One of the very essential things you need to pay attention to as a surfer is the act of waxing your surfboard. Why should you wax your surfboard? you must wax your surfboard in order to avoid slipping off your board. A board without wax could be dangerous to the surfer.
This article has been written to help you wax your surfboard the proper way in order to avoid wiping out during your surfing ride. When you slip off your surfboard, you get separated from your board. In order to avoid having this type of incident. You need to know how to wax a surfboard properly.
Apply the Right Base Coat
You’ll want to ensure the entire topside of your board is waxed from the tail to the nose (don’t leave out the edges). If your surfboard is short, ensure the topside is properly waxed, taking it to the back edge while bringing it from the front logo. You can actually leave out the base coat wax, but you must know that the durability of your wax isn’t guaranteed without the base coat.
The topcoat won’t be properly glued to your board if you don’t apply the right base coat wax. This would leave a naked spot on your board which might cause you to slip off your board. Therefore, you’ll want to apply the right base coat on your surfboard to avoid slipping off your board.
Ensure your base coat stays on your board until you have re-waxed your board. This is to allow your topcoat stick to the base coat. Spread over the base coat until bumps begin to form, using the edge of your wax stick. Ensure your wax is properly applied until you notice a bumpy coat.
Don’t use the flat side of your wax when applying. This is where your topcoat will be glued to; the little bumps will stick to your topcoat. The amount of wax you use depends on how big your board is, sometimes you may use up a whole wax stick or even more, just to get the proper base coat.
There are various ways to apply your base coat on the board. When you’re trying to get your base coat to cling on the board, you must know that there isn’t only one way to go about it. There are several ways you could do it.
Wax Surfing Techniques and Patterns
Waxing a surfboard is a technique. To mater any technique, you’ll want to understand the patterns that are practiced by many surfers out there. Here are the most popular techniques and patterns for waxing a surfboard:
Circle Pattern
When using this method, apply the wax to the board in very small rings. Start with the circular motion. Then move across the board downwards and upward until you begin to notice forming bumps.
Straight-line Pattern
When you use the straight line or parallel method, apply your wax to the board in a straight motion, drawing parallel lines across the board.
Crosshatch Design
Apply wax and start the pattern by rubbing the wax in a diagonal pattern. This pattern should draw vertical lines on the diagonal, making a crosspatch design. This method of applying wax adds beauty to your surfboard and makes it look more attractive.
There are no fixed rules to applying your wax onto a surfboard. However, you need to follow these above-mentioned procedures to wax your board correctly. As a result, your surfboard will look attractive and it will stick to your board. Remember, you don’t want to slip off your surfboard when surfing.
Kitchen Sink
This means you can apply your wax whichever way you want by using any of the methods above. Additionally, you can create your own pattern. You can be creative in your own design, just look for an innovative design that appeals to you and use it on your surfboard. Below is a video tutorial by Global Surf Industries and it teaches you the best technique for waxing your surfboard.
Rub on Your Temperature Wax
The next thing you want to do after applying your base coat is to apply wax on the entire area you have covered with base coat Ensure your wax is applied on the board in circles by using any of the above techniques.
In order to avoid confusion between your base coat and topcoat, you’ll want to make sure that the color of your top coat is different from your base coat. However, if you must use the same color, ensure you are only waxing in one direction in order to avoid confusion.
Comb Your Wax Effectively
The next thing you need to do is to ensure your wax is properly combed. How do you comb your wax? You can comb your wax by running your wax comb through the wax that have been applied on your board. Surf comb wax is fairly affordable and you can find high quality surf combs on amazon.
Remember the crosspatch pattern we mentioned before? This is exactly how you would comb your wax. Your wax comb should run in diagonal lines in order to have a rough wax and allow a firm grip on your board.
Ensure the comb runs through the entire wax on your board. Put your wax comb to use every time you need to surf if your topcoat hasn’t been applied. You can always use the tooth of your comb to make crosshatch patterns when you’re too lazy to apply a new topcoat layer.
Spray Cool Water Over Your Board
The last thing you should do is to sprinkle cold water over your board in order to harden your wax and make it glue better. When this is done, you are officially ready to start surfing without being afraid of slipping off your board.
13 Tips to Waxing Your Surfboard
Here is an overview of how to wax your surfboard:
- The first thing you should remember is that you need to wax to avoid slipping off your surfboard.
- You must apply the right base coat to ensure you wax sticks to your surfboard.
- The methods to waxing your surfboard include the crosshatch pattern, the straight-line patternand circular pattern.
- Get creative when applying your wax; you may choose to come up with a unique design
- Consider the size of your board when considering the amount of wax sticks to use.
- Get a different color of topcoat so you can easily tell them apart.
- Apply your base coat every 3 months.
- You must know that not all wax would stick well when you use the circular motion. In this case, you must use the straight-line pattern if you really want your wax to stick very well.
- Don’t forget to apply some wax to your hands when you want to paddle to help you grip your board better.
- Apply a new temperature wax each time you are heading out to surf. This would give you a wonderful surfing ride and reduce your chances of slipping off your board.
- Avoid the bottom of your board whenever you’re applying your wax. You can apply wax on every other area but the bottom of your board. This is one thing you should always keep in mind.
- You must be extremely careful when using solvents like mineral spirits and even denatured alcohol. Always remember that your safety comes first in everything you do.
- Always leave out the damaged parts of your surfboard when applying your wax.
Consider these important tips and tricks to prepare your surfboard. You don’t want to go out surfing without applying wax!
Best Surfing Experience and Surfboards
Now that you have learned how to wax your surfboard properly, do not forget to apply the methods used in this article, as well as the things you must do and the things you have to avoid when waxing your board.
Who says you cannot create your own happiness? Prove them wrong by waxing your own surfboard in order to experience the feeling that comes with catching waves and tides without having the fear of slipping off your surfboard. Cheers to the best surfing experience!
When it comes to beginners, you want to find the right surfboard for your weight and skill. Check out our huge selection of surfboards that are fit for beginners and novice surfers right here.
