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What Makes a Great Surf Shop: Essentials for Every Kiwi Surfer

by Michelle Griffin on April 16, 2025
Surf Shop

What makes a great surf shop? Having a go-to shop for all of your surfing essentials (and more!) can be invaluable. You’ll always have somewhere to visit when you need new gear and new extra goodies.

But, how do you find your new favourite shop? 

Key Items To Search For When Comparing Local Surf, Skate And  Streetwear Shops In New Zealand

You step into the shop (or you click on the website), what do you look for?

Footwear: Keeping Your Feet Protected. Plenty of Kiwis prefer going barefoot, and keeping your feet uncovered can be wonderful for feeling the soft sand under you. But, it’s important to protect your feet when necessary.

Improper footwear, or going barefoot in unsafe environments, can result in blisters, cuts and even bites or stings from animals. Look for a surf shop that has reliable footwear for walking and running. Check out shoes and sandals and pick appropriate footwear for whatever you’re planning on doing. It’s wise to have something for harsher landscapes (like sports trainers) when you’re hiking or walking over rough terrain, and then something that’s comfortable but less restrictive for the beach (like sandals). If you’re going to wade into rocky water or walk over tidepools, consider boots. 

Remember to also check out their selection of socks. Invest in some top-notch socks that’ll last for countless adventures, like Santa Cruz socks.

Sun Protection: Keep Your Skin Safe. Beach days are awesome, but they’re also sunny! Stay safe by packing sun protection for you and those you’re going with. Sun damage can be devastating, so proactively protecting yourself and your loved ones is a must.

  • Sunscreen. Carry sunscreen with you and reapply when needed. 

  • Headwear. Hats can keep the sun off your head and face. Plus, they’re a fun fashion statement. 

  • Sunglasses. Protect your eyes with some stylish sunglasses. 

  • UV-Resistant Gear. You can find clothing and swimwear with UV-resistant properties, protecting you when you’re out on the waves. 

Swimwear: Dive Into Style. Stay comfy and protected in the water with stylish boardshorts, swimwear and more. Look into your surf shop’s selection of swimwear and see if they have options for the whole family. 

Remember to see if they carry popular brands like Rip Curl and O’Neil, because goods from these top-notch brands are more likely to last longer, feel better and look more appealing. 

Casual Wear: Outfits For Chill Vibes. What about when you just want to vibe on the beach? Look at their streetwear section for classic hoodies, chill tops and cosy bottoms. Streetwear and surf culture go hand in hand, so you can’t have a top-quality surf shop without some streetwear staples. 

Some popular brands that streetwear enthusiasts love are Nike, Thrasher, Dr Martens and Vans. Go through their casual clothing section and look for brands and styles you love. Or, be adventurous and check out things you never would have tried before. 

Bags: Safely And Stylishly Store Your Goods. You’re going to need something to put all of your beach essentials in! Look at their selection of bags and purses to find something that suits your needs and your style. 

You could go for a fashionable purse for smaller goods, or you could invest in a larger bag that can hold everything you need. 

Accessories For Surfers And Swimmers: Stay Safe In The Water. Check out what they have in terms of surfing and swimming goods. Do they have Surf Ears, wetsuit boots and gloves, fins, etc?  These products will help you stay comfy and safe when you’re surfing, swimming or diving in the ocean. 

Goods For Skaters: Skate In Style. Look for skater-specific hardware and gear like products for your board or protective gear to keep you safe. 

The best surf shops have protective gear for adults and children, keeping your whole family safe from nasty injuries. 

Miscellaneous Goods: Fun Add-Ons. Absolutely always check out the cool miscellaneous goods they have available. These extra goodies can really make your trip worth it! You could put new stickers on your water bottle, spruce up your outfit with jewellery, get a new keychain for your bag, etc. Personalise your look and stand out for all the right reasons. 

Clearance Items: Get A Good Deal. The sales section is paradise if you love saving money. See if they have a clearance section and browse through the items you can get for a dealRemember that clearance items change all the time, so make sure you come back regularly to see new deals. 

Finding Everything You Need At Westside Surf + Street

What are you shopping for? View our selection online and see what we have to offer. We only stock high-quality goods from brands we love. 

Need some help? Reach our Westside Surf + Street team on +64 3 768 6513 or message us onlineYou can even take a virtual tour of our shop online. 

Westside Surf + Street: Pay us a visit, we’d love to have you.

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