If you surf regularly, you quickly learn that having the right kit in your surf bag can make the difference between a great session and a frustrating one.

Your surf bag should contain more than just your board and wetsuit. A few simple essentials can help you deal with changing weather, broken kit, cold hands, forgotten accessories and those little problems that always seem to happen when you’re miles from home.

This guide looks at what I recommend keeping in your surf bag, whether you’re heading out for a quick Yorkshire session or travelling further afield.

1. Your Wetsuit

The most obvious item, but worth planning properly.

For Yorkshire and the wider North East, a good-quality 5mm wetsuit is a very useful year-round option for many surfers.

For summer, a good 3mm wetsuit can work, particularly if it is well constructed with glued and blind-stitched seams. However, don’t assume that a cheap 3mm suit will provide the same warmth as a quality one.

Look for established brands such as:

• Xcel
• Rip Curl
• O’Neill
• Snug

A good wetsuit is an investment. A cheap suit that lets water flush through the seams can make even a summer session miserable.

2. Your Surfboard

Obviously, your board needs to be in the bag or on the roof rack before you leave!

Before heading to the beach, quickly check:

• Nose and tail for damage
• Rails for dents or cracks
• Fins are secure
• Fin boxes aren’t damaged
• Leash plug is secure
• Deck isn’t excessively slippery
• There are no obvious dings that need repairing

If you’ve damaged the board, think twice before putting it into the water. Even a small ding can allow water into a surfboard.

3. Surfboard Leash

Never forget your leash.

It sounds obvious, but it’s surprisingly easy to arrive at the beach and realise it is sitting at home.

Keep your leash with your board bag rather than somewhere else in your car.

Before surfing, check:

• Cord for cuts or serious wear
• Swivel connections
• Cuff
• Velcro
• Rail saver
• Leash plug attachment

Don’t forget the rail saver

The rail saver is the section of the leash that sits between the leash cord and your board’s leash string.

Its job is to spread the load over a larger area of the board’s rail and help prevent the leash string from cutting into the board.

Make sure it is positioned correctly and attached to the leash string rather than simply relying on a small connection point.

4. Spare Leash String

This is one of those tiny things that takes almost no room but can save a session.

Keep a length of proper surfboard leash string in your bag.

If your leash string breaks, you can replace it rather than having to go home.

A small spare piece of strong cord is particularly useful if you’re travelling.

5. Fins and Fin Key

If your board uses removable fins, keep a fin key in your surf bag.

Depending on your board, also consider carrying:

• Spare fin screws
• Spare washers
• A spare set of fins if you have them

A lost screw or damaged fin can quickly turn into the end of your session.

For travelling surfers, keeping a spare fin set in the board bag can be particularly worthwhile.

6. Wetsuit Changing Mat

A changing mat is one of the most useful pieces of kit you can own.

You stand on it while changing, keeping your wetsuit away from:

• Grit
• Stones
• Sand
• Dirt
• Sharp objects

It also gives you somewhere clean to put your wetsuit after the session.

When you’re finished, you can pull the edges of some changing mats together to create a simple bag for carrying the wet wetsuit back to the car.

7. Wetsuit Boots, Gloves and Hood

If you’re surfing through winter in Yorkshire, don’t forget your cold-water accessories.

Depending on the conditions, you may need:

• 5mm boots
• 5mm gloves
• 5mm hood

The exact thickness you need depends on the water temperature, air temperature, wind and how long you’re staying in the water.

Keep them together in your surf bag so you aren’t searching around the car on a freezing morning.

8. Towel

A proper changing towel or large beach towel is worth keeping in the bag.

Even better, consider a changing robe.

A changing robe makes getting changed considerably easier, especially when the weather is cold, windy or wet.

9. Warm Clothes

This is particularly important in Yorkshire.

You can finish a surf feeling warm and comfortable in the water and then become absolutely freezing while getting changed.

Keep some dry clothes in the car or surf bag:

• Warm jumper
• Tracksuit bottoms
• Hat
• Thick socks
• Coat
• Dry shoes

In winter, a woolly hat can make a surprisingly big difference.

10. Hot Drink

A flask of tea, coffee or hot chocolate is one of the simplest surf luxuries.

After a cold winter session, getting back to the car and having something warm to drink can make the whole experience better.

It’s also useful if you’re spending several hours at the beach.

11. Fresh Water

Take drinking water with you.

You’ll need it after surfing, particularly after a long session.

Fresh water is also useful for rinsing:

• Salt from your hands
• Sand from your feet
• Wetsuit boots
• Fins
• Leash
• Other equipment

Don’t pour boiling water over your wetsuit or equipment. Lukewarm or fresh water is sufficient for rinsing salt and sand.

12. Wetsuit Repair Kit

A small repair kit can be extremely useful.

Consider keeping:

• Wetsuit adhesive
• Black Witch or similar neoprene repair adhesive
• Small pieces of neoprene
• Suitable repair tape

Small cuts and loose seams don’t necessarily mean the wetsuit has reached the end of its life.

For larger damage, however, a professional repair is often the better option.

13. Surfboard Ding Repair Kit

If you’re travelling somewhere remote, a small ding-repair kit can be invaluable.

For basic repairs, products such as Solarez can be useful for suitable fibreglass surfboard repairs.

A basic kit might include:

• Solarez or similar UV-curing repair resin
• Fibreglass cloth
• Sandpaper
• Mixing/application tools
• Disposable gloves

Remember that temporary repairs aren’t always a permanent solution. Properly repairing a board is important, particularly if water has already entered the core.

14. Wetsuit Zip Lubricant

If your wetsuit has a zip, keeping the zip working properly is important.

A suitable wetsuit zip lubricant can help keep the zip moving smoothly.

Don’t force a salt-encrusted zip.

If your surfboard bag zip becomes stuck because salt has built up inside it, warm water can help dissolve the salt. Use warm—not boiling—water and work the zip gently.

You can read more about dealing with a stuck surfboard bag zip in our guide:

How to Unstick a Saltwater-Stuck Surfboard Bag Zip

15. Sun Cream

Even in Yorkshire, sun protection matters.

UV exposure can be significant even when the air doesn’t feel particularly warm.

Use a water-resistant, high-SPF sunscreen suitable for outdoor and water use.

Pay particular attention to:

• Face
• Nose
• Ears
• Neck
• Lips

Remember that water can reflect UV light, increasing your exposure.

16. Lip Balm

A small tube of lip balm takes virtually no space.

Wind, cold air and salt water can quickly dry out your lips.

A lip balm with SPF is particularly useful.

17. First Aid Kit

You don’t need to carry a full medical kit, but a small first-aid pouch is sensible.

Consider:

• Plasters
• Antiseptic wipes
• Small bandages
• Medical tape
• Blister plasters
• Disposable gloves

It can be useful for dealing with minor cuts and scrapes before you get home.

For serious injuries, always seek appropriate medical assistance.

18. Waterproof Phone Pouch

Your phone can be extremely useful at the beach.

You may need it for:

• Checking surf forecasts
• Checking tides
• Taking photographs
• Contacting friends
• Emergency calls

A waterproof pouch or dry bag gives you somewhere safe to keep it.

Don’t rely on your phone’s advertised water resistance. Salt water and sand can be particularly hard on electronics.

19. Power Bank

If you’re spending the day at the beach, a small power bank can be useful.

GPS, photography, video and checking surf forecasts can quickly drain a phone battery.

Keep the power bank and charging cable together in a small waterproof pouch.

20. Small Dry Bag

A small dry bag is one of the most useful additions to a surf setup.

Use it for things you absolutely don’t want getting wet, such as:

• Phone
• Car keys
• Wallet
• Power bank
• Spare batteries
• Important documents

21. Car Key Solution

One of the biggest problems for surfers is where to put the car key.

If your vehicle has a mechanical key or suitable waterproof key, use a secure solution designed for surfers.

Never simply hide your car key somewhere obvious around the beach.

If you use a key safe or lock box, make sure it is securely attached and don’t leave valuables visible inside your vehicle.

22. Spare Clothes Bag

Keep a separate bag for your dry clothes.

This prevents wet wetsuits and sandy equipment from mixing with your clean clothing.

A simple waterproof or heavy-duty bag works well.

You can also use it for your wet wetsuit after the session.

23. Plastic or Reusable Wet Bag

Your wetsuit will be wet when you finish.

Having somewhere to put it stops the inside of your car becoming soaked.

A reusable waterproof wet bag is a much better long-term option than constantly using disposable plastic bags.

24. Microfibre Towel

A small microfibre towel takes up very little space.

It can be used for:

• Drying your hands
• Cleaning your phone
• Wiping equipment
• Drying sunglasses
• Cleaning camera equipment

If you’re a surf photographer, I’d recommend keeping a separate clean microfibre cloth specifically for your camera and lenses.

25. Camera and Photography Kit

If you’re taking photographs, your surf bag may need a few extra items.

Depending on what you’re shooting, consider:

• Camera
• Spare batteries
• Memory cards
• Lens cloth
• Waterproof camera protection
• GoPro
• GoPro batteries
• Drone batteries where appropriate
• Spare propellers for a drone
• Waterproof dry bags

If you’re taking your camera close to the water, salt water is the enemy.

Keep your equipment protected and rinse appropriate external equipment with fresh water after exposure to salt spray.

Never take unnecessary risks with expensive camera equipment.

26. Torch or Head Torch

A small torch or head torch is incredibly useful during winter.

Yorkshire winter surf sessions can mean arriving before sunrise or leaving after sunset.

A head torch leaves both hands free while you’re:

• Changing
• Loading your board
• Finding equipment
• Walking across a dark car park

27. Multi-Tool

A small non-weapon multi-tool can be useful for equipment adjustments and minor jobs.

However, make sure anything you carry is appropriate for the location and circumstances and comply with UK laws.

28. Bin Bags

A couple of reusable bags are always useful.

Use them for:

• Wet gear
• Rubbish
• Dirty clothes
• Sandy towels
• General beach mess

And most importantly, take your rubbish home with you.

29. Food and Snacks

Surfing uses plenty of energy.

Keep a few easy snacks available:

• Banana
• Cereal bar
• Sandwich
• Nuts
• Energy bar
• Fruit

Don’t rely on finding a café that’s open after an early morning session.

30. A Small Surf Log

If you’re trying to improve your surfing or photography, consider keeping a simple surf log.

Record things such as:

• Date
• Beach
• Tide
• Wave height
• Wave period
• Wind direction
• Wind strength
• Water temperature
• Board used
• How the session felt

After a while, you’ll start to recognise which conditions work best for you.

My Basic Yorkshire Surf Bag

If I were putting together a simple surf bag for a normal Yorkshire session, I’d want the following:

• Surfboard
• Leash
• Spare leash string
• Fins
• Fin key
• 5mm wetsuit
• Boots
• Gloves
• Hood
• Changing mat
• Towel/changing robe
• Warm clothes
• Fresh water
• Hot drink
• Phone
• Waterproof phone pouch
• Car key solution
• Small first-aid kit
• Wetsuit repair adhesive
• Small ding-repair kit
• Sunscreen
• Lip balm
• Snacks
• Wet bag
• Bin bags

You don’t necessarily need all of this every time. Your kit should change according to the conditions and the length of your trip.

What Should Stay in Your Car?

Some equipment is better kept permanently in the car rather than taking everything down to the beach.

A useful car-based emergency kit could include:

• Spare towel
• Spare warm clothing
• Extra drinking water
• First-aid kit
• Wetsuit repair supplies
• Ding-repair supplies
• Spare leash string
• Fin key
• Torch
• Power bank
• Food
• Bin bags

That way, you have backup equipment even if something goes wrong.

The Golden Rule: Prepare Before You Leave

The biggest mistake is packing your surf bag when you’re already rushing to get to the beach.

Prepare it the night before.

Check the forecast, tide and conditions, then choose your equipment accordingly.

For a winter Yorkshire dawn patrol, your bag might look very different from a warm summer afternoon session.

And remember the most important rule of all:

Check your board, leash and equipment before entering the water.

A few minutes of preparation can save you a ruined surf session—or prevent a much more serious problem.

Final Thoughts

A good surf bag isn’t about carrying absolutely everything you own.

It’s about having the right essentials, a few repair items and some backup equipment for the conditions you’re likely to encounter.

Yorkshire surfing can involve cold water, strong winds, changing weather and long waits between good swells. Being prepared means you can spend less time worrying about your equipment and more time enjoying the waves.

So before your next session, give your surf bag a quick check.

You might be surprised how often that tiny spare piece of kit turns out to be the thing that saves the day.

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Related Guides

• How to Read a Surf Forecast in Yorkshire
• How Tides Affect Surfing in Yorkshire
• Why Winter Can Produce Better Yorkshire Waves
• Surf Boots, Gloves & Hoods: Yorkshire Guide
• How to Unstick a Saltwater-Stuck Surfboard Bag Zip
• Basic Surfboard Repairs: From Solarez to Fibreglass
• Surfboard Leashes Explained: How to Attach One Properly
• Best Surfboards for Beginners