Surfex Journal
Buying guides, how-tos & surf gear deep dives
Every article aggregates verified reviewer consensus scraped from retailer and editorial sources across the web — no first-person testing, no sponsored picks, no fabricated scores. Every claim links back to where it came from.
Soft Top Surfboard Guide
Soft top sizing by rider weight, the four foam build types, and published review scores from 7.6 to 8.6 out of 10 on boards from $320 to $500.
More articles
How to Choose a Longboard
Longboard sizing by rider weight, log versus performance outlines, single fin against 2+1, and published centre fin sizes by board length.
How to Choose a Paddle Board
Published SUP size charts by rider weight, volume and capacity rules, inflatable versus hard construction, and paddle length set from your height.
Wing Foil Gear: How to Size Your First Setup
Board volume, hand wing area and front foil size for a first wing foil kit, with the sizing tables three published buying guides agree on.
How to Choose a Surfboard
The volume ratios shapers publish, how fitness and wave size change the number, and the shape decisions that matter once the litres are settled.
Surf Etiquette: The Rules of the Lineup
Who has priority, what separates a drop-in from snaking, where to paddle out, and the board-control rule lifesaving bodies put alongside right of way.
How to Read a Surf Report
Swell period, significant wave height, direction, wind and tide explained in the order worth reading them, with the published period bands that separate groundswell from local chop.
How to Duck Dive a Surfboard
The six-step duck dive sequence, the one board length trigger distance published coaches agree on, the knee or foot press that levels the tail, and the volume ceiling where the turtle roll takes over.
How to Pop Up on a Surfboard: Full Guide
Hand placement at the rails, the explosive push and hip twist, where both feet should land, the four takeoff variations, and dry-land drills that transfer to the water.
How to Wash a Wetsuit: Care Guide That Works
Cold fresh water rinses after every surf, when to reach for wetsuit shampoo, the drying and hanger method brands recommend, and the habits that destroy neoprene.
Surfboard Leash Guide: Size, Thickness, Price
What length and thickness leash to buy, how comp, regular and big wave cords differ, verified retail prices, and how to fit a leash so it does not fail.
Best Surfboards for Small Waves: 2026 Guide
Grovelers, fish boards, hybrids and longboards compared using verified design guidance, sizing advice and matched Surfex reviews.
Best Surfboard Traction Pads: Buyer's Guide
One, two and three piece layouts compared, arch and kick heights that suit each stance, groove patterns, current retail prices and the fitting method that stops pads peeling.
Surfboard Travel Bag Guide: Padding, Sizing, Flying
Padding thickness by trip type, how much length to add over your longest board, airline size and weight limits, and the packing sequence that protects nose and tail.
Surfboard Ding Repair: Fix Dings Yourself
Telling epoxy from polyester before you buy resin, the emergency seal that keeps you surfing, and the full sand, fill, laminate and finish sequence from published shaper procedures.
How to Wax a Surfboard: Step-by-Step Guide
Basecoat and topcoat explained, the circular bead technique coaches teach, and the published wax temperature bands from Sex Wax and Sticky Bumps.
Surfboard Fin Guide: Setups, Sizing & Templates (2026)
Thruster, twin, quad and 2+1 compared, fin size by rider weight, FCS II vs Futures boxes, and the sets reviewers rate highest — aggregated from published shaper and retailer guides.
Surfboard Volume Calculator & Sizing Guide (2026)
Interactive volume calculator plus the aggregated sizing consensus from Firewire, Lost, JS Industries, Rusty and NSP — weight × ability factor, in liters.
Wetsuit Thickness Guide: Neoprene by Water Temperature (2026)
Full water-temp-to-neoprene chart, hooded cutoffs and the top-rated suit for every band — aggregated from Rip Curl, Billabong, Quiksilver and Vissla.
How to Choose a Beginner Surfboard: Size, Shape & Volume (2026 Guide)
Volume calculator, foamie vs soft-top vs mini-mal, and the boards most reviewers recommend first — aggregated from Wavelength, Surfer Today, Surfline and top YouTube coaches.