A stellar wax job is essential to your surf efficiency. Surf wax supplies traction on the surfboard in order that your ft don’t slip on the graceful deck of the board. This results in extra stability while you pop up, carve, do footwork or simply cruise!
Newbie surfers often begin on foam surfboards which don’t want wax. The froth is gritty sufficient that further traction isn’t mandatory.
Nonetheless, when you graduate to a fiberglass or epoxy board, you need to use wax. There’s no manner round it. With no hearty coat of the proper wax, you’ll be slipping and sliding all over and catching extra wipeouts than waves – not enjoyable!
This weblog will cowl all the ideas, tips and particulars for the right way to wax a surfboard correctly in an effort to surf confidently in your arduous prime board. The method is easy and straightforward!
Forms of Surfboard Wax
Not all surf wax is identical. It’s vital to know the distinction between the categories so you’ll be able to select the most effective varieties for your board.
Basecoat Wax
This can be a arduous wax that mainly helps the topcoat of wax adhere to the surfboard. These bars of wax are often merely labeled ‘base wax’ or ‘base coat wax’ on the packaging.
Topcoat Wax
This can be a softer wax that’s used to create bumps and texture in your board, creating grip to your ft. There are a number of forms of topcoat every primarily based on the water temperature. For instance, heat water requires tougher wax than chilly water as a result of mushy wax will soften proper off the surfboard in hotter situations. Make sure you examine the labels and select the correct wax temperature to your location:
Chilly Water Wax – Water temps 60°F and under. Softest wax obtainable.
Cool Water Wax – Water temps 58°F – 68°F. That is what we use in Southern California!
Heat Water Wax – Water temps 64°F to 74°F
Tropical Water Wax – Water temps 75°F and above. Hardest wax obtainable, apart from the basecoat.
Eco-Pleasant & Natural Waxes
Common surf wax initially consisted nearly fully of paraffin wax which is comprised of petroleum. This has many adverse results on the surroundings, each in the course of the refinement course of required to make it in addition to when it floats round within the ocean after it inevitably rubs off a board. Many wax producers have altered their recipes to incorporate much less paraffin wax or – even higher – have lower it out fully. Search for the ‘natural’ and ‘eco-friendly’ labels on the wax or examine the elements to keep away from poisonous elements.
High Surfboard Wax Manufacturers
Mandatory Supplies
These supplies can all be simply picked up at your native surf retailer.
Wax – 1 bar of basecoat & a pair bars of your selection of topcoat
Wax Comb/Scraper – to scrape off previous wax and texture new wax. An previous present card or bank card can be utilized as an alternative should you’re in a pinch.
Clear fabric or paper towels – to wipe the board clear
Making ready Your Surfboard
First issues first, arrange your workspace. You wish to select a spot out of direct daylight the place you can also make slightly little bit of a large number. Wax shavings generally tend to scatter and keep on with issues. Additionally make sure you make a spot to put your board the place it gained’t get broken as you’re working.. For instance, shady grass is a superb choice. Or lay the board on some previous towels in your storage.
Subsequent, make certain the board is clear and dry. You don’t need any further sand or grime on the board. Hose it off and dry it with a towel if wanted.
Eradicating Previous Wax
Until your board is model new, you’ll have to take away the previous wax earlier than you place the contemporary wax on. Wax comes off simpler when it’s heat. The easiest way to heat it up is both to let it sit out within the solar for a pair minutes or to make use of a hair dryer (most likely not on most warmth…watch out to not harm the deck of the board).
Use the flat aspect of your wax comb to softly scrape off the nice and cozy wax. Apply agency strain and make easy, even strokes to take away as a lot wax as you presumably can. You may want a number of passes in every spot. The purpose is to have as skinny a residue of previous wax left on the deck as potential.
After you’ve eliminated all the surplus wax, rub the deck along with your clear fabric or paper towels to get as a lot of the residue off. Some surf outlets have particular merchandise to assist with this. The cleaner the board, the higher the brand new wax will stick, but when there may be nonetheless slightly movie left, that’s superb.
Make sure you examine the deck for dings and harm as soon as it’s clear. In case you discover any harm, positively repair it earlier than persevering with your wax job. Go to your native ding restore retailer or attempt a package like this for minor fixes.
Making use of Basecoat Wax
There are various robust opinions on the right way to apply a basecoat, however any technique can do the job. Simply keep in mind that the purpose is to create a skinny, textured floor for the topcoat to stick to. Select the tactic that’s best for you.
The principle strategies are round motions or diagonal strokes. Both manner, you’ll want elbow grease 😉 The basecoat is a really arduous wax, so it would create smaller bumps and be tougher to rub on than the softer wax of the topcoat.
Round Movement – Transfer the wax in small, overlapping circles all throughout the board.
Diagonal Strokes – Transfer the wax in diagonal traces going the identical path, spaced evenly about 1-2 inches aside throughout your entire board. Then do the very same factor within the different path to create a criss-cross impact.
When waxing your board, cowl the deck nearly from rail to rail, however don’t wax the rails. Do NOT wax the underside of your board – should you do, may as effectively simply have a big signal on the underside of your board that claims, “I’m a kook” 😬. In case you have a traction pad, don’t wax that both.
Longboards are waxed all the best way from the tail to the nostril, nonetheless, most different board varieties don’t want the nostril waxed since you’ll by no means contact the nostril while you’re surfing. Wax the a part of the board that your physique touches – the place your chest will lay while you’re paddling, the place your ft will stand while you’re popping up and driving a wave, and many others.
Including Topcoat Wax
The topcoat is what creates the wax bumps and supplies grip throughout your surf session.
Use the round movement technique to use your topcoat. You might need to work at it for some time. Apply robust strain and rub over every spot a number of occasions. It’s vital to permit it to construct as much as a thick layer. A skinny layer won’t have sufficient bumps to be sticky. It’s a good suggestion so as to add a bit of additional wax within the areas the place your ft will likely be.
One the board has an excellent layer of thick, textured bumps, you ought to be good to go. It ought to have a clear, contemporary look to it. You too can press the palm of your hand on the deck of your board and see if it feels a bit cheesy.
Use your wax comb to misery the brand new wax should you’d like a bit extra texture.
Sustaining Your Surfboard Wax
It’s a good suggestion to examine the wax situation of your board earlier than every surf session. Every time you surf, the wax will get smoother and fewer sticky. Most surfers apply a lightweight coat of topcoat earlier than they hit the water. This ensures that the wax is cheesy and bumpy every time they surf.
Generally a spot in your wax job will get tousled or smear. On this case, simply rub topcoat into that spot till it’s even in thickness with the remainder of wax on the board.
The wax will soften and keep on with issues, particularly board luggage! Make sure you retailer the board out of direct daylight and extreme warmth to keep away from messes.
Rewax your board (take away all previous wax and add new basecoat and topcoat) when your wax begins to get gross or excessively thick. This doesn’t have to be executed fairly often. Possibly 1-2x occasions a yr should you’re browsing very steadily.
Right here at Wavehuggers, we hope this information will assist surfers of all ranges wax their surfboards for optimum efficiency!
Correctly waxing your surfboard is a necessary talent that may tremendously impression your potential to catch waves and trip them with confidence. So wax up and go catch some waves!!