Gifts for surfers land between $40 and $110: a funny surf tee ($44.95), the beach gear that actually gets used, and an honest caveat — you cannot gift a decent swell, so buy around the wait instead. Half of surfing is sitting out the back hoping; lean into it.
1. A surf tee (still waiting on the set)
Our surf & beach tees run $44.95 on heavyweight 220gsm AS Colour cotton, printed to order in Melbourne. The lineup: Waiting for the Set — It Never Bloody Comes, the roo arms-crossed on glassy flat water; Professional Paddler — Never Actually Catches One for the koala out there more for the sit than the surf; and Dawn Patrol — The Cockies Got There First for anyone who set the alarm and still got beaten to it.
2. The gear that actually gets used
A quick-dry towel that lives in the car, a hunk of grippy wax, a leggie that isn't perished, and reef-safe zinc — the $15–$50 layer every surfer loses, snaps or runs out of. Unglamorous, always welcome.
What not to buy
A better set (not yours to give), a board without asking (volume and shape are personal), "only a surfer knows the feeling" novelty gear, and anything that calls a landlocked weekender a legend before they've stood up.
FAQ
How much should I spend on a surfer's gift?
$40–$110 does it. A tee stands alone at $44.95; tee plus the beach-bits bundle makes a complete gift around $85. Buying for the whole crew in the lineup? Stacking tees at checkout drops the per-tee price automatically.
What size should I buy?
Size up if you're guessing — surf tees get thrown on over boardies and salt-damp skin, and because every tee is printed to order, change-of-mind returns including wrong sizes aren't covered. Thirty seconds on the size chart sorts it.
When should I order for Christmas?
First week of December at the latest. Printed to order in Melbourne, standard delivery 8–15 business days door to door, longer over summer. Express at checkout if you've left it to the last minute.
After more Aussie humour? The fisho gift guide covers the other bloke who sits by the water catching nothing, and the full range lives across the Smoko Society collections.