Always thinking way too far ahead, I’ve already come up with a new year’s resolution for 2008: Learn to surf. And although I’ve got a ways to go in terms of getting over my newly acquired and totally irrational fear of shark attacks, it seems that the sport’s not as scary as many might assume: As Starling Fitness points out in a recent post, a new study from Rhode Island Hospital and Brown Medical School has found that surfing is no more dangerous than playing soccer. So, in doing some very early prep work to help me fulfill a near-lifelong dream, I’ve begun checking out the many surfing must-haves recommended on ThisNext (oh, and watching Point Break - aka The Greatest Movie Ever Made - over and over and over). Here’s a look at what our members consider essential in catching killer waves. (Probably I should also brush up on the lingo, as I’m suspecting that no self-respecting surfer actually ever speaks of “catching killer waves” - but maybe not?)

In the world of wetsuits, Alison Copeland’s fave is the Bodyglove Vapor, since it’s “superstretchy for lots of flexibility” and “keeps me toasty warm because it is water repellent.” But according to Alyson, the “warmest wettie ever” is Rip Curl Women’s 3/2 Ultimate F-Bomb GB Steamer Wetsuit. “Fleece lining makes it as toasty as mama’s kitchen,” she adds. “It has the perfect mix of liquid seam sealing and stitching to make it flexible, water tight and durable.”

When it comes to surfboards, olaflohr goes for the Kane Garden 5’8” twinzer fish, which is “super fun in smaller waves, bigger waves, real big waves.” And for Deirdre Wallace, a Santa Cruz Surfboard provides “freedom and the source of all my inspiration.”

For waxing your board, both Gordon and Christina Petropoulos favor Sticky Bumps Surf Wax (“I also like their fruity Chicky Bumps for the ladies,” Christina notes). Alison prefers Mr Zogs Quick Humps Surf Wax, which she dubs “my favorite wax…and I’ve tried them all!”

And to find the “best preventive measure to surf rash EVER,” CitrusBlendDL24 suggests getting your hands on some Headhunter Surf Rash Guard Formula. The product contains a blend of soothing natural remedies like aloe vera, green tea, chamomile, zinc oxide, and vitamins A and E, which work together to keep your skin happy and irritation-free. For more skin protection, safeguard against the sun with Coppertone Sport Sunblock Gel, SPF 30. Selected by Daize Goodwin, the sunblock “goes on without being greasy and still lets you get a tan.”

But perhaps the surfing essential most critical to me at the moment is Pacific Surf School (4 Day Surf Camp), a pick from Staviean. “I have actually been reading about the Pacific Surf School’s 4 day camp and am really intrigued,” he says. “Surfing is the one activity I have wanted to learn for as long as I can remember, yet I tell myself each Summer…I am really waiting for the time I actually do something about this strong urge to learn how to surf.”