The 3 Most Common Surfboard Storage Mistakes (And How to Fix Them)

SoCal Surf Rackz has built hundreds of racks for wave pools, pro surfers, hotels, and families across the nation. We’ve seen the best boardrooms you can imagine and the most horrifying. Sometimes the issues stem from a straight up crappy product, and other times its avoidable pitfalls made by the customer. Here are the three most common mistakes we see and what you can do to avoid them. Hopefully, this will save you money, time and heartache.

1. Poor Placement 

One of the most common — and overlooked — mistakes we see is simply placing your boards in the wrong spot. Whether it’s drilling a permanent rack into your freshly painted wall, killing all your shelf space with a horizontal orientation, cramming a rack into a heavily trafficked walkway, or leaving your setup outside in an unprotected sunny, windy or rainy spot, poor placement not only risks dings and warping but also turns your beloved quiver into clutter.

So what’s the fix? Start by choosing a storage style that fits both your space and how often you ride. Wall-mounted racks are great for permanent setups and displaying your boards like art — but they require drilling, leveling, and often some commitment to one wall layout. On the flip side, freestanding racks are a more flexible option, especially for people who move boards around frequently, rent their space, or just want to avoid tools. They’re perfect for garages, patios, or inside your home.

Orientation matters too. Vertical storage (especially freestanding) takes up far less floor space and makes grabbing a board for a dawn patrol session way easier. Horizontal storage works well for rooms restricted by height but often takes up more room and can block access if placed wrong. If you’re tight on space or have a growing quiver, vertical is usually the way to go.

And when it comes to indoor vs. outdoor, both can work — as long as your boards are protected. Indoors offers the best shield from sun and salt air, but if outdoor placement is your only option, make sure your rack is weather-resistant and the boards stay shaded under an awning.

Bottom line: the right placement should make your boards easier to access, not harder to manage. Prioritize function, flexibility, and protection — your boards will thank you.

2. Underestimating Size

Another common mistake we see is going too small with your rack. You count the boards in your current quiver — maybe two shortboards and a fun shape — and figure a 3-slot rack will do the job. But fast forward a few months and you’ve picked up a new midlength, maybe a backup log, or your grom’s board gets added to the mix. Suddenly, you’re out of space and have back to boards leaning in corners or piling up on the floor.

The fix? Always size up. When in doubt, go bigger. A 4- or 6-slot rack gives you breathing room for new boards, finned setups, or even shared storage with a partner, roommate, or kid. Surfing is a lifestyle, and with that comes the inevitable: new gear. Whether it’s a fresh step-up for winter swells or a retro twin you couldn’t pass up, having a few open slots saves you from reorganizing—or rebuying—a whole new rack setup down the line.

In short: don’t think of your rack as a “right now” solution—build room for your future quiver. Lets face it, we’re ocean junkies that often prioritize new boards and suits over our next meal. Your future quiver will become your present quiver sooner than you think.

3. Buying Based on Price Over Value

Last but definitely not least, one of the biggest mistakes we see is buying a surf storage rack based on price rather than value. There’s a big difference. Value isn’t just about what something costs; it’s about what you’re getting in return. For surfboard storage, value is a balance of functionality, durability, and aesthetic appeal—in that order. Let’s break it down:

a. Functionality
This is where the rubber meets the road (or the fins hit the turf). Your rack has to work for the way you live. Surfing isn’t a static sport—life happens in motion. So, before you buy a rack, take a moment to visualize the start and end of your typical session: Where do you rinse and dry your suit? Where do you keep your wax, fins sunscreen and changing ponchos? How many times do you move your boards in a week? Are you a garage organizer who wants it tight and out of the way, or someone who wants a rack on wheels to roll out for a quick floor clean and roll back in?

These considerations might seem like small details now, but trust us—those tiny annoyances become big headaches over time, day after day. A rack should solve your problems, not create new ones. Choosing a design that fits your daily rhythm will save you tons of frustration.

b. Durability
Here’s a core belief at SoCal Surf Rackz: we don’t care about being the first rack you buy—we care about being the last one you’ll ever need.

By the time most of our customers come to us, they’ve already tried a few things that didn’t hold up—literally or figuratively. Many cheap racks look great online but fall apart under the daily pressure of real surf life. Thin bamboo slats, tiny screws, collapsible gimmicks—they're not built to carry the weight of multiple boards and wetsuits worth thousands of dollars being constantly swapped in and out.

This is straight from the playbook of Rackenomics: price and value are not linear. Spending a little more upfront on something sturdy and well-built saves you more in the long run—fewer dings, fewer replacements, fewer headaches. A high-value rack is an investment in your gear and your peace of mind.

c. Aesthetics
Looks matter—but not more than function or strength. A good rack isn’t just a piece of furniture, it’s part of your space and a frame for your prized equipment. It should blend with the vibe of your home, garage, or surf shop without stealing the show. The boards and wetsuits are the main event—the rack should elevate them, not distract from them.

So yes, style counts. A clean whiteout finish, stained wood tones, or dark blackout style all create a refined look that fits your setup. Just make sure those good looks come with solid bones underneath.

The bottom line: Don’t buy the cheapest option. Buy the right one. A well-built rack should feel like it was made for your lifestyle, your gear, and your space—and if done right, it’ll be with you for years to come. When you think long-term, value always wins.

To end this post, whether you’re chasing barrels or just chasing time to paddle out, getting your storage dialed makes a huge difference. Avoid the usual traps, give your boards the home they deserve, and you’ll spend less time dealing with clutter and more time in the water. Because let’s face it — the only thing worse than a dinged board is tripping over it on your way to a perfect swell.