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You can make a simple surfboard stand in an afternoon with a few pieces of lumber, screws and some padding. This guide shows how to build a single-board floor stand, a quick padded stand for waxing and repairs, and how to keep your board safe on it. If you’d rather buy one, we’ve added four surfboard stands and racks that were in stock on Amazon US when we checked; the details come from each listing, and we haven’t tested them hands-on.
Quick answer: build a wide, heavy wooden base with a padded tail slot, add a braced upright with a padded rest and side stops for the board to lean on, and keep it in a cool, shaded spot. For waxing or repairs, pad the tops of two sawhorses. Want to skip the build? The COR Surf metal stand and the JUSTOOP wood stand hold one board upright; the MyGift rack holds up to four.
Types of Surfboard Stands
- Vertical floor stand. Holds one board upright by the tail, with a rest or arms for the rails. Good for display in a room.
- Multi-board floor rack. A freestanding frame that holds several boards upright or flat, side by side.
- Work stand. Two padded supports that hold the board flat, fin side up or down, for waxing and ding repairs.
- Wall rack. Not a stand, but it takes boards off the floor; see the TWO STONES pick below and our paddle board wall racks.
What You Need
Tools
- Tape measure, pencil and square
- Saw (hand saw, circular saw or miter saw)
- Drill/driver with bits
- Sandpaper or a sander
- Staple gun or glue for the padding
Materials
- A wide board for the base (for example a 2×8 or 2×10)
- 2x4s for the upright and tail blocks
- Wood screws, plus wood glue if you like
- Padding: carpet offcuts, foam pipe insulation or pool noodle foam
- Optional: paint, stain or a sealer, and rubber or felt feet
How to Build a Single-Board Surfboard Stand
This is a simple outline for one shortboard or mid-length board standing on its tail, leaning back against a padded rest. Size every part to your own board, and if your board is very long or heavy, or you’re not confident with the build, buy a stand or follow a detailed plan instead.
- Measure your board. Note its thickness and width a few inches up from the tail, where it will sit in the slot, its length, and how far the fins stick out.
- Cut the base. Make the base wider than the board and long enough to stick out well in front of and behind where the board will stand, so the stand can’t tip forward, backward or sideways. A wide, heavy base is more stable than a narrow one.
- Make the tail slot. Screw two 2×4 blocks to the base, parallel, to form a slot across the base. Pad both inner faces, then check the gap: the tail should slide in by hand without forcing and without rocking.
- Plan for the fins. Make sure the fins clear the slot, base and upright all the way in and out. If they can’t clear, take removable fins out first. Never let a fin or fin box carry the board’s weight.
- Add the upright and brace. Fix a 2×4 upright to the base with glue and screws (drill pilot holes) so the board leans back slightly against it, and always add an angled brace between the upright and the base so the joint can’t rotate.
- Add a padded rest and restraints. Fix a padded cross piece near the top of the upright for the board to lean on, with short padded arms or stops at each side so the board can’t slide off sideways. They should hold the board without squeezing the rails.
- Sand, pad and finish. Round and sand every edge. Cover every point the board touches with carpet or foam, fixed on the wood side so no staples or screws can touch the board. Seal or paint the wood if it will see damp or wet boards, and add feet if your floor is hard.
- Test it. Check the empty stand for wobbles and loose joints first. Then set the board in while holding it, let go slowly, and check that it can’t tip or slide in any direction.
Storing several boards? A multi-board rack needs its own braced design that stays stable with one board or all of them loaded, so follow a dedicated plan or consider a ready-made rack.
Quick DIY Stand for Waxing and Repairs
Two stable, level sawhorses make a work stand. Wrap the top bar of each with carpet or foam pipe insulation, secured so it can’t slip, and set them so the board sits securely without rocking or flexing; don’t leave the nose or tail hanging far past a support. Check that the fins clear the bars, and hold the board steady while you work. Haydenshapes’ care guide says to repair dings quickly so water can’t seep into the core, to take major damage to a professional repair shop, and not to use a damaged board until it has been properly repaired.
Keep Your Board Safe on the Stand
- Keep it cool and shaded. Haydenshapes’ surfboard care guide says never to leave a board in a hot car, direct sunlight or near heat sources, because excessive heat can cause delamination, yellowing or warping of the foam core.
- Pad every contact point. Hard edges can dent the deck and rails over time.
- Check the stand. Re-tighten screws and replace worn padding now and then.
Prefer to Buy? 4 Surfboard Stands and Racks
| Stand | Type | Boards | Notes (per listing) |
|---|---|---|---|
| COR Surf | Metal vertical floor stand | 1 | Side hooks hold the rails; “no center fin required” (check fin clearance) |
| JUSTOOP | Wood vertical floor stand (beech uprights) | 1 | Adjustable for boards 9.4 to 22 in wide; remove the center fin |
| MyGift | Wood freestanding rack | Up to 4 | About 36.2 x 24.3 x 44.9 in |
| TWO STONES | Beech wall hanger | 1 | Boards up to 30 lb; mounting hardware included |
As listed on Amazon at the time of writing. Listings change, so check the product page before you buy.
COR Surf Surfboard Stand (Metal, One Board)
A metal standing floor rack from COR Surf, which says it has made board storage since 2003. The listing says the board’s tail slides in and the side hooks hold the rails in place, with no extra hardware. It also says “no center fin required,” which doesn’t clearly say whether an installed fin will clear, so check the clearance or ask COR Surf before leaving a fin in. The arms flex to suit the board’s width, and the listing says it suits any size surfboard, even longboards.
Best for: showing off one board on a simple metal stand. Skip it if: you want a wood look or need to store several boards.
- The COR Surf metal surfboard standing rack is a sturdy and safe place to store your board. No additional hardware requir…
- NO Center Fin Required. The tail of the board just slides in. The pressure from the two sides will hold the board in pla…
- Minimilist Design and Space Saving – Our Surf Floor Stand can effectively save storage space, so that your beloved surfb…
JUSTOOP Surfboard Stand Rack (Wood, One Board)
A floor stand with beech uprights and velvet-covered armrests and base. The listing says it adjusts for boards 9.4 to 22 in wide, needs no wall drilling, includes hardware, and that you should remove the center fin before placing the board.
Best for: a wood display stand for one shortboard or longboard within that width range. Skip it if: your board is wider than 22 in, or you don’t want to remove the center fin.
- SURBOARD STAND RACKS — The surfboard rack uprights are made of high quality beech wood, sturdy and wear-resistant, not…
- STURDY & DURABLE — Our surfboard holders are chamfered and polished for a burr-free finish that protects your hands an…
- EASY TO ASSEMBLE — Simple design allows for quick installation and Includes quality hardware for maximum strength. Flo…
MyGift 4-Ft Freestanding Vertical Surfboard Rack (Up to 4 Boards)
A 4 ft tall solid wood rack with a rustic burnt finish that holds up to four boards upright, separated by horizontal rods. The listing gives approximate dimensions of 36.2 x 24.3 x 44.9 in, with 7.9 in between rods, and says it also fits wakeboards, boogie boards, SUPs and snowboards over 44 in long.
Best for: a garage or beach house with several boards. Skip it if: you only need a stand for one board.
- Freestanding Vertical Surfboard Rack for Indoor Storage: 4-foot tall freestanding vertical surfboard rack crafted from s…
- Holds Up to 4 Surfboards with Stable Upright Support: Built to hold up to four surfboards securely in an upright positio…
- Multi-Board Compatibility for Board Sports Storage: Also compatible with wakeboards, boogie boards, SUP boards, and snow…
TWO STONES Surfboard Wall Rack (Wall Hanger Alternative)
A beech wood wall hanger for long and short surfboards, wakeboards and snowboards. The listing says it holds boards up to 30 lb, has a rubber strip to protect the board, and includes mounting hardware and instructions. It needs to be screwed to a wall, so it isn’t freestanding.
Best for: getting a board off the floor in a small room. Skip it if: you can’t drill into the wall.
- Multi-Purpose:This wood wall mounted hanger is to hold surfboards (long & short), wakeboards, snowboards etc; Suitable f…
- Sturby & Durable: Made by solid, eco-friendly sustainable wood(Beech)high polished and strong screw to conect each parts…
- Easy to Install: Simple design allows for quick installation and all mounting hardware and install instruction included;
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Black Friday Tip and Gift Idea
Black Friday tip: if you plan to buy a surfboard stand or rack on Black Friday 2026 (November 27) or Cyber Monday (November 30), measure your board’s width and thickness and the floor or wall space you have now, then shortlist stands that list your board size. Check the current price on Amazon on the day rather than a “was” price.
Gift idea: a surfboard stand is a good gift for a surfer who keeps a board in their room, or build one yourself sized to their board.
FAQ
What is the easiest DIY surfboard stand?
A single-board floor stand: a wide, heavy wooden base with a padded slot for the tail, and a braced upright with a padded rest and side stops that the board leans against. It needs a few boards, screws, glue, some foam or carpet, and basic tools. Size it to your board and test it before you trust it.
What wood should I use for a surfboard stand?
Any sound, straight lumber works, such as pine 2x4s and a wider board for the base. Sand every edge and pad every spot that touches the board. If the stand will sit outside or in a damp garage, use a wood suited to outdoor use or seal it.
How do I pad a surfboard stand?
Cover every contact point with soft padding, such as carpet offcuts, foam pipe insulation or pool noodle foam. Fix it with staples or glue on the wood side so nothing hard touches the board, and check it for wear now and then.
Should I take the fin out before putting my board on a stand?
It depends on the stand. The JUSTOOP listing tells you to remove the center fin; the COR Surf listing says “no center fin required,” so check the clearance on that one. For a DIY stand, make sure the fins clear the slot, base and upright all the way in and out, take removable fins out if they can’t, and never let a fin or fin box carry the board’s weight.
Where should I keep a surfboard stand?
Somewhere cool and shaded. Haydenshapes’ care guide says never to leave a board in a hot car, direct sunlight or near heat sources, because heat can cause delamination, yellowing or warping.
Can I make a stand for waxing or repairs?
Yes. Two stable, level sawhorses with secured carpet or foam pipe insulation over the top bars make a simple work stand. Set them so the board sits securely without rocking or flexing, keep the fins clear of the bars, and hold the board steady while you work. Take major damage to a repair shop.
More surf gear guides: how to attach a surfboard to a roof rack, how to put a surfboard on a car and surfboard racks for cars.
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