Surf Wax

Surf wax, also known as surfboard wax, is applied on the surfboard’s deck, bodyboard or skimboard to increase the friction and prevent the surfer from slipping off the board. The surf wax is made from the combination of either natural or synthetic wax or both materials together and is useful to provide resistance while paddling out or riding a wave. It’s a mixed compound formed with paraffin, beeswax along with petroleum jelly to make the wax mixture a little softer.

The wax also contains a light aroma of various exotic scents such as coconut and bubblegum. Some of the common organic compounds used in wax manufacturing are beeswax, vegetable oils (coconut or hemp oil), pine resin, pulps from the tree and natural essential oils. The wax also aids in maintaining the surfer’s grip on the paddle of any surf kayak or dragon boat.

The large chunks of wax are generally removed with the aid of plastic scraper, and the residual wax is removed by a soft cloth or sometimes with the help of coconut oil. Wax comb is also another popular tool used to remove the wax from the surfboard.

The famous surf wax brands include Mr. Zog’s sexwax, sticky bumps surfboard wax, Matuna’s surf wax, Surf organic, Double barrel surf wax and many more.

Types of Surfboard Wax

• Traditional Wax - It’s the most popular wax used to apply both basecoats and topcoats that makes the board sticky enough to maintain traction throughout.
• Sticky Wax - It provides better balance and even coverage to the board while it strikes over any wave. The sticky wax is only applied to a specific region, especially the foot area or else it creates a highly sticky layer to ride-upon.

Wax Temperatures

• Tropical wax - It’s ideal for surfing at 75 degrees or higher. The tropical wax is harder and ideal to resist hotter temperatures and don’t tend to melt away in high temperature or under direct sunlight quickly.  
• Warm-water wax - This wax is ideal to be used in warm water temperatures ranging between 58 to 75 degrees. It is not as resistant as compared to the tropical wax.
• Cool surf wax - The cool surf wax is ideal to be used in water with temperature ranging between 58 to 68 degrees. It offers better grip and friction in cooler temperature but loses the traction as the temperature rises.
• Cold-water wax - The wax is ideal for surfing at temperature 60 degrees and below. The wax provides maximum grip even when the temperature drops down but is not able to withstand higher temperatures.