A Surfer’s Guide: How to Wax a Surfboard for Optimal Performance
A stellar wax job is crucial to your surf performance. Surf wax provides traction on the surfboard so that your feet don’t slip on the smooth deck of the board. This leads to more stability when you pop up, carve, do footwork or just cruise!
Beginner surfers usually start on foam surfboards which don’t need wax. The foam is gritty enough that extra traction isn’t necessary.
However, once you graduate to a fiberglass or epoxy board, you have to use wax. There’s no way around it. Without a hearty coat of the correct wax, you’ll be slipping and sliding all over the place and catching more wipeouts than waves – not fun!
This blog will cover all the tips, tricks and details for how to wax a surfboard properly so that you can surf confidently on your hard top board. The process is simple and easy!
Types of Surfboard Wax
Not all surf wax is the same. It’s important to know the difference between the types so you can choose the best kinds for your board.
Basecoat Wax
This is a hard wax that basically helps the topcoat of wax adhere to the surfboard. These bars of wax are usually simply labeled ‘base wax’ or ‘base coat wax’ on the packaging.
Topcoat Wax
This is a softer wax that is used to create bumps and texture on your board, creating grip for your feet. There are multiple types of topcoat each based on the water temperature. For example, warm water requires harder wax than cold water because soft wax will melt right off the surfboard in warmer conditions. Be sure to check the labels and choose the right wax temperature for your location:
Cold Water Wax – Water temps 60°F and below. Softest wax available.
Cool Water Wax – Water temps 58°F – 68°F. This is what we use in Southern California!
Warm Water Wax – Water temps 64°F to 74°F
Tropical Water Wax – Water temps 75°F and above. Hardest wax available, aside from the basecoat.
Eco-Friendly & Organic Waxes
Regular surf wax originally consisted almost completely of paraffin wax which is made from petroleum. This has many negative effects on the environment, both during the refinement process required to make it as well as when it floats around in the ocean after it inevitably rubs off a board. Many wax manufacturers have altered their recipes to include less paraffin wax or – even better – have cut it out completely. Look for the ‘organic’ and ‘eco-friendly’ labels on the wax or check the ingredients to avoid toxic ingredients.
Top Surfboard Wax Brands
Necessary Materials
These materials can all be easily picked up at your local surf store.
Wax – 1 bar of basecoat & a couple bars of your choice of topcoat
Wax Comb/Scraper – to scrape off old wax and texture new wax. An old gift card or credit card can be used instead if you’re in a pinch.
Clean cloth or paper towels – to wipe the board clean
Preparing Your Surfboard
First things first, set up your workspace. You want to choose a spot out of direct sunlight where you can make a little bit of a mess. Wax shavings have a tendency to scatter and stick to things. Also be sure to make a spot to lay your board where it won’t get damaged as you’re working.. For example, shady grass is a great option. Or lay the board on some old towels in your garage.
Next, make sure the board is clean and dry. You don’t want any extra sand or grime on the board. Hose it off and dry it with a towel if needed.
Removing Old Wax
Unless your board is brand new, you’ll need to remove the old wax before you put the fresh wax on. Wax comes off easier when it’s warm. The best way to warm it up is either to let it sit out in the sun for a couple minutes or to use a hair dryer (probably not on maximum heat…be careful not to damage the deck of the board).
Use the flat side of your wax comb to gently scrape off the warm wax. Apply firm pressure and make smooth, even strokes to remove as much wax as you possibly can. You might need a few passes in each spot. The goal is to have as thin a residue of old wax left on the deck as possible.
After you’ve removed all the excess wax, rub the deck with your clean cloth or paper towels to get as much of the residue off. Some surf shops have special products to help with this. The cleaner the board, the better the new wax will stick, but if there is still a little film left, that’s fine.
Be sure to inspect the deck for dings and damage once it’s clean. If you find any damage, definitely fix it before continuing your wax job. Go to your local ding repair store or try a kit like this for minor fixes.
Applying Basecoat Wax
There are many strong opinions on how to apply a basecoat, but any method can do the job. Just remember that the goal is to create a thin, textured surface for the topcoat to adhere to. Choose the method that is easiest for you.
The main methods are circular motions or diagonal strokes. Either way, you’ll need elbow grease 😉 The basecoat is a very hard wax, so it will create smaller bumps and be harder to rub on than the softer wax of the topcoat.
Circular Motion – Move the wax in small, overlapping circles all across the board.
Diagonal Strokes – Move the wax in diagonal lines going the same direction, spaced evenly about 1-2 inches apart across the entire board. Then do the exact same thing in the other direction to create a criss-cross effect.
When waxing your board, cover the deck almost from rail to rail, but don’t wax the rails. Do NOT wax the bottom of your board – if you do, might as well just have a large sign on the bottom of your board that says, “I’m a kook” 😬. If you have a traction pad, do not wax that either.
Longboards are waxed all the way from the tail to the nose, however, most other board types do not need the nose waxed because you’ll never touch the nose when you’re surfing. Wax the part of the board that your body touches – where your chest will lay when you’re paddling, where your feet will stand when you’re popping up and riding a wave, etc.
Adding Topcoat Wax
The topcoat is what creates the wax bumps and provides grip during your surf session.
Use the circular motion method to apply your topcoat. You might have to work at it for a while. Apply strong pressure and rub over each spot multiple times. It’s important to allow it to build up to a thick layer. A thin layer will not have enough bumps to be sticky. It’s a good idea to add a bit of extra wax in the areas where your feet will be.
One the board has an even layer of thick, textured bumps, you should be good to go. It should have a clean, fresh look to it. You can also press the palm of your hand on the deck of your board and see if it feels a bit tacky.
Use your wax comb to distress the new wax if you’d like a bit more texture.
Maintaining Your Surfboard Wax
It’s a good idea to check the wax condition of your board before each surf session. Each time you surf, the wax will get smoother and less sticky. Most surfers apply a light coat of topcoat before they hit the water. This ensures that the wax is tacky and bumpy each time they surf.
Sometimes a spot on your wax job will get messed up or smear. In this case, just rub topcoat into that spot until it is even in thickness with the rest of wax on the board.
The wax will melt and stick to things, especially board bags! Be sure to store the board out of direct sunlight and excessive heat to avoid messes.
Rewax your board (remove all old wax and add new basecoat and topcoat) when your wax starts to get gross or excessively thick. This doesn’t need to be done very often. Maybe 1-2x times a year if you’re surfing very frequently.
Here at Wavehuggers, we hope this guide will help surfers of all levels wax their surfboards for optimal performance!
Properly waxing your surfboard is an essential skill that can greatly impact your ability to catch waves and ride them with confidence. So wax up and go catch some waves!!