What is surf wax good for?
surfboard wax (also known as surfwax) is a formulation of natural and/or synthetic wax for application to the deck of a surfboard, bodyboard, or skimboard, to keep the surfer from slipping off the board when paddling out or riding a wave. It is also used to increase grip on the paddle of a surf kayak or dragon boat. It usually has a scent added to it – something you will recognise when you walk into most surf shops – and again these days most brands are trying to use more natural oils and resins to do this. Surf wax is applied to the deck (the top) of your surfboard to provide traction and stop you slipping off it.In conclusion RSPro HexaTraction and Cork Traction are the best surf grip alternatives to wax.Basecoat surf wax is used as an undercoat or prep material before standard surfboard wax is applied. It makes it easier to apply regular wax while allowing it to stick better on the board. Unlike other wax materials, the base coat remains stable despite temperature changes.A stellar wax job is crucial to your surf performance. Surf wax provides traction on the surfboard so that your feet don’t slip on the smooth deck of the board. This leads to more stability when you pop up, carve, do footwork or just cruise! Beginner surfers usually start on foam surfboards which don’t need wax.
Is surf wax safe?
Surfboard wax is mainly made of paraffin, a by-product of petroleum refining. Paraffin is cheap and widely available, but it also comes with a high environmental cost. The production of paraffin involves the use of toxic chemicals, such as dioxins, that can cause cancer and reproductive damage to humans and animals. Selecting the best surfboard wax gives you the right balance of traction and grip, which will maximize your surfing performance. It can also boost your confidence, making it easier for you to try new moves without worrying about slipping from the surfboard.Surfboard wax is extremely susceptible to melting in the sun or any hot environment. It’s a sure way to ruin your cars interior and end up with wax everywhere that you really don’t want it to be.Traction pads are the most popular alternative to surf wax. Traction pads provide a solid grip, making it easier for the surfer to maintain their footing on the board. They also protect the board from damage caused by the surfer’s foot.
Can you surf with no wax?
Wax is specifically used to give a surfer traction for their feet to grip the board. Without wax, the surface of the board when in the water will be too slippery for anyone to stay balanced while paddling, let alone try to stand up on. Usually, car waxes last anywhere between four weeks to four months. The critical factor for wax longevity is the wax type. There are two main types of car waxes; natural carnauba waxes and synthetic waxes. Natural carnauba waxes last shorter, whereas synthetic waxes have better durability and last longer.You can wax your board before each session if you see fit to do so. Now, with that logic, we highly recommend that you do a full cleaning and re-waxing every two to three months. Unless you surf every day and wax every day, then we recommend cleaning your board slightly more often per season/year.The average wax can last anywhere from 3 to 4 weeks, depending on your personal hair growth cycle, where you get waxed, and how often.So, can you just apply any wax (like candle wax) on your board? No, you can’t, and you shouldn’t. Other waxes can damage your board – without providing any grip, that is!
What can I use instead of surf wax?
RSPro HexaTraction and Cork Traction are the best surf grip alternatives to wax. There are two layers of wax that you need to apply to your board: a base coat and a topcoat. Your basecoat will be the first layer of wax. This coat, which is usually harder, ultimately holds down your topcoat and will help you keep your balance whilst surfing.Without surf wax, even the most skilled surfer would struggle to stay on their board, especially in challenging conditions. The wax creates a sticky surface that prevents slipping, allowing surfers to focus on riding the wave rather than worrying about losing their balance.For surfers who surf multiple times a week, it is essential to always have a fresh, thin coat of wax or at least replace the basecoat monthly. For occasional surfers, they can surf with the same coat on until the water temperature changes.
How often should I apply surf wax?
How often you wax your surfboard is mostly up to the temperature of the water you’re surfing in. The warmer the water, the more will melt and wear off the board while you’re using it. Expect to clean and re-wax your board quarterly as build-up of old, non-sticky wax can prevent new wax from sticking. If you try to use cold water wax in warm water, it will soften and slide right off the board. And if you try warm water wax in cold water, it will be hard as a rock and provide little-to-no grip.Just like applying surfboard wax, the first thing to do is to gather all the material needed. To soften the wax, the board can be left under the hot sun for at least ten to fifteen minutes.But you may not realize that surf wax can even melt—or at least soften—when it gets just a little bit too warm. This is why we have different formulas of wax. Tropical and warm water waxes are extra hard, because the warm water of the tropics can melt softer waxes and cause them to get rubbed off of boards.Melted wax creates a giant mess. Avoid keeping in direct sunlight and hot places like your car’s dash or near heater vents. Frozen wax can lose its structural integrity when it thaws — and can scratch your board if it’s too hard.
Will surf wax melt in a car?
Don’t Place Wax on Your Dash Even if you’re parked in the shade, your dashboard will quickly become the hottest part of your car. The broad glass of your windshield easily lets heat through, and anything sitting below it is sure to get cooked. After waxing, you can polish your vehicle to get a flawless, shiny finish. Polishing will remove all the minor imperfections caused by minor scratches, swirl marks, and oxidation.The choice between polishing and waxing depends on the car’s needs. Polishing corrects imperfections, while waxing protects and enhances shine. Can I wax my car without polishing? Yes, you can, especially if the paint is in good condition and doesn’t require scratch repairs or decontamination.It’s common to wax a car in summer. If you do, early morning or late evening is the best time to do it. Avoid intense sun when waxing your car and temperatures above 80 degrees Fahrenheit.