Surf’s Up! So, You Want To Carry A Surfboard On The Roof?

If you’ve ever tried to pack a surfboard inside a Toyota Yaris, you’ll appreciate just how much easier it can be to mount your board to your roof! But how to choose the right fit for you?. Don't worry though, we're here to help! In this article, we'll talk about some of the best ways to carry a surfboard on your car's roof.

First, we’ll talk about roof rack cross-bars in the traditional sense, with great options like Prorack/Yakima’s Aero Bar, Rhino-Rack’s Vortex Bars, and different trade-style bars. These are some of the best options for roof racks that can make transporting your surfboard easier.

While Cross-bars are probably the best-suited Roof Rack for Surfboards, We'll also explore a few Platform Rack options like Rola’s Titan Tray, Rhino-Rack’s Pioneer Platform, Yakima’s LocknLoad Platform, and Tradesman’s Wedgetail system. Each of these options has pros and cons, so when choosing the best roof rack for your surfboard, you should think about your needs and budget.

Whether you've been surfing for a long time or are just starting out, the right roof rack can make all the difference when it comes to getting your board from one place to another. So check out all of the options we've talked about to find the one that works best for you and your surfboard. Happy surfing!

Yakima Aero Bar

If you’re looking for a Roof Rack with Factory-finish good looks, is exceptionally quiet and is compatible with the best accessories available, you’re looking for a Yakima Aero Bar. These Roof Racks are designed to be out of sight and out of mind, right up until you need them. Yakima’s Aerodynamic S-wing profile makes them virtually silent and their integrated accessory channels allow you to mount your choice of Surfboard, Ski, Kayak and bike carriers. 

Yakima’s Smart-Foot mounting system is easy to fit and there are mounting kits available for most vehicles on the Australian Market. While we find these kits are best suited to Sedans, Hatches and other ‘town cars’ they’ll also look right at home on your family 4wd. 

Rhino-Rack Vortex Bars

If you need Roof Racks that are adaptable, quiet and ready for you the moment you need them, you should consider Rhino-Rack’s Vortex Bars. These bars are simple, look good and can be customised to your needs with a variety of spacers and adaptors to work around your work truck or weekender. Their Aluminium and Glass-reinforced ABS construction is corrosion resistant so you can surf worry free!
Rhino-Rack’s vortex bars include an industry standard accessory channel so you’ll never need to drill-through or modify your brand new rack to mount your accessories. 
We recommend this system to customers who intend to use their bars weekly or more due to  their function-first design.

What’s more, Rhino-Rack’s kit based design allows you to change and customise your set up with minimal waste or headache. Want the option to mount a Pioneer Platform or tray? No need to start again, just swap out one or two parts!

Prorack Standard Bars (P-bar, X-bar)

The Prorack Standard bars, which are also called P-bar or X-bar, are a great way to transport your surfboard on a budget. They are very reliable and can carry your board without any trouble. It's important to know though, that these bars don't have an accessory channel. This means that most other accessories, like bike carriers and awnings, won't work with them. Also, because they have a square shape, they can be a little bit louder than other types of crossbars. On the plus side, they are usually easy to set up, so you won't have to worry about that part. The Prorack Standard bars are great for people who don't need to use them all the time.

Trade Style Bars: Prorack/Yakima HD, Rhino-Rack Heavy Duty, Yakima TrimHD

Trade Style Bars like the Prorack/Yakima HD, Rhino-Rack Heavy Duty, or Yakima TrimHD can carry your surfboard however we don't recommend them. As they are designed for carting equipment for work, they do tend to be noisier than the other options we have suggested and don't have as much versatility. While they will get the job done, we do recommend looking at some of the other options we mentioned above especially if you’re keen on making your vehicle the ultimate adventurer.

Platforms: Titan Tray, Pioneer, LocknLoad, Wedgetail

Platforms are a sleek and stylish option for any car and there are many platform trays that will allow you to carry a surfboard. Some of the most popular are the Titan tray, the Pioneer Platform, the LocknLoad Platform, and the Wedgetail Platform. While these options are more expensive, they offer the ability to mount larger items like recovery tracks or camping gear making them way more diverse. Keep in mind though that platforms do make more noise than roof bars so that is something to take into consideration when making your decision.

A roof rack is a must-have if you want to carry your surfboard on the roof of your car and with all the options out there you can find an option that fits both your needs and budget. The Prorack/Yakima Aero Bars are your best choices as they have a sleek design and c-channel for attaching gear. The Prorack Standard Bars are a cheaper option while trade-style bars may be better for people who want to use their bars for more than just surfing. If you're willing to spend a little more, platform trays are great options because they often have extra features. With the right roof rack, you can easily and safely transport your surfboard so you can focus on catching waves.