Board Care and Being Aware

Once you become the proud owner of a surfboard you will need to pay attention to how it is maintained, transported and stored to get the best out of your new surfing friend. A surfboard does not last forever but good care can extend its performance and lifespan.

Destruction Guaranteed – Avoid it.

The quickest and most effective way to destroy your board is to forget to tie it onto the roof racks of your vehicle and start driving. Not only does the board need to be secured but it also needs to be secured in the right place. Whether in the tray of your truck or on the roof of a car, make sure the board is not sticking out in the way of passing or parking cars, or pedestrian traffic. Someone who walks into a board can turn into an animal in pain and lash out at the offending object.

Hot Stuff - Sun Exposure and Heat

One of the surest ways to damage any board (including bodyboards and SUP’s) is to leave it in the sun or a hot car. Even in a board cover of any kind this is sure to lessen the life of the board as well as its performance.

One of the things that probably influenced your choice of board was it’s colour. Not only will the sun cause your board to “yellow” but it can weaken the integrity of the fibreglass. Covering the board will obviously keep it from the sun’s rays but it will not protect it from heat damage. Whether on a roof rack, in a car or sitting in a cover in the sun on a hot day, heat will start a delaminating process by weakening the outer layer. Going from extreme heat to a cool place can also cause cracking that will allow water to get under the outer layer again causing the outer layer to separate from the core.

To avoid damage from the elements make sure you rinse off the salt, get your board into a cover and get it into a shady place as soon as you leave the water.

Where to Keep It

The most obvious answer to the question “Where should I store my board?” is

“In a safe place.” Left on your car in the street is not a safe place even if it is tied down and not in the way of passing traffic. Anywhere in clear view with easy access makes your board a target for theft.

Ideally a board should be stored indoors but clearly laying it on the floor in a doorway is not the best way to keep your board undamaged. Neither is standing against a wall where it can be knocked over by either a person or a gust of wind. At the same time storage methods are often limited by space. However stacking boards is not the solution. Not only will the board on the bottom suffer, but wax from the top of layered boards can transfer to the bottom of the board above. This is where specifically designed board brackets or racks are a great idea. Placing your board in a cover (even if it is only a sock) and then store securely to prevent avoidable damage while the board is not in use.

Dinged Boards Die Younger (if the ding remains unrepaired)

At some stage, either in the surf or out, most boards end up with a ding. This can happen through carelessness such as forgetting to tie the board to the car or tethering too loosely letting it bounce it’s way home. A good quality padded board cover can lessen the likelihood of damage but cannot protect from rough treatment. Not wearing a leash on a reef break, or when surfing close to pylons or near rocks is another sure way to put your board in danger of getting an unwanted ding. Care also needs to be taken when paddling over these obstacles.

Whatever the reason for the ding in your board, the golden rule to keeping the board alive is “Don’t surf on a dinged board”. Repair any dings or cracks as soon as possible to prevent the water getting to the foam core and causing it to become water logged.

Invest and Save (buy a board cover)

In the long term, spending on a board cover is a saving.

Whether it’s a sock, board bag or a coffin, protect your board!