Summer Prep: Getting Your Gear Ready

Summer is nearly here, and the first warm offshore mornings have a way of sneaking up on you. Before the crowds arrive and the swell turns on, spend an hour getting your kit sorted. A little prep now means more time in the water when it counts.

Check Your Leash and Board First

Your leash has been through a whole year of sun, salt and the odd wipeout. Look closely at the cord for kinks or cloudy patches, test the swivel, and check the cuff velcro still grips. If anything looks tired, replace it. The FCS All Round Classic Leash 6ft is a dependable all-rounder for most summer beach breaks.

While the board is out, check the leash plug, look over the rails and tail for dings, and scrape off any old wax. Summer water is warm, so you will want a fresh, softer base coat rather than last winter's cold-water wax.

Sort Your Post-Surf Routine

Summer sessions mean sand, salt and sunscreen everywhere. A Beach Soul Portable Shower 8L lives happily in the boot and lets you rinse off before the drive home, which keeps your car and your skin much happier. Fill it before you leave home and the water will be nicely sun-warmed by the time you finish.

Pair it with a Boardsox Surf Change Mat. It gives you a clean spot to get changed on hot sand or gritty car parks, and it keeps the sand out of your gear bag.

Protect Your Body for the Long Haul

More hours in the water means more exposure. Along with sunscreen and a rashie, think about your ears. Surfer's ear builds up slowly from wind and water, and prevention is far easier than fixing it later. A pair of Surfears ear plugs is cheap insurance that you will barely notice once you are paddling.

If your wetsuit or spring suit has been balled up in the garage, pull it out now. Check the seams and zips, give it a good fresh water rinse, and hang it on an Ocean Earth Premium Wetsuit Hanger so it dries properly and stays fresh between sessions.

Get Ready to Travel

Summer is also trip season, whether that is a weekend away or a dawn drive up the coast. A padded bag like the Sticky Bumps board bag protects your board from dings and keeps it out of direct sun in the car, which matters because heat can delaminate a board faster than most people expect.

Tick these jobs off now and you will be ready to paddle out the moment the first proper summer swell shows up. Browse the full range of surf accessories at shoreset.com.au and get your gear dialled in.