A surfboard can last for years if you maintain it properly, but there are a number of factors at play, including the quality of the board and how often you use it.
With that said, let’s look at the factors that impact the lifespan of your surfboard and the things you can do to prolong it.
What Affects the Lifespan of a Surfboard?
Wondering how long your surfboard will last? It really depends on a number of things, including all of the following:
Use
It should go without saying that the more you use your board, the quicker it will deteriorate.
A professional surfer using their board every day may need a new one in just 6 to 12 months, but a beginner who uses it weekly or even monthly can stretch that lifespan over many years.
Water
Surprisingly, water can cause some serious harm to your board.
The problem occurs when the water gets inside the board. If there is a crack in the exterior, water will seep inside and damage the foam interior.
The longer you wait to fix that crack, the more water will get inside and the more waterlogged your surfboard will become.
Saltwater can do some serious damage to a surfboard and it doesn’t take long for this damage to become apparent.
Heat
Leaving your surfboard in the sun makes it prone to overheating and expanding, much like a musical instrument.
You may notice bubbling and cracking, and this will rapidly reduce the lifespan of the board while also impacting its performance.
Aggressive Riding and Reckless Storage
If you have a fast and loose surfing style, throwing caution to the wind and hitting those big waves at every opportunity, your board last longer than if you were to take things easy.
The same applies to your chosen storage.
If you leave the board somewhere it can overheat or become damaged, or you don’t transport it carefully, you may notice some visible dings and dents.
How to Care For A Surfboard
Your board should always be stored inside.
It’s big, it’s cumbersome, and it takes up a lot of space, but finding room for it in your home or garage could add months and even years to its lifespan.
You should also purchase a board bag to protect it during transport.
More importantly, make sure you check your board regularly and repair any dings and cracks before they cause more damage.
Rinse it with fresh water after exposing it to saltwater and be careful to avoid rocks and other obstacles when surfing and getting in and out of the water.
If surfing is an occasional hobby and not something you have dedicated your life and/or career to, then it’s tempting to just ignore all of this and treat your board with the same disdain that you treat the old treadmill gathering dust in the garage.
But spending some extra time on it after you surf and taking care to store it properly could save you a lot of hassle and money in the long-term.
Summary: How Long will a Surfboard Last?
As you can see, it’s possible for a good surfboard to last for many years, but to have any chance of keeping your board that long you need to take care.
Check it regularly, fix any issues that arise, and make sure it’s stored properly.
Even if you’re a pro surfer hitting those big waves every day and changing your board several times a year, following these instructions could save you thousands of bucks a year.
