PARAFFIN AND TEMPERATURE
The choice and the correct application of paraffin on the table are fundamental elements for a good surfing, yet it is not always given the right attention. Paraffin is what ensures adherence to the table and avoids ugly wipeout. Choosing the correct paraffin based on temperature and your needs is essential for good surfing.
The first element to take into consideration when choosing paraffin for surfing is water temperature. The colder the water the softer the wax will be, on the other hand the warmer the water the harder it will have to be. Normally the waxes on the market indicate the hardness and temperature range in which they can be used.
Here is an example of the classification of quick hump paraffins from SexWax, one of the most popular brands:
Extreme soft: water from very cold to cold (less than 14 °)
Extra Soft: cold to fresh water (from 9 ° to 20 °)
Soft: water from fresh to warm (from 14 ° to 23 °)
Firm: water from warm to warm (from 18 ° to 26 °)
Hard: warm to medium tropical (from 21 ° to 29 °)
Extra Hard: tropical water (over 26 °)
THE BASE
The first step, on a new or perfectly clean table, is to spread the BASE . Of course it is also possible to proceed without stretching the base, using the surface paraffin directly but the result will certainly be worse and will not last long.
On the market there are both specific paraffins to be used as a base and paraffins suitable to be used both as a top coat in hot water and as a base. What matters when choosing a base is that it must be sufficiently hard to ensure it is kept to the current water temperature. The advantage of laying a base is to get more grip as the harder formula of the base is more durable under the feet and holds the softer wax of the top coat preventing flaking in the most stressed points.
In this way, after a session, the base is unchanged and so at the next session it may be sufficient to add only a little wax on the surface, where needed.
The harder the wax chosen for the base, the better and more durable the result will be, although the drafting will certainly require a little more effort.
Once the base has been laid, the surface wax will then be spread, bearing in mind that it must be softer than the one used for the base. On a good base you can apply a much softer and therefore adherent wax than any other formula that can be used without the base.
But let's get to how wax is applied on our surfboard.
1- CLEAN THE TABLE The first point is to make sure that the table is perfectly clean. If the board is not new, before applying paraffin you will need to assess whether the base already present is in good condition, or if it is necessary to replace it. If you decide to remove the old base leave the table in the sun until the wax is softened, then proceed to remove it with a plastic spatula. Once the wax has been removed, clean the table with the special paraffin remover (corn oil may also be good, but less aggressive solvents such as white spirit or alcohol are recommended).
2 - CHECK THE TEMPERATURE Carefully choose your wax based on the water temperature. Have the foresight to spread the paraffin in the cool because it is useless to spread it on the beach at midday in full sun.
3 - SPREAD THE BASEStart by stretching the base. Grab your stick of wax and, using the edge, begin to spread it by applying light pressure, without hurry, to cover the entire surface of action. The surface to be covered naturally varies according to the type of table (see photo). As for the technique, there are various schools of thought. There are those who use circular movements, those who proceed according to horizontal and vertical lines with respect to the table, those who are diagonal. We recommend one of the last two. Then proceed in parallel to spread your paraffin. First the short side of the board, at least a couple of steps, then the long side, and repeat this pattern until you get the desired result. The paraffin will have to be wrinkled and will have to completely cover the whole area.
4. SPREAD THE TOP COAT at this point we can proceed to spread the paraffin over the base. The way to proceed is the same but we will make less effort being softer ... the softer the more the water temperature will be low. Once spread over the entire surface it is important to brush the wax by passing the paraffin comb according to a grid of diagonal lines. At this point you are ready to enter the water.
TIPS
- To prolong the life of your wax, be very careful not to overheat it leaving it for example in the sun or in the car. Always use the special thermal bag to store the table when you come out of the water.
- Apply a new layer of TOP COAT every time you surf.
- Apply the base again, after cleaning the table from the old base, about every 3 months, or as needed.
THE PARAFFIN FOR THE KITESURF : If you use the wax on your kite surf you have to consider that the temperature of use reported on the paraffins normally regards the use for surfing. Using paraffin for kitesurfing it is advisable to use a slightly harder paraffin than the one indicated because the feet (generally warmer than water), during a kitesurf session, remain in contact with paraffin for much longer than during a surf session.
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Pubblicato il 01 settembre 2015 | Blog > Technique: SURF