21 Epic Christmas Gifts For Surfers 2024 (Chosen By A Surfer)

Are you looking for a no-nonsense list of the best gifts surfers will use and appreciate?

In my two decades of surfing, I’ve received countless questionable presents with all the best intentions. But knowing what to buy is nearly impossible if you’re not a surfer.

So, let’s leave those ‘surfs up’ t-shirts in the shop and dive into some great gifts that surfers will really love.

Surf Watch

A surf watch helps surfers track important information about their surf sessions, like wave size, wave count, and session length.

This one from Nixon even includes features like tide information, weather forecasts, and GPS tracking. This is a guaranteed win for any surfer at Christmas, and they’re indestructible, with mine currently in its third season and still going strong.

Wetsuit

These wetsuits are an awesome gift for surfers at Christmas, which will keep you toasty warm for even the longest of sessions.

We’ve picked some of our favourite neoprene below from the best wetsuit brands. Ask other friends or family for the right size, and you’ll have the perfect gift for any cold water surfer.

If you want a bargain option, the O’Neill Hyperfreak above is a perfect choice or treat your recipient with some quality rubber from Xcel (our favourite wetsuits).

Changing Poncho

This changing robe is an absolute must for those cold sessions in the depths of winter. Forget about beach towels; these robes have got you covered from howling winds to snow.

The outside is 100% wind and waterproof, so you can get some respite when you’re getting changed and ready for a stormy surf. The inside is made from synthetic lamb wool that feels like a warm embrace after you leave the chilly ocean.

Grab yours here and keep the surfer in your life toasty before and after the waves.

Surf Trip

When it comes to the best gift for surfers at Christmas, you can’t get much better than a surf camp next to some pumping waves.

Pick from epic waves worldwide and get a holiday catering to surfers of all levels and abilities. These camps are world-famous, and they never disappoint. Here are some of our favourite picks.

Changing Mat

A changing mat is a great gift idea for any surfer. Changing on rough tarmac and stones leads to dirty feet and wear and tear on your wetsuit or swimwear.

With a changing mat, you get a soft surface to change on that’s comfy on your feet and kind to your wetsuit’s delicate neoprene.

Leash

A surfboard leash is the lifeline between surfer and board, and they don’t last forever. Big surf can stretch lashes to a snapping point, and any nicks and tears create weak spots waiting to break.

Leash’s can make great gifts; even if they’re just a backup, you can keep them in the car, ready for unwanted snaps.

Neoprene Top

A neoprene top is perfect if it’s too chilly to rock boardshorts or swimsuits. They’re only 1/2mm, but they’re a perfect extra layer when it’s early morning or windy.

Xcel makes some of the best wetsuit tops and rashguards around, and they’re great gifts for surfers in the $50 to $100 range. Shop the range here.

Fins

The small, fin-shaped attachments at the bottom of a surfboard help the rider control direction and speed while surfing. And they’re not cheap!

Different fin setups affect your board’s performance, so experimenting with different configurations can make for serious fun. Head over to Jack’s Surfboard’s massive fin selection to find ways you can change how your board feels under your feet.

Surf Ears

These handy earplugs help prevent a nasty condition called Surfers Ear. It affects people regularly submerged in cold water. A bone starts growing across the ear canal, leading to many medical issues, with hearing loss being one.

This can eventually lead to some pretty invasive surgery, so save your loved one from the risk and get them kitted with these earplugs from the guys over at Creatures of Leisure.

Surfboard Repair Kit

A surfboard repair kit lets surfers fix minor damage on their surfboard, like dings or cracks. This is a great Christmas gift for any surfer, allowing them to surf as quickly as the same day after minor repairs.

It includes epoxy/PY resin (depending on your board’s construction), fibreglass cloth, sandpaper, mixing cups, and applicators.

It’s a convenient and cost-effective way to fix minor damage to your board without a trip to the repair guy.

Sunscreen

The surfing life is hard on your skin.  Good quality, ocean-friendly sunscreen is a must for any surfer, even through those colder months.

We’ve considered water resistance, SPF level, and ingredients to bring you the best sunscreen for surfers in our detailed guide, but you can find our top picks below, perfect for your next Christmas present.

Don’t miss our guide on the best sunscreen for surfing for more great picks to keep your skin and the ocean happy.

Surf Wax

Every surfer needs a trusty stash of wax. It may not be fancy, but it’s probably the most helpful gift you can get for someone who likes to surf.

You can’t go wrong with Sex Wax; it’s a classic and an excellent gift for surfers when you’re on a budget. If you want to go a bit further, you could pair it up with a bamboo wax comb coming up later down this list.

Warm Surfing Jacket

This is a guaranteed win, a practical gift with surfers in mind and great for the chilly season. Checking the surf on those cold winter mornings needs some good protection, and you can’t miss the mark with a jacket or fleece.

Here are two of our favourites from Billabong and O’Neill that look just as good as they keep you warm.

Wetsuit Hood

Level up a standard wetsuit for the coldest oceans with a wetsuit hood. Duck diving a wave in cold water can make for the worst ice cream headaches.

But a neoprene hood will make those chilly dips a thing of the past and world with literally any wetsuit on the market.

Gift Card

Grabbing a gift card for an online surf shop is a great fit for a surfer if you can’t decide. It’s not the most thoughtful gift, but it lets the recipient get exactly what they want for Christmas.

First, try to get a voucher from your local surf shop (local first, always). Failing that, get a voucher for one of the large online surf stores. Any of the ones below should be a great choice.

• Billabong Gift Cards
• Rip Curl Gift Cards
• O’Neill Gift Card

Stormrider Guide

This surf book is packed full of all the best surf spots in the world. From the pumping points of Morroco to the tropical breaks around Indonesia, it’s a snapshot of all the world’s best waves.

It’s great for planning your next surf trip, and you can go mind-surfing some perfect tubes with world-class photography throughout.

Bamboo Wax Comb

The wax on your surfboard needs a bit of love every now and then to stay nice and grippy while you surf. Enter the wax comb.

They help maintain the bumpy surface you need for your feet to grip, helping you perform different surfing tricks and manoeuvres.

GoPro

Unlock your surfer’s potential this Christmas by helping them capture HD footage of themselves on the face of the wave. This is the new model from GoPro featuring a compact outline and 5.3K60 Ultra HD Video. 

This epic camera lets you capture crystal-clear footage of surfing adventures in the first person. This awesome camera gets everything from the adventure to getting there to every wave in a session.

With a wide range of mounting options and a great battery life, it’s the perfect Christmas gift, allowing you to see yourself surfing without leaving someone filming on the beach for hours.

Head over to the GoPro website to see their full range of surf-friendly cameras.

Surfboard

Make the surfer in your life the happiest person in the world with a brand new stick ready for a year of surfing.

Surf gear doesn’t get much more essential than a surfboard, and even though they’re not cheap, they can last for years. Here’s a perfect board for anyone just starting out on their surfing journey.

Need some guidance? Head over to our guide on how to choose the right surfboard.

Surf Art

If you’re looking for a more creative Christmas surf gift, photography or art could be a great choice. All surfers will happily stare at images of waves, and they make a great addition to anyone’s home, fitting with most styles.

Find out where your recipient loves to surf and get a nice shot of a day when the conditions are perfect, or go for a photo of a world-class surf break.

Local Surf Photography

Every surfer loves to see pictures of themselves. It’s one of those sports where you rarely see what your surfing looks like, so they’re a real treat.

Finding a local surf photographer who can do this will be challenging, but it’s a thoughtful Christmas gift that any surfer will love. Try asking at the surf shop to see if they can point you in the right direction.

Wrapping Up

Fingers crossed you’ve found the perfect gift, but if you’re still looking for ideas, try heading to our guide on essential gear for surf vans.

Or check out our extensive list of the best gifts for surfers packed with more great picks to put a smile on your surfer’s face.

Here’s to a better Christmas packed full of gifts that surfers really will love!