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How to Choose the Right Surf Shop Near You: A Local’s Guide

by Michelle Griffin on February 12, 2025
surf shop

Once you’ve found the right surf shop, you’ll have somewhere to go whenever you need new sturdy gear, fashionable streetwear and so much more. A great store can be a hub of surf, skate and streetwear culture. So, you shouldn’t make your choice flippantly. 

Before you decide which shop is your new go-to surf space, it’s best to research and compare your options to make the right choice.

What To Do When Choosing Your Favourite Local Surf Shop

The path to finding your favourite shop starts with these steps:

Do Your Research. First, do your research. Look at the shop’s website and explore different pages that are interesting to you as a shopper. Check out their privacy policy, terms of service, size guides and anything else that you want to know about. Always look through the website before ordering online or visiting the shop in person, as this can help you gauge the seller's trustworthiness. Reputable sellers will have plenty of important information that’s easy to access, like shipping policies, and will have a clear way to contact their customer support team. 

If you are looking for a local surf shop that you can visit in person, make sure you also check the store’s address and business hours. Read through the shipping and refund policies if you want to shop online. 

Look For A Shop That Matches Your Style. Browse through their selection of clothes, gear and more - do they suit your tastes? We all have our own distinct fashion senses, so finding a store that offers clothing that vibes with your style can be an incredible feeling. Look through the various clothes they offer and imagine how you could style them with your outfits.

Check For Quality. Search for a surf shop that only offers high-quality clothing and gear from reputable brands that surfers, streetwear enthusiasts and skaters trust. If you visit their shop in person, then examine the products yourself to feel for durability, strength and aesthetics. If you’re shopping online, then you can look for brands you love. 

What if they offer products from brands that you’re unfamiliar with? If so, then you can head online to see what other surfers think about specific brands or products. Companies like Billabong, Oakley and Roxy have built their reputation to the point that you can trust their products are high-quality and reliable, even if you don’t try them out yourself before you purchase them. 

Consider Accessories, Gear And Additional Goods. Aside from staples like hoodies and swimsuits, look to see if the surf shop offers any additional products that could interest you. Accessories like hats and sunglasses can keep you safe from the sun during sunny beach days, and protective surf and skate gear can protect you as you shred waves or pull awesome tricks with your skateboard.

If they offer additional gear, then you can stock up and stay safe while you enjoy New Zealand’s sunny beaches and beautiful natural and urban environments. For instance, many avid surfers choose to wear earplugs while they surf to prevent uncomfortable conditions like ear infections and surfer’s ear. Keep fashion, comfort and safety in mind when you shop for new goods. 

Read Reviews And Ask For Opinions. Don’t just look at what a company says about themselves - always look into their reputation with the community. You can easily do this from home by searching for their company on Google and then checking out the reviews listed on their Google Business Profile. Read through the reviews and see how fellow Kiwis feel about the surf shop. If you visit and enjoy your experience, why not leave a happy review yourself? Your feedback could help future surfers find their new favourite shop. 

Do you know any other surfers, skaters or streetwear enthusiasts in the area? Ask them if they’ve visited the shop before and whether or not they liked their experience. 

Check For Sales. Who doesn’t want to save money without sacrificing quality? See if the shop has any sales or clearance sections - you may be able to snap up some amazing deals on top-quality goods. If you like the shop, then make sure you check back regularly so you can consistently find awesome discounts on practical and stylish clothing, hardware and more. 

Discover Stylish, Durable And Long-Lasting Gear At Westside Surf + Street

What kind of surf goods are you searching for? At Westside Surf + Street, we have a vast array of clothing, accessories and more for Kiwis who love the beach as much as we do. We only stock goods from brands we trust, and we are committed to providing our NZ customers with the highest level of quality and customer service we can offer. 

Would you like some assistance? Please don’t hesitate to call us on +64 3 768 6513 or use our contact page.

Westside Surf + Street: Your go-to surf shop for top-notch goods. 

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