I just use permanent marker then u can remove later

Buy a grout pen from Bunnings. They're enamel paint that doesn't wash off.

I've got my number 'if found' and I've also got an in case of emergency number on it.

Marking equipment permanently reduces the chance of selling your equipment if found by a dishonest person.

I write with permanent marker my contact details and gmail. If you make it easily removable then it can be removed and board sold-on easily and you can't prove that it was yours (even if you report it to the police, how will you prove it?).

Most people are honest, I forgot my gear and got it back through lost and found on seebreeze, but once this happened to me. I lost my board and searched for it for 3 hrs. Almost gave up on it when I saw from a distance an older lady pick it up from the beach. I drove over few hundred meters to get to her quickly. As I walked towards her through the dunes, she walked towards me with my board. When she saw me in the distance she chucked my board into bushes and started walking back to the beach. I confronted her why she did this - she claimed she wanted to 'tell the police' what she found and where it is. The board had my name and phone number on it - VERY visible.

If I did not catch her in the act, I suspect she would be trying to sell it (how else one can explain her action?)

I think it would be harder to sell a signed board. If I were to buy one, I would dial the number to confirm nobody is looking for it.

Even though I'd never lost a board, when I got a new one I went to a trophy shop (Trophy Warehouse in Morley, WA) and had a strip of aluminium engraved with name, number and "thanks" engraved on it - very neat, and with 2 holes drilled in it, it fits neatly under the handle. And matches the board. 2 weeks after I put it on, lost my board. 2 days later I got the call ..... big relief. Best $15 I've spent for a while (plus a cuppla nice reds for the finder).
Btw, it's a good idea to also have some sort of identifier under your footpad, in case someone steals the board ........ they're unlikely to look under there, and it gives you all the proof you need.

When I lose mine people bring it back as it has my photo on it

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Thank you all.

Good idea, thank you all.

I use dog tags engraved with ph number and email, zip tie to boards, add one to your harness, permanent marker on your kites and bags.