For surfers, one of the most important accessories is the surf wax. Without it, your surfboard will be extremely slippery and hard to control. Some beginners might decide that this accessory isn’t necessary or they don’t need it for their first time surfing because they can use their hands to help them stay on the board, but this is a big mistake.
Without surf wax, you won’t be able to stay on the board for long, and you certainly won’t have as much fun as possible. Surf wax acts as a barrier between your body and the board, allowing you to grip on much easier. Without it, it’s nearly impossible to ride a wave or even stand up.
This article will teach you what surf wax is, how it works, how to choose your ideal type of surf wax, and how to apply it properly so that it can maximize your performance. Read on to learn more about surf wax and how it can impact your surfing experience.
What Is Surf Wax and What Does It Do?
Surf wax is a wax-like material that’s rubbed onto the deck of a surfboard to provide grip and allow the surfer to stay on top of their board while riding a wave. It helps prevent slipping while riding a wave and makes it much easier to maintain your balance.
The main ingredients in surf wax are paraffin, beeswax, and synthetic resins, which make this substance harden when applied to your board.
Once the wax hardens or dries out after application, water can’t penetrate through it. This lets you have more grip on your board while surfing because it closes the pores in your board, which are usually open so water can flow freely through them.
In a nutshell, here are four reasons to use surf wax on your board:
- Surf wax prevents you from slipping and falling off your board while riding a wave, so it gives you stability on top of the water.
- This substance closes the pores in your board, which means less water can get through to weigh down your board or slow you down considerably.
- The texture of surf wax makes it much easier to grip onto different types of boards if they’re smooth in nature. It’s also much more affordable than other options like buying boards every time yours becomes slippery.
- Wax makes it much easier to maintain your balance on top of the water, which means you can ride waves for longer periods of time.
Types of Surf Wax
Several different types of surf wax are available, each with its own unique applications for maximizing performance. The most common types include base, cool, warm, and topical wax. As their names suggest, they’re designed for use in different water temperatures.
Here are detailed descriptions of these types of surf wax and the ideal conditions to use them.
Base Wax
This is the first and most important type of wax for any board. It acts as a primer and allows you to apply other types of surf wax on top of it, increasing grip and durability.
Base wax is used at any water temperature and can be applied at any time during a surfing session or before entering the water. The more you use your board, the faster base wax will wear out, so you should reapply this as often as possible to maximize performance.
I recommend the Sticky Bumps Base Coat Surf Wax
(available on Amazon.com). This product helps protect your board from water damage and helps you stay on top of the water. This wax is great for beginners because it’s straightforward to spread onto your board with little effort.
The sticky texture helps ensure that it never slips out of your hands so you can keep surfing without worrying about losing grip or balance.
Cool Wax
If your local waters are frigid between 12 and 20°C (53.6 and 68°F), then cool wax might be right for you. It’s designed to provide maximum grip in these conditions and won’t melt when exposed to warmer waters.
Use this type of wax if you plan to go surfing in waters that are around 12-18°C (53.6-64.4°F).
I recommend Mr. Zogs Original Sexwax (available on Amazon.com). This wax is designed for use in cool water conditions, so it’s perfect for surfing at any time of the year if you live in a cold climate.
Like base wax, you can apply this product to your board throughout your session or before entering the water. The great thing about this particular formula is that it doesn’t melt when exposed to warmer waters, so you can use it for optimal grip all year round.
Warm Wax
Warm wax is best for the summer months when the water temperature is between 17 and 25°C (62.6 and 77°F).
It’s designed to stay solid at these temperatures but will melt slightly once your board enters warmer waters. Tropical wax falls into this category because it works well with warmer conditions, too.
I recommend the Sticky Bumps Warm/Tropical Surfboard Wax (available on Amazon.com).
This wax has a great reputation as one of the best on the market because you can use it in both tropical and warm water conditions. It has a great scent and is easy to warm up, ready for application.
Besides, this surf wax is easy to spread and will leave your board feeling smooth and ready for you to take on the biggest swells.
Tropical Wax
As its name suggests, tropical wax is ideal for warmer waters, usually above 24°C (75.2°F).
It has a consistency similar to that of water and will barely melt if your board enters waters that are warmer than 24°C (75.2°F). If you plan to surf in waters around 25-29°C (77-84.2°F), then tropical wax is recommended for you.
I recommend the Sticky Bumps Original Surfboard Wax (available on Amazon.com). This wax has a creamy texture that is easy to spread onto your board. It has the perfect consistency for warmer waters and will stay solid and provide optimal grip in these conditions.
It can be easily applied and removed, so you’ll always have a surfboard with the best possible grip and maximum efficiency.
Tips for Choosing the Best Type of Surf Wax
There are several things to consider when choosing the best type of surf wax for your surfing conditions. As I mentioned, different types of surf wax are best suitable for different water temperatures.
Here are some guidelines to help you pick the best surf wax based on water temperature.
Consider the Water Temperature
For example, if you’re surfing in hot waters, tropical wax is recommended because it has a much lighter consistency than other surf wax types.
The more water that can penetrate through your board’s deck, the less grip you’ll have on it. Warm waters make it much easier for water to penetrate through your deck so if this is your case, then use warm wax.
Consider How Often You Surf
Another factor to consider is how often you plan to use your board and how much grip you need throughout an entire session or over time.
If you’re just starting out with surfing and only plan to use your board one or two times per week, then base wax is best because it’s designed to last over time. If you plan to use your board every day or multiple times per week, switch to cool or warm wax instead because it’ll wear out much faster than the other types of surf wax.
Don’t Forget Your Board’s Deck Material
Your board’s deck’s material is also important when considering which type of surf wax to use. The more water that can flow freely through your board, the less grip you’ll have on it, regardless of what type of surf wax you use.
For example, if you have a fiberglass or epoxy board, it’ll withstand colder waters much better than a soft-top board would because its material doesn’t allow water to penetrate through as easily.
As such, even in warmer waters, use base wax with these types of boards.
On the other hand, soft top boards are designed to let water flow freely through them, so they’re not ideal for cold waters where there’s an increased risk of the wax melting and the board slipping out of your feet.
As such, use cool or warm wax on soft-top boards because they’ll withstand warmer waters much better than base wax would.
How To Apply Surf Wax Properly
There are a few simple steps that you can follow to apply your surf wax properly, so it provides the best grip and lasts the longest.
Here are the steps to ensure you get the best results.
1. Clean Off Any Dirt and Debris
Before applying your surf wax, make sure to scrape off any excess dirt or debris that may be on your board’s deck. I recommend using a good quality, stiff brush for this. This will help ensure that the wax adheres properly to your board instead of sitting on top of it and providing little grip at all.
2. Scrape Off the Old Wax
If your board already has a layer of wax on it, make sure to remove it before applying new wax. One easy way to do this is by placing your board flat under the sun, with the deck facing upwards.
Allow the sun’s heat to melt off the old wax, then scrape it off using either a plastic scraper or a metal one.
This will ensure that you have an even coating of fresh surf wax, so your grip is consistent throughout all sections of your board.
3. Choose the Right Surf Wax
Use a surf wax that has been designed to suit your water temperature and how often you plan to use your board.
For example, if it’s wintertime, use cool or base wax because they’re designed to endure colder temperatures. On the other hand, if it’s summer, use warm wax instead because they’re designed to endure warmer temperatures.
4. Apply the Base Coat
The base coat is the most important part of your surf wax because it’s designed to create a barrier between your deck and the water.
When you apply this coat, make sure that it’s thick enough that there are no gaps or holes in it at all. If any spaces exist, water will flow through them and cause the other coats to break down quickly.
Spread a thin layer of wax onto each section of your board, making sure to cover it with wax evenly.
5. Spread a Thicker Layer of Wax
The second layer of wax is the “cool” or “warm” coat that’ll provide you with a grip throughout your surfing session.
To apply this coat successfully, make sure to use a good amount so there are no gaps in the wax. This way, if any water gets through, less will seep through because there’s an increased surface area for it to sit on and stay put.
6. Apply a Thin Layer of Wax Over the Top
The third and final layer of wax is designed to add a little extra grip, but it’s also designed to be stripped away when you want to get rid of it. When applying this coat, make sure that there are no big globs or thick layers. Instead, use a thin film-like surface for an even coating.
This YouTube video describes the steps to follow when waxing your surfboard in detail:
Mistakes To Avoid When Applying Your Surf Wax
There are a few mistakes that people commonly make when applying their surf wax which can cause them to get less out of their board than they could have.
Here are four common mistakes to avoid when applying surf wax.
Forgetting To Scrape the Existing Wax Off
Always make sure your board is free of any dirt or debris before applying new surf wax. If you don’t, the dirt will sit on top of your new wax and provide little grip. This is especially important if you already have a layer of wax on your board that’s been present for a long time.
Applying Too Much Wax
I recommend using a thin layer for each section of your board instead of piling it on thickly.
If you use too much wax, then it can end up causing water to pool on top of your board and reduce the overall performance. It’s also likely to break down more quickly because there’ll be a lot of material on your board instead of a thin layer.
Using Warm Wax in Cold Water or Cool Wax in Warm Water
You’ll want to choose surf wax based on water temperature rather than the season because different types are designed for specific temperatures. If you use a wax designed for warmer water in colder or vice versa, it can break down quickly and not provide you with any grip.
Applying the Wax Improperly
This issue typically happens when people don’t apply enough wax so there are large holes or gaps between each wax section. Make sure to spread a thin layer over each section of your board so there’s no place for water to get underneath.
Too much pressure can lead to a poor coating, which will reduce grip and performance while surfing.
How To Remove Surf Wax From a Board
At some point, you’re going to need to clean the wax off your board. If you haven’t done it previously, it may seem difficult to figure out how to remove all of the wax, but it’s actually straightforward.
Here are four steps that you can follow to clean your board quickly and easily.
1. Clean Your Surfboard
Like when applying new surf wax, you should always start by making sure your board is free of dirt or debris. If there are any large chunks of wax stuck around your edges, use a surfboard wax comb to scrape them away so they don’t damage the foam underneath.
2. Heat Your Surf Wax
Take your hairdryer and blast it on high heat at the wax that’s stuck to your board. Most of the wax should start coming off within a minute. You can also use an iron or put your board in direct sunlight for this step.
For the best results, ensure the wax is exposed to heat for at least 15 minutes.
3. Scrape Off the Remaining Wax
Now that the wax is nice and soft, get your surfboard wax scraper ready. You can also use a putty knife instead of a wax scraper if you already have one at home. Just make sure not to scrape any foam while removing the wax.
There might be a few stubborn pieces that require some extra elbow grease and scraping. Just make sure to take it slow and use lighter pressure when trying to remove stubborn wax.
4. Use a Surfboard Cleaner To Finish the Job
Once you’ve removed most of the surf wax from your board, get out your surfboard cleaner spray and start. This will help get rid of any remaining residue left behind by the old wax so you can apply the new stuff with ease.
Final Thoughts
Waxing a surfboard is an easy, quick process that can improve your performance out in the water. Remember to always use the right type of wax based on water temperature and avoid making common mistakes when applying.
It would help if you also took care when removing your old wax to avoid damaging the board. And remember, buying the right surf wax can have a huge impact on your ability to catch waves, so do some research before purchasing.
Finally, consider buying additional accessories like a wax comb or scraper –these make removing old wax pretty easier.
