods are ideal for all-year surfing.

The Skins Legend wetsuit hood is stretchable for an easier fit. It also comes with an adjustable face cord to make it easier to seal.

It may seem like surfing takes place during hot summer afternoons. But avid surfers want the ability to surf during any weather regardless of the water’s temperatures. That is why a thermal vest is such a great gift.

Similar to hoods, a thermal vest is specifically designed to help surfers keep warm. A thermal vest is usually worn underneath a wetsuit. The vest is ideal for keeping the body’s internal organs warm if the water is freezing.

Most surfers take a shower before and after a surf. But this process can be complex if one travels some distance to get to their surfing destination. A portable shower has a water-carrying capacity and allows you to heat the water before showering.

A portable shower is the best gift for surfers who want to get into other activities immediately after surfing. The gift is convenient, and it’s not too pricey.

A backpack or dry bag is an excellent gift for surfers as it’s a portable storage device. Surfers don’t have to keep damp clothes or wetsuits in their cars. 

A dry bag helps protect one’s belongings and ensures they remain sand-free. Certain backpacks come with extra straps on the outside to help surfers carry their boards.

A surf poncho provides surfers with an alternative way to change. Surfers don’t have to get out of their wetsuits to throw on a poncho. Surf ponchos come in various styles, with some having pockets or hoods. Go for the option that provides optimal comfort after or before surfing.

Clothes, including wetsuits, that don’t dry properly often stink. A hanger or portable clothesline can help surfers dry their clothes quickly after they get out of the water. Consider buying a magnetic clothes hook if you can’t find a hanger.

Sometimes surfing is only enjoyable once someone understands everything it entails. A surfing book is a fantastic gift for anyone enthusiastic about the watersport. Surfing books can help people who can’t surf to feel closer to the sport. 

There are a lot of great surfing books out there, such as:

• William Finnegan’s “Barbarian Days: A Surfing Life”
• Susan Casey’s “The Wave”
• Gerry Lopez’s “Surf Is Where You Find It”