The chances are that you don’t know all there is to know about surf wax, whether you’re new to the sport or have been catching waves for a long time. It’s easy to forget about those microscopic little bars while you’re updating your surfboard or surfing gear, which is perfectly OK. However, you may not know that selecting the proper sex wax may make or break your surfing experience.
SURF WAX SERVES A SPECIFIC PURPOSE
Begin with the most crucial question: what is the purpose of surf wax in the first place? In its simplest form, Surf wax is intended to assist surfers like you in maintaining the grip on their surfboards. If you don’t have it, it will be difficult for you to keep your balance on your board, and you will be unable to do any tricks. It is possible to stay upright while slicing through the waves with the correct wax. To maintain ideal balance throughout your surfing session, it is critical to establish the proper combination of traction and stickiness.
WHEN THERE ARE DIFFERENCES IN SURF WAXES
It is highly essential to understand well the various kinds of wax and the different layers of wax that you should apply to your board before starting down the beach with some wax on it. To be more specific, two layers must be applied to your board: the base coat and the final coat. These two layers perform distinct functions on your board, but both are required for the board to work as intended.
Additionally, understanding the distinction between sticky wax and typical waxes might be the difference between a sound and a horrible surfing experience for you and your friends. Before getting started, take a look at the differences and layers so that you can make an educated and informed choice when it comes time to apply.
Basecoat
The basecoat is the initial coating of wax that you will apply to your surfboard, and it protects the board from damage. In most cases, the basecoat will be composed of a stricter wax that may be utilised in warm water or tropical conditions without deteriorating.
What exactly is the function of this coat: In a nutshell, the basecoat’s purpose is to maintain your topcoat in place while also preparing your board for surfing. To generate little bumps of wax throughout the riding surface of your board, you must apply your base coat in a circular motion while riding. These bumps will assist you in maintaining your equilibrium when surfing.
It is generally true that the base coat has a longer lifespan, but it may also be more challenging to apply. It understands the perfect amount of pressure to apply to your base coat to get a professional-looking finish.
Top Coat
The topcoat is a protective layer applied over the top of a coat of paint or a coat of varnish.
The topcoat is a coating of wax applied to your foundation or base coat to protect it from the elements. When applying your topcoat, you should use it with softer pressure and circular motion to avoid streaking. Immediately after applying your top coat, you should see that the lumps that developed in your base coat are becoming more noticeable. After a few minutes of using a soft topcoat, your board should be ready to go for a ride. During this phase, you want to make sure that you don’t oversaturate your board. Keep in mind that if you apply too much wax, you will make it harder to surf by making the water more slippery.
Traditional versus Sticky: Which is better?
We utilise traditional waxes to apply base and top coats, and they are the most popular kind of wax on the market today. Standard waxes may take several minutes to make our boards sticky enough to sustain traction throughout many surfing outings. When it comes to waxing your board, you must follow the appropriate procedures.
For those who find this problematic, or those who are unsure if their board is sufficiently waxed, a stickier substance may be used to assist them in maintaining their balance while carving through the water’s surface. These should not be implemented uniformly across your organisation. Instead, you need to apply the product to the area where you would place your feet, which is all that is required. Keep in mind that the product may become too sticky to use effectively if you apply too much.
APPLICATION OF SURF WAX
Having a pleasant surfing experience is dependent on knowing when and how to apply your surf wax. If you do not apply enough wax to your board, it will be difficult—if not impossible—for you to maintain your balance on the board during use. For novices who are just getting started in the sport, this is very crucial to keep in mind. On the other hand, putting too much wax on your board might make it too slippery to ride. It is, in effect, a waste of wax since you will be exactly back where you started—apart from the fact that you will have a sloppy board to clean up after yourself.
When Should You Use It?
The majority of first-time surfers believe that they will have to re-wax their board after every session. It is a common misunderstanding among the general public. Although it is recommended that you apply a light layer of wax to your board before each session, you will not have to do so after each session if you clean and wax your board correctly the first time. The duration and frequency of your surfing sessions, as well as the kind of sex wax you use, will all influence how often you will need to reapply your surfboard polish. Instead, you’ll need to re-wax your board whenever you see that you’re losing traction with it.
