The Surfboard Racks Blog

Those who are fortunate to live close enough to walk to their favorite surfing spot, or those who must walk large distances after parking their vehicles, have many options that can help make walking long distances bearable with their surfboards and gear. Many options allow for hands free carrying, while others provide a more practical and less tiresome way to carry your surfboard rather than the traditional arm wrapping approach. The most practical way for one handed carrying is purchasing and using a surfboard bag. However, some these bags can be quite costly and are very limited to strict sizing. Meaning one bag per certain size of surfboard, or carrying becomes a little awkward or simply doesn’t fit. A cheaper and more versatile approach for those not wanting to dish out the cash for a proper bag is using some type of strap or sling system. One of my favorites slings is the sling from Curve shown below.

surfboard sling

This is one of the more nicer slings I have seen and provides more support of your surfboard that most others. I do like the fact that it also has a carrying case embedded into the sling as well. Here is also a  popular one by FCS show below.

surfboard sling bag

This bag also uses the same concept as the curve sling and also provides other storage space for other nick nacks. If you don’t like straps over your shoulders and you prefer to just carry your surfboard by hand check out this option.

dakine surfboard sling

As you can see, there are many different types of surfboard slings you can use to transport your surfboard to and from the beach. Obviously, the more simplistic the sling the cheaper they tend to be. If you are walking long distances to and from the beach it would perhaps be wise to invest in some type of surfboard carrier or surfboard sling to save your arm. This is especially true for all you long surfboard owners out there. I will post some other common surfboard slings next week as well.  And as always if you have any other slings that you are particular to, please comment below to share with others.

Also all images include links the manufacture to learn more about each of the surfboard slings shown above.

Technorati Tags: sufboard sling, surfboard carrier

Ocean and Earth is probably one of the most recognized companies in the world of surfing. They have just about everything an enthusiastic surfer could ask for. From surfboard pads to wax, from surfboard bags to clothing, they pretty much have it all. That being said they also have, one of our favorite racks, the ocean and earth rap rax surfboard system. The Rap Rax system is very similar to the block surf single surfboard rack mentioned above. Both systems utilized a two strap system that goes through your car doors, front and back, which is then tightened. Once this is in place, you then place your surfboard onto the pad and then use the other straps to secure in place. Both systems also incorporate the quick cam buckle system. This mean as you pull the strap through the buckle, it will not go back the other way unless you press in on the buckle to release the locking mechanism. These is much faster and easier than some of the old school ratcheting systems and makes both, loading and unloading, a heck of a lot faster. Speed here is strictly up to the user.

Both Block Surf and Ocean and Earth rack systems are very effective for keeping your surfboard, or whatever board you have, in place on your vehicle. However, the Ocean and Earth has a convenient velcro strap you can use to bundle up the excess strap and keep from blowing in the wind. Block Surf recommends this can be achieved by just placing the excess strap in the car and shutting the door. While I usually like to excess strap inside the car, do to annoying wind noise the velcro straps works pretty effective as well. Most wind noise comes from taunt  straps that vibrate in the wind. The velcro strap helps to keep this down to a minimum. You will obviously have more excess strap with the less you carry on your racks. A maximum of three for each.

Judging the two side by side I think the Ocean and Earth strap seems also made a little better. I also like the carrying case for the ocean and earth, compared to the block surf, as it incorporates side air holes to help dry the rack faster after you use it with wet gear. I suppose if you don’t use the carrying bags for either, then this shouldn’t be a problem either way. Most of the time I just leave them in the back seat any way.

ocean and earth rap rax

In conclusion, if you are willing to spend the extra 6 – 7 bucks, go with the Ocean and Earth Rap Rax system over the Block Surf. Especially if you will be using these racks on a regular basis. But as for time and speed it takes to set up both racks work just fine. However, if your strapped for cash you seriously can’t go wrong with the block surf. I have had mine for years and have never had an issue.

If you also looking to carry more than three boards, both Block Surf and Ocean and Earth have double systems, to pads per main strap, which allow you to carry a total of six boards. I suggest buying these for your friends so they can carry your surfboards around too.

To learn more about this rack system and to see more images just click on the image above.

Technorati Tags: surf racks, surfboard racks

The Surfboard Racks Blog is proud to be apart of the eSurfbaord Racks store. Check them out for all your surfboard rack needs. They currently only carry The Nice Rack, see previous post, but will soon be carrying BlockSurf and Ocean and Earth surfboard racks, and other quality surfboard racks.

The Surfboard Racks Blog will be working directly with eSurfboard Racks to help provide reviews to users about the best quality surfboard racks on the market. If you would like them to carry a specific surfboard rack you can send them an email @ contact@esurfboardracks.com.

Happy Surfing.

Technorati Tags: surf shop, surfboard racks

Introducing the “Nice Rack” Surfboard Rack from thenicerack.com.

The great people from The Nice Rack were kind of enough to send my a one of their new surfboard racks. The first thing I noticed, when compared to other surfboard wall racks, it just how sturdy and solid this rack is. The rack is made from 100% recycled ABS plastic, which makes it very solid and surprisingly quite light. This rack is also incredibly easy to mount to the wall. Simply screw the two screws into the wall and snap on the supporting arm to complete the installation. Both the surfboard rack wall mount, as well as the support arm, have protective adhesive tape so you don’t have to worry about marking up your wall or your surfboards.

One of may favorite features about this rack is the fact that you easily add in other surfboard racks, which easily snap in and align with your first rack. This makes it an ideal rack for those who have multiple surfboards, as you can add or subtract as many as you want. These racks can also be used to store your snowboard, kiteboard, and wakeboard as well. Here is the expandable quad version that you can get and allows for the storage of multiple boards.

The Nice Rack is also reasonably priced at about $30 for the single version. Of course you get a discount if you order the multiple ones.

If you looking for a great wall surfboard rack, the nice rack is definitely one you should check out.

Technorati Tags: surfboard racks, the nice rack