Second-Hand Surf Gear: Embracing the Circular Economy
Surfing sells itself as a low-impact pursuit. All you need is a board and the ocean (and if you live where we do, a wetsuit!) What could be simpler?
But behind this “at-one-with-nature” facade lies an industry built on short product cycles, seasonal “drops” and a steady turnover of gear due to new “innovations”.
The reality is, no business is going to make a ton of money if people aren’t constantly consuming. So they do everything they can to keep you spending.
The advent of social media has only exacerbated the issue. We’re bombarded with reels of surf influencers reviewing the latest gear, many of whom are being paid to label products as “game changers”.
It can be tempting (really tempting) to believe the myth that buying the latest board/fins/traction pad is going to completely transform your surfing.
And it’s equally tempting to believe that second-hand = inferior. Why purchase used when you can have brand-spanking new?
Most surf equipment doesn’t fail catastrophically or beyond usability. Wetsuits get holes or split at the seams and boards get cracks in the glass or pressure dents. But they remain fixable (and usable) long after they’re deemed “past their prime.”
What ends their life is rarely performance. It’s more the perception that gear needs replacing for something that’s brand new and without imperfections.
The truth is, however, second-hand surf gear is functional, affordable and far more sustainable.
In this article, we’ll explain why opting to buy used is a way of pushing back against the powerful marketing of surf brands…and it could even make you a more experimental surfer. It sends a message to those around you that you don’t have to be constantly spending to have epic surf sessions.
Disclosure: This article may contain affiliate links, meaning we earn a small commission when you make a purchase. Affiliate links cost you nothing and ensure our content stays free!
The Performance Myth
In a culture that celebrates novelty and progression, older gear is framed as a compromise rather than a choice. Why purchase something second-hand when you could buy something new with “turbo tracker X performance technology”? (Yep, we just made that up).
But honestly, brand-spanking new gear made from the newest fandangled material isn’t going to make you a better surfer. That’s just you believing a brand’s marketing spiel.
Surf brands have done an expert job of capitalising on performance anxiety – the belief that older gear will hold you back as a surfer. If you just purchase that new board, your turns will be tighter/you’ll be more competitive paddling into waves/you’ll be able to nail aerials.
It’s all a myth.
In reality, wave quality, fitness level and ocean awareness matter far more than the marginal gains of new materials. Buying into the performance myth isn’t going to make you a pro.
Second-hand gear can actually free you from this idea of “perfectionism” and encourage experimentation. Trying out different shapes and sizes (either through second-hand purchases or swapping with friends) could make you a more well-rounded, adaptable surfer.
The Environmental Cost of New Gear
Manufacturing surf equipment is resource-intensive and still relies heavily on materials that aren’t doing the environment any favours.
Polyurethane and epoxy boards are made using petrochemicals. Wetsuits are traditionally crafted from neoprene. And most surf gear is shipped around the globe to reach markets, adding a significant carbon footprint.
Even with emerging eco-materials (which is something to get excited about), most “sustainable” surf products still carry an environmental cost.
Buying less remains the most effective reduction strategy if you’re trying to curb your emissions. Second-hand gear extends the life of what already exists, reducing demand for new production altogether.
Tapping Into Surfing’s Existing Circular Economy
At this point, we want to say that we’ve surfed with plenty of people who wear wetsuits until they are completely disintegrating and ride boards that are littered with repairs. So not everyone is getting sucked into surf brand consumerism.
And there is an existing circular economy in the surfing world. We’ve spent enough time searching online marketplaces and community boards to know that people are out there buying and trading second-hand surf equipment.
Boards that are no longer ideal for one surfer are perfect for another and near-new wetsuits are posted to colder climates when the winter season arrives.
This system works because surf equipment is (largely) durable. Plus, there are enough surfers out there who reject the idea that they have to constantly spend money to guarantee a good session.
Pushing Back Against Surf Industry Marketing
But the industry doesn’t want that idea promoted. After all, second-hand gear doesn’t drive quarterly sales.
Instead, brands invest in innovation narratives: lighter, faster, greener. And it’s really easy to get sucked in! Add in sales that promise “limited time” savings or “buy 2 get 1 free” promotions, and suddenly, you end up with far more than you need.
Resale challenges that story by proving older equipment that absolutely does the job. Boards that are fun to ride, wetsuits that keep you warm and towels that will dry you just as well as the $100 alternative from [insert big-name surf brand here].
We also admit there is a cultural hurdle to overcome. Surf marketing has long tied identity to gear. The board you ride reflects how far you’ve progressed. The brand you wear indicates where you belong.
Second-hand disrupts that symbolism. Some of the best surfers we know (and the ones who are having the most fun in the water) can ride any board they get their hands on, including beat-up old bangers.
And when they get out of the water, they’re pulling on a woollen jumper with holes in it that their late grandma knit them. No brand names in sight!
Changes Are On the Horizon
Honestly, we don’t think the surf industry’s multi-million-dollar-backed brand bubble is going to burst anytime soon. There will always be people who are happy to consume, no matter the environmental cost.
But there are changes taking place in many pockets of the surf community.
In some cases, buying second-hand is driven by affordability and the cost-of-living crisis. Repair culture is also having a moment in response to rising costs.
Other surfers are being more intentional about their purchases due to sustainability issues. They don’t want their surf sessions contributing to carbon emissions.
And in recent years, smaller surf brands have emerged, such as NeedEssentials and Project Blank, encouraging surfers to ask bigger questions about their purchasing habits. We recognise there’s still a lot of debate surrounding these brands, but they are starting a conversation.
And the ease of finding second-hand surf gear through online marketplaces has normalised resale. It’s never been easier for sellers to find buyers…and you can make up your own trade agreement: I’ll swap this board for that TV plus $50. There are no rules!
Due to consumer pressure, some local surf shops host used-board racks and sell on consignment. Others offer repair services – an acknowledgment that durability and extending the life of surf gear matter.
Some wetsuit brands now have recycling programs, helping to keep “dead” gear out of landfills. Check out TerraCycle in Australia or the Vissla Stoke Exchange Program in the U.S.
All of this is in response to consumer demand. In short, pushing for change can make a difference.
Making Second-Hand the Default, Not the Exception
At the end of the day, we’re all likely to purchase new at some point in our surfing journey. But we want to encourage a shift in mindset that makes second-hand the default, rather than the exception.
Normalising second-hand surf gear would not only reduce waste, emissions and environmental impact, but it would encourage “repair culture” more broadly. If you can repair a board, maybe you can repair your broken electronics or sew a patch on your boardies.
By choosing not to get swept up in the performance myth of new gear, you’ll be shifting the focus from consumption to skill. In doing so, you might actually give yourself more freedom to experiment.
So how can you be a more sustainable consumer of surf gear?
- Consider buying used before buying new
- Repair your gear until it absolutely needs replacing
- Sell or donate lightly worn gear rather than storing it unused
- Support shops and shapers who value longevity and sustainability
- Talk openly about second-hand choices in the lineup
Second-hand surf gear won’t headline marketing campaigns. It won’t come with launch videos or influencer edits (unless you’ve trained your algorithm really well!)
But in our opinion, it represents something more radical than eco-labels or material swaps: a reduction in consumption.
Culture changes when enough people model alternatives. If you’re surfing second-hand and having the time of your life, others will take notice.
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