“Tips for storing your surfboard”
“If you like to catch waves or are just starting out in this practice, you will know that storing your surfboard is one of those necessary tasks that sometimes is not as simple as it seems. The surfboard is a large item, made of a delicate material that can be damaged if not stored correctly.
Many people are not lucky enough to practice this sport more than a few times a year. What can you do then to take care of your surfboard? Below we provide you with some tips to make it easier.
Tips for storing your surfboard
It’s time to prepare the board so that it stays in perfect condition until the next season, for which you have to adjust it, clean it, and protect it. By following a few simple steps, you will ensure that when you come back for it, it will be in the same condition as when you left it.
Here are the tips that will help you safely store your surfboard.
Wash it before storing it
When you are going to store your surfboard for a long season, wash it with fresh water to remove all the salt, as salt could cause damage to the exterior.
Portable surf showers are very convenient for rinsing off your board.
It is not necessary to remove the wax during this cleaning process, but keep in mind that it will need to be changed periodically. To remove it, use specific products and a comb. We explain how to remove wax from your surfboard in detail on our blog.
There are other methods as well, such as using hot water that comes out under pressure at car washes. However, be very careful because if you go overboard, you can damage the board.
Dry the board.
Although the board is designed to be in direct contact with water, humidity in a closed place will not do it any good. Mold can grow, and as a result, it may start to smell bad. Therefore, you will need to dry it completely with a towel.
Preparation for storage.
Start by disassembling the fin, which could be hit and broken. You can also remove the leash if it is more comfortable, but it is not necessary. Then, check its condition thoroughly. If you find any cracks in the fiberglass, have it repaired by a professional or do it yourself. We explain in detail how to repair your surfboard on our blog.
A crack or fissure in the board will cause water to seep in and enter the core. This can lead to fatal consequences, such as the material becoming more fragile and breaking, or the interior absorbing water, gaining weight, and causing the fiberglass to separate from the board’s core.
Next, cover the board with a good surfboard bag that will protect it from possible scratches and impacts. Similarly, it will protect the wax, and in case it melts due to high temperatures, it will not stain what you have stored around it. You have various options available, such as socks, padded bags, etc. You can take a look at our surfboard bags, as well as our blog article on how to choose a bag for your surfboard.
Storage.
Find a place protected from light and humidity, preferably in an indoor area. There are different alternatives that you can purchase, such as surfboard storage systems. The best option, or the most common, is a rack, a support that is specially designed for this function. If you have more than one board, you can put several of them and keep them organized so that they take up less space. It allows you to store your surfboards both horizontally and vertically, and there are even decorative surf racks, in case you need to store your boards inside your house or apartment
However, if you don’t have a rack, you can place it in one of the following positions:
-Horizontal: This is the most recommended position. By leaving it resting on a surface, you ensure that it doesn’t fall or suffer a hit that could damage or even break it. A good place to do this is on top of a cabinet or against a wall.
-Vertical: If you have no choice but to leave it in a vertical position, secure it by using straps to a fixed structure nearby to prevent it from moving and falling. The correct way to do this is with the back of the board, the tail, on the ground, as it is the widest part. You should never lean it on the nose, that is, on the front part. Place some item underneath to cushion the area where all the weight falls, such as a blanket or towel.
-Hung from the ceiling: If you can hang it from a beam or support, doing so on the ceiling is another option to consider since it won’t take up space in passageways. However, the downside is that it will be more challenging to reach it to hang and unhang it. There are surfboard ceiling supports that can make the job easier.
-Hung on the wall: This is an option that allows you to optimize space and can even be decorative. We have a wide variety of surfboard wall mounts in the store, made of wood, aluminum, plastic, vertical, horizontal, to suit all tastes..
“Invisible support Ocean & Earth Wall display rack”
Now that you know the best storage methods for keeping your surfboard, it’s time to check that the material is placed correctly. Proper maintenance will help to take care of it, as well as the rest of the necessary materials to enjoy the next season of good waves.