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Should you wax your rails?

Author

Daniel Moore

Published Jan 09, 2026

Wax should be applied to within 1-2 inches of the rails (side of the board), and should not be applied to the rails, or bottom of the board.

Should you wax surfboard rails?

Applying a base coat of surfboard wax ensures you'll get a primary anti-slippery layer that will last longer than the top basic coat. Some surfers also apply wax on the surfboard rails for extreme duck-diving and late take-offs. Wax should be applied in the working foot zones of the surfboard.

Do boogie boards need to be waxed?

Normally, wax is needed in the areas where your hands grab the board, along the rails, in your chest, lower abdominal area, elbows, arms, and hips. Waxing your bodyboard in these zones will reduce the chances of wipeouts in bigger barreling wave conditions.

Do I need to wax surfboard every time?

But how often you should wax your board? You can and often should top up your board every time you surf. But, depending on the temperature of the water you surf in, you should fully clean and re-wax your board every 2-3 months, or 4-6 times per year. Adding wax to your surfboard provides grip.

Should you wax a Foamie?

Foamies. You shouldn't need to wax a soft board, especially if they are new. I'd recommend using it first without wax and seeing how you get on, as most foamies have some sort of grip to them, and wearing boots can be enough of a help.

37 related questions found

What wax do pro surfers use?

Pro surfers rave about Fu Wax's incredible traction. Unlike other waxes, this one only gets better as you surf. Fu Wax comes in cold, cool, warm, tropical, and Cool Water of Summer options, meaning that you have the perfect wax available—no matter when or where you choose to go surfing!

Do soft tops need wax?

So even though you don't strictly have to wax a soft top surfboard, we definitely recommend that you should. A quick coat of wax on the top of the deck will go a long way towards giving you the traction you need to effectively surf.

Should I remove old wax from surfboard?

And when the base coat on your board is compromised, or when the two layers mix with dirt in the water, they no longer work as effectively as they were designed to do. This is why it is important to remove wax regularly. With a fresh set of wax, you will have more grip than without it or with old-used wax.

How long does surf wax last?

Depending on how often you surf, you should be stripping and applying a fresh coat of wax every eight to twelve weeks, or between four and six times a year. The frequent reapplication of wax before surfing, the sand and dirt that sticks in the wax, all need to be cleared every so often.

How often should I Dewax my board?

How often you wax your surfboard will depend on whether you have OCD or not, but in general, de-waxing with the changing of the seasons (4 times per year), or every time you go on a surf trip should do. It's also worth thinking whether a quick rub with a wax comb will be preferential to adding yet more wax.

What wax do you use on a body board?

Bodyboard Wax: The Offer

If you can't find specific bodyboard wax near you, get a regular block of surf wax that is tacky enough to hold the movement of your forearms and hands.

How do you get bumps on your surfboard?

Go all the way from the tail pad to 3/4 of the way up the board. Repeat in the opposite direction to create a cross hatch effect. Repeat on the other side of the board. Slowly start building up the bumps using a circular motion.

What happens if you dont wax a surfboard?

Can you surf without wax? You can but it is extremely difficult to surf on an unwaxed surfboard. Surfboard wax gives you the grip and traction you need and prevents you from sliding off the board when paddling. Slipping off a surfboard is no fun.

Why do surfboards need to be waxed?

Surfboard wax provides grip and traction for your feet on your surfboard. Surf wax also stops you from sliding off your board while paddling out to the waves. It is about essential to successful surfing as a surfboard and a decent wave.

How much wax should I put on my surfboard?

You'll want to use about twice as much wax on the top coat as you did with the base coat. Once your board is good and covered, you're officially out of excuses to not be surfing. So get out there!

Why do surfers wear wetsuits?

Surfers wear wetsuits to keep them warm. Wetsuits have insulating neoprene foam that keeps the surfer warm and allows them to surf for longer periods in cold water. Wetsuits aren't required for surfing and they aren't performance enhancing, they actually make paddling harder.

Why is my surfboard slippery?

If the water is too warm, it will melt off. If the water is too cold, the wax will freeze making the surface very slippery. Choosing the right temperature surf wax will ensure that your surfboard stays under your feet. Choosing the right surf wax depends on the water temperature where you will be surfing.

How often should you scrape wax off surfboard?

So how often should you take off wax from your surfboard? You should take off wax from your surfboard at least 4 times a year. Though this depends on your personal preference, how dirty your board is getting and how often you surf.

Can you put a traction pad on a soft top surfboard?

Traction pads do not stick to soft-top or soft-foam surfboards so they cannot be used with these kinds of learner surfboard. If you have one of these, simply make sure you keep waxing your board every time before you surf instead, although the rest of this article may be helpful for future reference.

Do Wavestorm boards need wax?

The Wavestorm comes with three fins and a leash, all of which are easily attached. The deck is plenty grippy without wax, which is perfect for hot days at the beach.

Are Sticky Bumps toxic?

One of the more established brands, Sticky Bumps, says that their surfing wax generates most of their company's profit and revenues. It's such a small product but it also happens to be an important arsenal in a surfer's toolbox. Unfortunately, though, there is a toxic side to surfboard wax.

What does fu wax smell like?

The first thing I noticed was that Fu Wax is expensive. Like twice the cost of any other wax and it smells like car detailing wax.