Ok Salt Sirens. Lets be honest, long hair is a nightmare when surfing. Wearing it down it gets in your eyes and feels like a heavy wet blanket when you fall (fall? whaaaattt..... yeah, I guess I admit it happens more than I would like).
I've been surfing almost daily for years, and my hair goes down to the small of my back. I've tried everything: regular ponytails that turn into snarled messes, braids that somehow end up worse than leaving it down, and the infamous 90s approach of using multiple elastics every few inches down my ponytail (which works okay but destroys your hair when you take them out).
After years of frustration, damaged hair, and way too much breakage, I came up with a solution that actually works. But I'm also realistic so I know different surfers have different preferences, hair types, and skill levels when it comes to styling. So in this guide, I'll walk you through the absolute best method I've found (and invented), plus six solid backup options if you prefer a different approach.
What Makes a Surfing Hairstyle Actually Work?
Before we dive into specific styles, let's talk about what separates a good surfing hairstyle from one that fails the moment you duck-dive your first wave.
The real criteria for surf-proof hair:
- Secure hold through wipeouts - Your hairstyle needs to survive the force of being tumbled underwater. Regular ponytails won't cut it.
- Prevents tangling - The biggest issue isn't just your hair falling out of the style, it's hair wrapping around itself, creating knots that take 30 minutes to detangle later.
- Works with saltwater - Salt water breaks down cheap elastics and makes hair sticky and knotted. Your hair tie choice matters as much as the style itself.
- Easy to remove - If it takes you 15 minutes and causes breakage to undo your hairstyle, you'll dread the post-surf process. The best styles come out smoothly.
- Can be done quickly - I'd rather be in the water than french braiding my hair personally.
With those criteria in mind, here's what actually works.
#1: The Wrapped Ponytail Method (Best for Most Surfers)
Hold Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Ease: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Time Required: 30 seconds
Best For: Any hair length past shoulders, daily surfers, anyone tired of detangling
This is the method I invented when I created Rip Ties, and honestly, it's solved my surfing hair problems completely. The concept is brilliantly simple: instead of just tying your hair once at the base (traditional ponytail), you wrap a specialized tie around your entire ponytail to keep all the hair moving in the same direction while you're in the water.
How it works:
- Pull your hair into a ponytail at your preferred height (I like lower for surfing)
- Take your Rip Tie and secure the larger loop like you would with a regular hair tie
- Holding the tie taut but not overly tight, wrap it around your ponytail in a spiral
- Continue wrapping down the length of your ponytail
- Secure the second loop at the end, like you're finishing a braid. Finish above where you hair starts to peter out (if its in layers like mine)
Why this method is superior:
The magic is in what happens underwater. When you wipe out or duck-dive, your hair is wrapped together, so it can't tangle around itself or whip into your face. And, your hair is streamlined, so unlike braids it isn't rubbing on itself, which can cause micro-breakge. After your session, you simply unwrap the tie in reverse—no pulling, no breakage, no snarls. Your hair comes out essentially tangle-free.
I spent the entire pandemic surfing every single day and watching my hair get progressively more damaged with traditional methods. The wrapped ponytail approach reduced my breakage by at least 70%, and I stopped dreading the post-surf detangle session.
Pro tips:
- If you have very thick hair, you might need an extra long Rip Tie
- Do NOT rewrap after your hair is wet, even if it looks a little crazy.
- Wait to take it out until you're in the shower afterwards
- Do not buy a wrap around ponytail holder with metal pieces (real Rip Ties contain no metal!)
When this might not work for you:
- If you have very short hair (above shoulders), there's not enough length to wrap
- If you prefer the look of braids or buns for aesthetic reasons
- If you don't have a Rip Tie yet (though you can check them out here
#2: Double Dutch Braids (Best for All-Day Sessions)
Hold Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Ease: ⭐⭐ (requires skill and time)
Time Required: 12-15 minutes
Best For: Long sessions, surf trips, very long or thick hair
Two braids are more secure than one, and Dutch braids (the braiding technique where you cross strands under instead of over) stay tighter than French braids. This is the choice for serious surf sessions where you'll be in the water for 3+ hours.
How to do it:
- Part your hair straight down the middle
- Create a Dutch braid on each side, starting from your hairline
- Braid all the way down and secure each end with a strong elastic
- Optional: Cross the braids and pin them to your head for extra security
Why it works:
Your hair is divided into two smaller sections, which means less weight pulling on any single point. The Dutch braid technique creates a raised braid that sits tight against your scalp and won't loosen easily.
The downsides:
- Extremely time-consuming (15 minutes or more if you're doing it yourself)
- Very difficult to do on yourself without significant practice
- Can create tension headaches if braided too tightly
- Removal is tedious and can cause more breakage than wrapped methods
- Your neck can get tense from the weight of two heavy, wet braids
- If you use this style all the time, the friction from where the braids cross themselves will create micro breakages, and exacerbate tangling.
When to choose this:
If you're going on a surf trip and want a style that will literally last all day (or multiple days), this is your answer. But for daily sessions, it's overkill.
#3: Low Twisted Bun (Easiest & Quickest Option)
Hold Rating: ⭐⭐⭐
Ease: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Time Required: 2 minutes
Best For: Quick sessions, small to medium waves, beginners
If you're running late and just need something fast, the low twisted bun is your friend. It won't survive huge surf, but for everyday conditions, it's perfectly adequate.
How to do it:
- Pull hair into a low ponytail at the nape of your neck
- Twist the ponytail around itself 3-4 times
- Wrap the twisted hair around the base of the ponytail
- Secure with one or two hair ties, or use large bobby pins
Why it works:
The twisting keeps hair compact, and the low position means less pull from gravity and water resistance. It's also comfortable—no tight high ponytail giving you a headache.
The downsides:
- Will loosen in larger waves or during extended sessions
- Hair can still tangle within the bun if it comes partially loose
- Not secure enough for serious surf days
Pro tips:
- Use a spiral/telephone cord hair tie for the initial ponytail—they grip better when wet
- Don't twist too tightly or you'll create a mess when unwrapping
- This works best with medium-length hair; very long hair gets heavy and pulls loose
#4: Rope Braid Ponytail (Good Middle Ground)
Hold Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Ease: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Time Required: 5 minutes
Best For: Medium-length hair, moderate surf conditions
A rope braid (also called a twist braid) is faster than a regular braid and smoother than a standard ponytail, making it a solid compromise.
How to do it:
- Pull hair into a ponytail
- Divide the ponytail into two equal sections
- Twist each section clockwise
- Wrap the two twisted sections around each other counterclockwise
- Secure the end with a hair tie
Why it works:
The rope braid technique prevents individual hairs from separating and tangling. It's smoother than leaving hair in a regular ponytail but much faster than doing a traditional three-strand braid.
The downsides:
- Can unravel if not secured properly at the end
- Less secure than a traditional braid or wrapped ponytail
- Still requires careful detangling afterward
When to choose this:
This is great if you want something more secure than a regular ponytail but don't want to invest time in complex braiding. It's my second choice when I don't have a Rip Tie with me.
#5: Multiple Elastics Down Ponytail (The 90s Method - Least Recommended)
Hold Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Ease: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Time Required: 3 minutes
Best For: Very long hair, desperation situations
Remember how people used to put hair ties every few inches down a ponytail? Yeah, it works... but at a cost.
How to do it:
- Pull hair into a high or mid ponytail
- Place hair ties every 3-4 inches down the length
- Secure the end
Why some people do this:
If you have extremely long hair (waist-length or longer), this prevents the weight of wet hair from pulling your ponytail loose.
Why I don't recommend it:
- Causes significant breakage at every tie point
- Extremely painful and time-consuming to remove after saltwater has dried
- You'll lose hair ties in the process of removal
- Your hair will have weird crimped sections afterward
When it might work:
Only if you have waist-length or longer hair, you're surfing in calm conditions, and you absolutely don't have any other option. Otherwise, skip this method entirely.
What Hair Ties Actually Work for Surfing?
Your hairstyle is only as good as the hair tie holding it together. Here's what you need to know about choosing the right one.
What NOT to use:
- Cheap rubber bands (they break in saltwater within 20 minutes)
- Metal clasps or clips (they rust and can fall off)
- Regular fabric elastics from the drugstore (they stretch out and lose grip when wet)
What TO use:
Spiral/Telephone Cord Ties These are popular for a reason—they don't snag hair and provide decent grip when wet. However, they collect sand in the coils and can be hard to clean. They also don't prevent tangling; they just hold a ponytail in place.
Silicone Bands Water-resistant and strong, but they can pull hair when you remove them. Better than drugstore elastics, but still not ideal for preventing tangles.
Fabric-Covered Elastics Less damaging than bare rubber, but most lose elasticity after a few salt water sessions. You'll go through them quickly.
Specialized Surf Hair Ties (Like Rip Tie) Designed specifically for water sports, these focus on both security and easy removal. The Rip Tie approach wraps your entire ponytail to prevent tangling during wipeouts, not just holding hair at one point. This is why I created them nothing else on the market solved the actual problem of hair tangling underwater.
The difference in post-surf detangling is night and day. With traditional ties, I'd spend 10-15 minutes working through knots. With a wrapped method, I can run my fingers through my hair immediately after unwrapping.
Post-Surf Hair Care: Don't Skip This
Even the best hairstyle won't protect your hair if you don't take care of it after your session.
Immediately after surfing:
- Rinse with fresh water - Don't let salt water dry in your hair. Most beaches have showers; use them. If not, bring a water bottle.
- Remove your hair tie gently - Don't just rip it out. Unwrap slowly, especially if you used the wrapped ponytail method or braids.
- Apply leave-in conditioner - Salt water strips moisture. A leave-in conditioner or hair oil helps restore it.
- Detangle from the bottom up - Start at the ends and work your way to the roots. Never start detangling from the top.
-
Weekly maintenance:
Deep conditioning mask once a week (minimum)
Trim split ends every 6-8 weeks
Consider a clarifying shampoo once a month to remove salt buildup
Quick FAQ
Should I surf with my hair down?
Absolutely not, unless you enjoy spending 30 minutes detangling afterward. Loose hair tangles around itself underwater, whips into your face while paddling, and becomes a heavy, annoying mess when wet. Always secure your hair in some way.
Can I just use a regular ponytail?
You can, but it's not ideal. Regular ponytails allow hair to move freely and tangle. They also tend to loosen and fall out during wipeouts. If a ponytail is your only option, at least use a high-quality hair tie and consider doing a rope braid or twist within the ponytail.
How do I prevent tangles completely?
The wrapped ponytail method (using a Rip Tie) is the most effective way I've found to prevent tangles. Braiding also works but is harder to remove without causing breakage. The key is keeping your hair moving in one unified direction rather than allowing individual strands to wrap around each other.
What if I have short hair?
If your hair is above shoulder-length, you have a few options:
- Wide elastic headbands to keep hair off your face
- Small clips or bobby pins (though they can fall out)
- Just leave it down—short hair doesn't tangle as badly as long hair
How often should I wash my hair after surfing?
Rinse with fresh water after every session (non-negotiable). But only shampoo 2-3 times per week. Over-washing strips your hair's natural oils, which are especially important for protecting against salt damage. Use a good leave-in conditioner to keep hair moisturized between washes.
The Bottom Line
After years of trial and error, here's what I've learned: the best surfing hairstyle is the one that keeps your hair secure, prevents tangling, and doesn't damage your hair when you remove it.
For me and most of the surfers I know, the wrapped ponytail method checks all those boxes. It's quick, effective, and makes post-surf life so much easier. But I also recognize that different people have different preferences—some love the security of braids, others want the fastest option possible.
The key is choosing a method that works for your hair type, your skill level, and your surf conditions. Don't be afraid to experiment until you find what works best for you.
And if you're tired of spending 15 minutes detangling after every session, dealing with breakage, or finding your hair tie floating away after a wipeout? That's exactly why I created Rip Ties. You can check them out here and see if they're the solution you've been looking for.
Now get out there and surf without worrying about your hair for once. You've got waves to catch.
Have a surf hairstyle method that works for you? Drop a comment below—I'd love to hear what's working for other surfers!