Why Do Surfers Wax Their Boards?

Wondering why surfers wax their surfboards? You’ve come to the right place!

If you’ve found yourself walking along a surfers beach, you will have probably seen surfers rubbing a block of wax over their surfboards before a surf session, and naturally, you may have wondered what it’s for.

In this article we have outlined exactly why surfers put wax on their surfboards, going into detail about what surf wax is, how it works and why surfers use it.

As you will soon see, surf wax is an essential element for surfing, since it’s what allows you to have the right compromise between grip and manoeuvrability.

So what are you waiting for, let’s dive in and discover why do surfers wax their boards!

What is surf wax?

But first things first, you might be wondering, what exactly is surfboard wax?

Surf wax, as the name suggests, is wax used by surfers on their surfboards. There are lots of different types of wax, both in terms of brands and types.

You get tropical wax, soft wax, harder wax, synthetic wax, cold water wax, warm water wax, and so on, the list goes on.

Surf wax can be composed by a mixture of paraffin, beeswax or petroleum jelly, with additions like coconut to make it smell nice.

There are also waxes with natural ingredients, made with vegetable oils, pine resin or natural essential oils.

Different waxes are best suited for different water temperatures and conditions. On the packaging of the surf wax it will usually tell you if its best suited for cold water or a warmer water temperature.

There is also a difference between basecoat wax and topcoat wax. As the names suggest, one is for a base coat of wax directly on the board, whilst the other is for a top coat.

There isn’t a single best surf wax or right wax to be using. What type of wax you choose ultimately depends on your surf style, the temperature of the water where you surf, your board and personal preference.

If you’re unsure, surf shops in your area will usually be able to advise on the best surf wax for your climate conditions.

How do you use surf wax?

Surf wax is applied to the surfboard by rubbing it in small circles on the deck of the board.

You will usually see surfers waxing their boards by rubbing the bar of wax in a circular motion across the deck, until there is a good thin layer of wax covering the section they need.

You want to avoid sticky bumps, and ensure you have an even coating on the deck of your board. Surfers will often use a wax comb to get this effect, especially on an existing layer of wax. 

You also want to avoid leaving your board in direct sunlight for a long time, as this will lead to the wax melting.

For the best practices on how to perfectly wax your surfboard, check out our full guide here!

Why do surfers wax their surfboards?

Wax is a surf essential just as much as a surfboard or a wave. Without wax there is no surfing.

Why? It’s very easy. The wax does a very important job on the surfboard, because without it you wouldn’t be able to stand up on your surfboard. It’s as simple as that.

When your feet make contact with the board, the wax creates extra traction through an anti-slip grip, which enables you to stand and stay on the board.

It does the same when you are lying down on the surfboard, since it prevents your chest from slipping on the board while paddling.

You will probably have noticed that shortboards have traction pads (also called a grip) on the back part of the board, where you place the back foot. Left or right, depending on whether you are goofy or regular.

At this point you’re probably wondering; “Why not just put a grip on the entire board, and ensure full anti-slip on the whole board?”

Because surfers don’t want their whole board to be anti-slip. They want it to be somewhat smooth and manoeuvrable, so that they can move their front foot.

Especially once you reach an advanced level of surfing, you will start playing with your feet on the board.

You will have to shuffle them across the board from time to time, especially if you want to make radical and more aggressive manoeuvres.

A smooth surface covered in surf wax allows you to do that, whilst it would be harder to do so on a grip.

Is grip on the board important? Of course, but being able to make slight movements with your feet is also important, especially if you want to be able to better manoeuvre your board board.

Even if you’re an intermediate surfer, and aren’t doing radical manoeuvres yet, it’s important to have some kind of mobility with your feet.

Sometimes you may misplace your feet on the board, and will need the flexibility to move them to correct your position.

Putting the grip on the tail of the board, and covering the rest of your board with wax, will allow you to easily make these corrections in your foot positions.

You could still make foot corrections with a front grip. It’s not impossible, just considerably more difficult, and it might even slow down how long it takes you to learn to surf if you try to do so.

That is why the vast majority of surfers only put a grip on the tail of the board, and wax the rest of the board. It allows you to have a good grip, while also having the ease of moving your feet if necessary.

If you’re waxing a foam surfboard, you will often have to wax a bigger surface, as beginner surfboards don’t usually have traction pads.

What is the best surf wax?

If you’re looking for the best surf wax out there, we always recommend Sticky Bumps.

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.

When it comes to removing the wax from your surfboard, Sticky Bumps is also fairly easy to remove without too much hassle.

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.

Click here to purchase your Sticky Bumps surf wax!

Final thoughts on why do surfers wax their boards

There you have it, the ultimate guide on why surfers put wax on their surfboards! If you have any questions about surf wax or surfing, just let us know in the comments below!

Surf wax is a crucial element for surfers. If you’re looking for a great gift for a surfer, get them some wax and you know you can’t go wrong!

Unlike things like surf ponchos, surf showers or surf mats, which are more useful accessories but aren’t essential, surf wax is something surfers can’t go without.

Surf wax is what allows you to get the right compromise between extra grip and manoeuvrability, and thus have the smoothest possible movements on your surfboard.

As a general rule, you don’t usually put wax on soft top surfboards (most beginner surfboards are soft boards) as they don’t need better grip (they already have a rougher surface compared to a short board).

That said, even if you’re a beginner surfer and aren’t using hard boards yet, it’s still useful to know about surf waxes.

Regardless of whether you surf in tropical waters or cold temperatures, a good wax job is the most important thing (or amongst them) to help you nail your surfing!

I hope this article answered your question; “Why do surfers put wax on their boards?”

Enjoyed reading what is the purpose of waxing a surfboard? Pin it!