A simple board-care routine
Rinse and inspect
Follow the maker’s routine, including fin boxes. Inspect the rails, deck and attachment points.
Cool storage
Keep the board in a cool, protected place. A bag does not make a hot car suitable storage.
Check the construction
An opening or crack needs assessment. Repair materials must match the board’s construction.
Rinse, dry and look it over
Firewire recommends rinsing and drying the board after surfing, including the fin boxes. Use the routine specified for your own board and removable fin system. Take a look at the rails, nose, tail, deck, fin area and leash attachment while you are handling it.
Pressure marks, cracks and openings are different things. If you find a crack or are unsure whether damage is open, ask a repairer before the next surf. Don’t assume a fresh layer of wax has sealed a problem.
Keep it cool and protected
High temperatures and UV can damage a board. Firewire recommends a cool, dark storage space and protection such as a suitable bag or sock. A bag helps against knocks; it is not a way to make a hot car a good storage place.
Rinse off salt and sand and let the board dry before storage. Use a stable support so it cannot fall onto fins or sharp edges. If your board has a vent or other construction-specific requirement, follow that maker’s instructions rather than a generic care list.
Know what is inside before repairing it
Do not choose a resin just because it is on the nearest shelf. The foam core and construction determine compatibility. Firewire, for example, states that its EPS-based boards must not be repaired with polyester resin; it specifies epoxy materials instead. That example is not a repair recipe for every board.
Soft-tops, unusual laminates and different fin systems may need different work. If you cannot identify the construction or the extent of the damage, get a competent repairer to assess it. Letting the right person see the crack is more useful than covering it and hoping.
Protect the board on the way there too
Firewire recommends carrying the board inside the vehicle when it fits, or using suitable roof racks and a securely fitted board bag when it does not. Follow the rack and vehicle instructions. A bag or strap that merely looks tidy is not proof that a load is secure.
Keep wax from melting onto seats and store loose kit so it cannot knock the board. Once you arrive, check the gear before looking for a wave. See the leash checks for another part of that routine.
Try this next
Find the maker’s care and repair instructions for your actual board, and save them somewhere you can find again.
Check your understanding
Can you use any resin repair kit on an EPS board?
Reveal the answer
No. Check the board’s construction and maker’s instructions. Firewire explicitly warns against polyester resin on its EPS-based boards; ask a repairer if uncertain.
Sources & editorial notes
The sources below support the underlying wave science, forecast interpretation and safety guidance. BestSwell examples and drawings are original explanatory material, not local validation or a personal suitability assessment.
- Firewire — Surfboard care and repair materials
- Sticky Bumps — Soft-top and foam-deck waxes
- RNLI — Surfing safety
These guides are not a substitute for local instruction or a current beach assessment. No independent technical or coaching sign-off is claimed.