Surf Accessories

Surf accessories from Deflow, Range, Living in Sunshine and Ding Aid, covering everything around the board itself. Choose from traction pads and leashes, soft roof racks, roof bar pads and tie-down straps, wall racks and a freestanding board stand, car seat covers, a combination key safe, ding repair, a fin key and wax comb tool, insulated bottles, a beach towel and a changing robe.

What to look for

Traction pads: tail pads give grip for your back foot, with a raised kick at the tail so you know where your foot is. Deflow pads here come in two to five pieces, with kicks from 25mm to 35mm and some with a raised centre arch. Front pads and arch bars give grip for the front foot.
Leashes: choose a leash roughly the length of your board, and a thicker cord for bigger surf. Deflow leashes here run from 5ft to 9ft with cords from 6mm to 9mm, including a thick-cord winter leash.
Roof racks and straps: Range soft roof racks, roof bar pads and tie-down straps for carrying boards on the car.
Board storage: Range and Living in Sunshine wall racks for one board up to 16 boards, and a freestanding bamboo stand.
Car and beach: Range car seat covers, a combination key safe, insulated stainless steel bottles in 710ml and 950ml, a Deflow beach towel and the Range Storm Robe changing robe.
Repairs and tools: Range ding tape for quick fixes, a Ding Aid repair kit with UV cure resin, and a Living in Sunshine multi-tool with a fin key and wax comb.

Fitting and compatibility

Before fitting a traction pad, check its width against your tail and line it up with your rear fin, then peel the backing. Fit it to a clean deck with no wax. For leashes, match the length to your board and the cord thickness to the waves you surf. Roof bar pads need existing roof bars, so check what your car has before choosing between pads and a soft rack. For wall racks, measure your boards and the wall space first.

Carrying boards safely

Follow the fitting instructions for any rack or strap. Check every strap is tight before each drive and again on longer journeys, and never exceed your vehicle's roof load limit as stated in its handbook. A twist in a strap usually stops it humming at speed. Wall racks must be fixed into a solid wall or timber stud with fixings suited to the wall and the weight of your boards. When repairing dings, follow the kit instructions, work in a well-ventilated space and keep resin away from children.

Common questions

How long should my surf leash be?

As a rule, choose a leash about the same length as your board, or slightly longer. Shorter leashes give less drag on shortboards, and longer ones suit longboards and mid-lengths.

Where should a traction pad go?

A tail pad sits at the very back of the deck with its kick at the tail, usually lined up over the rear fin. Front pads and arch bars go where your front foot stands.

How do I carry a surfboard on my car roof?

Use a soft roof rack or roof bar pads with proper tie-down straps. Follow the fitting instructions, check the straps before every drive and stay within your vehicle's roof load limit.