Where is Exile Skimboards based?
For over 20 years, Exile has been grinding out the best skimboards on the planet from our factory in San Clemente, CA. When Exile Skimboards moved from the garage to the factory in 2002 we had one goal. Skimboarding is harder. It has a steeper, painful learning curve that requires punishing tumbles on the sand. Someone learning to surf can catch a wave in their first session, but it can take months, or years, for someone learning to skimboard to accomplish the equivalent and ride their first wave.Wood skimboards are only used for flatland skimboarding. While you can ride one out into small waves, they are too heavy and prone to sinking to do anything legit in large shore-breaking waves. But that is not what they are intended for, so forget about it.Surfers and some sup boarders use wax to prevent slippage off the board, which is why skimboarders use wax as well. Wax is used for skimboarding also as there’s no grip on most skimboards. Most surfaces are smooth and must be made ‘grippy’ with wax.Skimboarding is similar to surfing as it is also a waterboard sport. Skimboarding can be easier to learn versus surfing. However, catching and riding the waves is harder than surfing. Skimboarding is a harder sport to master than surfing for most.Skimboards are built to take a beating. They must be if their intended use is slamming into the pounding surf and riding the waves into the shore. If you hit the beach a few times a week, one board can last over a year. If you wait longer between skim sessions, it can last much longer.
What are exile skimboards made of?
Exile uses only Aerospace Grade Carbon Fiber and Epoxy resin, making these boards stronger, stiffer and lighter than our fiberglass boards. Truly the best skimboard money can buy and the trusted construction of all our top Professional riders. Epoxy Glass Fibre or Carbon Fibre Skimboards Both these types of construction are the real deal for serious skimboarders. They’re lighter, float better, and have a rocker (upward curve) for efficient turning and carving. These boards are thicker with a larger surface area, perfect for catching waves further out.Flatland skimboarding (also known as inland skimboarding) is a form of skimboarding practiced on non-coastal waters, such as a river, lake, stream or puddle. It uses a wooden board about three times as wide as a skateboard and one and a half times as long. The board is thrown across a thin film of water.The beginnings of skimboarding can be traced back to Laguna Beach, California, in the 1920s. Two lifeguards in Laguna Beach, George Griffiths and his friend Jimmy, came up with the idea of using round discs made of redwood to help them slide easily across the water.
How long do skimboards last?
Your skimboard can last anything from 6 months to 3 years depending how you ride it. It is common for riders who are just starting out to be quite hard on boards while they are learning. As you get better, and perfect your technique and wave/water judgement, you will find you won’t get so many dings. Early morning and late afternoon are generally the best times to go skimboarding. During these periods, the wind is usually lighter, which is important as it helps keep the water surface calm and ideal for skimboarding. Moreover, the temperature is more comfortable than the midday heat, especially in the summer.Typically, the best time for skimboarding is usually around low tide. In this case, the water should be shallow enough to allow the board to glide across the surface, but not so deep that it becomes hard to control your skim board.
Do you wax skimboards?
In simple words, wax helps you get a perfect grip and create a good surface. Even though a traction pad helps with the same, applying wax could make skimming even better. Waxing the high end zap Skimboard also offers a smooth and better slide and prevents your feet from slipping off by making it sticky. Most skimboarders prefer to use a combination of wax and traction pads to help stay on their skimboard. Wax comes in a variety of brands and is made for different temperature water.In simple words, wax helps you get a perfect grip and create a good surface. Even though a traction pad helps with the same, applying wax could make skimming even better. Waxing the high end zap Skimboard also offers a smooth and better slide and prevents your feet from slipping off by making it sticky.If you are serious about your skimboarding, traction pads are also a great investment. Traction pads serve the same purpose as wax but are much more effective and are meant to be permanent on your board. If you want to get into wave riding they are almost a necessity to be successful.Always use Skim Wax on the top areas of your Skimboard especially when using your SkimShot™. If you have Traction Pads on your skimboard then use this skim wax to the sides of your front arch bar. This way if your foot placement is not perfectly centered your foot will not slide off.
Can I skimboard without wax?
It’s a must if you want to stand up and actually attempt to surf or skim. It’s not easy, not something you’re going to magically take to, like a bike). The wax keeps your feet and body stay on the boards. Most surfaces are smooth and must be made ‘grippy’ with wax. So there’s no chance of slipping if a foot lands on a smooth part of your Skimboard, and EVA coated boards can be made extra-grippy with some wax.Rub Sand On Your Board So what do we do? We turn to the earth, and rub a little sand on it. It’s certainly an old-school trick you learn from an elder. A little sand on your old wax job creates abrasions (perhaps on your chest as well), roughs up the existing wax, and creates grip.Wax is often used to help you stick to your skimboard while flatland or wave skimming. There are specific techniques for waxing a skimboard so that it sticks to your board, and so do you. The surface of a skimboard is slippery, which is great for the side in contact with the water but not good for under your feet.