Surfing Accessories - Sam's Picks

Looking for the latest surfing accessories to make your session stress free? As a surfer myself, I can relate. There are plenty of factors often overlooked when planning a strike mission, as stoke levels are at a maximum, and nothing else in the world seems to matter. But, it’s important to understand there are surfing accessories available to us which will make a heap of difference in the long run. Therefore, I’ve chosen two awesome products I’ve used in the past, and one other that I wish I’d used in the past – which you’ll soon find out why.

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Far King Ultimate Blend Surf Wax

An obvious accessory I know, but Far King have been in the wax game for over 20 years, so you know they’re legit when it comes to stickiness. However, it’s important to understand surf wax varies for different water temperatures and climates. So, be mindful there are four wax grades: Cold, cool, warm and tropical. The difference being the hardness. Hence, when water temperature increases the wax tends to soften up and break down due to the heat. Therefore, a harder wax is needed to withstand hot conditions. But, if the water temperature decreases, the wax tends to get harder and can become slippery. Thus, a softer wax is needed so it doesn’t harden up in the water.

Being from Australia and having lived on the Gold Coast (Queensland) and in Melbourne (Victoria) I can confirm the hardness of wax has a huge impact on different surfing conditions. The Gold Coast is a tropical climate, whereby it’s always sunny and has a high percentage of humidity but can also bucket down rain. Therefore, I would use nothing other than a tropical wax. However, Victoria is a whole different ball game as it’s cold. Not UK cold, but cold enough to wear a 4’3 wetsuit. So, I would use a cold wax, because there is nothing worse than a tropical wax hardening up on your board in chilly conditions. It’s basically like surfing a new wax-less board.

Buy Far King Ultimate Blend Surf Wax here.

Sun Cure Fiberfill Repair Kit

It’s amazing how many dents are discovered on surfboards after a session. Reefs, sandbars, and other surfboards are the main culprits. So, having Sun Cure resin will put your mind at ease, as it’s an easy fix for any unwanted indentations. The best thing about the Sun Cure Fireball Repair Kit is that it doesn’t require any mixing and can be used in all temperatures. All you need to do is spread the resin, wait for it to dry, then sand it down so it’s flush with the outer fibreglass of your board.

I’ve lost count of the number of dents I’ve had in my boards. However, each time I’ve discovered a new one, I’ve used Sun Cure. Except for the time I snapped my board clean in half whilst surfing Duranbah (Gold Coast) when it was delivering beautiful 5ft wedges. I wouldn’t recommend using resin for a snapped board…

Buy the Sun Cure Fiberfill Repair Kit here.

Sharkbanz

Sharkbanz are an easy way of adding peace of mind when surfing. Granted there aren’t too many sharks here in the UK, but where I’m from, they’re everywhere. So, to have something that is science tested and results proven, can be the difference between paddling out or staying on the beach.

Sharks rely heavily on their electro-receptors. It’s what they use to judge distance, shapes and heartrates of other animals (or humans) around them. So, when Sharkbanz enlisted the services of renowned marine biologist’s Dr Eric Stroud and Dr Patrick Rice, a wave of relief would have washed over surfers across the world. The band itself uses special patented magnetic technology for the sole purpose of deterring sharks from attacking people. As a shark approaches a person wearing a Sharkbanz, magnetic waves permeate from the band disrupting the shark’s electro receptors, which inevitably forces the shark to turn away. It’s as simple as that.

During my stint on the Gold Coast, I was evacuated four times from the water, due to sharks in the area. Before then, I never used to think about what was lurking underneath me. However, after the fourth premature end to my session, I started to question whether it was safe to hit the line-up again. Obviously, I always did, but it would have been a lot easier for me to get in the water knowing I had a Sharkbanz wrapped around my ankle.

Buy Sharkbanz here.

Just something to think about…

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Written by Sam Quennell

@wetsuitoutlet