Do You Wax a Foam Surfboard? Answer & Top Tips by Surfers!

If you’ve just started surfing, you might be asking yourself, do I need to wax my foam surfboard? In this article, you will find out the answer!

It’s not a simple yes or no answer, as it depends on the type of soft board you have, your surfing level, and your personal preferences while surfing.

As long time surfers, who have surfed for 20+ years, and have tried a variety of different boards, we know whether or not you need to wax a foam surfboard.

In this article we will you understand the different types of surfboards and your surfing needs, so you can figure out yourself whether to add wax to your soft board or not.

So what are you waiting for? Let’s dive in!

Understanding different types of surfboards

If you’ve taken surf lessons before, you will have noticed that on foam surfboards don’t generally have wax on them. But if you’ve just bought your first foamboard, you might be asking yourself, do you wax a foam surfboard?

Before you find out the answer to whether you wax a foam surfboard, you need to understand why surfers wax their boards in the first place. The quick answer is that it’s to provide extra grip.

In this article we will give you some advice about foam surfboards, and whether it’s necessary to put wax on it or not.

As we all know, today there is a wide range of soft boards, not only for beginners but even for more advanced surfers. This tells us that not all boards made of foam are the same.

What you need to pay attention to, is the exact material of your foamboard, since there are different types of materials for these boards, and each brand makes them differently.

But to avoid further confusions, we are going to give you a simple and quick answer to your question.

Softboard for advanced surfers

These are boards made of foam inside, reinforced with epoxy fiber and covered with EVA rubber, padded to soften bumps and, above all, anti-slip.

This type of EVA rubber is made especially for marine use and is even used on boats to prevent slipping when you are moving.

Therefore, if you have a softboard coated with this material, you do not need to put wax on it. It already has additional grip given by the anti-slip material, so there is no need to apply a layer of wax for better grip.

Foam board for beginner surfers

Foam boards, which are made of soft foam without any type of fiber covering them, are designed for beginners and their safety (there’s a reason they’re the best surfboards for beginners after all).

It is not mandatory for these boards, but we do recommend applying some surf wax on them. They don’t need as much wax as fibre boards, but a thin layer that covers the board from the tail to the center of the board is enough.

Remember that if you have a foam surfboard, you are likely still learning to surf, and the most important thing in your surf learning process is stability.

So we always recommend that you feel as comfortable as possible, especially with the grip of your feet on the deck of your board.

Wax your board if you think it is necessary for your comfort and stability, but if you feel like you have enough grip without it, you don’t need to add it.

Each person is different so follow your instincts and do what you think is best for your surfing.

Best wax for foam surfboard

If you’re looking for the best surfboard wax out there, we always recommend Sticky Bumps, both for fibre boards and soft top foam boards.

We like Sticky Bumps surf wax because it gives you a good grip, without being excessively sticky and getting all over your wetsuit or clothes. It also lasts very long, and you can go for quite some time without reapplying.

There are lots of different waxes and they vary primarily depending on the different water temperature you surf at.

For example you will find cold water wax, warm water wax, tropical wax or hard wax, but besides the brand, the type you choose will be influenced primarily by the temperature of the water.

There is no single right wax to use, you have to choose the type of wax that suits you best, as it’s ultimately up to personal preference.

If you’re looking for reviews of other waxes, check out our guide to the best surf waxes here!

Click here to purchase your Sticky Bumps surf wax!

How to wax a foam surfboard

The process to wax a foam surfboard is the same as waxing a normal fibre surfboard. You can apply it in circular motions, in a criss-cross pattern, or by first drawing an x-shape, a box and filling it in with diagonal lines.

Each method is fine, and will work just as well on a foam board. The only difference is that you will apply the surf wax all way from the middle of the board to the end of the tail. You don’t need to apply it to the entire board.

Soft boards don’t usually have a traction pad on the deck of the board like fibre boards do, so you need to ensure you provide the whole section with additional grip with the bar of wax. Otherwise your back foot is at risk of slipping.

Personally, we don’t think you need to add basecoat wax. A thin layer of wax, of any regular wax will give you extra traction and do the job just fine.

How to remove wax from a foam surfboard

After a few sessions, you might feel the need to change the surf wax on your foam board. You might be wondering how to remove old wax from a foam surfboard, as it’s not as simple as using the wax comb like with fibre boards.

In reality, it’s not hard, you only need two items; a hair dryer and adsorbent paper like what we normally use in the kitchen.

Step 01:

With the hairdryer, heat the area where the wax is placed on your board (be careful not to put the hairdryer too hot, because you can burn your board or yourself) and heat it up little by little in sections.

Step 02:

Once the wax is warm and you see that it is beginning to melt, it is time to remove it with the adsorbent paper little by little, until you see that it is completely removed.

As we know, foam surfboards are quite large, so we recommend that you go section by section, until you reach the end where there is no more wax.

Remember that the wax must be in an almost liquid state (melted) if you want to remove it easily. Once you have a clean surface, you are now ready to apply new wax for a perfect wax job.

Final thoughts on do you wax foam surfboards

There you have it, the ultimate answer to “do you put wax on a foam surfboard”? Have you waxed your soft top surfboard before? How did you find it? Let us know in the comments below!

Like most things in life, there is no general rule, no direct yes or no answer. Can you put wax on a foam surfboard? Yes. Do you need to? Maybe.

It ultimately depends on the type of foam surfboard you have. Some are made with an anti-slip material which already provides enough grip, whilst others have soft tops with a slippier surface, which could do with some soft board wax.

Regardless of your surf level and the type of board you use, surf wax is a surf essential, which always makes for a great gift for a surfer!

I hope you found our article useful, and it answered your doubts about whether you need to wax a foam surfboard. If you have any questions, let us know in the comments below!

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