Surf Wax: Our Ultimate Guide To Surfboard Wax
Last Updated on November 29, 2023 by Matt Hapgood
6-8 Minute Read
Many would argue, myself included that surfing is not just a sport, it is a way of life. It has molded almost every big decision I have made as an adult, true story.
And one of the most important things we interact with as surfers is the humble bar of surf wax.
Surfboard wax is probably the most crucial element in surfing. The right wax can make or break your surf session. This ultimate guide to surfboard wax will help you understand everything there is to know about surf wax – how it’s made, how to use it, and everything in between!
The History Of Surf Wax
Surf wax is as old as surfing itself, well, no not really!
In the late 50’s and 60’s, surfers began using a very primitive paraffin-based wax, which became a crucial element to maintain grip on their surfboards. But, the paraffin wax alone wasn’t grippy enough for the increasing demand of many surfers.
Back then, guys would experiment by melting old candles to form drops of wax onto their boards.
I specifically remember a board of my friend’s dad in the garage – a super cool 70s shape with neat little blobs of candle wax all over the deck of the board. It looked great, and I’m sure served the purpose.
But, commercial surfboard wax has been around since the 1970’s.
As the story goes, a bit of experimentation went on over how to best concoct the formula. If you read this story here about Sex Wax, Zog (yes he’s a real person) had a store next door to chemist Nate Skinner. The pair experimented and tested various formulas of paraffin-based waxes with various additives.
THE BIRTH OF SEX WAX
They eventually came up with a marketable formula in 1972 and Zog went on the road selling from door to door all across California – and that is how the brand of Sex Wax was born.
Other brands must also take credit for the rise of surfboard wax – Wax Research which started in Encinitas in 1971 was also experimenting with surf wax – and today their Sticky Bumps variety is a market leader.
Nowadays, pretty much all surf wax is made of a super sticky formula that helps to maintain grip and makes surfing much easier, well, a bit easier.
What Is Surf Wax And Why Do I Need It For My Surfboard?
Surf wax and its application is a crucial component for any surfer hitting the waves. At its core, surf wax is applied to the surface of your board to provide traction for your feet. Without it, your feet cannot grip onto the surfboard and will slip, probably ending up with a wipeout.
There are a variety of surf waxes available on the market, each with its own unique texture and temperature range, allowing you to choose the perfect one for your surfing style and the conditions of the waves.
Choosing the best surf wax is a little bit of a personal choice, but the market leaders are Sex Wax, Sticky Bumps and Mrs Palmers.
What Are The Benefits Of Using Surf Wax?
If you took a brand new surfboard out into the surf without wax, there is pretty much zero chance you would first be able to paddle the thing and no chance of being able to ride a wave on it.
Surf wax is vital in providing a certain element of grip to the top or deck side of the board. Unlike skis or snowboards, these things need wax to make them glide, the underneath of a surfboard is slippery enough to slice through the water.
So, wax, yes it is vital!
Types Of Surf Wax
There are several types of surf wax available in the market and if you are a beginner surfer it’s essential to understand the differences. Each type is suited to the water temperature you will be surfing in – NOT the temperature of the air!
Cold water surf wax is best for water temperatures below 60°F or around 15°C.
Cool water surf wax is best for water temperatures 58°F – 70°F (15° Celcius – 21°C)
Warm water wax is best suitable for above 70°F ( 21°C)
Tropical wax is the hardest type of wax best suited to 75°F (24°C) and above.
Basecoat wax is really hard, and made to use as a base, on a clean surfboard – NOT on top of any existing wax.
What Is Surf Wax Made Of?
Nowadays surfboard wax is typically made from petroleum-based compounds, beeswax or a combination of both. These ingredients help make the wax firm and sticky, so it can easily grip onto the board’s surface.
The most common type of surf wax is paraffin-based and usually contains a blend of mineral oil and microcrystalline waxes. Some brands also include other additives such as fragrances and scents or UV-protection agents to further enhance the wax’s performance.
How To Wax A Surfboard
Now that you know the types of surf wax, let’s learn how to apply it to your surfboard. For a deeper dive, check out my article on how to wax a surfboard.
First, make sure your surfboard is clean, and I mean totally clean. If you already have a coat of wax already, for best results I’d advise removing it before you get started with a fresh wax job.
Use a wax scraper or old credit card to get rid of most of the wax, then rub with kitchen paper to remove all of the excess.
Once wax removal is complete, you can move on to the next step.
Pick the wax that matches the water temperature where you’re going to be surfing. If you decide to use a base coat apply this first, then apply the top coat afterwards.
The method I prefer to use is the Cross Hatch Method
Rub the corner of the bar of the wax onto the surface of the board and gently make a cross-hatch pattern. Don’t go too fast because the wax gets warm and doesn’t stick to the board so well.
Once you have the basic pattern down, then take your wax and rub the long edge gently across the entire area you want to be covered. You will see the cross-hatch pattern underneath and where the joins meet, the wax will form nice little bumps.
Repeat this process until you have a nice layer of wax across the board.
How To Maintain Your Wax Job
Once you start surfing, the wax will eventually wear off or become less sticky. Hence, maintenance of your wax job is crucial.
If the wax is still sticky, you can add a new layer on top of the old layer. Personally, I tend to put a little bit of new wax on every time I surf.
If however, the old layer is non-existent or dirty, scrape it off with a wax scraper or wax comb and then reapply a new layer. If you want good grip while surfing, make sure to re-wax your board frequently.
TOP TIP: Do NOT leave your board in a warm car or in the direct sunlight. If the wax doesn’t completely melt off the board, the stickiness will still be gone, and the chances are you’ll have to scrape off your wax and apply a fresh coat.
Storing Surf Wax Correctly
The trick to making sure the wax lasts as long as possible is proper storage. Keep in mind, if wax is stored in direct sunlight or in places with extreme temperatures, it can melt and make a mess.
This is why finding a cool, dry place to store your wax is critical. Whether you decide to store it in a drawer or in a cooler, make sure it is away from sunlight and heat. As with all of your surf gear, storing it in an organized manner not only helps with keeping it in good condition but also ensures it is always available when you need it most.
Try not to get sand all over your wax too – once your bar is covered in sand, this will end up on your board and affect your next wax job – and basically, it’s a bit annoying having sand all over your nice clean board.
How To Remove Surf Wax From A Surfboard
Whether you’re a seasoned surfer or a newbie, removing surf wax from your board is a necessary task. However, it can be a bit of a challenge. One tip is to use a wax comb to scrape off any excess wax.
You could also use a hair dryer to warm the wax, making it easier to scrape off. Alternatively, you could try using a wax remover solution that you can purchase at surf shops.
A simple homemade solution is to mix equal parts coconut oil and baking soda and apply it to the wax, leaving it for a few minutes before wiping it off. Whatever method you choose, be sure to clean your board thoroughly afterward to prevent any leftover wax from affecting the fresh wax job you apply to the board.
Where To Buy Surf Wax
Surfers can purchase surf wax from local surf shops or online retailers such as Amazon and eBay. Popular brands like Sticky Bumps, Mr Zogs Sexwax and FCS all offer high-quality varieties that are designed specifically for different types of waves and water temperatures.
If you want to learn more about different types of surf wax, read this article on the best surf wax, where we bought and tested all of the major brands.
What Are The Top Surf Wax Brands?
In no particular order:
- Sex Wax
- Sticky Bumps
- Fu Wax
- Mrs Palmers
- Matunas
- Bubblegum
- FCS
What Is Surf Wax Used For?
Its main purpose is to provide grip between your feet and the surfboard while surfing. Surfers generally apply a thin layer of wax each time they hit the waves.
Why Do You Wax A Surfboard?
Waxing your surfboard is important because it provides much needed traction, allowing you to stay firmly attached to your board when popping up onto your feet after catching a wave. Without enough grip, it’s easy to slip off the board – which results in difficultly balancing yourself while attempting surf moves or tricks. Additionally, having proper amounts of traction means more control over how you move across its surface leading to higher levels of performance overall!
Bonus! How To Make Surf Wax At Home
Ok, if you want to save a few bucks here and there, it IS possible to make your own wax. check out this cool clip below courtesy of Korduroy.tv where they make all-natural biodegradable surf wax.
