Bodyboarding is a water sport that is growing in popularity all over the world. Often referred to as the cousin of surfing, bodyboarding has the same basic fundamentals—minus standing up on the board. Bodyboarding uses minimal gear and is mainly focused on the bodyboard itself. If you want to learn more about bodyboards and are curious about the use of wax in the sport, then read on!
Do You Use Wax on a Bodyboard?
Bodyboarders do use wax on their bodyboard before they hit the water. It is essential to use wax on your bodyboard because it keeps you from slipping off of it. But there is a specific way on how to wax your bodyboard properly. There are also specific spots on the bodyboard where bodyboarders put their wax for optimal use.
Some bodyboarders even apply the wax directly to their wetsuits and exposed areas in the body like hands instead of applying the wax directly to the board. While this is not a big no-no, it is not also advisable because this way is not as efficient as applying it directly on the board. Aside from that, the wax can ruin your wetsuits easily.
Should I Put Wax on My Bodyboard?
The easy answer is yes, you should definitely apply wax on your bodyboard before you even enter the water. The wax that you will apply on your board will help you stay on your board while in the water. Aside from that, applying the wax on specific regions of the bodyboard will help lessen the likelihood of being wiped out, especially when the waves are particularly big.
But before you apply anything on your board, you should first learn what kind of wax to use, which parts you should apply the wax, and how to apply the wax properly.
What Kind of Wax Is Used for Bodyboards?
There is a specific wax for bodyboards which is basically called, well, bodyboard wax. This type of wax is specially made for the materials that bodyboards are made of, which are polyethylene, polypropylene, or extruded polystyrene.
Waxes are also not a one-size-fits-all type of product. There are some factors that affect the kind of wax you can and should use. These factors include the following:
- Color: Some wax has a clear yellow color, but it is recommended to pick a wax that is white in color.
- The temperature of the water: Water temperature varies depending on your location. This is why waxes are designed to only be used in specific water temperatures. They come in for categories: cold, cool, warm, and tropical. Cold wax should be used in very cold water that is below 14 degrees, while Cool wax should be used in cold water with temperatures ranging from 15 to 19 degrees. Meanwhile, Warm wax should be used in warm or temperate water that is between 20 to 25 degrees, while Tropical wax should be used in tropical waters with temperatures going over 25 degrees.
- Eco-friendly: Parts of your wax inevitably go to the water and are being absorbed by the creatures living in it, so it is essential to use wax that is non-toxic. It would also be good to pick a wax that is made of natural ingredients and 100 percent biodegradable.
Can You Use Surf Wax on a Bodyboard?
If bodyboard specific wax is not available, you can choose to use a regular surf wax considering that it is appropriate to the water temperature, and it will also not hurt if it is environmentally friendly. It is also recommended to pick a surfboard wax that is white in color instead of yellow.
While there may be a difference in the way surf wax behaves on bodyboards, this is very minimal and, most times, not noticeable at all.
Is Bodyboard Wax the Same as Surf Wax?
Bodyboarders and surfers alike claimed that bodyboard wax and surf wax differs in their consistency and the way they behave after having been applied on the board. But this is mostly true for surfers who have experienced using bodyboard wax on their surf boards.
According to these surfers, bodyboard wax can be a little stickier when applied to their surfboards as compared to regular surf wax. They compare the stickiness of the bodyboard wax to that of a base coat that you apply on the board to create bumps.
On the other hand, bodyboarders who have experienced using surf wax on their boards noticed little to almost zero difference. It is advisable, though, that whether you use bodyboard wax or surf wax on your bodyboard that you apply it correctly and in all the right places.
What is the Best Bodyboard Wax?
There are numerous brands in the market that make bodyboard specific wax. Some of the best bodyboard wax are as follows:
- Sticky Bumps Warm/Tropical Bodyboard Wax: This wax is great for water temperatures that are 60 degrees and above, and, as a plus, it comes in many varieties of scents. This bodyboard specific wax from Sticky Bumps uses the Snap and Grab Technology, and it is made with an additive that creates small and sticky bumps on the board when you apply the wax to it. This wax is also very eco-friendly because it is recyclable and biodegradable. It is also very easy to apply.
- Sex Wax Quick Humps: This is wax comes in four temperature options, including Cold, Cool, Warm, and Tropical. It also comes in varying scents, including coconut, pineapple, strawberry, and grape. The Quick Humps has been around since 1972 and is considered to be one of the most popular bodyboard specific wax in the United States of America. The Quick Humps creates a smooth texture when you apply it to your board. Because of that, many also use it as a top coat or a base coat. When applied correctly, the Sex Wax Quick Humps also lasts very long, even when you are conquering big waves.
- BZ Spax Wax Bodyboard Wax: This wax is manufactured by Wham-o and has been in the market since 2011. The BZ Spax Wax Bodyboard Wax applies easily to your bodyboard. When applied correctly, this wax will give you a faster and smoother ride. Not only is BZ Spax Wax Bodyboard Wax used for bodyboards, but it is also highly recommended to be used on skimboards and even surfboards.
Where Can I Buy Bodyboard Wax?
Bodyboard wax are being sold in numerous channels these days. If you live by the beach with a bubbling surfing culture, then you can easily purchase any kind of wax, including bodyboard specific ones, from surf shops. They can also be purchased in sports goods stores that sell mainly gears used in different water activities.
If you live in the city or somewhere far from the beach, it will not be hard for you to purchase a bodyboard wax either since there are many stores that sell them online. Amazon also has a vast array of bodyboard wax that you can choose from.
How Do You Wax a Bodyboard?
It is really easy to mess up in applying wax on your bodyboard, especially if you are a beginner or if you are using the wrong wax. First off, you should know what is the best type of bodyboard wax or surf wax to use depending on the water temperature.
Next are the places where you should apply the wax to. Remember that you should not apply the wax on the entirety of your board, so you should know the specific areas to apply it to, such as the nose and the elbow areas.
You should also know the proper way of applying the wax. Remember to apply it lightly instead of with a lot of force to avoid coating the bodyboard too thickly with the wax.
Where Do You Put Wax on a Bodyboard?
Take note that you should only put the wax in specific places on your bodyboard. These particular places make contact with your hands, chest, elbows, forearms, hips, and lower abs.
First off, make sure that you apply wax on the two corners of the nose because this is where you grip the board with both your hands. Also, apply the wax in the elbow areas, which is located on either side of the board, right below the nose.
You should also put wax along the rail of the board because you also grab this part of the board with your hand. Aside from that, do not forget to put wax on the stomach area of your bodyboard, which should be in contact with your lower abdomen.
Both bodyboard specific wax and surf wax has one job: to keep you on your board no matter how big the waves get. The wax keeps you from slipping off of the board. However, it is not advisable to wax your whole entire board because you would have a hard time adjusting your body and shifting your weight around the board.
How Do You Apply Wax to a Bodyboard?
Once you know the spots on where to apply the wax, you can proceed to actually apply it. Keep in mind that you should only apply the wax lightly and refrain from using a lot of force while you apply it. It is advisable to lightly scrape the board with a few strokes of your wax on the nose, rail, elbow areas, and stomach area.
You should avoid applying it really heavily because you can always add more as you go along. Aside from that, if you do not apply the wax lightly, the wax will be too thick, which will not help you ride your bodyboard better.
How Do You Wax a Bodyboard for the First Time?
When you first get your new bodyboard, it is possible that it still has this glossy film that makes it slippery. This state of slipperiness is what pro bodyboarders advise you to remove before waxing your board for the first time. This step is very easy and very doable, even for beginners.
To do this, you just need to cover the areas in which you will apply the wax with sand and ocean water. Give your new bodyboard board a good rub with wet sand in circular motions. Doing this will give your board more grip and stick.
How Do You Remove Wax From a Bodyboard?
There are several methods on how you can remove the wax from your bodyboard. These are very doable, even for beginners. However, kids would need adult supervision in doing some of it. Try one or any combination of these methods in removing the wax from your bodyboard.
The Hot Water Method:
- You can pour hot water to soften the wax on your bodyboard. The water doesn’t have to be boiling, and it just needs to be hot enough that it can easily melt the layers of wax.
- Wait until the layer of wax is soft enough that you can start scraping it using a wax comb or a wax remover.
- Pro-tip: Consider scraping the wax off of your bodyboard from rail to rail or tail to nose.
The Blow Dryer Method:
- If you think that the hot water method is too risky, you can use a blow dryer instead. You just have to aim it diagonally on your board. Do not aim it too close on just one area. Instead, remember to move it around from one area to another.
- Wait until the layer of wax is soft enough that you can start scraping it using a wax comb or a wax remover.
- Pro-tip: Consider scraping the wax off of your bodyboard from rail to rail or tail to nose.
The Towel Method:
- If you don’t trust yourself with hot water and a hair dryer is not accessible, you can use a towel to help remove the wax from your bodyboard. You just need to use your towel to scrub back and forth the bodyboard until the wax is off.
- The friction created by scrubbing the towel will soften the wax. Once the wax is soft enough, you can just easily wipe it off with a towel.
- You can use a wax comb for those areas with wax that just won’t come off even after you rub the board.
The Hot Sand Method:
- This is probably the easiest way to remove the wax on your board. Simply grab a handful of hot sand, then rub it on the areas on the bodyboard where there is wax.
- The hot sand will loosen up the wax, and you can just, easily, wipe off the wax with a towel.
- If there are stubborn wax patches, you can use a wax comb to scrape off the wax on those areas.
Do I Really Need to Wax a Bodyboard?
Yes, you really need to wax your bodyboard, especially if you are a beginner and you don’t want to slide off of it when a big wave comes. The wax keeps you on the board and reduces the likelihood of wipeouts. It also helps you to keep your grip on the edges of the board.
While there are those who say that you do not feel the need to wax their board, it is especially beneficial for beginners to learn how to properly wax their boards. Wax will help them learn faster and better since it will be easier for them to stay on the board, and they will not constantly be slipping.
