Frequently Asked Questions

Wetsuit repair is reasonably simple using a wetsuit repair kit like our Cskins Wetsuit Repair Kit. Simple splits can also be repaired using neoprene glue like Black Witch. If your wetsuit is under warranty, or want a professional repair then do not attempt a self or temporary repair, use a established repairer like Bodyline Wetsuits in Newquay.

A 5mm wetsuit is typical. Winter wetsuits are normally 5/4mm or 5/3mm with the thinner neoprene used on the arms and shoulders for extra stretch. In Scotland and Eastern England many surfers will wear a hooded 5 or even 6mm wetsuit.

A 3/2mm wetsuit is usual. Summer wetsuits are often flatlocked stitched, but you can get GBS and seam sealed suits that will continue to be warm right up to October or even November. In the height of summer you can use a 2mm shorty wetsuit or long armed or legged 'springsuit'.

Most surfers will agree that a chest zip wetsuit is better at keeping out water than a back zip. The fact that there is no zip running down the back also makes them more flexible on the torso. There is one big issue with chest zip wetsuits which is they are hard to get on and off until you get used to it and refine your technique. As a general rule if you are older, bigger or buying your first wetsuit we would recommend sticking to buying a back zip wetsuit.

You can repair a surfboard using a Ding Repair Kit. There are 2 main types of kit, epoxy kits for newer and most mass produced surfboards, and polyester kits for hand shaped traditional fibreglass boards. If you aren’t sure what type of surfboard you have always use an epoxy kit as they are safe for all constructions.

If you only have to make a small repair you can use a solar curing resin like Solarez or Durarez. These resins have fibres premixed into them and cure in a few minutes when exposed to direct sunlight.

If you have a large ding to repair use a full ding repair kit with fibreglass, resin, foam filler and sandpaper included.

The rule of thumb for surfboard leashes is to buy one that is the same length as you surfboard. So if you have a 6ft surfboard buy a 6ft leash.

Surf wax is graded by water temperature. In the UK summer you should use Cool Water surf wax (from May until October), and in the UK winter use Cold Water surf wax (from November until April). Cold and Coo water waxes are soft so it's best to use a Base coat wax first to build up a textured layer on your board, then just lightly skin on the softer wax. If it's gets super hot in the UK, or if you are travelling to Europe use Warm Water surf wax. If you are travelling somewhere really hot use Tropical Water surf wax.

The best way to wax a surfboard is with an overlapping pattern so that you build up a textured covering. You can do this by using criss-crossing lines of wax or work in a circular motion, moving around the board. You don’t need to wax the whole surfboard, just the main area where you are going to stand.

If you are using softer cold or cool water surf wax you should always use a base coat surf wax first. Using a base coat will allow you to build up a great firm texture that won’t go slick. It also helps if the sun comes out as your whole wax job won’t melt off the board. If you can’t get base coat surf wax then a tropical surf wax will do the same job. Foam surfboards don't need a base coat, just a light coating of a softer wax.

All our wetsuits should have a wetsuit size guide showing in the images. Please follow these manufacturer's guides. If you fall on the borderline between two sizes go for the larger size, particularly if you have broader shoulders, a larger chest or this is your first wetsuit.

You attach a surfboard leash to the small plug at the rear of the board. The plug is normally round with a scoop and a bar across. There are 3 types of surfboard leash attachment and they should all attach easily to this plug.

The first type of leash has a Velcro strap and a sewn in string. For these simply open out the Velcro, push the string loop under the leash plug bar, fishing it back out the other side using a small instrument like a fin key or screwdriver. Then pull the Velcro ends through the string loop, so the string is next to the sewn in part, and fold over the Velcro to secure it. Finally, give it a good tug so you are happy it is secure and to lock in the Velcro.

The second type of leash has a Velcro rail saver strap and a loose string. With this you can open up the Velcro, take out the string and loop it into the leash plug as above. Be sure that when you have it through the plug you put the Velcro rail saver back though both loops either side of the bar. If you have created one loop by pulling the string back through itself you can end up with a piece that is so long it might bite into the board under the pressure of a wipeout. It’s easy to test if the string is too long by pulling the leash around the tail and ensuring only the rail saver strap touches the boards rails and tail area

The last leash type does not have a Velcro rail saver. Only a strap with a loop on it. The string normally comes tied into this loop. To secure it, untie the string and push it through the leash plug, through the loop on the rail saver and then tie it using a figure of 8 or 'overhand' knot.

In almost all cases the quoted length of a surfboard bag is based on the length of surfboard it will fit comfortably. The bag itself will usually be around 2 inches longer IE a '6ft6' bag will actually normally measure around 6ft8.

Clean the wax of your surfboard at least twice a year. Normally around May when you switch to cool water wax and then in November when you switch to Cold. On top of those times scrap it off any time it has gone slick or crusty/muddy etc from your feet. As well as getting you a nice fresh coat of wax, cleaning down your board gives you a chance to check for small surface dings that your wax can hide.

You can tie down your surfboard onto your car using a soft rack system. Softracks are pairs of pads with 2 sets of straps attached. You attach the soft rack by passing the longer straps through your car. You then use the second (normally shorter) straps to tie down you surfboard(s) to the pad.

Surfboard 'softracks' were originally designed as a temporary rack for surfers to use on hire cars when travelling to surf destinations. They aren't generally designed or suited to long, high speed journeys on motorways. The biggest issue with strapping surfboards to cars if the amount of wind resistance they pose to the up-wash coming off the windscreen. Shortboards with nice pointy noses obviously offer less resistance than a 10ft longboard or SUP. Always try and mount your boards so they are as aerodynamic and stable as possible, this may mean stacking boards in differing directions and turning wide nose boards so the narrower tail end facing is forwards.

Putting one twist in the straps where they run from the pad down to the car door will cut down the hum. Staying below 45MPH, when the hum generally kicks in, will also help.

No, surfboard bags are a maximum of about 23 inches wide, your SUP will be at least 29 inches wide.

No there isn't. FCS2 Longboard fins have the FCS2 quick release roller bar built into the fin itself, and don't require a special fin box. FCS2 longboard fins should fit ANY 'standard box' or 'US Box' longboard box, FCS Strongbox , Futures 1Shot, Fins Unlimited etc etc

You use the side fins from your thruster set and add a set of Quad Rear fins from your favourite fin brand. Just remove the centre fin and fit the quad rears in the boxes left and right of that box.

Comp leashes have a thinner cord so they create less drag. They also tend to have a thinner width ankle cuff. There is obviously a compromise on strength, but if you only go out in smaller (say below shoulder high) surf it should still last well.

No - they just won't stick to foam for more than a couple of surfs. They are OK for double slick foam boards like the Softech Flash..

No, the FCS2 system is a quick fit/release fin system that allows you to simply click your new fins in to place. BUT the FCS2 boxes do have grub screw holes and we recommend adding grubs screws for 100% security, especially if you are unlikely to remove the fins regularly anyway.

Yes, FCS make some of the most high tech fins in the world. They also work with the world's best shapers and surfers, so if you want to push your surfing to the next level then the correct fin set from FCS will allow you to do so!

Yes, FCS make an adapter box that allows you to fit 2 tab FCS fins into a longboard (USA) box.

Yes, all our bags are quoted at the length of surfboard they will comfortably fit with thruster fins fitted - you do not need to go up to a longer bag. If your board has a longer single fin fitted be sure that the bag has a fin slot to allow for this.

In a quad fin set the Front fins control the drive and speed of the set, the quad rears add stability and control how easy it is to enter and exit turns. Smaller QRs make the set loose, larger QRs make it more stable.

If you have a 5 box surfboard and a thruster (3 fin) set of fins but wish to try riding it as a quad you simply need to buy a set of Quad Rears that you then use with the Sides from your thruster set.

QRs come in XS, Small or Medium - very rarely Large. If you usually use Large thruster fins you would still only use Medium QRs in a quad set as in most cases you are still going to want a reasonably loose feel to those turns.

QRs with flat foils give sharp snappy turns, 50/50 foils give smoother drawn out turns.

Some QRs can also be used as 2+1 Longboard/Mid-Length Side Bites in XS or Small sizes with FLAT or 80/20 foils - Medium QRs and 50/50 foils generally won’t work correctly.

Yes, FCS 2 plugs have holes to add FCS 1 grub screws, so all you need to do is buy a pack of grub screws and use them to secure the older style 2 tab fins. For an even better fit use the FCS II Tab Infill Kit which includes rubber inserts to fill the plugs as well as the grubs and a key.