Surfing Waves

Anyone tried those clear pads/sticker things that replace wax on a longboard?

My opinion is that they're more of a Kook Stamp.


Looks especially strange on a soft board.

Yes I have tried two types, one is by Versa that is pads to a template pre cut for the board, fish short or long board type, rates a hmmm!
often has to be cut a little to fit the shape more adequately, grip Ok after first few surfs, slightly abrasive on wetsuits !
Prefer it o wax in tropical surf . You need to ensure it is properly applied like traction pads or surfing will start to lift the edges, application can give big bubbles under the grip, small bubbles can delaminate the grip!
My preferred grip comes in hexagons, there are a number of brands, the best comes with a spacing guide for where they meet looks better that way than, just sticking them ! Application needs to be well done on a very clean board, looks good on timber style boards works very well but again needs a little breaking in.

Round pattern and coloured pattern ( particularly ) looks like you might be a fan of playing twister!

jaffa1949 wrote:My preferred grip comes in hexagons,

This person took his time making it really nice.

One thing the grip of any shape is not recommended for is doing bare chested centipedes!

I guess I'm gonna put them on my 5'10" fish and leave my longboards alone...

zalle wrote:I guess I'm gonna put them on my 5'10" fish and leave my longboards alone...

I think long boarders will be more "accepting" and not look down as much on those, as much as short boarders will.

Question: What's wrong with just using wax ?

Nothing, different coats for different folks!

waikikikichan wrote:

zalle wrote:I guess I'm gonna put them on my 5'10" fish and leave my longboards alone...

I think long boarders will be more "accepting" and not look down as much on those, as much as short boarders will.

Question: What's wrong with just using wax ?

I really don't care what others may think.
The benefits of something like this instead of wax is the melting factor AND the weight factor.
I leave boards in my car often, and it's sunny where I live.
I use my 5'10" fish (it's not really a shortboard, I'd say shortboarders look down a bit towards this kind of retro shaped boards anyway) in the summer, and not often, so I may just slap some of those kook stamps and forget about it.
The board will always be clean, the cover will always be clean, and I won't have to worry about it.

For example, due to my wax lazyness, I often surf with booties just for grip.

I would use them in all my boards if it worked, but it's expensive as well for longboards (and I own 4).

Never tried these substitutes. However, I do have an re: “what’s wrong with wax”.
It’s messy. I got used to dirty wetsuits. But it’s even worse on boardshorts. After a couple of sessions, I can’t use them for swimming on a sailing boat or similar gatherings. The rear is all dirty with wax and whatever stuck to it.

I got like 6 board shorts and had to dedicate four of exclusively for surfing which does not make that much sense as I surf wetsuit free only two months per year. At most. Sometimes even a couple of times per year

OlegLupusov wrote:Never tried these substitutes. However, I do have an re: “what’s wrong with wax”.
It’s messy. I got used to dirty wetsuits. But it’s even worse on boardshorts. After a couple of sessions, I can’t use them for swimming on a sailing boat or similar gatherings. The rear is all dirty with wax and whatever stuck to it.

I got like 6 board shorts and had to dedicate four of exclusively for surfing which does not make that much sense as I surf wetsuit free only two months per year. At most. Sometimes even a couple of times per year

I have a tip for you: use tropical water wax. It won't stick too much to your shorts. Not perfect, but better.

In LA, the ocean water is too cold for tropical but still okay for boardshort. There is some overlap but it is hard to catch. For instance, now I can still surf in my boardshorts for some brief sessions (30-60 mins) but the traction is noticeably inferior.

Btw, I remember people saying that that they re-wax their boards on weekly (if not daily) basis. I used to do that as well. But recently after degrading into a week end warrior, I realized that I removed the wax from my board more than a year ago. And, it is totally fine now. It does look a bit dirty but still okay function wise. My board is an epoxy Torq. So, looking for cracks and sucking the board not necessary.

Interesting thread here.
Last board I got come with it (for reference it's a 8'', they do performance foamies of shorter size) as they offer it on all they boards.

Hex pads, comes with a template so spacing is neat, they offer some pattern examples and if you take the time lt ends with a nice look. (in my opinion of course)

Now does it work, yes and no. For the feet and boots yes, don't recall once where my feet as slipped and sometimes my popup is super messy. (id' rather it would slip and me falling, rather than me going down with the waves completely twisted or with one leg waving in the wind )
Now with the suit is a different story, really slippery, I kept sliding off or having a really hard time to keep stable.
Also the pattern leaves some gaps near the rails, when I need to grab firmly the board for a turtle roll or go back on top a hand would slip.

In the end I had to add a bit of wax along eh sides and in between the hex pads, fun fact while talking with someone from the brand they told me they do the same.
Their goal is to avoid wax in the ocean but in the end it is not a replacement at 100%