Every surfer knows surfing would be useless without a proper board, so you must know how to store your surfboards in your home and how to care for them.
Surfboards can be very expensive. They can also be a bit fragile, which is why you must store them at home correctly. Here are some ways and tips on how to store your surfboards in your home safely to preserve their overall quality for your next surfing trip.
How to Store Your Surfboards in Your Home
Surfboards are not the most convenient gear to store are home. They can take up so much space that you don’t have, especially if you live in a small apartment.
However, there are some effective ways on how to store your surfboards at home to help economize your available storage space.
#1. Prop Boards Upright Against a Wall
Instead of having your surfboards lying around in your home, prop them upright against a wall. It is the most obvious and no-cost way on how to store your surfboards at home. That way, you can save a lot of floor space.
However, make sure that you propped your boards securely to avoid any accident that may damage them. You can use ropes or leashes to secure the surfboards on the wall, so they don’t get easily tipped over.
#2. Hang Boards Using Their Leash Ropes
Another best space-saving option on how to store your surfboards at home is to hang them using the boards’ leash ropes.
You can store the surfboards vertically this way by attaching the leash ropes on J-hooks on the wall or horizontally into the ceiling.
Storing your boards vertically on empty walls will make them awesome decors too.
#3. Arrange Them in Surfboard Racks
Although the two options above are great on how to store your surfboards, the safest and most secure way of storing your precious board is by utilizing a surfboard rack.
It’s the handiest thing to arrange your boards in, especially if you have a couple of them. Most surfboard racks you can find in the market today also help save a lot of storage space.
There are different styles of surfboard racks as well, and most differ in their materials used. You can find racks made of plastic, wood, soft foam, steel, and aluminum. Whatever rack material you choose, do make sure that it features ample padding to help avoid getting unnecessary damages in your surfboard.
You can choose a surfboard rack depending on your preference and budget, but all of them are good for storing your boards safely at home.
Types of Racks for Storing Surfboards at Home
When buying racks to help you on how to store your surfboards at home, you have two primary choices.
#1. Horizontal Surfboard Racks
This type of surfboard rack is ideal if you don’t have any floor space to store your boards but has an empty wall where you can display them. Depending on the design of the horizontal surfboard rack you choose and how they got propped and secured, this option may not always give you the easiest access to your surfboards.
Horizontal surfboard racks can also only carry a couple of boards safely.
#2. Vertical Surfboard Racks
If you have ample floor space inside your home to store your surfboards, vertical racks are your best option. This type of surfboard rack usually accommodates more boards compared to horizontal surfboard racks.
Since your gear is resting on the ground in this system, it’s much easier and convenient to take them out whenever you need to go for a surfing trip. However, this type of rack won’t display your surfboards nicely, which is a shame if you have some great-looking ones.
Extra Care Tips Before Storing Your Surfboards
It’s not enough that you have a good system that makes it convenient for you to store your surfboards at home. If you want to make your investments in good-quality boards worth it and make your gear last for a much longer time, it’s important that you correctly prepare them for storage. So, before you check out ways on how to store your surfboards, make sure your gear is clean and in good condition.
#1. Clean Your Surfboard and Rinse with Fresh Water
One of the first things you need to do before storing your foam surfboards is to clean them. If you were using board wax while surfing, now is the time to scrape off any excess from your board’s surface. It might be a bit challenging to do that right out of the water. To make it easier to remove the wax, leave the boards under the sun first before you start scraping.
While surfing gears are good to use in the ocean, salt water can be corrosive and will damage your board if it’s left on the surface for long. It is why you must rinse them with fresh water. Also, dry them thoroughly before storing inside the house.
#2. Repair Your Dings
If you want to keep your surfboard for a long time, care and maintenance are necessary, especially before you store them at home. That includes doing repairs right away. Even minor dings can end up becoming a more serious problem for your board if you leave it untreated before storage.
As soon as the swell on the board is gone, repair any puncture or crack with a surfboard repair kit. Otherwise, water can leak into the foam core of the board the next time you go surfing. That would be added weight on the board that you don’t need, which can also lower your gear’s performance.
#3. Bag Your Surfboard
Surfboard bags exist for a reason. They can protect your precious boards from any damage. Board bags are not only useful for carrying your gear when you travel, but they are also very convenient to use for storing boards securely and safely at home.
That extra padding in the bag will make sure that your surfboards are away from any potential scratches or damages. It will also keep your boards in pristine condition and away from direct sunlight, which can damage your gear, especially if you are storing them in an open shed.
Storing your surfboards at home can be crucial, especially if you don’t have a lot of space to keep them. These systems and tips on how to store your surfboards at home should help you keep your gear secure and safe to make them last for a long time.
