Surfing is a huge part of the summer months and can give you an awesome way to get out on the water and share some fun with the whole family. Of course, all that fun might come at a pretty hefty cost if you’re not sure exactly how to save some cash on all the surfing gear you might need. With beach parking and all the other hidden cost behind this sport, you may feel sunk in the sand before the summer is over. There’s a few ways around the major cost, but they take a little knowledge. With these ten tips though you’ll find the inspiration you need to find some frugal deals and get out on the water before summer passes you by.
1. Secondhand Goods
If you live near the beach or make a lot of trips throughout the year then you may want to consider buying your own surf gear. Of course, heading straight for the surf shop might be your first really big mistake. Buying new goods is often very pricey and can leave you in a bind if you don’t keep up with the hobby. There are, however, a lot of used surf stores around that will help you save some money. Buying used items is a great idea for beginners, especially if you still haven’t mastered the concept of keeping the board with you. There’s a lot of things that can happen while on the surf, such as a lost board or breaking your board on stray rocks. With a used board you won’t be out as much money so you can get back on the surf a whole lot faster. Used wet suits are a good find too and can help you figure out just what you’re looking for in a newer suit. There are special stores dedicated to used items, but you many also find good used items at flea markets, thrift stores, yard sales or even online.
2. Rentals
Of course, if you don’t plan on surfing a lot or live far from the beach then a rental might be the answer you’re looking for. Carting surf gear from one area to another when you live far from the beach can be a huge burden and cost a whole lot of money. The best way to avoid it altogether is to use a rental service whenever you get the chance to surf. Some services will offer you an extended package while others will rent for a smaller time period, so make sure to know just what you want. Before you decide on what you’re getting you should do a little research on each area. A lot of services will offer special deals, discounts and other savings if you know what to ask for. Some services will also have a lot of cheaper varieties. Usually places further from the beach will offer you a better deal, so if you’re willing to do a little walking this might be your best bet.
3. Groupon Lessons
Learning how to surf can be pretty pricey in itself. If you don’t have someone you know that can teach you then paying for lessons might become a must. One way to counter the huge price of this problem is check out groupons for surf lessons. Many different instructors will place these ads up during the warmer months to boost clientele. It usually allows you to bring a few different people so you can have some fun learning with friends and family. This will also allow you to split the bill between different people so you won’t have to stress about paying a lot of money for the service. This will also allow you to feel out an instructor so you can choose to carry on lessons with them or try out someone new. Either way, the groupon will help you decide if you enjoy the hobby while ensuring you won’t pay a fortune for it.
4. Smart Destinations
Not living near the beach can be a big problem when it comes to your surfing hobby. Traveling can be pretty pricey, which is why a lot of surfers have to put it on the back burner. If you’re planning to go on a surf trip you may want to look at some smart destinations. These places usually entail beaches that are closer to you as they will generally cost less to get to. However, you also want to look at the price of staying in a certain area. It may be in your best interest to go a little out of your way in order to avoid parking fees, expensive hotels and poorly priced restaurants. Beaches that are found in smaller towns are usually friendlier on the budget. You may also want to looking into trips abroad that don’t cost a lot. You can usually find great deals on travel sites and may get to see a bit of the world through your hobby.
5. Shop in the Winter
When it comes to shopping for anything that goes with surfing your best bet is always going to be shopping in the winter. During winter a lot of stores will move items that are still new to sales or clearance areas. This is so they can get ready for the new items that will be coming in the upcoming months. This is a great way to take advantage of the time and get your family ready for the surf season. Everything from surfboards to wet suits should be ready to go in these stores, so act fast before other people get the same idea! Of course, you can also shop for surfing trips during the winter months. Securing flight information, booking hotels and planning out the trip this early can leave you with hundreds in discounts if you act fast enough. This will ensure when the time comes that all your family has to do is pack a bag and get moving in order to enjoy some major pre-order benefits.
6. Carpool
Out of towners that enjoy hitting the surf frequently might consider getting in a carpool group. This will allow you to get to the beach more often without having to worry about spending a ton on gas and other roadside cost. Every trip you take should be split amongst the members of the group. This will allow you to pay less in gas so you can make up to four or five trips on the money it would take you to make on by yourself. Make sure you take a vehicle large enough to fit your boards though. You may have to all chip in for special chords and other items needed to get your surf gear on the car. You might also have to occasionally chip in for car maintenance if you only have on carpool vehicle large enough to fit the crew and their gear. Apart from that, you should be good to go on your adventure. Even if yo don’t live far from the beach you may still want to carpool. You can conserve some gas this way and all you to enjoy a little extra company with friends.
7. Free Beaches
One of your biggest, yet unexpected costs, for surfing can be the price of the beach. Although not all beaches charge to use the area many will charge an arm and a leg for parking. There are a few beaches that won’t cost you a dime though. It might take some research and a little extra traveling to get there, but with parking cost out of the way it’ll be totally worth it. Although you might not thinking parking fees are too much, by the time you spend a week in area where parking is $15 a day then you’re already going to lose at least $100. There’s no need for this if there is a place where you enjoy the convenience of parking at no extra cost to you. These beaches usually allow you to camp as well, so you wont have to worry about hotels or other expenses while you’re out riding the waves.
8. Water Park Style
Although it might not be quite the same, you can always get your surf bug out by using the local water park. It is becoming increasingly popular for water parks to install a surf inspired ride to lure in more customers. This usually comes at no additional price and will give you a little surf buzz while you’re landlocked. Although the price of admission for a water park might be up there, getting a season pass could help you surf throughout the summers that you can’t afford a trip to the beach. There are also many indoor surf shacks that are becoming popular. These will allow you to enjoy simulated surfing without the sunburn. Whichever way you choose to surf, you’ll still be able to catch some waves without spending the money to get to the beach.
9. Care for Your Equipment
One of the most expensive things for surfers is replacing equipment. Of course, this can be counteracted by simply taking care of the gear you already own. There’s a lot you can do to preserve the quality of your surfboard. Regular waxing and maintenance could have your surfboard around long enough to pass down to the next generation. There’s also a lot you can do to care for your wet suit. For instance rinsed your wet suit, inside and out, is a great way to help keep it around longer. You should also be careful as to how your suit is hung up to dry. Never hang it by the neck or shoulder or else you’ll end up with a stretched out suit before you know. You may have to do some occasional washing with wetsuit shampoo, but as long as you ensure you’re rinsed and dried after every use you should be holding onto your suit for a lot longer.
10. Go All In
For a lot of people the entire concept of surfing just isn’t something they think they can afford. However, getting a group of friends together and going all in can help you make the trip you’ve always dreamed up. Try to gather up money for gas and hotels, but let everyone split the cost equally. If you share a room the entire way to the beach you’ll be saving huge on your vacation. You can also do this with a rental board. Skip the wet suits and just wear swim suits. With one board between you and your friends you won’t stay out in the water as long anyway. If you already live close to the beach then try to split the cost of a board between you and your friends. This will allow you to go out as often as you like. With everyone sharing a board you can also talk about pointers when your turn is up or just hand out. The board will help you improve your surf ability and all the while you can save up for another board, or your very own board.
Surfing is an exciting way to get the adrenaline pumping while enjoying the summer sun. Although the prices surrounding it might not be as cheap as you’d like you can still find a lot of ways to save without forcing yourself to give up on the hobby altogether. These ten tips are a start to a future of surf fun without concern. So throw on your bathing suit and enjoy some waves for awhile, without worrying about the stress of money.
