The ultimate watersports camper? Rocket Surf ‘n’ Sail

Looking for a coastal camping adventure? The Rocket Surf ‘n’ Sail campervan promises to have everything you need to chase some waves.

During our campervan pilgrimage to CMT Stuttgart this year — where we also caught up with Ford’s bite-sized Nugget and VW’s hefty Grand California — we found far more than just manufacturer-backed models making a splash.

On entering the main exhibition room, there was no avoiding the draw of one van conversion: Der Wassersportler. Or, if the ‘when in Rome Stuttgart’ approach isn’t for you: the Rocket Surf ‘n’ Sail, dubbed as ‘the ultimate campervan for anyone who loves watersports’.

Getting you there

Historically, surfing and campervans have always gone hand in hand, so why not add sailing into the mix? Either way, with the ties between campers and watersports going back to the days of iconic surfboard clad Volkswagen Type 2 Transporters, this certainly looks like a recipe for success. But this is a modern affair, and with the option of Peugeot Boxer or Fiat Ducato bases, the Surf ‘n’ Sail is a far less dinky camper than the coast-going heroes of yesteryear.

Visually, it’s hard to ignore the rugged aspects of the exterior, from the beefy suspension to the rugged General Grabber tyres, all the way up to the industrious roof rack. Combine these with the sub-3.5-tonne weight, and it’s clear that the potential challenges of reaching sandy shores have been considered — and we see that as a win. After all, who wants to stress about getting stuck en route to their adventure?

But, it’s inside where the real magic has been performed…

Surf’s up

To describe the interior in one word? Nautical. Stepping inside we found ourselves surrounded by features pulled straight from a variety of sea-going vessels, with Rocket Camper taking inspiration from plush yachts, rubber dinghies, and everything in-between. Fully leaning into this design philosophy, the cabin is set as a designated ‘dry’ area, while the open living space behind is a waterproofed ‘wet’ zone. 

Beneath the rear area’s mega-yacht-style ring-shaped roof lights, it’s a flexible surfboard rack which takes centre stage. Following down from this feature, you’ll find boat-style seating boxes — resistant to water and sand — providing room for up to four watersport enthusiasts to debrief on any waves caught during the day. 

And should any dreaded sand make its way into your rolling activity base, fear not. Remember that rugged outdoor roof rack? It’s been mirrored indoors too, allowing for a shower curtain to be hung inside, which combined with a shower head and built-in drainage in the wet-zone floor, provides the opportunity to rinse any seaside grit away in privacy. Oh, and there’s an outdoor camper shower too, if the traditional approach still appeals.

Overall, we were pleasantly surprised by how spacious the entire setup was, and amid the wood-clad decor (you guessed it: inspired by racing boats) we discovered plenty of room for customisability. Thanks to exposed elements of the van’s structure, anything from waterproof storage pockets to hammock installations are a possibility.

What’s beneath the surface?

There’s plenty of tech packed into the Surf ‘n’ Sail to further enable the coastal lifestyle. To list a few items, there are large fresh- and waste-water tanks, a diesel heater, a moisture reducing fan, a tool corner, and a radio mast. Yes, you read that correctly: there is a full marine radio and weather station setup on the roof, helping you avoid unsafe waters during your adventures.

Last but not least, when it’s mealtime, there is a space-effective longitudinally mounted kitchenette, complete with gas hobs, sink, and pantry storage to keep energy levels replenished. This is then hooked up to a suspended tabletop which can be used for food prep, or by turning the driver and passenger chairs, as a dining area.

And with that, we reckon the Rocket Surf ‘n’ Sail fulfils its promise of providing everything you could need for a watersport-based camping adventure. It’ll get you there, provide a base of operations, and keep you clean and sand-free once the day is done. But what do you think?