With the growth of the Internet, the ease and availability of ordering surf products and buying surfboards of all kinds online has become an acceptable way to shop for and purchase a new board. However, it may be preferable to buy a surfboard at your local surf shop because you can touch, pick up and feel it, and talk to a sales representative face-to-face.
A downside may be that your local surf shop has a limited supply of surfboards because inventory requires large cash outlays. Most surf retail stores focus on clothing as their main product, reducing their surfboard inventory to just a few types and designs. This is also true with most online surf shops, but they typically don’t have to carry inventory and ship their surfboards from a variety of surfboard manufacturers and shapers. There are probably a number of surf retail stores within 10 to 20 miles of your surf community, which may give you more opportunities to purchase the surfboard you’re looking for.
Online you have a very wide selection of surfboards, probably more than you will have in your local surf area. You can search for surfboards by type and design and also by “online surfboard shops” and chances are you will be able to find several one-stop surf shops with a wide selection of good surfboards.
Over the years, many people have become too busy to shop for surfboards, bodyboards, or SUPs at local surf shops. It requires a lot of research and time. Once you take the time and go to your local surf shop, more often than not the surf shop will have a very limited selection meaning you will have to drive to another shop hoping to find what you want. . Another disadvantage is that the sales staff will pressure you and try to push you to buy one of their surfboards even if it doesn’t fit your needs. This is especially true for beginners and novice surfers.
If you go to the local surf shop, try connecting with a senior member of the sales staff with a lot of surf experience. You need someone with experience to guide you. Much of the surf shop sales staff are young kids without much surfing experience and not much knowledge about surfboards and what should be good for you, the individual buyer.
Most surf shops sell surfboards and other types and designs of surfboards produced by their local shapers, so the buyer’s options are limited. Some of these shapers make very good surfboards, but be careful because you may end up with a surfboard that is not right for you. Typically, these stores are limited by available funds and keep a minimal inventory of surfboards on hand. They have a wide selection of t-shirts, shorts, sweatshirts, tank tops, and other clothing items, which are their main source of income. Today’s surf shops are primarily clothing stores, not surfboard stores like they were in the past.
Since the advent of the internet, online surfboard stores have become all the rage. It has taken a long time for this to happen, but little by little the public has become comfortable browsing online and looking for a surfboard of their choice. There are also many online surfboard stores that will give you a wide selection of surfboard types and designs.
You can also find a local surf shop that sells the surfboard you’re looking for, allowing you to save on shipping costs and see the board you’re buying. Sometimes you can find a local surf shop that has the surfboard you are looking for, which is why many shoppers go online to find out what is available at their local stores.
If you know what you want and don’t need to see or feel the surfboard, go online, where most of the time you can get a custom surfboard in the size, design, and colors of your choice. You will be in a virtual surf shop and the good thing is that while you buy your surfboard you can buy the fins, leash, wax and clothing items you may need like a new pair of shorts.
Since the security of payments on the Internet has become safe and is not a problem, you can pay with your credit card when you make a purchase. It has taken most people many years to trust the Internet when ordering products, especially baby boomers who did not grow up with the Internet. Now, it seems almost everyone is ordering products online, from vitamins to cars. Somewhere in the middle are surfboards and other surf products.
Just as there are local retail surf shops, there are online surfboard companies that offer a wide selection of surfboard types, including soft and hard surfboards, stand up paddle boards (SUPs), body boards, of skimboards and custom surfboards. The excellent companies have a cross-section of designer boards made by the best-known companies and top-of-the-line surfboard designers and builders. They offer these surfboards in various sizes and product lines to meet the requests of most surfboard buyers. If you want a short board, you can find it in any size you want. The same goes for bodyboards, skimboards and SUP boards. If you want a custom surfboard, you can get it.
If you live in a remote area and are looking for any of the surfboard types or designs mentioned above, shopping online can be a great advantage. Most companies offer a window where you can return your products if they don’t fit your needs or if there is any shipping damage.
It is incredible how the sport of surfing has been growing within our country and abroad. People are surfing on man-made wave machines at surf parks, on lakes and rivers, and just about anywhere there is water. As the sport has grown, there are a growing number of inland surf retail stores, many included in local sporting goods stores. If these stores are not available, go online and search for an online store.
If you choose not to purchase your new surfboard from a retail surf store, you will find that online surf companies offer their product with a full explanation of each of their surfboards and surf products, giving the buyer a great table idea. Their prices are usually fair and consistent with industry standards and sometimes better for the online shopper. Shipping is easy and your new surfboard comes with a limited warranty just like you would at your local retailer.
One thing that is very important when ordering from a surfboard company online is to ask questions if you have any. You should also be able to talk to an expert. Every good online internet business should have an expert on staff for you to consult. Before contacting an online shipping company, do your research before placing your order.
Wherever you buy your new surfboard, get yourself a great surfboard, bodyboard, skimboard or SUP and go surfing. Have fun and always remember Surf Life!
