Having the right preparation is fundamental to a successful day surfing. Ensuring that your gear is ready for the conditions you will face is the difference between a good and bad session.
Applying wax to your board is one of the most influential factors in surfing, and if you are a beginner you may wonder if it is important. The answer is a definite yes, but there are exceptions. Knowing if you need wax depends on the type of board you have. Our Softop Hybrids have Fingerprint Foam material that eliminates wax, so you can take them out of the box and go straight to the beach. The 6' or 8' Guppy lies in the middle, where wax isn't necessary but can be applied if the board feels too slippery. To determine if you need wax, try the board out and if you are having difficulty getting up on it, add some wax.
Waxing your board is easy, you just need wax and basecoat. Cover the board in parallel lines that point towards the nose and overlap. Then, apply the surf wax to create bumps on the top which will give you grip. If you can move your hand with resistance, you have done a good job. There are various wax brands available, and which one you use is based on where you are surfing. Here in Southern California we need cold water wax year-round, but it differs in tropical climates. My personal favorites are Sticky Bumps, Mr Zoggs, and Sister Betsy’s Surf Wax.
If you aren't sure which one to use, don't hesitate to ask us or your local surf shop for help. Also, don't forget to visit us online southbayboardco.com or in our warehouse at 12752 Monarch St Garden Grove, CA 92841. Hope to see you out there on the water!