How to Wax a New Surfboard

A new surfboard is a thing of visceral beauty. Sleek, light and narrow, surfboards employ a combination of grace and aggression to conquer the ocean's waves. The ability to ride a surfboard begins with traction, and traction is provided by a type of wax made specially for application on surfboards. Without wax, and its proper application, your surfboard is little more than a good-looking rocket with an impossibly slippery deck.

Things You'll Need

  • Hard surfboard wax
  • Temperature-specific surfboard wax
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Instructions

    • 1

      Purchase two bars of surfboard wax. Look for one bar that is suitable to the temperature of the water in which you'll be surfing -- temperature information is generally printed on the packaging. Look for a second bar that has a harder composition than the first. The harder wax will serve as a base coat for the temperature-specific wax.

    • 2

      Set the surfboard deck-side up on your lap or some other gentle but firm surface.

    • 3

      Rub the harder composition wax over the deck of the surfboard, working in 3- to 6-inch circles. Cover all areas where you place your feet. Also, wax the top side of the "rail" -- the portion of the board where you place your hands when pushing yourself into a standing position.

    • 4

      Rub the wax up and down and then in a cross-hatch pattern across the first application of wax. This adds texture and grip to the base coat. Look for bumps forming on the wax. These bumps will help provide the traction for your feet and hands.

    • 5

      Apply the second, temperature-specific, wax to your base coat. Use strokes similar to those employed in forming the base coat. Because this wax will be softer, less force is required to apply the wax to the surfboard.