Surfing Essentials for a Day on the Water

Leucadia, California-based shaper Christine Brailsford Caro designs custom boards for smooth, flowy wave riding rather than high performance. 

Ideal for beginners, the thick shape and buoyancy of this toes-on-nose board makes surfing the wake behind a boat effortless.

With handles on the front and back, the center of this 10-foot inflatable paddleboard doubles as a yoga mat.

Ecoboard-verified and hand-shaped in Santa Cruz, this board is designed for heavy beach breaks.

A minor detail when it comes to surfing? You’ll need a board. We like the Average Joe model from Channel Islands Surfboards. With its manageable weight and length, it’s exactly how the Santa Barbara-based team of surf professionals designed it: simple, fun, and easy to ride, no matter what level you’re at.

A tried-and-true favorite when it comes to surf wax, Sticky Bumps goes on smooth and helps grip your toes to the nose. Long lasting, biodegradable, and blueberry-scented, the formula is also available for different water temperatures.

Spooked by the thought of what swims below the surface, father-son surfing duo David and Nathan Garrison teamed up with marine biologists to create Sharkbanz, using magnetic technology to disrupt sharks’ electrical sixth sense and keep the beasts at bay. Wear the band on your wrist or ankle, or equip your board with a Modom Shark Leash.

More than 65 years since creating the first wetsuit in a small NorCal surf shop, O’Neill has become synonymous with surfing. With styles for every age and level of experience, the Epic suit is perfect for beginners, made with the brand’s signature UltraFlex neoprene at an affordable price point.

Warmth and comfort are table stakes when it comes to a quality wetsuit. This men's model overdelivers with extra stretch and durability, allowing for longer days riding the waves.

The contrasting patterns and tropical-inspired print on the body of this rashguard make it both fun and practical to wear for a day on the water.

These board shorts do stylish double-duty in the water and on the boardwalk.

Finding a suit to withstand the waves can be challenging, especially for women. Increasingly popular styles of ocean-friendly leggings nix that issue and let you coast carefree. We like L.A.-made brand Seea for their variety of textures and patterns in UV-protected fabric.

Spare yourself the sunburn and the greasy shine that comes with typical SPF, thanks to new mess-free formulas that go on clear and absorb quickly. Our pick? This mousse-like sunblock from Coppertone that stays water-resistant for up to 80 minutes.

Make a statement and a difference with one of the four designs of Outerknown’s The Beach Towel, made from super-soft Portuguese cotton. World Surf League champ Kelly Slater teamed up with designer John Moore to create island-inspired duds that are earth-friendly and fair trade. Some products, like this towel, give 100% of proceeds to support the Ocean Conservancy’s beach and ocean preservation efforts.

Hawaiian-inspired footwear line OluKai makes the transition from sand to land a breeze with beach-ready features like drop-in heels. Even better, the company supports nonprofits in Hawaii geared toward environmental and cultural preservation.