Don't Leave Home Without Your Surfboard Wax

Have you ever noticed surfers rubbing stuff on their surfboards and wondered what they were doing?

Although it may look like they are applying sun screen, what they are actually doing is applying surfboard wax.

Why do you need to cover that gorgeous new surfboard in wax?..Why do you wax a surfboard?

Simple, that surfboard wax is going to help stop you from sliding off your surfboard.

Surf wax is designed to provide extra traction, or grip, under your feet when you finally catch a wave and jump up onto your feet. Without this surf wax your feet will slip and slide all over the deck of your surfboard and you won’t be able to stay standing.

Surfboard wax will also keep you from sliding off your surfboard while you are lying on your board paddling out to the lineup to start catching some waves.

So basically, without surf wax your surfboard is going to be very shiny and very slippery.

What is Surfboard Wax?

Early on in the history of surfing, believe it or not, surfers made do with candle wax. As you can imagine this was very messy and time consuming. Later on paraffin canning wax was used instead. To add extra traction or grip, sand was often added by the surfers.

By the time the Beach Boys started celebrating the surf culture in the 1960’s it had been discovered that the addition of oils to the paraffin would allow for a softer surf wax that was easier to apply. Better still, this composition allowed surfers to create bumps in their surfboard wax, which really added to the traction for their feet.

After this came the invention of softer surf waxes that were more like bees wax.  Hot on the heels of this, and still in the 60’s, came the addition of fragrances and colours.

Nowadays, surfboard waxes are still available in a plethora of colours, fragrances and names. Today’s surf wax is usually a combination of paraffin, with varying amounts of resins, alcohol, and tackifying agents, all designed to add specific amounts of traction for various water temperatures.

These types of surfboard waxes of today now have a consistency similar to a soft putty.

As more and more surfers are becoming environmentally conscious and green, different types of  organic surf wax and biodegradable surfboard wax are also now available.

 What Are The Different Types of Surf Wax?

One important thing to remember is that there are different types of surfboard wax depending on what part of the globe you are surfing in. This is because different water temperatures will require different surf wax formulations.

If you are burning while you are surfing in your board shorts, and the water feels like a warm bath, this would indicate that you will be needing warm water surf wax.  If on the other hand, you are surfing in a wet suit rivaling the skin on a seal, it is a safe bet that you are in cold water and need a cold water surfboard wax.

You may well be thinking that water is water and what’s the difference in formulations?

Well cold water can be many degrees chillier than the balmy waters of the Equator.  If you try and use cold water wax in the Tropics the wax will soften, and start to come off your surfboard . If you take surf wax intended for Hawaii to the cold waters of South Africa the wax will lose its grip when it gets too cold.

If you are unsure what the water temperature is, head for the nearest surf shop and ask what sort of wax you will need.  Don’t be scared to ask..surf shop employers are the coolest guys and gals out there!

Basecoat

Basecoat surfboard wax is a special undercoat that is used under the other types of surf wax. So when you get a new surfboard, or strip all the old wax off your current board, the first thing you are going to apply is some base wax. The basecoat will help the surfboard wax stick to your board better, and will also make it an easier task to apply.

Cold Water Surf Wax

Cold water for most surfing wax companies is defined as under 15° C, or under 60° F.  Also as a general rule the colder the water, the more wax you will have to apply.

Cool Water Surf Wax

This type of surfboard wax falls into the temperature range of 14-19° C, or 58-68° F.  This type of surf wax contains lower melting paraffins and more softeners.

Warm Water Surf Wax

Oh surfing in warm water!  This is always very pleasant and requires a unique surf wax formula for water temperatures of 19-23° C, or 66-78° F.   These surfboard waxes contain harder base paraffins thus increasing the melting temperature of the surfing wax.  The waxes also contain less softener and also less tackifying agents.

Tropical Water Surf Wax

 This type of surfboard wax is for very balmy 23+° C, or greater than 75° F water temperature.  In very warm water, you will be able to get away with rubbing on less wax.

 What Are The Most Popular Brands Of Surfboard Wax?

There are plenty of amusing names out there, like Palmers 5 Daughters, Sex Wax Quick Humps, Sharkbait, Really Tacky, Bubblegum, and numerous other creative monikers.

Some of the world famous, most popular, and better known labels are Sticky Bumps, Mrs Palmers and Mr Zogs Sex Wax.
 

Mr Zogs Sex Wax

Mr Zogs surf wax was first made in 1972 in California, and became extremely famous for their slogan – “The best for your stick”.

Surfers also love the fact that it’s called Sex Wax!

Mrs Palmers Surfboard Wax

Mrs Palmers was started in 1988, in Australia. Through the years they have had many sexually implied surf wax names such as 5 Daughters and Mighty Mounds.

Sticky Bumps Surf Wax

Sticky Bumps is a US based surfboard wax and accessories company that revolutionised the surf wax industry by moving away from paraffin bases and also sells other products such as traction pads for added traction.

How Much Does Surf Wax Cost?

Surfboard wax is probably the cheapest surfing accessory and necessity.   Prices can start as low as 75 cents to under $2 in the US.   In the UK, prices start at about £1.  Down under in Australia surf wax will set you back about $2 or $3.

Often when you buy a new surfboard you may even be given some wax for free!  Surf shops love to through a bar of wax and some surf stickers in with a sale.

Surfboard wax is an essential necessity for successful surfing. Without wax, surfers would not be able to stand or paddle on their boards without sliding off…so make sure next time you paddle out you don’t slip!

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