Gear Checklists
Event Essentials: The Surfing Event
By Mark Anders
Apr 15, 2005, 08:44

DO IT

Sex Wax surf wax

1) Sex Wax Surf Wax ($1; 800-325-6852; www.sexwax.com) is still the staple for surfers who want the best traction for their surfboards. This legendary concoction comes in four flavors (tropic, warm, cool and cold) for use in a variety of water temperatures.

2) Always keep your stick safely strapped to your ankle with the 6-foot DAKINE Surf Lite Leash ($18; 541-386-3166; www.dakine.com). As the name implies, it's super light. Plus, it's got a heavy-duty urethane cord and a double swivel, so you won’t get hog-tied in your leash.

Dakine Surf Lite leash

 

Carve Desing, Patagonia shorts

3) Quality surf trunks look cool and stay on—even when you’re getting worked in the rinse cycle. These two pair make the cut: The Carve Designs Reef Short ($48; 415-731-9867; www.carvedesigns.com) for ladies; guys, check out the Patagonia Wavefarer ($45; 800-638-6464; www.patagonia.com).

4) When it’s a little too chilly to just ‘trunk it,’ throw on the O’neill Hammer Jacket ($65; 831-475-7500; www.oneill.com). Its
2-millimeter thick neoprene reduces wind chill and keeps your core warm, while the Ultraflex rubber under the arms makes paddling easy.

O'NEILL Hammer Jacket

WATCH IT

Whether you’re watching the action in the surf—or the flora and fauna on the beach—the Brunton Echo ($99; 800-443-4871; www.brunton.com) brings things into focus. They’re pocket-sized, waterproof, fog-proof and available in 8x25 or 10x25 magnification.

Nothing is worse than the sandpaper feel of applying sunscreen with sand-covered hands. That’s why we’re stoked on the Coppertone Sport Sunblock Spray ($10; 800-842-4090; www.coppertone.com). It comes in SPF 15 or 30 and is sweatproof, waterproof and requires no rubbing.

The DAKINE No Zone ($25; 541-386-3166; www.dakine.com) is like a beach umbrella for your head. It’s made of cool, breathable cotton and has a wide brim for maximum sun protection and a chinstrap, so it stays put.

The Pelican Chair
($52; 888-462-4321; www.hobie.com) offers true La-Z-boy comfort for the beach. It comes with three reclining options, a cup holder and a padded headrest. The 6-pound chair also has a small attached backpack and shoulder straps for hands-free carrying.