TYBEE BEACHCOMBER | DEC 2018 7
By Allie Hayser
People have scraped their rotten pumpkins off their porches, feasted
on all the turkey, and are now dressing up their palm trees for Christmas!
Winter is the best time of year for the local surf community because there
aren’t swimmers, summer crowds have fled the cold waters, swells start
showing up more regularly, and all of those OG surf pals that hide all
tourist season come out stoked to be back at it! Nothing in the world
feels better than a wide open lineup with all of your pals and actual
waves to be had!
With holidays and swell rolling in, with the added pressure of gifting
and traveling, I’ve compiled a list to spoil the surfer friend in your life or
spur up some inspiration of some experiences to share with them:
The Most-Wished for Gift:
• Top of the list for most surfers in our community would be a Localmade
Custom Surfboard. You can contact a local shaper and see if
they have any time for an order. With custom-made boards, I would
definitely consult the gift receiver to see what kinds of dimensions
sound particularly dreamy to them… If getting a custom board isn’t in
the stars, it’s just as magical to find a local used board. Boards aren’t
cheap because there’s a lot of love, talent, foam, and precision involved
so maybe you’re more interested in something on the cheaper end of gift
giving...
Everyday Surf Supplies:
• There’s rarely a day that I don’t have to ask someone for some surf
necessities like wax, a board comb, an extra leash, a leash rope, or a
fin tool… Wax runs out, combs get lost, leashes get broken, and fins
need adjusting, so anyone would be happy to check their stocking to find
any of these hiding there.
• Wetsuit, Booties, and Gloves only last a season or two (mine’s five
seasons overdue) before they get too loose, so these are definitely a safe
bet for a gift. Make your bet even safer and ask for their size, thickness/
warmth needs, and any brand preferences before gifting!
• For the after session, there are these fancy Rinse Kits and Wetsuit
Dryers. Rinse Kits are the best idea for those who drive from in town
and the showers at north beach are cut off. It’s a fancy little portable
shower that holds a couple gallons of water in an insulated bucket. It
can hold hot water and help defrost your feet and hands before making
the drive home! Wetsuit Dryers are a literal lifesaver for those that might
want to hit a second surf session in the day, or are waking up for an
early dawn patrol. There’s no cold that feels the same way as putting on
a wet wetsuit at 6am before hopping in cold water. Sure you can hang
your wetsuit in the sun, near the campfire, or by a heater, but this dryer
helps things dry without melting or warping your wetsuit. Throw in some
Wetsuit Shampoo/Freshening Soap with that order. No one can resist
peeing in their wetsuit when it’s freezing out there and by the middle of
winter, you can smell it!
• Another useful gift would be some “Fix It” items like Ding Repair and
Wetsuit Glue. Dings happen as easily as looking at your board the wrong
way...dropping in on a party wave...or riding our beach break waves allllll
the way into sand. Boards are either made out of Epoxy or Fiberglass
and these Ding Repair kits come in different packaging for the type you
will need. Wetsuit glue is a lifesaver for when the seams come undone
or your fins cut a little hole in the fabric of your wetsuit. The rush of cold
water is not pleasant, but it also can weigh a surfer down, retaining
the water weight in their suit, so having glue on hand can help you last
longer in the cold.
Movin’-N-Groovin’ Supplies:
• For those living on the island, I strongly recommend a Bike Rack or
Surf Wagon. Saves gas, less hassle with parking and tying boards down,
and a great workout. To make transport easier without dinging the heck
out of the boards, get a Surfboard Bag or Sock. These come in all shapes
and sizes, protect against UV Rays, and give the boards a little extra
padding against bumps and bruises.
• Additionally, everyone loves a Cooler or Wet/Dry Bag to pack into your
beach day wagon or car. A great daily surf planning guide like a Tide
Chart Calendar, a Tide Watch, or even a subscription to an online report
like Surfline can make great functional and thoughtful gifts.
Shared Experience and Adventures:
• My personal favorite for gifting/receiving gifts from my friends involves
experiences, shared treats, and travel rather than physical gifts. Nothing
is better than a hot honey latte and scone on the boardwalk from Tybean
Art and Coffee Bar, a warm breakfast at Sunrise or The Breakfast Club,
or a cold beer and slice of pizza from Huc A Poos. Gift certificates to
Tybee Businesses in the off season are a real treat. It’s the best gift
of all to share those sessions and treats with them. Supporting local
businesses, especially in the slower and colder season, is the main goal
I keep in mind when it comes to gifting and holidays.
• Mention the words…Surf...Trip…to any surfer in town and you’ll see
their eyes light up. Plan a trip for the holidays to find some swell and
camp somewhere! Maybe you have the funds to buy them a plane ticket,
cover gas money, treat them to a road meal, or just taking time off work,
feeling all stoked, and share some surf-trippin’ adventures with them! If
anyone’s going, count me in?
There’s no place like Tybee for the holidays, can’t wait to see y’all out
there and on it!
Stoke-worthy Stocking
Stuffers