Storing a Surfboard in Self Storage

For surfers, summer is synonymous with navigating glittering waves and the exhilarating rush of catching a perfect break. But the joy of the ocean often comes with the challenge of storing your prized piece of equipment–their surfboard.

With their unique shapes and differing sizes, surfboard storage can turn a tidy garage or sleek living space into a storage nightmare.

And it’s more than just the living space clutter you’ll have to deal with. Improper surfboard storage can lead to costly damage, shortening the lifespan of your board and hurting its performance.

Our helpful surfboard storage guide covers the ins and outs of surfboard storage. We’ll uncover why surfboard storage matters and how to prep your board for storage.

We’ll list some of the storage accessories that can help, from robust surf racks to smart space-saving systems. We’ll also reveal how storage.com can help you find the ideal surfboard storage space near you.

Why Proper Surfboard Storage Matters

Storing your surfboards correctly is a crucial aspect of maintaining your board’s integrity and extending its longevity. Improper storage can leave your surfboard susceptible to a host of damages that can compromise its integrity and performance.

The direct impact of poor storage can manifest in several ways:

• Dings and dents from accidental impacts
• Scratches from abrasive surfaces
• Warping due to extreme temperatures
• Degradation from prolonged exposure to UV rays

These issues not only knock down your board’s appearance by a few notches. But they also significantly affect its performance in the water.

Prepping Your Board for Storage 

Before your surfboard finds its designated spot, a little preparation goes a long way in ensuring its longevity. 

Andrew Sachs of StoreYourBoard.com, which sells a variety of surf racks for storing and displaying surfboards and paddleboards, is an expert when it comes to preparing boards for storage. Here are his “do” and “don’t” recommendations for storing a surfboard:

DO

• Rinse your surfboard thoroughly with fresh water to remove anything from its surface, particularly salt water, which can dry on and damage your surfboard.
• After rinsing it, dry the board with a towel to remove all moisture so that it’s not damp when you go to store it.
• Strip any wax from your surfboard. If you’re going to be storing your board for an extended period of time, you should consider stripping your wax, as wax tends to get old and musty when a surfboard isn’t being used.
• Remove your leash. This will ensure that your leash doesn’t get permanent coils from being wrapped tightly around your board while in storage. 
• If you have a bag, store your board in a bag, which offers an additional layer of protection from any dings your board might get while in storage.

DON’T

• It may be the same shape as a shelf or table, but you’re only asking for trouble if you put anything on top of your board or lean other objects against it.
• Never store your board in an upright position. If it’s standing vertically, it could slide down or fall, which means major damage to your board.
• Epoxy/polyester board materials can be sensitive to prolonged moisture and contaminants. Proper prep is the first line of defense against premature wear and tear.

Things to Avoid with Surfboard Storage

When it comes to safeguarding your surfboard, knowing what not to do is just as important as knowing what to do.

The most significant hazard to avoid is prolonged exposure to direct sunlight. The sun’s UV rays and the heat they generate cause serious damage to surfboards.

Sun exposure can weaken the protective coatings on epoxy/polyester boards, making them more susceptible to dings while in use.

UV rays can also change your board’s appearance–yellowing the board’s deck and expanding the foam inside the board.

Another common mistake is storing surfboards improperly on hard surfaces. You never want to place a board’s tail directly on the floor, as the tail is the weakest and thinnest part of your board.

This can lead to dings and structural damage over time. Horizontal racks are a popular choice, but you’ll want to make sure there’s protective material, like padded foam, to support the tail if it rests on the rack.

Last but not least, avoid storing surfboards in areas with extreme temperature fluctuations or high humidity, which can cause delamination and structural damage.

Surfboard Storage Accessories

Now that you know why proper surfboard storage is important, how to prep your board, and how not to store it, here are some surfboard accessories you can use that are designed for safe surfboard storage.

For starters, we suggest investing in a surfboard sock or a board bag. Board socks are a lightweight cloth covering, perfect for short-term storage and local travel.

Surfboard socks provide an invaluable layer of protection against UV rays when boards are strapped to roof racks. They prevent surf strap pressure from dinging the rails and keep sand and wax from soiling your car seats, home furniture, and other items in your storage unit.

Surf accessory companies also make specialized tie-down straps like the garg™ Tie-Down Straps, specifically designed for safe and efficient surfboard storage.

A locking system can help you out in multi-board setups. A durable surfboard travel bag protects your board during transit and can also serve as an additional protective layer when you put the board in storage.

Of course, which of these accessories is most helpful depends on the type of storage rack you’re using. Let’s take a look at the options.

Surfboard Storage Racks

When it comes to maximizing space and preventing damage, specialized surfboard racks are the cornerstone of effective surfboard storage. They don’t have to be all work and no play, mind you. The right surfboard display rack can help your surfboard storage solution double as wall art.

There’s a diverse range of storage solutions available, each catering to different needs and spaces.

For those looking to optimize vertical wall space, wall rack options are abundant. Wall-mounted surfboard rack designs can range from simple, minimalist surfboard mounts to more elaborate systems capable of holding multiple boards.

Vertical surfboard racks are particularly popular for their space-saving efficiency, allowing you to store several boards in a compact footprint. These can include vertical multi-rack systems for the avid surfer with a quiver, or a single surfboard rack for a simpler setup.

Another excellent option for maximizing unused space is a ceiling storage rack, ideal for garages or larger rooms where floor space is limited.

If you prefer not to install anything on your walls, freestanding surfboard racks and surfboard stands are a solid option.

Freestanding surfboard shelving solutions offer multiple tiers or slots. Functioning as effective surfboard holders or surfboard holders without requiring wall mounts.

For larger equipment like paddle boards, dedicated stand-up paddle board storage rack solutions are available, often built with the same durability and thoughtful design as their surfboard counterparts.

Whether you opt for a wall-mounted surfboard rack, a vertical storage solution, or freestanding surfboard racks, the ideal rack for your storage space is a key part of organized and safe surfboard storage.

And just like the rack choice you make affects the accessories you’ll need, your surfboard storage space dictates which rack is ideal.

Let’s take a look at our primary surfboard storage solution suggestions–a climate-controlled storage unit.

Surfboard Storage Locations: Storing a Surfboard with Self Storage

We suggest a climate-controlled indoor storage unit at a self-storage facility. You’ll want to make sure your score is a unit large enough to fit the surfboard rack style you’ve decided on. Here’s what you need to know about keeping your surfboard there:

• It’s important to find the right size unit for your surfboard and display rack, with a little extra space to move around them. 
• A 10’x10’ or a 5’×15’ unit size is enough for a single surfboard rack or a small vertical surfboard rack.
• A 10’×15’ unit size is big enough to fit the surfboard and a large wall display rack, plus some extra space for tool boxes and a table to conduct some off-season maintenance.
• You may want to store your surfboard at a ground-level storage unit, as you won’t be able to back your truck up and load and unload your surfboard display rack.
• Drive-up storage units are outdoor units where you park directly in front for easy loading, but it’s hard to find a drive-up unit with climate control.
• Indoor units with climate control and more advanced security features to help protect your surfboard during the off-season.

There are other amenities besides security features and temperature control to consider, like climate-controlled storage. Surfboards tend to delaminate when exposed to extreme heat, which will eventually ruin the board.

The entire structure of the board can also be damaged from prolonged exposure to moisture, so it’s a good idea to keep it in an environment where humidity can be controlled as well.

The climate-controlled storage feature keeps your unit at a consistent temperature and humidity level so that your board won’t delaminate or have structural damage.

A climate-controlled unit costs a bit more than a standard unit, but it’s worth it to keep your board in good shape when you’re not using it.

Electrical outlets are nice to have so you can charge your phone and listen to music while you’re polishing your board.

How Storage.com Can Help Find the Best Surfboard Storage Solutions Near You

So, we’ve zipped through a bunch of ways to keep your surfboard safe when you’re not riding waves.

The primary disadvantage to storing your surfboard in your garage or shed is how much space it takes up, especially during the off-season, when it sits in long-term storage without moving for months on end. 

And even if you do have a garage or shed storage space to spare, is it climate-controlled? 

A climate-controlled storage unit includes temperature control, humidity monitoring, and management. Storage units also offer features like electricity, alarms, 24-hour access, drive-up access, or security cameras for added surfboard protection. And again, you’ll need a ground-level storage unit. 

But not all storage facilities offer the same amenities. 

So, how do you find the perfect surfboard storage facility? How do you limit your search results to climate-controlled storage units? Or maybe you want to search by location, isolating storage facilities that are halfway between your house and your favorite wave-ripping beach spot. 

Good news, thanks to storage.com, you don’t have to choose. 

Enter your zip code into our storage.com boat storage search feature to find an ideal surfboard storage unit space near you. 

Check the surfboard storage sizes the facility has available, and look for something that gives you ample space for both your board and you to move around it. Consider whether or not you’re only storing your surfboard or if you’ll also be storing additional items alongside your surfboard. 

We also suggest establishing which amenities you need before you start shopping for surfboard storage. Browse the options based on your area and look for offerings like long-term storage, short-term storage, climate-controlled indoor spaces, covered spaces, etc.

Storage.com gives you access to the largest marketplace for storage facilities of all types, and our storage search tool makes finding storage units big enough for a surfboard as easy as entering your zip code, filtering the options, and scrolling the results until you find exactly what you need.