One day I'm walking back to my car in my full suit after a session and I run into someone I want to talk to, only I still have my earplugs in and no pockets to put them in. So what do I do? Did you know many surfboards have a secret earplug locker?
I always carry my board with the tail forward so that when I get to the shower I can rinse out the fin box. Guess where I put my earplugs?
Of course the next time I paddled out I couldn't find my earplugs... and then when I got back to my car somebody says "Hey what's that in your fin box?" Duh!
Long story short I have been doing this ever since, and it's now a permanent part of my surf routine, and I never lose my earplugs anymore. And if I forget to put them in before I paddle out (which I used to do ALL THE TIME), all it takes is one wave on the head to remind me to flip the board over, grab them, and stuff them in my ears. Saweeeeet!