Everything a new surfer needs in one list, in the order you should buy it, with a clear line between essential and nice to have.
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You need five things to go surfing: a board, something to wear, a leash, wax and sun protection. Everything else is optional. This checklist puts them in the order you should buy them and links to the full guide for each.
TL;DR: Rent for your first week. Then buy in this order: wetsuit, soft-top board, leash, wax and comb, sunscreen. Add a board bag and booties when you start travelling.
An 8-foot soft-top for most adults. It should feel almost too big. Read how to choose your first surfboard for sizing, or go straight to the best beginner surfboards.
The default beginner board for a reason: lots of foam, forgiving rails, and it usually ships with fins and a leash.
This is the first thing worth owning, because fit is personal and rental suits vary. A 3/2mm full suit covers most European surfing from spring to autumn. See the wetsuit guide and thickness chart.
A long-running entry suit with sealed seams on the 4/3. Easy back-zip entry and a forgiving cut for a first wetsuit.
Warm water only? Swap the wetsuit for a long-sleeve rash guard.
Straight, regular thickness, the same length as your board. Many soft-tops include one. Details in our leash guide.
Built with a thicker cord, which is what you want when a heavy 8-foot foamie is pulling on your ankle.
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Buy wax for your local water temperature and a comb to keep it grippy. More in wax and accessories.
Sold by water temperature: tropical, warm, cool and cold. Buy the one that matches where you are going, not where you live.
Roughs up old slick wax in seconds and scrapes it off when the board needs a fresh coat.
A zinc-based stick is easier to apply on the beach and holds up better in the water than regular lotion.
Our tested pick
7 nights from €290
| Product | Best for | Type | Use | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hooded surf changing poncho | Car-park changing | Towelling poncho | Changing and drying | View on Amazon |
| Dakine Daylight Surfboard Bag | Day bag | Day bag | Car travel and storage | View on Amazon |
| Sea to Summit Lightweight Dry Bag 13L | Wet wetsuit carrier | Roll-top dry bag | Wet gear and boat trips | View on Amazon |
| Solarez UV-Cure Epoxy Ding Repair | Quick ding fix | UV-cure resin | Small dings and cracks | View on Amazon |
| Product | Best for | |
|---|---|---|
| Wavestorm 8' Classic Soft-Top | Budget first board | View on Amazon |
| O'Neill Epic Full Suit | Best value | View on Amazon |
| Creatures of Leisure Reliance Leash | Tough option for bigger boards | View on Amazon |
| Sticky Bumps Original Surf Wax | All-round wax | View on Amazon |
| Sun Bum Mineral SPF 50 Face Stick | Sun protection that stays on | View on Amazon |
How we picked: we compared construction, sizing range, availability and long-term owner feedback. We have not tested these side by side, so treat this as a researched shortlist rather than a lab ranking. Model names and specs change each season, so check the current listing before you buy.
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Good gear does not replace coaching. A camp week gives you the board, the suit and someone correcting your pop-up every day. Beginner-friendly options include Salty Souls Lodge in Portugal, Imsouane Bay Camp in Morocco and Weligama Surf Lodge in Sri Lanka. Not sure which fits? Take the 60-second camp quiz.
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7 nights from €495
7 nights from $350
Maya Torres
Founder & Surf Travel Editor
Maya has surfed in 34 countries over 15 years, reviewed 60+ surf camps in person, and now leads the Surfstore.com editorial team. Her mission: zero bad surf trips.
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