In theory, surfing seems like a carefree hobby that’s often associated with relaxation and being in tandem with nature. While this is true, everything comes at a cost. If you want a few different boards in your arsenal and wetsuits that suit your needs, things start to add up pretty quick.
So is surfing an expensive hobby? Surfing can be a cheap hobby or an expensive sport depending on how you approach it and how seriously you take it. But it’s safe to say that surfing is relatively inexpensive to enjoy as a beginner, especially if you live close to the coast.
How Much Does A Surfboard Cost?
A beginner’s surfboard may cost you between $300 and $1,000 or more. There’s no need to purchase a professional or brand name surfboard at the beginning of your journey. You will only wear it out as you gain experience. You may even find that surfing isn’t for you, so don’t waste your money in the beginning.
When it comes to beginner surfboards, larger surfboards are usually better. When you’re first starting out their easier to balance on and pop up on. You should also consider a big foam board to catch the waves easily and ensure you don’t get hurt if you spend the entire day falling off your board. These soft top surfboards or foamies can even cost less than 100 bucks!
Is Buying An Expensive Surfboard Worth It?
If you look back 25 years and compare the price of surfboards then, to the price of boards today, they have remained relatively flat compared to most material goods. A lot of guys out there don’t mind spending a little more for a name brand board that they know will work well.
So if you’re becoming an experienced surfer who goes out multiple times a week the short answer is yes, you’re going to have to pay a little more for a board with proven design and shape. But buying a board that you know is going to work can actually save you money down the line. You never want to get a new board just to have it not work properly. Every surfer can benefit from using boards from the top shapers and appreciate the research, design and expertise that come with their products.
How Much Do Wetsuits Cost?
Once you get your surfboard, the only other thing you really need is an excellent wetsuit. Most wetsuits costs between $100 to $300 unless you’re going way out your way to get an ultra high performance suit. Make sure you purchase one that’s within your budget. Talk to surfers in your area to find out what kind of wetsuit you need. You may find out that you may not even need one.
Instead, you can wear several rash guards or board shorts in the beginning. This will help you save money from buying a wetsuit since they’re cheaper than wetsuits. But if you plan on surfing in cold water, you want to be as warm as possible. A good wetsuit allows you to stay in the water for as long as possible without freezing.
How Much Do Surf Lessons Cost?
The average surfing lesson costs anywhere from $25 to $100 depending on the popularity of the surf school and where you’re surfing. Surf lessons that run one to two hours cost between $10 and $20 in smaller, less well known areas. In larger, more popular areas, you may end up paying up to $20 to $70 per hour. While there are surf shops that provide free lessons, it’s almost always part of their promotion to get you to buy some of their equipment afterwards.
A surfing lesson usually lasts between one to two hours. Depending on which lesson you get, you may get a half day or full day of instruction. You may be required to bring your own surfboard and wetsuit to the lesson, but most surf schools provide equipment you can use. There are also instances where the price for the lesson includes the rental of the surfboard and wetsuit so be sure you know what you’re getting and that your needs are met.
How Much Does Other Surf Equipment Cost?
So you have your surfboard and your wetsuit, but what about other equipment? The only other thing you may need is a surfboard leash, surfboard wax, and a surfboard traction pad to keep your board nice and grippy. Any other equipment is completely optional at this point. The good news is all the equipment besides a wetsuit and the board itself is extremely affordable. Board wax is dirt cheap for how useful it is!
There are surfers who spend a lot of money on their lifestyle. In the beginning, you should treat surfing as a hobby. As you get better you can treat it as a lifestyle. Some surfers join surfing competitions to help fund their expensive lifestyles. You may find yourself spending around $600 to $700 for new surfing gear. Surfing can be a cheap hobby or an expensive lifestyle depending on how devoted you are to it.
Is Traveling For Surfing Expensive?
Unfortunately, going on a surf trip via flying is one of the most expensive parts of surfing. Though it’s always worth it, airlines like American Airlines charge $150 per board. So if you’re traveling with nine boards, do the math. The surfboard charge can easily cost more than my ticket cost.
Delta charges $200 a board for long distance flights. Airlines charge service fees for surfboards because they require special handling. They tend to be much larger items and are somewhat oddly shaped, which makes it more work to fit them into the belly of aircraft among standard baggage items. Items like surfboards are more cumbersome and fragile than other types of sporting equipment so they require special handling and thus extra fees.
Surfboards can run big, for sure. Longboards, which may run 9 feet or more, won’t fly with many carriers. But popular shortboards, commonly around 6 feet long, fall within the usual size limits for checked sports equipment. Although wider, they’re about the same length as alpine skis, which many airlines fly for free. But I digress.
How Much Does It Cost To Rent A Surfboard?
Don’t want to deal with the hassle of checking your surfboard on a plane? Consider renting a board at your destination; prices vary a lot, but about $30 a day is common. The prices vary with the seasons and the location of the surf breaks. However, you should pay between $10 and 20$ for an hour or two, around $20 and $30 for four hours (half a day), and from $30 to $50 for a full day.
In most cases, a full cash payment is required at the time of pick-up for any rented surf equipment. It is not common to see overnight surfboard rentals, except if you’re on a weekly rental, or if you negotiate a special arrangement with the dealer. Remember that you should always return your surfboard on time, so make sure you plan your session wisely, including the time needed to get back to the shop or pick up and drop off service.
How Much Does Each Airline Charge To Check A Surfboard?
Many surfers seek out “surfer-friendly airlines.” The standard here has been set by Air New Zealand, Virgin Atlantic and British Airways where you can check one surfboard under 6’3” as a regular piece of luggage without an extra fee.
Southwest, which doesn’t charge for the first and second checked bag, does charge $50 each way for surfboards. On Hawaiian Airlines you can check up to two boards per container. Fees, which are charged per container, are $100 each way within the continental U.S. or between Hawaii and the continental U.S.; and $35 within Hawaii.
On United Airlines you can check one case, holding up to two boards, for $100 per board each way within North America and $200 each way when traveling abroad from North America. Fees vary for travel between foreign countries. On American Airlines you can check one surfboard for $150 each way on domestic and foreign flights. On Delta you can check one surfboard for $200 each way on most domestic and international routes.
If a website doesn’t specifically mention how much they charge to check surfboards be sure you call them so you don’t run into any nasty surprises at the gate.
How Much Does It Cost To Ship Your Board?
If you don’t want to fly with your board you could also ship your board with a carrier such as FedEx or UPS. Depending on the details and destination, you may or may not save money, and you’ll need to arrange drop-off and pick-up of your board for shipping.
The general rates for shipping a surfboard is as follows. To ship a surfboard from the middle of the country to either coast costs $50-90 if the board is 6’0” and under and $100-$160 if the board is between 6’1” and 8”1’ feet long. To ship a surfboard from coast to coast costs between $60-$120 if the board is 6 feet and under, and $150-$200 is it’s between 6’1” and 8’1”. To ship a board to Alaska or Hawaii will cost $200-$300 if the board is 6 foot and under and $375-$450 if the board is between 6’1” and 8’1”. If you’re shipping a surfboard outside of the US you must call the company your shipping with for an exact quote.
How Much Does Beach Parking Cost?
Every each beach is different and therefore has different rules for public parking. Some are part of the State Parks system, some are part of the County Park system, and others are run by the city where the beach is located.
Some charge a flat day fee, where you pay when you enter. Others charge by the hour, sometimes with a meter, others with a stamped ticket. $10 a day is a good average. As a surfer, you should definitely look for flat rate parking, as you truly never know how long it’s going to take to get out there and get into a good grove and catch quality waves etc. These fees can certainly stack up pretty fast if you’re surfing a lot but 10 bucks a day to shred gnar isn’t bad and is the standard you should look for when parking at the beach.
Do You Have To Spend A Lot Of Money To Surf?
Not at all! Surfing is not an expensive hobby financially, but it does cost time: time to get to the waves if you don’t live on the beach, time spent waiting for the right conditions between weather and tides before you can even get out and go, and even more time spent just paddling out getting your butt kicked as you learn.
Technically, you could spend under $100 on a soft top surfboard or a foamie and immediately have a great time. Board wax is cheap, you don’t need an expensive wetsuit for a light sesh with the weather’s nice and the beach (aside from parking) is technically free! So if you’re wary on spending hundreds of dollars on a hobby you may not even like, don’t fret. You can have awesome time on a budget, and if you’re like me you’ll catch the bug after you catch that first wave. Happy surfing!