Father's Day Surf Gift Guide

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Nick Carroll

June 10th, 2023

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Here's a massive benefit of being a modern surfing dad — a lot of the time, he's not the only surfer in the family. Once, nobody else had any idea what dad was up to, heading off at 4am and coming home six hours later complaining about breaking a leash. Like, what even was a "leash"?

It's a different story now. Maybe you surf with your dad. You definitely surf with someone else's dad! Maybe the dad in question is your partner, or even your son. The point is, now you get it. You understand the dad's passion for surfing. You know why he wakes up too early, what he means by "fin key", and why saltwater runs out of his nose at inappropriate moments. And you know the only thing he really wants for Father's Day is something to feed his stoke.

Here's a few ideas about that. And possibly a few things you might borrow from dad down the track.

Explore the guide

Db

Single

mid-length boardbag

This thing's as versatile as any boardbag on the market. The adjustable length feature is a mini game-changer: It’ll wrap itself tight around any board from 6’5" to 7’6" and compress way down for easy storage when not in use. This means the bag is not a one-fit item — it's flexible for use across a quiver. Sturdy polypropylene construction with eva cushioning. Limited lifetime warranty included. Designed in Scandinavia, and of course it's right here in the Surfline Shop!

Stewart Surfboards

The Redline 11

Bill Stewart has been renowned for generations as a southern Californian master craftsperson. With the Redline 11, he's designed a longboard for all sizes and all seasons. It's a standard 9’0" in length, with your volume needs taken into account by width and thickness variations. This holds the board's basic performance feel for any rider. Single to double concave and the classic Stewart bevel rail for forgiveness up front, it's the kind of craft any dad could ride and enjoy. Comes in polyurethane or epoxy.

Gerry Lopez

Something Fishy

From the original Mr. Pipeline comes a slick little take on the original Fish concept. This zingy thing comes in size ranges from 5’2" to 6’4" and bears all the hallmarks of the classic Fish in its broad-nosed parabolic outline and wide swallowtail. But Gerry has added just enough of his secret sauce to the rails and rocker line to make the SF feel just a touch freer and easier to control. Fits a wide skill range and comes with a four-fin optional set-up.

Haydenshapes

The New Wave Mid

Here's a bolt from the cobalt blue. This stylishly curved mid-length has a lot to like about its balance and slight tip toward performance, visible in the long curve down to that tight little tail. There's a moment of mid-1970s single-fin ripper in that curve, so maybe it's no surprise to find a versatile 2 x 1 fin setup under the hood. It's the sort of modernized mid-length you’d expect to see from the designer of the Hypto Krypto — something with easy turnability and a surprising amount of glide.

Flying Diamonds

TJ Signature Center Fin

Here's an ideal match for the Haydenshapes New Wave Mid, along with a lot of other boards in need of the big center single. Designed by the great Taylor Jensen, this fin boasts a deceptively simple, natural outline with a strong straight edge drop to the fin base. Lots of control at speed in this thing, right on point for a 2 x 1 carving machine. Scales all the way from 6" to 8" and comes in the super tough tight flexing G10 fiberglass.

Flying Diamonds

TJ Edge Side Fins

The matching pair for the TJ Signature Center Fin in any 2 x 1. Side fins are trickier than they seem. The fin volume has to balance up against the center fin, allowing you to use the drive and control to best effect in a wide range of wave types and conditions, so you’re never losing your grip and never feeling undue drag either. It's a recipe Taylor seems to have mastered. Again, these come in plain black or red and G10 glass.

*Calculated based on subtotal, certain products excluded.

JS

Xero Gravity

They don't come much more pure high-performance than this ultra functional thruster all-rounder. The Xero Gravity is a cousin to the near legendary Monsta Box, with some slight refinements. Paddling thickness is carefully concealed in the center, allowing for a tapered rail line with plenty of sensitivity and feel. This board's for a dynamic dad, and don't be surprised if the kids sneak it out for a session. Comes in all the classic high-performance lengths and measurements and can be ordered in polyurethane or eps/epoxy/carbon.

Sister Betsy

Eight-pack: Black Label Surf Wax

Many adult men have trouble keeping a bar of wax in their possession for more than 12 hours. It just seems to vanish, right when you need it. This need never again be an issue with Sister Betsy's fabulous eight-pack of the Black Label. Buy in a single temperature block (warm, cool, or cold) or just go with an assortment, which seems to fit early summer's wacky water temp shifts. Any way it happens, save the dad in your life from being caught short.

Yeti

Yonder 750ml Drink Bottle

The makers of the sturdiest drink bottle ever have now gone light. The Yonder bottle has been carefully designed around the need to travel quickly on short day hikes, which sounds a lot like a trip down a surf-spot track to us. It incorporates the two-part Yonder Cap, which presents as a slender drinking spout on one setting and comes clean off for quick refills on the next. The lightweight body has been made from 50% recycled materials.

Vans

Slip-On Mule TRK

This is exactly the sort of shoe any dad will embrace. Purpose designed by the Vans team for outdoor use as a "shoe sandal", it's easy to clean with a hose, can be packed into small spaces, great traction from the oversized waffle sole, and a single molded construction which simplifies the whole footwear issue. There is every chance other family members may attempt to borrow these on spur of the moment bike rides down to the beach.

Garmin

Instinct 2 Solar Surf Edition Watch

The company who's been making sports smartwatches longer than anyone has chosen to focus on the surf zone with this strongly built and wildly useful creation. With solar charging as a sensible option, the Instinct 2 Surf Edition can be customized, used to track all kinds of tide, wind, swell and surf data, and best of all, can access Surfline's conditions rankings and Surfline Sessions. If you get lost on a forest trail to the surf, it’ll even help you back-track.

Surf Park Sessions

The Wai Kai Wave

The world's newest surf park complex in Ewa Beach, Oahu, Hawaii. This wave is crazy fun and accessible to any skill level, from novice all the way up. It's coupled with epic extras, like personalized coaching and Surfline's own Surf Park Sessions — an ultra-customized camera array that will capture your whole session and give it back to you as a movie shot from multiple angles. Reserve a session for dad on your next Hawaiian holiday!

RinseKit

Four-Gallon Cube

Some dads, even some surfing dads, are just naturally clean people. It bothers them, walking around post-surf smelling like their wetsuit. Wash away these concerns with this powerhouse of a rinse kit. Just fill it up with water at home, go surf, and use the Four-Gallon Cube's power hose to blast away that rubbery funk. It's the future of portable shower technology, and it’ll clean your camp cookware too, if needed.

Dakine

Imua Team 6’ Leash

One of the world's finest accessory companies, Dakine has made the humble leash a semi-icon, and with the Imua Team leash, they’ve advanced it even further. The body of this leash is made from a type of urethane plastic that will biodegrade in landfill, as will the ankle cuff. The leash is an unusually attractive light blue, and at 1/4" is thick enough to withstand a truly hectic surf situation. Amazing value as always from this brand.

Solite

Convertible Water Sports Hat

Our awareness of sun protection has changed so much, even since the most recent dad was a little boy. That's why so many of us are adopting smart behavior around it, and this excellent waterwear is all about sun smarts. Really simple yet functional features: mesh ear protection, full scalp coverage and a flippable visor that won't get caught up during duckdives. Fits a tropical surf trip or just summer at home.

Wave Ki

Surf Training Program

You’ve heard of surf coaching and instruction. Well, here's very possibly the most advanced program of its kind. Ex-elite pro Brad Gerlach has spent decades developing Wave Ki's unique system, which uses extensive land-based movement practice to help set up new surfing patterns over time. This is no Insta-fix, it's a lifetime of understanding placed at your disposal, which is a very dad kinda thing.

7TILL8

Men's Custom-Tailored LS Springsuit

It's the time of year for which this classic suit cut was dreamed up. The springsuit's blend of sensible warmth and flexibility always comes as a season-stoker after months of full rubber. Long arms give you a little extra sun protection to boot. 7TILL8's custom-cut option and super high-quality neoprene take it all to another level. Comes in chest and back-zip options, with a lifetime repairs and alterations policy.

Surfline

Brodependent T-Shirt

Every dad needs a friend, or maybe 10. Give the dad in your life the chance to argue with his buddies over who's who with this piece of 976-SURF gold. Straight from the Surfline design room, classic fit, 50/50 poly/cotton material, ribbed collar, washes like a wetsuit. It's a can't-miss gift.

Creatures of Leisure

Proto 1.4 Tailpad

Caveat: You’ll only find this in surf shops right now. But it's one of the best new products in surf accessories. Waste is a big issue in deck grip production and the Proto 1.4 uses molding tech to cut that waste waaaay down, while at the same time taking the humble tailpad to new heights. Includes a redesigned grip pattern and a compressible kick pad that provides a cushion at the back end. A step into the future for the ripping Dad. Find your nearest shop below.

Channel Islands

CI Mid Twin

This twin-adapted version of the famous CI Mid is about as elegant a surfboard as we’ve seen in some time. A clean satin gloss finish overlays the Mid's solid 6x4oz laminate and super clean curves. Performance will be different to the original Mid's 2 x 1 fin set-up — as a twin, expect less pivotal drag and more pure down-the-line speed and glide, which really fits this board into pointbreaks and longer-lined reefs. But either way, wow.

Futures

Britt Merrick Twin Fin Set

The recommended fin set for the CI Mid Twin. Comes in one of our favorite fin constructions, Futures fiberglass, which provides epic certainty and a direct feel in both speed runs and turns. The BMT's upright setting and slight base cutaway helps with the feeling of freedom any dad wants in a surfboard. Not just hard to go past for the Mid Twin — these fins will fit numerous modern higher performance twins.

FCS x VSSL

Surf Supply Kit

Many adult men will never have guessed at the existence of this little marvel. Even though for many of them it will be the stuff of dreams. The Surf Supply Kit pulls together a pile of essential travel items, from minor first aid backup to ding and wetsuit repair, and houses it all in a clean, easy-to-carry aluminum tube complete with every man's very favorite thing: a flashlight! Impossible to go wrong here.

Science

MS Vipers

There are swim fins and swim fins, and then there are Vipers. This range was developed by legendary water-human Mike Stewart, who fits the dad criteria — Mike still competes at world level in his 60s. Give your dad the benefit of Mike's skills with a set of these excellent fins. Good for bodysurfing, bodyboarding, pool training, or anything else to do with going through the water faster than a person normally can. Big range of sizes.

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