Surf Kit
Get ready for summer…
With spring now here and the odd warmer day it is time to dust off the board, give it a re-wax, find the togs (swimsuit), wetsuit and start making up your surf kit for the warmer days a head.
I love being organized because for me personally, time is limited so having my surf kit right there gets me in the water quicker.
My surfing technique I call scurfing, surfing under water but I figure least I am out there enjoying the waves, sea and sun. So don’t let yourself hold you back because everyone began somewhere and my somewhere was 15 years or more ago! and I am still learning.
So if you are a paddleboarder, sailor, surfer or a beach goer (hmm that is probably not how you spell that), here is my basic list to get you started. er
- ESSENTIALS
- Freshly waxed surfboard, paddleboard or a body board.
- Eco Surfwax (non-eco has petroleum in it)
- Wet Suit
- Fin key
- Towel
- Hooded Towel
- Large Bucket for Wet-Wet Suit.
- Sunscreen we use EK Sunscreen Adult
- First Aid Kit
- Ocean Gypsy Cap/Hat
- Sunglasses
- BASICS
- Food snack pack such as nut bars, bliss balls that can last in your pack.
- Water, a double walled drink bottle is best so it doesn’t get warm in the car.
- Thermos if surfing in colder climates.
- Beach Bag to put your items into such as towel etc.
- Ocean Gypsy Beach Hair Balm.
- LUXURIES
- Ocean Gypsy Healing Balm.
- Wooden Hair Comb
- Hair Ties
- Spare clothes incase you go to a cafe afterwards.
- Waterproof seat cover if you drive home in your car wet (I do this option and use my yoga mat).
- Key lock to put your keys into when out surfing.
- Ocean Gypsy Foot Sand Brush which is great for getting sand of your board if needed.
Some of the products that I like and you may want to check out if you don’t have some of the items listed are.
For swimwear I like togs (swimwear) which cover and support when I am out of the water. True having togs (swimwear) right up your backside is great if you are a supermodel but for many of us the reality is that is out of our comfort zone. So the brand Thunderpants which is a kiwi brand have some great supportive retro style swimwear, which are made from recycled nylon & polyester thread which is sourced from processed fishing nets, carpets and other pre & post consumer plastic waste.
Thunderpants do other items of clothing such as super comfy pants from sustainable fairtrade certified organic cotton.
Yoga Wave a kiwi business run by a beautiful surf mama Bec’s. Yoga Wave have some wonderful sustainable products my favourite is the Aqua Aura Leggings made from recycled plastic. I have these leggings and they are super comfortable and allow you to focus on your surfing rather than what you are wearing. Available online here
EK Sunscreen which is available online at The Ocean Gypsy Store is perfect for the environment as this sunscreen is reef safe. Reef safe means that it doesn’t cause sunlight to be blocked from the reef (yes this is an issue with other non-reef safe sunscreens). Plus it is all natural, is thick and stays on. I use the Kawakawa & Tamanu as this is thicker than the EK sensitive sunscreen but if you have sensitive skin EK has you covered available online at The Ocean Gypsy Store.
For Surfboards I love love The Salt Gypsy Boards, personally I have the Dusty in Merlot colour and The Mid-Tide in Mustard. They are amazing, the Dusty is so easy to ride, fits under my arm (I am only 5 foot 2 inches) is light weight for a long board and doesn’t feel massive in the water. These boards are designed for women and how women ride a surfboard as our balance point is different than men. Plus our pelvis is actually different to a mans so I wonder if this makes a difference to surfing technique?
Here are some of the New Zealand stockist of The Salt Gypsy Boards, Ultimate Surf & Skate, Under Ground Surf & Skate Orewa, Global Surf Industries, Aotearoa Surf ask your local surf store if they stock this brand and if they have any you can hire to test them out.
For some surfing inspiration watch the YouTube video below. I so love the music in this, this video it taken up at Ahipara, at the top of New Zealand.
A popular favourite is the Ocean Gypsy Beach Hair Balm which protects and nourishes the hair. With natural ingredients of hemp seed oil, camellia oil, mango butter and sunflower wax. Simply place a tiny amount onto your finger tips and work from the tips to the top before surfing and after surfing. You can use it on wet or dry hair and is great for frizzy hair. Available online at The Ocean Gypsy Store and at our Physical Store in Mangawhai Heads, North Island NZ.
Another thing I always bring with me, is my body board so if the surf is crappy or to big I can still have fun in the water. Because its all about fun, connecting with the Ocean, the sky, the air and the sun.
So make it a job for this week to assemble your surf/beach kit for the summer ahead. Clocks go forward on the 26th September here in New Zealand so this means evening surfs whoop whoop!
