How To Choose Surf Wax

Waxing a board is part of surfing ritual. Could even be a transcendent experience to some, depending on how seriously you take the pre-surf set-up.

Which poses the question – how do you wax your board? Start with base coat, then a top coat? Skip the base? Cross-hatch or circles? A mix of both? Do you suffer with the placebo effect that if you don't wax your board before every surf session, you're going to slip?

Either way, like most things in surfing, there's not a one-size fits all approach here. You do what's right for you and what keeps your feet glued to foam. There's also the question about what type of wax to choose – do eco-waxes perform as well as petrochemical waxes? Should you just rip'n'stick a deck pad on there? Or just go with whatever the local surf joint's selling?

Whatever your routine is, you need to know what surf wax to use, and when. Traveling abroad, you're going to want to strip it of any old wax and reapply depending on the water temperature. Here's how to choose your surf wax.

Base Coat

The foundation to wax your board. Always start with a base coat, no matter what the water temperature is. Base coat is harder wax that melts in higher temperatures, meaning it's going to remain on your board under blistering sun in, say, Indonesia, for example. You want to make a cross-hatch base on your board, going at a slight diagonal from the stringer. Repeat this method two-to-three times until it looks like a grid on your board. Sex Wax's circular block is great for this, as you can use the rounded edge to apply pressure and draw straight lines. Sticky Bumps' blocked edge works great too. Either way, hold the wax upright and apply using those edges.

Cold or Cool Water (below 55F-68F)

This wax should be applied on top of your base coat. Depending on what type of wax you have, there's different preferred methods for applying. With Sex Wax, you can place the block flat and move in slow, measured circular motions, a bit of pressure, until bumps start to form on top of the board. The other method is to use the wax upright, on the edge, and go to town like you're scrubbing a wet dog. One's built for good wax application, the other's for speed – so go with whatever mood you're in. Sticky Bumps is the same, though not as good a grip on those rectangular blocks when applying it flat.

Cold water wax is softer than cool water wax – the warmer the water is, the harder the wax will be to prevent is melting in the sun. But, small hint for my cold water friends, in more than two and a half decades freezing across surf zones in the northern hemisphere, it is rare I'd personally choose a cool water wax, even when the water temperature reaches 60 degrees plus. This is because, cold water wax goes on easier (obviously) so if you're in cooler waters – cut out the middle man, and time spent scraping down boards, and stick to cold water wax.

Which is also an important side note; the temperature recommendations on blocks of wax are about the water temperature as opposed to the air temperature. So keep this in mind if you're surfing somewhere with water in the 64F mark and air is 77F, like southern Portugal towards the end of winter. If you're hiking a while to a surf spot, keep your board in a bag, otherwise that's going to be a gloopy mess by the time you reach the ocean.

Warm or Tropical (68 – 78F plus)

This may sound like a simple call-out, but I've seen this happen before with somewhat experienced surfers; you don't build wax up in layers through the different types. Just base coat, then your top coat of one temperature. Whether that's base then cold, base then cool, or base then warm and so on – you do not need to go base, cold, warm. Please.

Warm water is a step up in hardness than cool water, suited for water temperatures from 68-78F. You apply warm water wax in the exact same way you do cool or cold, you might just have to give it more pressure to get it on there. Tropical wax is harder again, and suited for water temperatures that go above 78F. If you are traveling to warmer waters, it's best to just strip all your wax off and start again. You don't really want old wax ruining your session. Just get it done before you go, or at least strip the old stuff off and apply a base coast, then do your top coat as you land. If you arrive, it's cranking and you're watching the backs of your buddies' heads as they skip to shore because you didn't prep your board, that's not an enviable position.

Reapplication

Your mileage may vary here – but you don't want to be slipping all over the place while surfing. Some religiously, and meticulously, reapply before every session. This will prevent any slippage. Or, reapply once every few sessions. If you're really into maintaining a good wax job, use a wax comb, and scrape the wax in a cross-hatch before applying another layer. That way, your new layer of wax won't just slide off the board and will grip your stick better.

When to Remove?

Does your board now resemble a rolled-out carpet of wax? Strip it. Applying too much wax over time will flatten those bumps and your weight on the board will compound them into some waxy abomination. Use the edge of a wax comb to scrape the wax off, or an old credit card. Then use white spirit and a micro-fibre cloth to get the excess off. Dry your board and there you go, you're ready to get some fresh wax on there.

What Type of Wax Should I Use?

There has been so much advancement in wax recently, including the experimentation of petrochemical-alternative, which are less harmful to the planet. The rule of thumb has always been that these planet-friendly alternatives do not perform as well, and that's been true in the past. Wax made from bees wax has been difficult to use in the past, and often applies in a yellow smear, is slippery and not as functional as other alternatives. You can use it, it just means going over and beyond on application. These days, there are great alternatives eco-waxes out there including the likes of Matunas, which is all natural and organic, biodegradable and non-toxic, same as Radical Wax. Eco-waxes can now perform as well as their chemical cousins. Best bet is to try everything out and figure out what works for you and your wallet.