How To Wax A Surfboard

Surfing is an exhilarating sport that allows you to ride waves and connect with the ocean, but one thing you need to learn is how to wax your surfboard properly. One of the most important factors to surfing is to have a good grip to the board, so it's essential to have a surfboard that's properly waxed. Waxing your surfboard not only provides traction but also can enhance your overall performance on the water. Today we talk about how to wax a surfboard, and we'll go through step-by-step and walk through the process of waxing a surfboard, so that you have the knowledge and skills to keep your board in top condition.

Why is waxing important?

Before we dive into it, let's understand why waxing your surfboard is crucial. Surfboard wax is applied to the deck of the board to create a grippy surface. This helps you maintain control and stability while riding the waves. Without wax, your feet would slip right off the board, making it impossible to stay balanced on the board. Without surfboard wax is like driving a car without tires.

Step 1: Gather The Necessary Supplies

Before you begin waxing, make sure you have the following:

• A bar of surfboard wax (I like Sticky Bumps)
• A wax comb with straight edge (to help remove old wax)
• A clean cloth or rag
• A bowl of warm water (for stubborn wax that won't come off)

Step 2: Clean Your Surfboard

Start by cleaning your surfboard to remove any dirt, sand, and old surfboard wax. First start using the surfboard comb/scraper to remove the old wax off the board. You can use a mixture of water and mild soap. Gently scrub the board with a cloth or sponge, paying attention to the areas where the wax will be applied.

If the board still has wax on it, use the bowl of warm water to use the rag again. Make sure to not use boiling water, because this can delaminate your board and ruin it. 

Click to read how to remove surfboard wax here

Step 3: Apply the base coat

Take the bar of surfboard wax and rub it firmly against the deck of the board in a diagonal pattern. Apply enough pressure to create small bumps or beads of wax. Basically the board will look like a giant pie crust with a diagonal pattern. This base coat will provide a foundation for the top coat. If you don't use the base coat, it can be more difficult adding the top coat later on.

Step 4: Add the top coat

Once the base coat is applied, it's time to add the top coat. Rub the wax in a circular motion, using more pressure than before. This will create a textured surface that offers maximum grip. Make sure to cover the entire deck of the board, paying extra attention to the areas where your feet will be positioned.

You may have to repeat this step a few times.

Step 5: Create traction

After applying the top coat, use a wax comb to create traction on the waxed surface. Gently scrape the comb across the wax in a diagonal or crosshatch pattern. This will help to roughen the wax and provide even better grip.

This isn't 100% necessary to do, but it will help later on, especially if you want to add more surf wax later on to your board.

Step 6: Maintain and reapply

Wax can wear off over time, especially with frequent use. To maintain optimal performance, regularly check your surfboard's wax and reapply as needed. You may need to do this each time before you surf depending on the weather and where you live in the world.

Remove any old wax with a wax comb before adding a fresh coat. This will ensure that you always have a grippy surface for your surfing adventures.

Now when you hit the beach with you surfboard, and awesome graphic tee from MAVRICKS, you can confidently hit the waves and enjoy the surf. Remember, a well-waxed board is the key to staying balanced and in control. So, grab your board, follow these steps, and get ready to ride the waves like a real pro!