Even with new inventions in the world today, a surfer still needs to wax his/her surfboard. Many wonder why whould you need to wax your surfboard and why wax a surfboard? How would you go about waxing your surfboard? This article with a few simble methods will give you an idea why and an edge to waxing your surfboard.
Why Wax Your Surfboard
Most surfboards with hard shells are will need a waxing. Hard shells have a smooth exterior, which helps it to go through the water well. Though not good if you want to keep yourself on the surfboard. Surfboard wax is there to help you keep on the surfboard. It creates grooves and bumps on the area you will be on so you do not fly out like a ragdoll on a Sunday Speed Run. If have just started waxing your first surfboard or need good tips for waxing: This is what you need…
1) What Do You Need to Wax Your Surfboard
Here are a few things you will need for waxing your surfboard:
- Your surfboard: hardshells are normally waxed soft tops do not need waxing.
- Basecoat wax
- Top Coat Wax
- Wax comb or a useless credit/ gift card
- If you need to reapply: wax cleaner or/and hair dryer (hot sunny days does well too) and some paper towels
2) Cleaning Your Surfboard
If you have a new surfboard, you will not need to do much. Just wipe it will a clean clothe if is a bit dusty can go to the next step. Make sure the surface is shiny. Then you know good for waxing.
If you have old wax on your surfboard, you want to clean it well as old wax will dust inside and it is irritating on the skin. Also old wax will fall off in chunks that waste will take away your new coat of wax. You can leave it out in hot day (30 Degrees celsius) or use hair dryer. Make sure to use it. If you are using a hair dryer go over the coat evenly, which will soften it. Then scrape it with a wax comb or an old credit card which works just as well. If it is soft enough, use a paper towel to wipe it clean or wax cleaner to make sure the surface is shiney.
3) Waxing Your Surfboard with Base Coat
The base coat is the most important part of waxing your surfboard, as the top coat might rub off after each surf sessions but the base coat will keep the wax on your board. If the base coat was to rub off then your surfboard will always have a smooth surface even if you were to place top coat.
The purpose of the base coat is to create a pattern of bumps that will last. The base coat is normally really hard so you want to press hard along your board to make sure it sticks to the surfboard. When you feel that your board is starting to feel bit bumpy that means there are bumps starting to appear on your board, which is good.
There are a few ways to wax your board and no one is most correct way to do it. As long as you are coving the areas where you are gripping and the area you will be on, it is all good. Here some well-known ways people wax their board.
- Circles – You go along the area of your board in a circular motion
- Criss-Cross – Apply the wax in a diagona way then the other way perpendicular lines to create checkered pattern
- Front-to-Back – You apply along your board parallel to the length of your board to create lines
- Psycho – go crazy do spirals go everywhere as long as you cover your are.
Keep at it until you completed the required amount on your board or you feel the depth of the bumps is to your satisfaction. The objective is to cover your board well with the base coat so it creates a foundation for your top coat.
4) Applying Your Top Coat
The top coat for your is softer and tackier, therefore you do not need to press as hard as the base coat to wax your surfboard. It is made that way so that it is sticky enough to keep you on the board while you are surfing. There are different types of top coat for various types of climate. It is normally written on tipnof the label.
The rule of thumb is: you can use a warmer wax in cold water, but don’t use a colder wax in warm water.
Top Coats use various substances in order to make them right for the temperature. For example if you use tropical weather wax in cold weather it might get to hard, therefore you use cold weather wax.
Wax the top coat in any way you feel comfortable with, as long as you give it a good cover over the base coat.
After Surfing
After a surfing session some surfers like to use a wx comb on the coat so it keep the softer bumps on the board so it does not flake off. Though afterwards clean the surfboard cold fresh water to preserve the wax on your board.
How Much Wax To Use
This is a general idea of how much wax you might need for your surfboard. Make sure the areas for your grip and body are well waxed and you are good to go. The better you wax your surfboard the better grip and keeping on your surfboard you will be will you are surfing.
Best Surf Wax to Use
There is different types of makes for various wax’s such as Zogg’s Sex Wax, Sticky Bumps and Bubble Gum surf wax, just to name a few. You can interchange and try use surf wax that best suites your needs though most of it is fairly similar. Most of the surf wax is not biodegradable. You are looking for surf wax and care for the environment try wax that is biodegradable and good for the earth.
The Daily Pumpernickel 