Gifts for Surfers
A surfer’s routine starts before they reach the water and continues after the last wave. Think about the cold car park, a wet wetsuit and sand in the boot as well as the board itself. These ideas concentrate on those everyday jobs; boards, fins and wetsuits are better chosen with the surfer because dimensions, local conditions and personal preference matter.
Ideas prepared by WantThis
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How we chose these gifts
These are editorial ideas, not tested products. “Plan up to” is a suggested spending allowance, not a retailer price or a promise that every version costs that amount. Check the exact fit, current price and delivery before buying.
What makes a good pick
- Find out whether they walk, cycle or drive to the beach: bulky changing equipment suits a car better than a small backpack.
- Check board construction and the water temperature before choosing wax or repair materials.
- Choose quick-drying equipment with somewhere realistic to hang it at home.
The ideas
- 1
A roomy changing poncho
Plan up to £50A good fit for: Beach changes without a sheltered changing room
A poncho gives them a practical place to change and can dry off skin before getting dressed. Choose generous arm openings and a length that works for their height, rather than buying by an ambiguous one-size label.
Before you buy: A towel poncho is different from an insulated weatherproof changing coat.
- 2
A waterproof wet-kit tub
Plan up to £25A good fit for: Surfers bringing a dripping wetsuit home in the car
A flexible tub keeps wet neoprene and sandy boots together for the journey home. A broad base can double as a clean surface to stand on while changing, and is easier to rinse than the carpet in a car boot.
Before you buy: Check boot space; empty and dry it after use rather than storing the wetsuit wet.
- 3
A wide wetsuit drying hanger
Plan up to £25A good fit for: Someone with a usable shower or outdoor drying space
Supporting the suit over a broad bar makes a drying spot more useful than a thin clothes hanger. Look for smooth contact points and a shape that fits their shower rail, so the gift solves an actual storage problem.
Before you buy: Follow the wetsuit maker’s drying advice; a hanger is not permission to use direct heat.
- 4
A wax and comb refill bundle
Plan up to £15A good fit for: A surfer whose board and usual water temperature you know
Replacing a worn comb and replenishing the wax they already use is a small gift with a clear job. Ask which temperature grade they buy and whether they also use a base coat before putting the bundle together.
Before you buy: Do not guess a wax grade from the season alone or buy for a board that uses a deck pad instead.
- 5
A board sock in the correct length
Plan up to £40A good fit for: Short trips where a light cover is convenient
A soft cover can keep wax away from car upholstery and protect a board from light surface scuffs between sessions. Measure the board and check the nose shape before choosing; a loose generic cover is less satisfying.
Before you buy: A sock offers little impact protection and does not replace a padded travel bag.
- 6
A session with a local surf coach
Plan up to £100A good fit for: A surfer who has named a skill they want to improve
A lesson can focus on the turn, take-off or confidence problem they actually care about. Choose a coach who works with their current level and local break, and give them control over the date and conditions.
Before you buy: Check equipment, cancellation arrangements and travel; do not book a fixed date as a surprise.
Save your favourites
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Create your free listFAQs
Should I buy a surfboard as a surprise?
Usually choose it together. Volume, length, construction and the waves they surf all affect suitability; a contribution to their chosen board is safer than guessing.
What is a useful small surfer gift?
Their usual wax, a replacement comb or a wet-kit tub can be useful without guessing wetsuit sizing. Check what they already carry first.
Spotted a changed price or specification? Tell us which product needs a correction.