What You Need for a Surf Festival

A Surf Festival needs more than surfboards and wetsuits. You will need equipment for competitors, clearly marked courses, judging, safety cover, registration and a beach setup that works in changing weather. Check every board, leash and fin before event day, and keep spare power and storage options available. Use this list to buy or bring the practical items that are easy to overlook, from bib numbers and marker buoys to extension cords and coolers.

Organize this event for free with Lizzt

What to bring

Grouped the way you'd shop for it, with quantities.

Furniture

Party tentsqty 3
Foldable tablesqty 10
Folding chairsqty 80
Beer tablesqty 6
Jury tablesqty 2
Lounge cushionsqty 30
Clothes racksqty 4
Storage boxesqty 12

Sports equipment

Surfboardsqty 20
Bodyboardsqty 8
Surfboard leashesqty 24
Surf finsqty 30
Wetsuitsqty 24
Swim trunksqty 12
Life jacketsqty 12
Life ringsqty 4
Lifeguard whistlesqty 6
Competition flagsqty 6
Marker buoysqty 12
Bib numbersqty 40
Medal ribbonsqty 30

Equipment

Portable speakersqty 2
Microphone
Music player
Extension cordsqty 6
Power stripsqty 4
Power banksqty 6
Megaphonesqty 2
Coolersqty 6
Thermos flasksqty 4
Light Stripsqty 6
LED lampsqty 10

Tableware

Reusable cupsqty 150
Water glassesqty 100
Platesqty 120
Dessert platesqty 100
Cutlery setsqty 120
Coffee cupsqty 80
Serving plattersqty 12
Serving tongsqty 8

Kitchen

Barbecueqty 2
BBQ toolsqty 4
Cutting boardsqty 4
Chef hatsqty 4
Bread knivesqty 3
Coolersqty 4
Kettlesqty 2
Coffee machinesqty 2
Food warmersqty 4
Aluminum baking traysqty 4
Serving trays with lidsqty 8

Decorations

Festival Flagsqty 12
Wind-resistant bannersqty 6
Tableclothsqty 12
Chalkboardsqty 6
Conesqty 20
Barrier tapeqty 6
Cocktail table coversqty 4

Lighting

Battery lanternsqty 12
Spare batteriesqty 24

Cleaning

Broomqty 3
Dustpan and brushqty 3
Mopqty 3
Bucketsqty 4
Waste binsqty 12
First aid kitqty 2
Handwashing stationsqty 3
Hand sanitizer pumpsqty 6

Catering

Groceries
- Hamburger buns - 120 pieces
- Vegetarian burger buns - 30 pieces
- Beef burgers - 100 pieces
- Vegetarian burgers - 30 pieces
- Vegan burgers - 20 pieces
- Veggie hot dogs - 30 pieces
- Hot dog buns - 40 pieces
- Chicken skewers - 100 pieces
- Corn cobs - 30 pieces
- Zucchinis - 6 pieces
- Bell peppers - 12 pieces
- Red onions - 3 kilogram
- Tomatoes - 5 kilograms
- Cucumbers - 3 kilograms
- Arugula - 1 kilogram
- Mixed salad - 3 kilograms
- Potato salad - 5 kilograms
- Pasta salad - 5 kilograms
- Coleslaw - 4 kilograms
- Baguettes - 12 pieces
- Garlic butter - 1 kilogram
- Cheddar slices - 3 kilograms
- Vegan cheese - 1 kilogram
- Bacon - 2 kilogram
- Mayonnaise - 3 bottles
- Vegan mayonnaise - 2 bottles
- Ketchup - 4 bottles
- Mustard - 3 bottles
- Barbecue sauce - 3 bottles
- Garlic sauce - 3 bottles
- Chili sauce - 2 bottles
- Pickles - 3 jars
- Fried onions - 1 kilogram
- Salt - 1 kilogram
- Black pepper - 250 grams
- Paprika powder - 250 gram
- Garlic powder - 250 grams
- Italian herbs - 250 grams
- Olive oil - 2 liters
- Barbecue briquettes - 20 kilogram
- Firelighters - 3 boxes
- Paprika chips - 8 bags
- Plain chips - 8 bags
- Tortilla chips - 6 bags
- Salsa - 6 jars
- Snacks - 5 bags
- Peanut Mix - 4 kilograms
- Raisins - 2 kilograms
- Apples - 100 pieces
- Bananas - 80 pieces
- Grapes - 8 kilograms
- Oranges - 60 pieces
- Watermelons - 4 pieces
- Brownies - 100 pieces
- Vegan cookies - 6 packs
- Gluten-free crackers - 6 packs
- Coffee - 2 kilograms
- Tea - 4 boxes
- Sugar - 2 kilograms
- Milk - 8 liters
- Oat milk - 6 liters
- Lemon - 3 kilograms
- Cola - 12 bottles
- Cola Zero - 12 bottles
- Orange soda - 8 bottles
- Iced tea - 8 bottles
- Ginger ale - 4 bottles
- Spa Blauw - 20 bottles
- Spa Rood - 8 bottles
- Fruit juice - 12 liter
- Sports drink - 60 bottles
- Alcohol-free beer - 48 bottles
- Beer - 120 bottles
- White wine - 12 bottles
- Rosé - 12 bottles
- Ice cubes - 30 kilograms
- Paper towels - 12 rolls
- Toilet paper - 24 rolls
- Napkins - 500 pieces
- Aluminum foil - 4 rolls
- Plastic wrap - 4 rolls
- Baking paper - 3 rolls
- Trash bags - 100 pieces
- Compostable trash bags - 50
- Dish soap - 4 bottles
- Hand soap - 6 bottles
- Disinfecting wipes - 8 packs
- Sponges - 12 pieces
- Rubber gloves - 12 pairs
- Freezer bags - 4 boxes

Tips

Plan one competition bib number per registered participant, plus at least 10% extra for late registrations, damaged numbers or replacements. Keep them together at registration so they are not handed out at the beach.
Provide one checked leash and a suitable fin set for every surfboard in use, with spare leashes and fins kept in a labelled storage box. Inspect this equipment before competitors arrive, not during the first heat.
Set aside dedicated safety equipment for the beach team: life jackets, life rings and lifeguard whistles should be easy to reach, while marker buoys and competition flags should be grouped by course before setup.
Allow at least one power bank per key team or communication point, and bring extension cords and power strips for the speaker, microphone and music player. Test the full setup before the public arrives and keep cables away from wet walking routes.
Use coolers for drinks and thermos flasks for hot drinks, and place them near the registration or volunteer area rather than beside the judging table. Confirm dietary requirements before shopping so food and drinks are not bought too late.

Frequently asked questions

How many surfboards do I need for a Surf Festival?: Plan one suitable surfboard for each competitor who needs a supplied board, plus at least 10% spare boards for damage or equipment changes. The final number depends on your registration list and the event format.
What safety equipment is needed for a Surf Festival?: Bring life jackets, life rings and lifeguard whistles for the safety team, along with checked leashes, fins and a first aid kit. Have the equipment inspected before the event and place emergency items where they can be reached within minutes.
How many bib numbers should I buy for a surf competition?: Prepare one bib number per registered competitor and add at least 10% extra. For 50 competitors, that means 55 bib numbers, with a few kept at registration for replacements.
When should I buy supplies for a Surf Festival?: Buy durable equipment, signage materials and bib numbers at least 2 weeks before the event. Check wetsuits, boards, power equipment and safety gear again 1 to 2 days before setup, while drinks and other fresh items can be bought closer to the event.

Start this plan in Lizzt

Every task and item on this page, ready in your own event. Invite people, split the work, and see who has done what.