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The Best Surf Shops in NZ: Where to Find Quality Gear and Apparel

by Michelle Griffin on September 27, 2024
Surf Shop

Surfing is a fun and popular hobby in New Zealand. There are countless gorgeous NZ beaches for onlookers and avid surfers to enjoy. Whether you’re a beachgoer who needs new stylish and practical streetwear for your trips or a surfer who needs fresh gear, knowing which local surf shop to go to is a must.

Finding your best local surf shop now can save you heaps of time in the future. Do you need new clothes? A comfortable swimsuit? Some surf or skate hardware? Then, you can easily hop over to your favourite shop or buy from them online without stressing about searching around. 

How To Find The Best Surf Shop Near You In NZ

If you have several options, where do you go first? Consider the following things to choose your favourite local NZ shop:

Quality Of Goods. Of course, you want the best of the best. You should look for shops that offer high-quality products that are more likely to last longer and give you plenty of use. While lesser-quality goods may be cheaper, they’re more likely to break faster and not satisfy your needs, and you’ll have to spend more money buying replacements. On top of that, consistently replacing things is wasteful - it’s better to invest in great, high-quality clothing and hardware that you can use for years.

A great way to determine how good your new surf shop’s products are is to look at the brands they stock. Top brands are popular for a reason; they’ve made a name for themselves in the surfing community and are trusted for their quality and reliability. 

Quiksilver, Roxy, Billabong and Rip Curl are just four of the top brand names in the surfing, skating and streetwear worlds.

Practical Gear. Surfing can be fun and thrilling, but it also comes with its risks. Make sure you check out their selection of practical gear for your surfing adventures. Clothing that’s supportive and durable is a must for when you’re out on the water. Additionally, look into protective products like Surf Ears. Surf ears are a great investment because they can prevent a condition called Surfer’s Ear, or Auditory Exostosis.

Do you also skate? Be sure to stay safe! Look for protective pads, repair kits and replacement parts for your boards. 

Stylish And Functional Apparel. What’s your style? Look at their selection of clothing and imagine what you’d like to wear. Be sure to look for a mix of style and function - you want clothes that look good, but you also don’t want them to rip on your first trip out. 

For your surfing sessions, you may want to invest in footwear to protect your feet from rocks, durable swimsuits you can surf in and additional accessories like hats and sunglasses for sun protection. For more casual days, cool and comfortable streetwear can help you look and feel your best. 

Knowledgeable And Friendly Staff. The best surf shops are full of approachable staff members who love New Zealand’s beaches, just like you. Talk to your shop’s staff and pay attention to how they treat you. Are they friendly, experienced and respectful? Or do they seem distant or unwilling to help you? You should feel comfortable in the shop, and you should feel free to ask for assistance if you need it. 

In Person Atmosphere. If you visit the shop in person, pay attention to the space’s vibe. Look at its layout and design to see if it appears clean and well-maintained. Good business people know how important appearances are, so they’ll keep things clean for the benefit of staff members and customers alike. 

Online Shopping. Everything is digital nowadays, and smart businesses know this. Look to see if their goods are available online as well as at their physical storefront. Online shopping is an easy way to get your surfing gear without having to go to the surf shop itself. Plus, you can easily look through all of their available stock without spending hours exploring the aisles of the shop itself. 

When checking out their online selection, always read through their policies and terms of service before you purchase anything. Additionally, view their size guides before buying any clothes.

Discovering Your Favourite Local NZ Surf Shop

Welcome to Westside Surf + Street! Our local shop is stocked with clothing, accessories and gear from top-notch brands like Nike and Crocs. We’ll be happy to help you find exactly what you need for your fun days in the sun. 

If you’d like to learn more, you can call us on +64 3 768 6513 or use our contact page to reach out to someone on our friendly team. Our website even has a virtual tour of our shop, so you can check us out while staying comfy at home. 

Westside Surf + Street: Gear up for unforgettable adventures on New Zealand’s beautiful beaches.

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