Surfers – we’re a strange bunch. We spend most of our time obsessing over repeatedly floating towards shore on a block of foam for no other reason than the fact it feels good.

To that end, shopping for surfers is notoriously difficult. Without specific instructions it’s all to easy to end up with a pack of Sexwax air fresheners, neoprene socks and a set of quad fins for your other half who surfs a thruster.

With Christmas just around the corner, read on for our pick of some of the best gifts for surfers…

For the surfer looking to spice up their ride…

 

MR 2+1 Fins

You don’t always need a new surfboard for that ‘new board feeling’. Fins can really chage how your board feels and are one of the best gifts for surfers. Most surfers will have a thruster or 5 fin set-up on their board (look for 3 or 5 fin slots), and whilst these work for the most people in the majority of conditions, throwing in a new set is a great way of giving a new lease of life to an old board.

Having recently bought a set of 2+1 Mark Richard fins, I’ve since trialled them in a variety of conditions and love them! They have given an old board a completely new feeling; loose and skatey, with the small centre fin providing hold and drive when you need it. For average conditions when you need to generate your own speed, these fins are fantastic.

Bare in mind, these fins work best on groveller style boards – not your conventional performance shortboard. Also, ensure the board they’re going into has FCS2 fin plugs! 

Available online at Boardshop, or your local surfshop.

For the cold water surfer..

 

Surf Ears 3.0

I used to think surfers ear was something that only happened to those hardy surfers ‘up north’.

That was until I met a friend of a friend in the surf one day… We acknowledged each other before she joked “I’ve heard a lot about you – mainly bad things!”
It turns out my left ear was barely functioning and there was a howling offshore into my right, so I did the classic ‘laugh, nod and say “Yes” combo.  Unfortunately, this suggested that I do in fact do bad things and left her both confused and concerned.

The moral of this story is that it’s worth looking after your ears.

Surf Ears 3.0 come with 3 different sizes of in-ear pieces, and 3 sizes of ‘support wings’ to hold them neatly in place.

Available direct from SurfEars, and in most surf shops.

*For custom moulded plugs, ensuring next level fit and comfort, check out Surf Mould Pro here.*

For the surfer who’s always ‘borrowing’ wax..

 

Fu-Wax

Just be sure to ‘borrow’ some off them next time you surf together…

Wax is one of the best gifts for surfers – like socks for non-surfers – inexpensive and always handy.

Fu-Wax is the new kid on the block (pardon the pun) but has quickly been adopted by most of the world’s elite. It’s the choice of the professionals and having tried them all we can confidently say Fu-Wax is worth the extra money.

Once they’ve received it, ensure they check out our How to Wax guide to get perfect bumps everytime.. 

Pick it up from Boardshop here.

For the surfer still using a towel…

 

RENEGADE Changing Robe

Changing with a towel on cold, windy beach isn’t fun. Our microfiber changing robes take the hassle out of changing and keep you warm and covered at all times.

Available in thick microfiber for winters at home or as a lighter, more compact travel version too. Both designs are hooded, have a pocket and even a key-loop to tie your keys to. The travel version folds down to the size of a hoodie, making it one of the best gifts for surfers who like to travel light and they’re both generously sized to ensure one-size-fits-all. 

Available on Amazon with Prime delivery here.

For surfers when the surf is flat…

 

Barbarian Days: A Surfing Life by William Finnegan

 

Our favourite book and a must read for any adventurous surfer.

Winner of the Pulitzer Prize and Sports Book of the Year, Barbarian Days follows the life of Finnegan growing up in Hawaii, before travelling on multiple surf adventures overseas. Finnegan explores every aspect of surfing in a way that with life lessons that transcend sport and adventure.

 

Let My People Go Surfing by Yvon Chouinard

You’ve heard of Patagonia, but do you know the inspirational story behind it?

Let My People Go Surfing: The Education of a Reluctant Businessman is an inspiring read and coffee table centrepiece. Chouinard shares the philosophies underlying one of the most respected and environmentally responsible companies on the planet.

Available at any good book stores.

 

And if they still need more…

Wavelength Magazine Subscription

There’s something nostalgic about opening up a surf mag..

Whilst surf mags have had a rough time over the past decade, you still can’t beat them for some light bed-time reading or on a long flight.

Our favourite is Wavelength which started in 1981. This UK mag has morphed from a monthly to a more premium, bi-annual edition, released each summer and winter respectively. Each copy is beautifully put together and filled with quality content from established surf journalists.

Their website has a few subscription offers, each offering a different gift when an annual subscription is bought for £20 – bargain!

Check out the options here.

For the budding surf vlogger…

 

GoPro Hero 9 Black

Say what you will about surfers with GoPro’s, but the bottom line is the quality of footage you can get for the price is simply astonishing. We’re not sure how GoPro keep upping their game, but the new Hero 9 black boasts 5k video recording and 14.7MP frame grabs. More than enough for even the clumsiest of surfers to get Instagram-worthy shots. If your loved one has a creative (or narcassistic) streak, this is one of the best gifts for surfers.

Other features include 20MP photos, a new front screen, and ‘HyperSmooth 3.0’ stabilisation.

Grab one direct from GoPro here.

For the surfer heading overseas in 2021…

 

Ocean and Earth Travel Bags

Giving your boards the best possible chance to travel unscathed…

As soon as you drop your boards at the oversized baggage counter, their fate is out of your hands. *Touch wood* We’ve been pretty lucky to get away with the odd minor ding but others aren’t so lucky – check out what American Airlines did to Alex Gray’s boards here!

To give your boards the best chance, we highly recommend Ocean and Earth’s range of surfboard travel bags.They offer a range of different shapes and sizes, and loads of extra protection and storage features. They’re built to last and help your boards last too so they’re a worthwhile investment.

We love the 6’6 triple compact which allows a few inches of space either side of our boards, plus 10mm of waterproof padding on the outside, 20mm padding on the nose and tail, rubberised rail bumpers, compression straps and internal dividers.

If your loved one is a frequent flyer with boards in tow, this is the perfect gift.

Grab one direct from Ocean and Earth here.

For the surfer heading to the tropics…

 

Patagonia Stretch HydroPeak Boardshorts

You’ll be hard-pushed to find a comfier pair of boardies..

The boardshort market is heavily saturated with every brand offering every colour and pattern under the sun.

The perfect boardshorts are the ones you don’t notice when you’re in the water, and these fit the bill. Stretchy, light and with a handy zip-pocket on the back, they come in a simple range of colours that aren’t too obnoxious. As you’d expect with Patagonia, they’re 87% recycled and FairTrade certified too.

A Renegade favourite.

 

Available direct from Patagonia here.

 

Palm and Pine Vegan SPF 50+ Surf Zinc

It’s skin colour, too. None of that nasty white zinc!

Palm and Pine Skincare use sustainable candelilla wax opposed to the normal beeswax to create Europe’s first vegan zinc. The whole group used this stuff on our last Maldives trip and the common reaction was “where can I buy some?”

It’s SPF 50+, stays on for hours, has plastic-free packaging, and is reef friendly. What’s not to love!?

They’re currently offering 10% off all first orders. Find it at palmpineskincare.com.

 

For the surfer looking to progress…

 

Renegade Surf Coaching Trip

The ultimate gift for your loved one or even to yourself (you deserve it!)

It’s safe to say that most surfers haven’t had their travel fix in 2020 but thankfully there’s light at the end of the tunnel. Besides the speculation of a vaccine by spring, The Maldives is currently one of the few tropical surf-rich countries open to tourists and surfers alike with minimal restrictions.

Our all-inclusive surf coaching trips are carefully designed to help surfers reach the next level whilst on the ultimate surf trip.

Accommodation is onboard the beautiful 27m Sea Farer (above), with 3 nutritious meals a day, multiple chill-out areas and 6 en-suite cabins.

With the aid of a knowledgable surf guide, we will be hunting down perfect waves every day and providing daily technical surf coaching and video analysis.

Want to join the trip too? We offer shared room rates for couples/friends in double or twin cabins.

Check out the full trip details here, get in touch by filling out the form here. and check out the waves we scored on our last trip here.

Not the best gifts for surfers…

It might seems obvious that a new surfboard is one of the best gifts for surfers, but please think twice before buying your loved one a surfboard – except in the very specific circumstances outlined below…

The perfect gift? Think again…

Surfboards are hand-crafted, highly-tuned and highly-specific crafts. Whilst it might seem like the perfect gift, going into a surf shop and picking a board off the rack WILL end in tears.

Imagine, your other half mentions they’d ‘love a 6’1 JS Monstabox’… Sounds specific enough, right!? You head to your local store, pick up said 6’1 ad leave with a satisfied smile on your face – they’re gonna love it. The 25th comes around and unwrap the inconspicuous shaped gift under the tree, wondering how you knew they wanted the 6’1 x 20 x 2 9/16 with futures fin boxes and in Hyfi construction to support their extra winter bulk. But wait… You got the 6’1 x 19 3/4 x 2 ½ with FCS 2 boxes in PU… Ah well, close enough.

Of course, they’ll say they love it. But each time they miss a wave or bog a rail with that lack of volume, they’ll be wishing they had the board they really wanted.

Exceptions…

If the person says specifically ‘I want THIS board’ whilst looking you in the eye and touching it with their bare hands, you can safely say that it’s a great choice for a gift.

Also, if you’re lucky enough to be a surfer in a relationship with another surfer and you know the exact model and dims the stick they’re after, then by all means go for it!

Lastly, disregard this rule if you’re buying a grom’s first board. As long as it floats, catches waves easily, and looks great you can be sure they’re gonna love it.

Check out our ‘7 tips for choosing the right surfboard‘ blog post for some inspiration.

That’s it for our 2020 Gift Guide!

Merry Christmas from the Renegade Crew.

 

 

I know what you’re thinking… “I already know how to wax a surfboard”. But hear me out… A proper wax job can be the difference between making the wave of your life and being the laughing stock of the beach. Plus, most of us have enough reasons to fall off our boards without adding a dodgy wax job to the equation.

When tasked with writing a ‘how to wax a surfboard’ guide, I knew exactly who to ask… The man who asked me to write it – Renegade founder and all-round froth-lord, Simon.

Si has been known to miss important occasions such as weddings and christmas as he’s been too busy testing waxing techniques on his ever expanding quiver. He was invited to the World Board Waxing Championships, but unfortunately had to withdraw due to repetitive strain injury of his right wrist, sustained during a particularly intense waxing session.

Anyway, here’s his top tips for getting perfect bumps, every time.

1. Start with a clean board.

This is also a great time to see if there any dings which could do with a fix.

This step is particularly important if going somewhere warm. Harder warm water wax will not stick to softer cold water wax. Even just a bit of residue can trip you at the first hurdle so make sure to clean thoroughly. If you’re somewhere warm, leave your board in the sun for 5-10 minutes and simply remove with a wax comb or an old bank card. If you’re in colder climes you can *carefully* use a hairdryer to melt the wax, making it easier to remove. Once you’ve removed as much as possible, use a small amount of white spirit on a cloth to remove that stubborn waxy residue. This will bring even the most gunked-up boards to rack-fresh gleam!

2. Buy good wax

It’s not ‘just wax’. Some are better than others. As one of the cheapest things we buy and your main point of contact with your board, you might as well get the good stuff. Whilst there is an element of personal preference, we have tried most of them and think Sex Wax and Fu-Wax are the best. Sex Wax is tried and tested, and is widely available. (Though make sure to buy the stuff in the cardboard, not the plastic wrap – that stuff is smear city and the packaging is piss-poor)

If you can find it, Fu-Wax is the new kid on the block and championed by most of the WCT. It’s pricey at £6 per bar, but we think it’s money well spent as it offers incredible grip and seems to last for longer than other brands. Just ensure you choose a block which is made for the water temperature you’re surfing in. You can find Fu-Wax here.

3. Cold board + cold wax = perfect bumps

Now your board is clean and fresh, find a cool, shady area where you can apply the new wax. If it’s hot where you are, you can also put your wax in the fridge for 10 minutes before applying. The board and wax being cool prevents the wax from smearing and allows it to form small, hard bumps. We’ve all been there pushing smeared lumps of wax around our board wondering when we should give up and throw the whole thing in the bin. Don’t be that guy.

4. Starting Grid

Wax sticks to wax, so draw a criss-cross grid on your board with the edge of the wax so that your future rubbings will have something to adhere to. Start with a light covering, then go over the lines again until they have some relief. Your wax should go from the very edge of the traction pad to at least 3/4 way up the board. Guy with the naked 12 inches infront of your tail pad… Why? Wax isn’t THAT expensive and it can be beneficial to be able to move that back foot forward when you’re driving through the tube of your life.

Said ‘relief’.

5. No pressure

Rub the wax rail to rail with almost NO PRESSURE for at least a couple of passes of the board. When it comes to how to wax a surfboard, using a very light pressure makes all the difference. You may think the wax isn’t sticking and be tempted to apply a bit more pressure. Resist the urge! Be patient, persevere and eventually these light passes will start to build up and fill in the gaps creating the perfect base.

6. Rail to Rail, Nose to Tail

Go rail to rail for a couple of coats, then nose to tail, and so on. Switching directions will help to fill in the gaps thoroughly – especially if your deck is full of craters like this one. Once the wax starts to coat fully and you feel like you’re finally getting somewhere, gradually begin to apply a bit more pressure with each pass.

7.  Finishing circles

You should now have a thorough coating of fresh wax on your board but your bumps may be missing the height you feel they deserve. The last step of how to wax a surfboard is to switch to a circular motion and apply slightly more pressure again. Go back and forth until you have your desired coverage. A few more passes for good luck and you should be good to go!

Gandhi famously once said – “There’s no better feeling than waxing up a freshie”, and we couldn’t agree more!

 

Feeling the urge to strip off that dirty cold wax and put on a fresh coat of tropical? Click here

7 tips for choosing the right surfboard

Man holding a Firewire Timbertek surfboard

For every surfer, the surfboard is a magical item. However when it comes to buying surfboards, a lot of us follow trends without considering whether they will help or hinder our surfing. Read on for our top tips and choose the right surfboard FOR YOU!

 

At one end of the spectrum we copy the high performance elite…

Think WCT competitors and the world’s top freesurfers. Regardless of our own ability, those of us who aspire to this type of surfing often purchase boards based on what our favourite surfer rides. Dane might be your favourite surfer, but he surfs with an incredibly back footed approach, freakish talent and a raw explosive power that most of us will unfortunately never get close to. On the other hand perhaps you’re a front-footed surfer with a calculated and controlled approach. It stands to reason that the same board that goes incredibly for Dane isn’t necessarily going to be the right surfboard for you.

On the other hand, we follow what’s in vogue…

For example, the resurgence of the twin fin and other ‘alternative’ craft.’ Surfers such as Rasta, Asher Pacey and Torren Martyn are spearheading the movement back towards retro designs. Whilst in many ways this is a good thing for the average surfer due to added foam, flatter rockers and wider outlines (all helpful attributes); other associated design features such as two fins, an overly wide tail block, parallel outline or very short length can hinder our surfing. People argue that if Torren and Rasta can ride their twinnies in heaving barrels at Nias, then the design clearly doesn’t hold them back. However, the reality is whilst these surfers might be seen as ‘alternative’, they are still some of the most talented surfers on the planet. They might be able to make most boards work in most situations, but that doesn’t always mean that we can.

 

With so much variety in surfboard design these days, here’s our 7 top tips to help you find that magic board:

 

1. Pick the right VOLUME for you, not your favourite surfer

Surfboard volume is not created equal.

 

Of course, we couldn’t talk about surfboard design without addressing volume. Simply put, volume is the amount of foam in your board – how buoyant it is. Lighter surfers need less foam, heavier surfers need more foam. More advanced surfers need less foam, less advanced surfers more foam. Simple, right?

Nowadays volume is seen as a golden metric. However, when it comes to picking the right surfboard, volume should only be seen as a starting point rather than the full picture. Volume is mostly important when we’re paddling. Once we’re up and riding and the board is planing, there are different forces at work rather than buoyancy. However, without catching waves we’re not going to be surfing, so volume is a useful to an extent. We recommend the following:

Beginner – Never surfed before to learning to catch unbroken waves without assistance
At least 60% of your body weight in kg as litres. E.g. If you weigh 70kg, we recommend at least 42 litres

Lower Intermediate Surfers who can comfortably catch unbroken waves and make direction changes
Around 50% of body weight in kg as litres. E.g. 70kg = 35 litres

Intermediate – Surfers comfortable in a range of conditions able to generate speed and perform basic manoeuvres such as cutbacks and floaters
Around 42% of body weight in kg as litres. E.g. 70kg = 29.5 litres

Advanced – Surfers performing committed manoeuvres in critical sections of the wave and consistently surfing top to bottom
Around 37% of body weight in kg as litres. E.g. 70kg = 26 litres

Elite/Pro – The top 1% of surfers
Around 35% of body weight in kg as litres. E.g. 70kg = 24.5 litres

 

2. Choose a board with ROCKER that suits the waves you surf

Rocker is an important aspect of choosing the right surfboard.

 

Rocker is one of the most important elements of surfboard design. When the board is flat and planing, the rocker determines how fast the board will move over the surface and when we’re turning on rail, the rocker determines the arc we can draw. As with most aspects of surfboard design, it’s all about balance. A flat rocker will go fast but also want to continue going in a straight line when on a rail. On the other hand, a board with a lot of rocker will be able to draw tight arcs on the face, but will push water and lose speed in flatter sections of a wave.

As a general rule, match your rocker to the waves you surf. If the waves you most commonly surf are steep and powerful, opt for more curve. If they tend to be flatter or less powerful, a flatter rocker will fit the wave better.

“What if I can only have one surfboard to cover all conditions?” In that case we find the following offers a great balance: medium nose rocker, low rocker through the middle of the board and a fair amount of rocker or ‘flip’ in the tail.

The medium nose rocker provides a good mix of paddle power and manoeuvrability whilst the low rocker through the centre of the board gives us a large sweet spot for the front foot and helps us maintain speed and glide through flat sections. Curve through the tail then helps to keep the board loose and able to perform tight arcs when on rail.

 

3. Consider the PLAN SHAPE of the board

The plan shape of a surfboard as seen from above.

 

The plan shape is the outline of the board as viewed from above or below. The plan shape interacts with the rocker to dictate the surface area in contact with the water. More width through the outline creates stability and lift whilst a narrower board offers more control in bigger waves and allows the board to roll rail to rail more easily.

For the average surfer in average waves, more width through the outline will be more forgiving and offer a larger sweet spot. Width in the nose helps with paddling whilst width through the centre will provide stability and a wider tail gives a positive platform for the back foot prevents the board bogging when turning on flatter sections. The caveat is that a wide nose can cause the board to catch when turning in steep sections, too much width through the centre makes it harder to roll the board onto it’s rail and a wide tail can cause you to slide out when turning at higher speeds. Noticing a theme?… Finding the right surfboard is all about balance.

 

4. Check out alternative CONSTRUCTIONS for various advantages

Channel Islands Spine-Tek construction diagram

 

The biggest step forward in surfboard design in recent years has been the development of new constructions. For decades the majority of surfboards have been made from a polyurethane (PU) foam core with a wooden stringer, fibreglass and a polyester resin outer skin. This has been the standard for so many years because it’s relatively light and offers a very predictable flex pattern ideal for high performance surfing. Unfortunately, PU is very toxic and notoriously fragile.

As materials and construction methods improve, epoxy surfboards are becoming more popular. The epoxy constructions have a higher strength to weight ratio and a livelier flex pattern compared to traditional PU and this makes them particularly suited for average surfers in average waves. Elite surfers can generate speed and whip through their turns using perfect technique but for most of us the light and lively feel of modern epoxies will offer a helping hand.

Epoxy constructions are still in their relative infancy with some manufacturers still yet to embrace it. However, here are some of the most popular at the moment:

 

5. Feel how much foam is carried out to the RAILS

A shaper sands the rails of the blank

 

The rails are the outside edges of your board. Ideally, this is where we want to be surfing the board from as much as possible. Leaning the board on rail creates drive, allows us to slice into the wave and transmit power though our turns. The rails are the one area of the board where volume really comes into play when we’re up surfing. When we’re trying to do our best impression of a big Taylor Knox carve, we have to be able to sink the rail in the water. Therefore the amount of foam or buoyancy in our rails can make a big difference.

It would be easy to draw the conclusion that if the above is true, thinner rails are better. However, as you might have guessed by now, it’s not that simple. Whilst a thinner rail allows us to cut through the water like a hot knife through butter, it also demands better technique and a more powerful wave to push against us and prevent us sinking – ‘bogging’.

A fuller rail offers more forgiveness and allows us to turn in weaker sections of the wave without losing speed. However, in more powerful waves where you’re going faster it will be more difficult for the rail to engage and you can find yourself losing control and skipping out.

To keep things simple: opt for a fuller rail if you’re mostly surfing slower or flatter faced waves and go for a thinner rail in bigger or steeper surf. Somewhere in the middle will provide a happy medium for the majority of conditions.

 

6. Prioritise TAIL WIDTH over tail template

Kepa Acero and his 'ladies'

 

When we refer to tail template, we’re talking about the shape of the tail in the last few inches of the board. The most common examples being squash, round and swallow. Whilst the tail template does have some impact on the way a board performs, tail width plays a far bigger role. It’s common to hear or read statements such as “…squash or swallow tails for small waves, round tail for bigger or barrelling waves.” In reality a wide round tail is going to be better suited to small surf than a narrow swallow or squash tail. Likewise, a narrow swallow tail is going to hold much better in critical surf than a wide round tail.

Our advice is to pay more attention to the width of the tail rather than the shape of it in the last few inches. Less powerful waves require more surface area under the back foot and more powerful waves require less surface area and width. We reckon you can’t go far wrong with a squash or round tail. Swallows are great too but have a tendency to crack easily. All of the other shapes are just variations on these 3 and have more to do with aesthetics and marketing than performance in our opinion. (Not that there’s anything wrong with a good looking surfboard…)

 

7. Experiment with FIN SETUPS to find what suits your approach

Single fin, twin fin, thruster or quad?

Last but not least, we need to talk about fin set-up. You might have found the right surfboard, but if you’re running the wrong fin set-up you might not know it yet! Fins are a subject unto themselves so we will leave fin design and construction for another blog post. There are many different fin set-ups available but here we’re going to look at the 3 most popular and perhaps most performance oriented setups; twin fin, thruster and quad.

Twin fin – Ultimate speed, compromised control.

Twinnies are fast. As the water is deflected off the two fins, there is nothing else for it to interact with to create drag so the board planes with little resistance. However, twin fins require a lighter or more front footed approach. Those used to riding thrusters or with a heavy back foot can find twin fins hard to control as they are pushing from behind where the fins are placed. This can cause the board to feel super loose and easy to slide out.

If you’re a light footed or front footed surfer, a twin fin can be a great option as they generate speed easily when planing and require less force to turn and pivot.

Thruster – Jack of all trades, master of pretty much all of them too!

The thruster has remained unsurpassed since it’s introduction in 1980 because it provides a great blend of speed, drive and control. The thruster works best when the board is surfed on a rail as the water pressure between the fins creates drive. Front footed surfers or those who like to cruise can find thrusters slow as the rear centre fin creates drag. However, for performance surfing or back-footed surfers the thruster is king. With your back foot over the centre fin and the board on a rail, this fin setup offers the most pivot, drive and predictable release.

Quad – A blend of the twin fin and thruster.

Think of a quad as a thruster with the back fin split in 2 and moved towards the rail to reduce drag and increase hold. The closer the rear fins are to the stringer, the more the board will surf like a thruster. The closer they are to the rails, the more the board will surf like a twin fin. Many surfers swear by quads in fast hollow surf as they are faster and the extra fin near the rail provides more grip on a steeper wave face.

*Many shapers also offer a 5 fin option. Generally this is not to be surfed with all 5 fins but allows you to change between set-ups and experiment with different feelings in different conditions. This is a great option for most, especially if you can only have 1 board.

 

So there you have it. Follow these tips and you should be one step closer to finding the right surfboard for you!

The waves in the Maldives offer the ultimate blank canvas for testing and getting to know your surfboard. If you would like any help deciding which board/s to buy or bring with you on your surf coaching trip, feel free to drop us a line for more advice.

 

 

Click HERE to see our upcoming Maldives Surf Coaching Trips