Should you wax a surfboard?
A well-waxed board offers the traction you need to stay stable, pull off manoeuvres, and enjoy a thrilling ride on the waves. So, next time you hit the waves, don’t underestimate the power of a well-waxed surfboard – it might just be the key to catching your best waves yet. 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.Epoxy Surfboards – If you own an epoxy board you’ll find that cool wax doesn’t readily stick to your board. You must first put the base wax (or tropical) down before you apply the cool.Longboards are waxed all the way from the tail to the nose, however, most other board types do not need the nose waxed because you’ll never touch the nose when you’re surfing.Most surf websites will tell you that waxing a surfboard is about grip and traction. While that’s technically true, it misses the deeper cultural and practical realities of why we wax our boards and how to do it properly. The simple truth is this: you’ll slide right off if you don’t wax your board.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.
How much of my surfboard should I wax?
Longboards, for example, require that wax be applied over its entire deck (tail to nose). This is because longboard surfers usually walk the deck. Surfers planning to use a shortboard or fun board can skip waxing the nose area. Don’t overdo the wax. All the wax you drip onto your board has to be scraped off.Waxing is not recommended if you have a weakened immune system, diabetes, if you are on blood thinners or are currently undergoing treatments for cancer. Be sure it has been 2 weeks since you last shaved or that your hair is 1/4 inch long. Gently exfoliate the skin 24 hours before wax.Apply the right amount of wax until you create bumps at least one millimeter high across the board’s riding area. If the board does not have sufficient raised bumps after waxing, it was not done right and might need another application.You’ll need to keep your legs clean and dry for the first 48 hours after waxing, and also avoid anything that could irritate your delicate skin. The list includes exfoliating, strong sunlight, saunas, synthetic clothes, and steamy, hot baths (another reason to make the most of your pre-wax one).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.
What happens if I don’t wax my surfboard?
surfboard wax helps provide a surface your feet can grip when you ride the waves. Without wax, it’s very easy to slip off your surfboard. It’s important to take off old wax and reapply a fresh coat on a regular basis so the wax doesn’t build up. Fresh wax job improves grip. A fresh coat of surf wax will offer a much better better than a two year old wax job complete with dirt, sand, embedded empty beer cans etc. Why not go the whole hog and even do a base coat first, you won’t regret it.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.Harder warm water wax will not stick to softer cold water wax. Even just a bit of residue can trip you at the first hurdle so make sure to clean thoroughly. If you’re somewhere warm, leave your board in the sun for 5-10 minutes and simply remove with a wax comb or an old bank card.Lay out all of your tools along side the surfboard on the grass. Note: Being neat and tidy will help you a lot during this task.
What do surfers rub on their boards?
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. Your foam surfboard can get a bit slippery when it gets wet so we usually recommend putting on a little bit of wax.When this happens, it’s time to remove your old wax. 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.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.Surfboard wax helps provide a surface your feet can grip when you ride the waves. Without wax, it’s very easy to slip off your surfboard. It’s important to take off old wax and reapply a fresh coat on a regular basis so the wax doesn’t build up.Without waxing the board, there is no real traction, and performance will suffer greatly. On an unwaxed fiberglass board, studies have shown that a surfer’s ability to maintain balance decreases by 50%, especially during specific maneuvers like turning or pumping to generate speed.
What did surfers use before waxing?
At some point surfers had discovered they could coat their wooden longboards with a thin layer of sand-infused varnish, which increased traction but also scraped their knees, chest, feet, and thighs. In 1935 a teenage Al applied a small amount of liquid floor wax to the deck of his surfboard, and liked the results. Apply the right amount of wax until you create bumps at least one millimeter high across the board’s riding area. If the board does not have sufficient raised bumps after waxing, it was not done right and might need another application.You can tell when your snowboard needs a wax by how it feels. If you’re used to ripping but start slowing down while your crew flies past you, it’s probably time for a fresh wax. You’ll also feel sluggish transitioning from edge to edge. Alternatively, flip your board over and look at the base.