Summer is in full swing, so it’s swell season in the southern hemisphere. If you’re like us, you need periodic reprieve from SoCal summer crowds. While south swells occasionally bring fun surf to the California coast, and hurricane season can light up the East and Gulf Coasts, we’d rather chase south swells closer to the source. From May to September, the southern oceans are particularly active, thanks to winter storm activity in Antarctica that revibrate powerful south swells for thousands of miles. Central America and Mexico’s Pacific Coasts are ripe with world-class waves just a stone’s throw from the mainland US. Whether planning a summer surf trip to some far-flung corner of the globe or driving down the coast to escape the crowds, continue reading below for The Oleu Summer Gear Guide.
The Original Boardshirt
The summer sun is unrelenting, especially in the tropics. If you’re serious about your health or want to avoid a dreaded, trip-ruining sunburn, we suggest investing in quality UPF clothing, starting with a UPF surf shirt. The Oleu Boardshirt is the first of its kind rash guard and surf shirt replacement in a classic, button-up Aloha shirt design. With four-way stretch, quick-drying fabric, low-profile snap closures, and a rear zipper storage pocket, this surf shirt thrives in the water and excels on land. The beauty of Oleu’s Active Aloha Boardshirt is that you can transition from the surf to dinner or the bar without missing a beat.
The Kraken Surf-Tool
The Fix Manufacturing Kraken Surf-Tool is the surf trip savor you didn’t know you needed. The Kraken is so much more than just a fin-key; it’s a ten-in-one compact multi-tool with a wax comb/ scraper, fin key, slotted screwdriver, Phillips head screwdriver, leash cord, leash cord feeder, easy-out (removes stripped screws), a fin box re-threader, and a bottle opener. While fin keys and wax combs are crucial packing list items, having a re-threader and an easy-out to deal with pesky repairs is a game changer. The Kraken is compact enough to fit in your pocket and is a must-have item on any surf trip.
The Ultimate Surf Travel Quiver
Ensure your quiver is dialed in before your next trip. If you’re chasing a swell, your boards will likely be hand-selected for the forecasted conditions. But if you’ve preplanned a trip, you’ll want to cover your basis with a quiver that can tackle a variety of conditions. We recommend packing at least three boards, including a high-performance shortboard for good waves, a step-up for big waves, and a fish or groveler for smaller surf.
A Durable Board Bag
Traveling with surfboards is never easy. They’re cumbersome yet fragile, and the airlines consistently try to nickel and dime you for sub-par handling that usually leaves your boards with a few new dings. That’s why we take our surfboard travel bag selection seriously. Prolite has been in the game of protecting boards for decades, and their latest four-board Armored Coffin means business. The bag has semi-rigid top and bottom panels, adding an extra layer of protection from whatever your travels throw at it. The rails are protected by inflatable inserts that make the thing practically bomb-proof.
The Oleu Boardshirt is the ultimate summer staple and travel companion. Head to our website to shop the Original Boardshirt for all your summer adventures.