What can be the difference between an all time surf session and a session to forget?
Your surfboard wax.
A good wax job means you’re sticking to the surfboard, your focus entirely on the waves at hand. A bad wax job means you’re struggling to gain your footing just to pop up.
In this article, we’ll break down how to wax a surfboard so that in your next surf session, wax will be the last thing on your mind and the waves will be the first thing.
How to Wax a Surfboard in 4 Simple Steps
Before we get started on this wax checklist, if you already have a surfboard that has wax on it, your first step will be to remove old wax with a comb (if you don’t have a comb, an old credit card or hotel card will work just fine).
Step 1: Get the (Right) Wax
There are several wax options to choose from today:
Zog's Original Sexwax
Sticky Bumps Original Surfboard Wax
Matuna's Surf Wax
Fu Wax
Double Barrel Surf Wax
And more
They come in different shapes, sizes, smells, and also vary depending on water temperature. The first step is to choose the wax that is right for you.
Whichever brand you choose, ensure that you have:
base coat
top coat
Step 2: Apply Base Coat
The next step in our “how to wax a surfboard” checklist is to apply the base coat to the surfboard.
Generally speaking, there are two methods for doing so.
You can’t go wrong either way, so it comes down to your personal preference.
You can wax a board:
in circles
criss cross
How much base coat should you use? The base coat is the foundation of the wax job. You don’t have to have the entire board covered in wax, but you want the main areas to have that wax foundation.
Step 3: Apply Top Coat
After you’ve applied your base coat, the next step is to apply the top coat.
This where you fill in the areas that weren’t covered with the base coat.
If you followed the circle method, there may be random spots still without wax throughout the board.
If you followed the criss-cross method, there may be specific areas based on cross marks that are void of wax.
Step 4: Surf
The last step: surf and test it out! Take a small top coat wax bar, and put it in your pocket, if you find spots that are slippery in the lineup, you can address it.
The Bottom Line: How to Wax a Surfboard
While waxing your surfboard may be overlooked, it can be the difference between a session to remember and one to forget.
Utilize this simple 4-step “how to wax your surfboard” process to ensure that your surfboard is good to go for your next surf session.