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DIY Surfboard stand tutorial with minimal tools and materials

How to Build a DIY Surfboard Stand for Ding Repairs

If you need a simple, affordable way to hold your surfboard while doing surfboard ding repairs, cleaning it or working on it, you don’t need to spend a fortune on a professionally made stand.

With some basic framing timber, a few screws and a couple of simple tools, you can build your own DIY surfboard stand at home.

This is the design I used to build mine. It’s straightforward, inexpensive and can be completed in an hour or two, depending on your tools and how much preparation you need to do.

Here’s how to make one yourself.

What You’ll Need To Build Your Surfboard Stand

Materials

  • Three lengths of framing timber, each 2.4 metres long
  • Suitable wood screws
  • Carpet, old camping mat foam or similar soft padding
  • A few additional screws to secure the padding

The timber offcuts from the main cuts can be used for the smaller connecting blocks and other short pieces.

I used framing timber approximately 35 mm thick. The dimensions below are based on my build, but you can adjust them to suit your preferred working height and the size of your surfboards.

Tools

  • Tape measure
  • Pencil
  • Saw
  • Drill and suitable drill bits
  • Screwdriver or drill driver

I used a drop saw to make the cuts, but a handsaw will work just as well if that’s what you have available.

Safety first: Wear appropriate safety footwear and eye protection, and use hearing protection when required. Secure the timber before cutting or drilling, and follow the safety instructions for your tools.

Step 1: Measure and Cut the Timber For Your Surfboard Stand

The first job is to cut the timber to the required lengths.

Cut the uprights

Start by cutting four pieces of timber, each 900 mm long.

These will form the uprights of the two stands.

I chose 900 mm because it’s approximately the height of a standard kitchen benchtop in Australia. It’s a comfortable working height for many people when standing, which makes it a useful starting point for a surfboard repair stand.

You could make the uprights a little taller if you prefer. Around one metre may also work, depending on your height and the type of work you’ll be doing.

Cut the base and connecting pieces

Next, cut the shorter pieces needed to form the feet and connect the timber sections.

For my build, I used pieces approximately 300 mm long, along with smaller blocks around 100 mm long.

The exact number and placement of these shorter pieces depend on the layout of the base and how the joints are assembled. Use the finished stand as a guide when laying out your cuts, and check the quantities before cutting all your timber.

The important thing is to make the two stands alike so that your surfboard sits evenly across them.

Once you’ve finished cutting, lay all the pieces out together. This makes it easier to identify which pieces belong to each stand before you start assembling everything.

Step 2: Mark the Uprights For Your DIY Surfboard Stand

With the timber cut, it’s time to start putting the stands together.

The uprights need to be positioned so the surfboard will sit at a useful working height and have enough clearance from the base.

My average surfboard is approximately 500 mm wide. Using that as a guide, I positioned the crosspiece roughly 225 mm down from the top of the upright.

Mark the same measurement on all four uprights so that both stands will be consistent.

Because the timber is approximately 35 mm thick, you also need to account for its thickness when marking the screw positions.

For my layout, I used a measurement of approximately 240 mm from the outside edge to position the pilot holes, allowing for the thickness of the timber.

The exact marking position will depend on how you arrange your joints, so check the alignment before drilling.

Step 3: Drill Pilot Holes and Assemble the Top Sections of Your Surfboard Stand

Before driving the screws into the timber, drill pilot holes.

Pilot holes help guide the screws into position and reduce the likelihood of the timber splitting, particularly when working near the ends of shorter pieces.

Once the holes are drilled, position the connecting pieces against the uprights and secure them with screws.

Take your time with this step. Make sure the timber is sitting squarely together before tightening the screws.

One important lesson from my build: assemble the top sections before fitting the lower base pieces.

I made the mistake of leaving the top pieces until last on my first attempt. Once the rest of the stand was assembled, there wasn’t enough room to get the drill into the gap and drive the screws where they needed to go.

I had to work around the problem by fitting a smaller block underneath and screwing into it from the side.

It worked, but it was more awkward than necessary.

Save yourself the hassle by fitting the top pieces while you still have plenty of room to manoeuvre your drill.

Step 4: Assemble the Base of Your Surfboard Stand

With the upper sections assembled, position the shorter pieces that form the base and feet.

The base needs to provide enough support to keep the stand upright and stable while you work on your surfboard.

Lay the pieces out before screwing them together. Check that the feet are positioned evenly and that the stand sits squarely.

When driving the screws, pay attention to where the other screws are located. You don’t want to drive a new screw straight into one you’ve already installed.

Once the first stand is assembled, repeat the process for the second one.

Try to keep the two stands as close to identical as possible. This will help your surfboard sit evenly and securely when you place it across them.

Step 5: Add Padding to Protect Your Surfboard

Once the timber frame is complete, the next job is to cover the contact points where the surfboard rests.

Bare timber can scratch or damage a surfboard’s finish, so adding a layer of soft padding is important.

My original plan was to use carpet, cut to the width of the timber and wrapped over the top before being secured underneath.

However, I couldn’t find any suitable carpet in my garage. Instead, I came across some old interlocking foam camping mats.

These worked surprisingly well.

I cut the foam to size, wrapped it around the timber and secured it with screws.

The foam compressed around the screw heads, allowing them to sit below the surface. This meant the surfboard could rest against the padding without touching the metal screw heads.

You could use carpet, foam camping mats or another suitable protective material. Whatever you choose, make sure the padding is securely attached and that no sharp edges or screw heads are exposed where they could contact your board.

Step 6: Check the Surfboard Stand for Stability

After assembling the stands and adding the padding, place them on a flat surface and check that they sit evenly.

One issue I discovered with my build was that the base wasn’t perfectly level.

When I placed the stand on the ground, it rocked slightly because the central connecting section sat a little lower than the surrounding feet.

It was only a small problem, but it was annoying enough that I wanted to fix it.

Fortunately, the leftover pieces from the foam camping mats had small interlocking tabs. Rather than throwing them away, I realised I could use them as little feet.

I attached a couple of these soft pads underneath the base, where they compensated for the uneven section.

This solved two problems at once:

  • The stand no longer rocked on a flat surface.
  • The soft pads helped protect the floor from scratches.

If you discover that your stand rocks slightly, first check that the timber joints are properly assembled and the base is as level as possible. Small protective pads can help compensate for minor unevenness, but they shouldn’t be used to disguise a loose or structurally unstable joint.

Once you’re happy with the result, check that both stands are stable and that the padding is secure before placing your surfboard on them.

Step 7: Put Your DIY Surfboard Stand to Use

With both stands assembled, padded and checked for stability, you’re ready to use them.

Position the stands far enough apart to support your surfboard securely, with the padded sections contacting the board rather than any exposed timber or hardware.

The stands give you a convenient working height for tasks such as:

  • Repairing dings and damaged areas.
  • Cleaning and maintaining your surfboard.
  • Inspecting the board’s underside and rails.
  • Carrying out general surfboard maintenance.

Always make sure the stands are on a stable surface and that your board is properly supported before working on it.

How Much Does a DIY Surfboard Stand Cost?

One of the best things about this project is how little it can cost.

When I built mine, the timber and materials cost approximately AU$43.00.

If you already have some framing timber, screws and suitable padding lying around, you could build one for even less.

You may also have useful offcuts left over from other DIY projects. Just make sure any reclaimed timber is sound, straight enough for the job and free of damage that could compromise the stand.

The main advantage is that you can build a practical surfboard stand without spending a lot of money on a commercially made option.

Final Thoughts

Building your own surfboard stand is a simple project that doesn’t require an extensive collection of tools or advanced woodworking skills.

The key is to measure carefully, assemble the top sections before fitting the base, protect the board with suitable padding and check that everything sits securely before use.

My finished stands turned out well, and the little adjustments I made along the way helped make them more practical.

If you’re looking for an affordable way to support your surfboard while carrying out ding repairs or general maintenance, this is a worthwhile DIY project to consider.

Good luck with the build, and happy surfing!