WARRNAMBOOL retailer Taylor's Surfodesy is benefiting from a boom in the surf industry as more surfers hit the water during the coronavirus pandemic.
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The industry has experienced eyebrow-raising sale growth since March, according to ActionWatch's Keith Curtain, whose company generates retail data from the surf and action sports sectors.
Mr Curtain, who publishes with Australian Surf Business Magazine, said sales of wetsuits and surfboards had been running hot for the last three months.
Last month the demand for gear was still high with June wetsuit sales up 112.5 per cent and surf hardgoods 58.4 per cent.
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Mr Curtain said he had to check statistics again for the mid-length (seven-to-nine-feet) surfboard category in May after recording a meteoric rise of 3665 per cent.
Mid-length sales eased in June to a more moderate 116 per cent while softboard (550.1 per cent) and bodyboards (456.6 per cent) also continue to sell well.
Mr Curtain believes customers are spending stimulus payments such as JobKeeper to buy surfing goods.
"They can't spend it on other sports and surfing is allowed so they are all getting winter wetsuits and deciding 'I'm not gonna get a shortboard but instead I'll get a mini-mal'," Mr Curtain said.
"Softboard sales are really interesting as it appeals to mums, dads and kids alike and been a really strong category for a few months."
Taylor's Surfodesy Chris Taylor, who owns the family-run business with his father Max, says they have been fortunate surfing wasn't a banned sport.
Surfing is one of six activities permitted by the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) during stage three restrictions. Walking, hiking, bike riding, kayaking and yoga in a park are also permitted.
Mr Taylor said they had experienced a boom in wetsuit, surfboard and surfboard accessories sales over the last few months.
"Everybody has a surplus of cash and aren't going on holidays and I guess with some people it's home gym equipment and others it's surfing and they have to get their own stuff," he said.
"Surfing not being banned has been a big driver in sales and we have been extra fortunate to pick up those sales."
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