Let’s be honest – it’s not JUST a surfboard. Everyone has a special connection to their boards, whether they admit it or not.
A true surfer knows how to treat their surfboard.
Surfboards are shaped for those massive powers on the ocean, yet they are so fragile to dings and dents. Anyway, down here you will find ways to transport and stock your board on and off its glorious duty. The following is an introduction to some of the more known ways to store and transport your board — Wall racks, ceiling racks, bicycle, car, scooter racks.
This article also works well to gather some DIY surf rack ideas.
This article is written in honor of our beloved surfboards
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Table of Contents
Surfboard WALL RACKS
A useful and practical surfboard wall rack in your house is a smart and decorative way to store your surfboard.
It is up to you to find the most suitable place for it, whether it is in the garage, verandah, or why not in your living room?
The board/s you have right now are shaped to blast through on those waves, so why not respect them by getting a suitable wall rack. Or even better – make one by yourself. Just like you, maybe they also want to have some quality horizontal time and chill out in a well-preserved way like a simple wall rack can offer.
Anyway, here is a list of some of the cool-looking surfboard wall racks. If you or any of your mates know how to drill a few screws in the wall – you are pretty much set installing the racks. It’s that simple!
Horizontal – Wall Surfboard Racks
StoreYourBoard wall rack
With a score of 4.8/5 out of 1,000 ratings, you simply can’t miss that. Sometimes the easiest solution is all you need.
COR Surf
A wooden surfboard rack gives a nice natural feel to the room. 800+ ratings.
StoreYourBoard wooden
StoreYourBoard metal
Official Nice Rack – quad
Block Surf Ceiling Sling
Vertical Surfboard Racks
An excellent choice when your wall or floor storage space is limited – or you prefer the boards to stand tall!
StoreYourBoard vertical
BC Surf & Sport
DIY Surfboard Wall Rack
This guide might have given you plenty of ideas to go to any supermarket or a specialized store that sells construction-related products. Just get creative and make your very own surfboard rack! It is that easy, get your creative side rolling and find free storage space at your home to
Check out more from Pinterest
SURFBOARD RACKS FOR CAR
For the best fuel efficiency when transporting a surfboard on a car, place the surfboards upside down, fins facing upwards and on the rear-side of the vehicle – surfboard nose facing forwards. This way there’s the least wind resistance and wind-whistle when driving at high speeds.
Should you get a pair of cross-bars, or choose a soft-padding roof rack for your car?
CROSS BARS + Surfboard Carrier
Roof-racks are quite universal accessories that you can get for almost any car make and model – a hatchback, sedan, wagon, pick-up truck, etc. I would personally recommend the Thule racks since Thule has been making one of the greatest, multifunctional transportation gadgets for nearly 70 years by now. Besides surfing, you can fit other large items on the roof in the future as well – like ski boxes, bicycles, etc.
Specially designed surfboard racks for cross-bars are the safest way to transport a surfboard on the car roof.
SOFT-PADDING Universal Surfboard Racks
It does not cost a fortune and can be fitted easily on most cars. The soft-padding surfboard racks stay quite low on the roof as well. On the downside – this can scratch your car roof to some degree!
How to attach a surfboard to roof rack?
Whether you have a set of pads or a specific surf rack – just lay the board on the racks, upside down – fins facing upwards. This is the most aerodynamical way to carry a surfboard on your car. You can place the board directing either way – driving or the other way around – this is up to you. Just make sure that the leash is secured and won’t start flapping around while you drive.
To attach a surfboard on the roof rack – use a tension strap with soft pads on crossbars. Make sure there’s no give to the board, but also that the board is not too tight. If it’s too tight without a board bag and softened straps it can actually damage the board.
- Use a board bag and extra softening straps on crossbars when you don’t have a specific surf rack.
- Secure the leash.
- Double-check everything.
- Take stops after a while to see if the board is tightened properly.
Read more – Surfboard Car Racks Guide
Creatures of Leisure Wrap Rax
Here is the solution that fits most four-door cars that allow for stacking up multiple boards on the roof without any cross-bars.An excellent alternative product by Creatures of Leisure. I have personally used the Double Wrap Racks and liked it. The most useful thing is that you don’t need roof rails and installing and re-installing the Wrap Rax is rather easy.
The only sketchy factor about this type of racks is that the straps will be hanging around inside the car – which might block a rear mirror view or annoy proper head-space for the back seat passengers. Anyway, simple to install and remove the option, total thumbs up for it.
PROS:
- Don’t need roof racks for car
- Very soft padding
- Stays low on the roof
- Easy to store when not in use
- Simple solution, high overall price compared to solid racks + surfboard carrier
- Fits a board with a board bag
- You can tighten the board well
- Can load up to 2 boards on a Single version, and four boards on a double
CONS:
- Might seem a bit dodgy compared to professional Thule racks
- Not 100% solid
- Have to fiddle around with excessive straps inside the car
- Fits only on 4-door cars
- Takes some time to get it installed and attach the board safely
- Might scratch the roof
Thule Board Shuttle (811 XT)
An option for a severe surf enthusiast. The Board Shuttle is another awesome and technically well-designed product by Thule. Thule specializes in roof racks and transportation gear, so that’s a high selling point right there. The board shuttle is one of the most advanced surf racks for your car available today that will probably last forever.
Thule Board Shuttle features and includes:
- Corrosion-resistant stainless steel
- Flip Fit Brackets that fits on all Thule Rack Systems, round bars, and most factory racks (no loose parts)
- The telescopic design delivers a custom fit for board widths up to 34″ (70 cm – 86 cm) wide
- Dual loading design allows for the transport of two boards with maximum stability
- Includes board tie-down and center straps 2 x 400cm /15′ with buckle bumpers to transport board securely and protect vehicle finish
- Fits Thule Aero-Blades and square bars
- Fits Thule X-Sporter Pro with the X-Adapt 12 adapter (sold separately)
- Weighs only 2.6 kg / 57 pounds
- Load capacity 50 kg / 110 pounds
PROS:
- Made by Thule – One of the most innovative transportation gear manufacturers out there
- Good quality, soft padding
- Sits firmly
- Comes with a pair of tie-down straps with soft padding
CONS:
- You’ll need crossbars
- With great quality comes a great price
Thule Aero Surf Pad (804)
- Sizes: 18 inch / 24 inch
- No-fade UV resistant fabrics for long term durability
- Split bottom pads with sewn-in hook and loop strap wrap around Thule rack systems, round bars, and most factory racks
- Convenient, flexible bungee cord at pad ends to cinch the pad to the bar
- Straps sold separately
- Foam padded interior, UV coated exterior, hook and loop middle strap, bungee cord end straps
- Two pads in a package
- Fits Thule AeroBlade, Rapid Aero, and Xsporter
Thule SUP Taxi
If you want one of the best surfboard racks on existing cross-bars, check out our Thule SUP Taxi Review. The SUP Taxi can be locked and fitted on most cross-bars and is probably THE most advanced surfboard rack you could ever ask for in your car. No worries when you have a shortboard, the SUP Taxi width can be adjusted!
Surfboard BICYCLE RACKS
Well done! You are one lucky person who lives so close to the breaks that you don’t even need a car to drive to.
If you already own a bicycle and a surfboard, then the last thing you will probably need would be the surfboard racks for your beloved push-bike. Forget about cycling down the beach with a surfboard tucked under your shoulder – it is a BIG No-No to your back and spinal disks. I learned it the hard way put me off from the surf for a good chunk of time.
A surfboard rack is a straightforward, convenient, and uniquely practical way to transport your surfboard to the beach. It might take a little time to get used to maneuvering with „board on the board,“ especially in public spaces and in strong winds. Once you feel comfortable, you have chosen the best way to get to the beach when the surf is up.
Why ride your bicycle to the beach with a surfboard on the side racks?
- Great warm-up
- Unlike walking to the beach with a board bag, you are sitting down on a saddle and enjoying a faster way of commuting
- Unlike driving your car to the beach, you are saving money on fuel, AND you don’t have to worry about anyone pinching your car keys while you are away on the sea
- Cycling is cool and simple, just like surfing
- Pedal to the metal like there’s no tomorrow
Whether you have a short- or a longboard, the bicycle rack design is pretty much the same on most models. A bicycle surf rack usually consists of two u-shape metal tubes that have soft covers to keep your surfboard from scratches during transportation.
The two main ways to attach the rack to your bike:
Saddle Post Side-Mount Surfboard Racks
Surfboard Bicycle Side-Mount Rack
MBB Longboard Rack
Amazon’s Choice!
Carries surfboards as long as 12ft!
The MBB Longboard rack by Moved By Bikes features a wide range of head tube sizes and frame configurations. Suitable for all bicycle types out there. Load capacity: 25 lbs / 12 kg. We also recommend getting a cable lock (preferably without a key – which is another thing to worry about when surfing)
PROS:
- Sturdy design
- Soft padding
- Quick installation
- A popular choice on scooters as well
- Widely used in Indo
- Cheap and easy solution
- Fits on most bikes available
- Fits most available boards
- Great workout cycling down the beach before jumping in the surf
CONS:
- Takes some time to get used to
- You’ll need to get extra tie-down straps for safety
CSR Max for Longboards
Independent Bicycle Surfboard Rack
Easy to install, securely attached to your bicycle rear rack. Fits larger board up to 10ft
PROS:
- Integrated rack included
- Simplistic and effective construction
- Stainless steel components
- Lightweight
- Soft paddings
- Includes hold-down straps
CONS:
- Can’t think of any at the moment
SUP/Surfboard/Longboard trailers
The Mule Surf and Longboard
Paddle Board Carrier Transport System
Why not tow your surfboard rack behind your beach cruiser? This solution is for the passionate brothers and sisters who prefer the simple route to the beach by bicycle. Zero-emission! Packs in a 12×24″x3″ travel bag for easy storage. The nose piece has a handle + strap, pocket for wax, leash, and personal items. Tube tires with mag wheels.
Read more on how to install it from HERE.
PROS:
- Unique
- Saves side-ways clearance
- Inflated tires to adjust for the terrain
- No tools needed
- Universal wheeled tail part fits all surfboards
- No assembly required
- No wind resistance when cycling
CONS:
- Need extra care when cycling through crowded spots
Read next
16 Different Types of Surfboards
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I created Nulltuul to share my experience, research and analysis with other surf enthusiasts out there. If I'm not surfing on my travels - I like to photograph waves, surfers, and the surf lifestyle in general.