Here’s what you need to consider and some surf stuff I love…

What to pack for your surfing holiday

The first thing to consider when you’re deciding what to pack for your surfing holiday is where you’re going and how warm it will be.  What is the air temperature likely to be?  How sunny will it be?  What will the water temperature be?

You’ll also want to consider how much you personally feel the cold.  I turn a little blue after 30 minutes in an indoor swimming pool, so I need more neoprene than the average lady!  Are you normally warm or cold?

Swimwear

Regardless of the temperature you’ll need to be wearing swimmers.  You’ll want something good quality in the waves – and by that I mean NOT FLIMSY! At least not if you value your dignity…

Your options are:

Surf Bikini

You can buy bikinis specifically designed for watersports – which means they stay on when you wipe out! Typically they are racer back or cross back, but whatever you do don’t try to get away with a triangle bikini – it will not work.

Here’s some good options:

Swimsuit

You can’t go wrong with a one-piece swimsuit. They’re all joined up, so they won’t be moving around at all. Plus – you can wear them for swimming in your local pool at home. Try these:

Surfsuit

A cross between a swimsuit and a rash vest, these one-pieces are comfy and practical. And they look great too! Here’s some of my faves:

Surfwear

Once you’ve decided on the swimmers to pack for your surfing holiday, depending on where you’re going (and what is available to borrow) you’ll probably want a few more things for the water.

In warm water climates you might want to pack:

Rash vest

Rash vests protect you from the sun and also prevent your belly from rubbing on the board wax. Try these:

Boardies

I’m personally paranoid that my bikini bottoms will fall off when I wipe out…

Surf leggings

Surf leggings protect your legs from the sun and prevent your knees from rubbing on the board. Here are some good ones:

Wetsuit jacket

I recommend taking a surf jacket if you feel the cold easily. I wear mine for sunrise/sunset surfing in hot climates. Check out these ones:

Reef shoes

You might need these if you’re going to be surfing on a reef. You only really need them if you need to put your feet on the bottom to push up onto your board. Otherwise, just don’t put your feet down.

In cooler water you might need:

Wetsuit

Most places will let you borrow one for the duration of your trip, but if you’re planning to surf a lot or are an awkward size, it’s good to have your own. Try these:

Gloves, Boots & Hood

Only if it’s really freezing!  You can surf in Iceland…

Accessories

Sunglasses

Hat

Flip flops (or Thongs or Jandals, depending where you’re from!)

Other bits

Wax

I love Mr Zoggs. Make sure you get the right one for the water temperature where you’re going!

Beach bag

Dry Bag

I wrote a post a while back about why dry bags are ace – you can find it here!

Towel

When you’re travelling, you might not want to lug around a heavy beach towel. I love hammam towels, which double as a sarong when you need to cover up:

Zinc

If you’re heading somewhere really toasty – Bali, Costa Rica, Sri Lanka, etc. – you’ll need a lot of sun protection. Zinc blocks the sun and doesn’t come off in the water. They even come in skin tones, try these:

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Related post: Why surfing is good for your soul

And surfers are the definition of cool with their toned bodies, tanned skin and sun-bleached hair. What’s not to like?

There are even ways to get involved with surf culture without getting your hair wet!

Get started with surfing adventure…

If you don’t feel ready to take on the ocean, test your balance on an artificial indoor wave! Find somewhere nearby that has a Flow Rider you can try. These machines work with a stream of fast-flowing shallow water, so you won’t end up in the drink!

Or go and watch a surf competition. Watch the pros do all the work while you sit on the beach with a cool beer!

A little more surfing adventure…

It’s time to test the waters! Go ahead and book a surf lesson. Head to your nearest surf beach for an introduction to the surf (with a nice soft board to get you started!).

Or, if the beach is too far, wave gardens are popping up all over the place! You’ll be up on your feet in no time. Some places even offer an extra lesson for free if you don’t manage to stand up.

Maximum surfing adventure!

If you’re keen for a longer term surfing adventure, why not go on a surfari? Surf trips cater for all levels – from complete beginner to advanced surfer.

Top spots include Morocco, Costa Rica and Portugal where you’ll find warm sunny weather for your trip. India and Sri Lanka are up and coming surf destinations too!

Or, if you’re feeling really adventurous, take a leaf out of Chris Burkard’s book (or his documentary) and head somewhere colder. Surf trips exist in Iceland and Norway! Just remember your wetsuit thermals, gloves and boots!

Surfing not for you?

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Five funny questions people ask about surfing

I quite like the questions. They make me smile! But if you want to seem a little more knowledgable, try these alternatives.

Can you stand up?

Um. Yes. Silly question? If you tell me you play tennis, do I ask if you can hit the ball?

Ask instead: Are you a long-boarder or a short-boarder?

Do you ever fall in?

Yes! All the time! And mostly on purpose! (The above photo *may* not have been on purpose…)

It makes me smile that people think the object of surfing is to make it all the way to the beach without falling in.

I’d prefer not to hop off my board in shallow water and risk a broken ankle, thanks. Besides, I spent a good 20 minutes paddling hard to get out there. There’s no way I’m coming all the way in just to paddle all the way out again!

Ask instead: What’s the longest ride on a wave you’ve had?

Do you wear anything under your wetsuit?

I do. Most people do. Some people don’t.

Those people haven’t considered what will happen if they hurt themselves while surfing. Someone will have to cut you out of that skin-tight suit of yours and you’ll want to have something on under there… (happened to a friend…)

(NB. It’s super unlikely that you’d get hurt but just in case.)

Ask instead: What’s your favourite surf brand?

Do you pee in your wetsuit?

Let’s keep this as one of the great mysteries of surfing. Nobody knows for sure what anyone else does or doesn’t do in their own neoprene outfit. And do you really want to know?

Ask instead: Anything else!

Are there sharks?

No. None. Ever.

At least that’s what I tell myself. Even when I surf Shark Bay. Although thanks to Mick Fanning’s fishy friend, J Bay is no longer on my surf bucket list.

No surfer wants to think about sharing the water with a great white – so we just don’t.

Ask instead: Have you ever surfed with Dolphins?

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