By John Malcolm A huge selection of surfing spots can be found in North America and Mexico, whether you are looking for point breaks, beach breaks, or big wave spots. If you’re planning to go surfing, there is a wide variety of surfing gear to spend your money on but not all are essential, especially for beginners. Below is a list of the indispensable surfing gear to help you what you truly need. Surfboard Obviously, the first place to start is the surfboard. There are variations of basic surfboards and selecting the right one for you is extremely critical. Remember to consider your weight, age, and desired surfing style when choosing your surfboard. Choose a surfboard one to two feet taller than you, because longer ones allow you to paddle easily. A thicker surfboard will provide you more floatation and glide. A 2.5 to 3 inches thick surfboard is recommended for beginners. Get a wider one which provides a more stable platform and easy paddling. Look around for softboard or pop-out. Mals and mini mals are ideal for a beginner. Softboards or “foamies” are made of foam and therefore float, and they are very stable in the water. Pop-outs are tough beginner boards with a lot of buoyancy. They can endure a lot of abuse as they are made of foam core with thick fibreglass coating. Such boards also are cheaper compared to custom surfboards. Wetsuit You can’t get into the water without a wetsuit, especially if you are not surfing in warm, tropical water. Wetsuits enable you to stay in the water for as long as you wish. Always check on what thickness you'll need for the water conditions. A wetsuit is basically made of a flexible material called neoprene. The colder the water condition, the thicker the neoprene should be. Ensure a good fit when buying a wetsuit. It has to be snug, but not so tight that it restricts movement. Rash Vest This surfing gear is made of a neoprene and nylon mix. It is worn under the wetsuit to protect the skin from irritation, including the arms when paddling. A rash vest adds an additional layer of insulation in cold water for extra warmth. Some vests have a thermal lining as well. When surfing in tropical regions, this gear is necessary to protect your skin from the sun as it has a high UV protection rating. You should use rash vests in the tropics where a wetsuit won’t be needed. Surf Wax Surf wax is used to give the board a non-slip coating. A brand new surfboard will usually have a slick upper surface and you need to wax the board for a good grip while surfing or paddling. It is highly recommended that beginners wax their boards. Different types of surf wax are needed for different weather conditions, and there a special wax that you have to put on as a base coat. You can also choose from a variety of colors and scents, but make sure to choose the wax that suits your surfing needs. Traction Pad/Deck Grip This surfing gear serves the same purpose as the surf wax. It stops you from slipping off the surfboard while surfing or paddling. It is advisable that you use this on shortboards. You can choose from a wide range of designs, styles, and colors. Leashes/Leg Ropes These attach the surfboard to a plug. They ensure that when you fall off, your surfboard won’t drift away from you. They are essential as they make surfing easier and safer. Choose leashes that are of the same length as your surfboard or longer. Surfing gear can be bought, rented, or borrowed, depending on whether you wish to surf regularly or just for an occasion. If you do not know which surfing gear to choose, you may want to check out Extreme Horizon for a buying guide. This website also provides reviews to give you the information you need about certain surf products. One advantage of searching for surfing gear on the iInternet is that you can compare prices and gather product information conveniently. There are also many websites that offer discount surfing gear, and you can locate them by doing a simple search. You can easily find great deals for surfing gear with a little research. If you are just starting out and trying out if surfing is for you, you don’t have to buy surfing gear. All you need is your surf shorts or a wetsuit, depending on the kind of climate at the place where you are surfing. The rest of the surfing gear can be rented at surf shops near the beach, especially if it is a known surfing spot. You can even try out a few different boards to find out which one suits your needs better. Once you are comfortable with a set of surfing gear, and if you decide to take up surfing seriously, you can look to purchase that gear.