How to Store Your Surfboard

As a surfer, you know the truth: getting on a board and mastering the waves is an exhilarating experience. There’s the salty tang of the water, the wide, blue ocean view, and the rush of skimming toward the beach at rapid speed. It’s also a great workout, a time to bond with other surfers, and just a lot of fun.

Your surfboard is your most essential piece of equipment. You need to take good care of it, which means storing it correctly. In this article, we’ll cover how to store your board, especially if you need to do so long term.

Cleaning Your Board

Rinse off your board with fresh water every time you’re done surfing for the day. Do this thoroughly, and make sure you wash off any salt and grime. If salt dries on your board, it can cause serious damage. Then, dry the surface with an absorbent towel.

If you plan to store it for more than a few weeks, strip off all the wax.

Store It Close to the Beach

Store your surfboard at a storage facility within a mile or so from the beach. This makes it easy to pick it up as soon as you’re ready to surf again. Just remember to wax your board before you take it out at the start of the warm season.

Picking a Storage Unit

When it comes to picking a unit that will fit everything one needs to store, we usually refer people to our self storage size guide. If you have more to store than just your board, check that out.

Keep in mind the length of your board. Most are between six and eight feet long. You’ll want to make sure your board fits in the dimensions of the unit. The standard height for a storage unit is eight feet. So, if your board is shorter than that, you may be fine with a 5x5 unit and storing your board upright, just like they’re displayed at surf shops.

However, you’d be better served getting a unit 10 or 15 feet deep or wide. If possible, mount your board on the wall. This will give it enough room even if you keep it in a board bag or case.

As for the storage facility, find one with extended hours. That way, if you want to get up at 6 am and go surfing, you’ll be able to get your surfboard.

How to Store Your Board

Yes, a bag or case for your surfboard is a good idea. They can keep your board from getting dings and scratches while in your storage unit, and keep dust away.

Rather than lean your board upright against the wall, where it may fall over and crack, or on its side on the floor, we highly recommend getting wall racks to mount your board. First, make sure this is all right with the facility. If they’re near the beach, they may even have suggestions for what type to use, or they may install the mounts for you.

Surfboard wall racks come in a variety of styles made of different materials, from wood to PVC, and they cost between about $15 and $100. Many are designed to really show off your board, so they’re not only good for mounting your board in a storage unit, they’re great for displaying your board at home should that be what you want to do.

Further Protecting Your Surfboard

To make sure your board stays in even better shape in storage, get a unit with climate control. This can help mitigate any damage caused by salinity in the air, and will help keep the air dry enough to prevent mold or mildew, but not so dry that other belongings might crack.

All this will extend the life of your surfboard and allow you to enjoy it for years. Hang ten!