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Surfboard wax (also known as surfwax ) is a formulation of natural and/or synthetic wax for application to the deck of a surfboard, bodyboard, or skimboard, to keep the surfer from slipping off the board when paddling out or riding a wave. It is also used to increase grip on the paddle of a surf kayak.

Surfboard wax is generally composed of a mixture of paraffin, beeswax or other hard waxes, often with exotic scents like coconut or bubblegum. Also available are natural alternatives containing only organic substances like beeswax, vegetable oils (such as coconut or hemp oil), pineresin and natural essential oils. Many different commercial brands and varieties of surfboard wax optimized for different climates and water temperatures may be found at a surf shop.

Contents 1 Removal 2 Maintaining 3 Temperature 4 See also 5 External links

[edit] Removal

Removing the wax can be time consuming. A plastic scraper can be used to remove the wax in large chunks. It is not recommended to use heat, blowdryer or the sun, as this can be damaging to the foam of the board. Residual wax that has not been removed by scraping can be dealt with using a soft cloth, either on its own or in combination with (for example) coconut oil. Various commercial solutions are also available. Solvents, however, are usually avoided as they can damage the surface or paintjob of the board.

[edit] Maintaining

A wax comb is used to maintain the grip of the wax. Usually, the comb is used to engrave a criss-cut pattern into the wax to create a tackier surface.

[edit] Temperature

Most surfboard wax comes labeled with a water temperature range that it is ideal for. Wax used in water colder than its rating will become hard and not provide the stickiness needed to stay on the board, while wax used in water warmer than its rating may melt.

Some surfers layer different temperatures of wax to create the level of firmness and stickiness desired.

The normal procedure is to lay down a thin base coat of a high temperature wax, usually labeled for tropical water, to build up bumps and texture. This will not melt off. Then you put the temperature appropriate wax or sticky wax on top of that. This ensures that as you change your wax for different temperatures, you will not end up with cold water wax on the board directly, which will melt off in sheets while you are surfing. However some waxes are designed to work in all water conditions and have the ability to remain on the board in all water conditions and temperatures.

[edit] See also

• Ski wax

[edit] External links

• Surfwax temperature ranges
• Surfwax friction
• Surfwax hardness