Surf wax and paraffin

The essential grip for your board.Surf wax for all water temperatures and board types.

Surf Wax and Board Wax

Surf wax is the smallest accessory with the greatest direct impact on your performance. Choosing the right wax according to water temperature makes all the difference in every session. At Flysurf, you'll find Deflow surf wax for cold, cool, warm, and tropical water, with an application guide included.

Choose your wax according to water temperature

The key to choosing correctly is knowing the sea temperature where you usually surf:

  • Cold water (less than 15°C)→cold water surf wax, a soft formula for grip in the cold waters of northern Spain, Galicia, or Portugal in winter
  • Cool water (15-20°C)→ the most common waxon the Iberian Peninsula in spring and autumn
  • Warm water (20-25°C)→wax for summerin the Mediterranean or Canary Islands
  • Tropical water (more than 25°C)→ tropical surf wax,a hard formula so it doesn't melt in the heat

If you don't know the exact water temperature where you surf, a quick rule: in mainland Spain, cold water from October to April and warm from May to September. In the Canary Islands, warm all year round.

What is base coat and why do you need it

Base coat is the first layer of wax you apply to a new or freshly cleaned board. It goes under the temperature wax. Its function is to create a rough base that makes the top wax grip much better and last more sessions. If you skip the base coat, the colored wax slips or peels off sooner. It's not optional if you want your waxing to last.

How to apply wax to your board

  1. Clean the board- if there are old wax residues, use a wax remover or surf wax remover and a wax comb to remove them before re-waxing
  2. Apply the base coat- in circles or diagonally, covering the entire area where you place your feet
  3. Apply the temperature wax- over the base coat, with cross movements until bumps (the small mounds that provide grip) are formed
  4. Check before each session -if the surface is smooth, give it a quick pass with the wax to reactivate the grip

Wax vs grip: which is better?

It depends on the type of board and the surfer. Wax covers the entire foot area, is inexpensive, and can be easily renewed. Grip or traction pad is an adhesive EVA piece that is fixed to the back of the board, more durable, more consistent in wet conditions, but there's no turning back once it's stuck. Many surfers use grip on the tail and wax on the rest of the board. If you have a softboard, wax is the usual option; grips are mainly designed for fiberglass boards.

Frequently asked questions about surf wax

What surf wax do I need according to water temperature?

Cold water (less than 15°C) → soft wax for cold water. Cool water (15-20°C) → medium temperature wax. Warm or tropical water (more than 20°C) → hard wax. If you use a wax that is too hard in cold water, it won't form bumps and won't grip. If you use a soft wax in hot water, it will melt and become sticky.

What is base coat and what is it for in surfing?

Base coat is the first layer of wax applied to a clean board, before the temperature wax. It creates a rough base that improves the adhesion of subsequent layers and extends the life of the waxing. It is essential for new or freshly cleaned boards with wax remover.

How is wax applied to a new surfboard?

First, apply the base coat in circles or diagonally, covering the entire foot area. Then apply the temperature wax on top with cross movements until the grip bumps are formed. A new board takes 2-3 sessions for the waxing to be perfectly settled.

When should you change the wax on your surfboard?

When the surface is completely smooth and no longer forms bumps even if you rub wax over it, or when the wax is very dirty and dark. To renew it: scrape off all the old wax with a wax comb or surf wax remover, clean the surface well, and start over from the base coat.

Frequently asked questions

¿Qué parafina de surf necesito según la temperatura del agua?

Agua fría (menos de 15°C) → cera blanda para agua fría. Agua templada (15-20°C) → cera de temperatura media. Agua cálida o tropical (más de 20°C) → cera dura. Una cera demasiado dura en agua fría no formará bumps; una cera blanda en agua caliente se derretirá.

¿Qué es el base coat y para qué sirve en surf?

El base coat es la primera capa de parafina que se aplica sobre una tabla limpia, antes de la cera de temperatura. Crea una base rugosa que mejora la adherencia de las capas siguientes y prolonga la duración del encerado. Es imprescindible en tablas nuevas o recién limpiadas.

¿Cómo se aplica la parafina en una tabla de surf nueva?

Primero aplica el base coat en círculos o en diagonal cubriendo toda la zona de pies. Después aplica la cera de temperatura encima con movimientos cruzados hasta formar los bumps de agarre. Una tabla nueva tarda 2-3 sesiones en tener el encerado perfectamente asentado.

¿Cuándo hay que cambiar la cera de la tabla de surf?

Cuando la superficie está completamente lisa y ya no forma bumps, o cuando la cera está muy sucia. Para renovarla: rasca toda la cera vieja con un peine o quitacera surf, limpia la superficie y vuelve a empezar desde el base coat.