HOW TO TAKE CARE OF YOUR SURFBOARD
TIPS FOR A LONG AND HAPPY LIFE
As surfers, we all know how important our surfboards are to us. We all want to have a long and happy surf life and that is why we need to take proper care of our surfboards! If you are a beginner surfer catching your first whitewater waves on a soft top, or an intermediate who is dropping board sizes, or you’re an experienced surfer chasing barrels, your surfboard is the most important weapon to ride the waves—obviously!
To keep your board in top shape to surf Sri Lanka’s best waves, we’ll provide you with the most practical advice on how to prevent dings and cracks!
1. Use a boardbag
A surfboard bag is a must-have for all surfers, it will protect your board from dings, cracks, scratches, and UV rays, whether your board is in storage or being transported to your favourite surf destination.
Surf Life Hack: Your board bag can double as luggage if you fill it with clothes, fins, and more! Use a surfboard sox to cover your board on the way to the beach. It’s a priceless tool for avoiding dings and keeps your board looking brand new by shielding it from sunlight.
2. Avoid leaving your board in the sun
Us surfers love the sun, but our surfboards prefer the shade. Surfboard materials can become damaged from prolonged sun exposure, especially the foam core, which can weaken and become yellow over time. You may need to re-wax your board if the wax melts too much, which may be quite inconvenient and time-consuming, particularly if you were meant to simply jump into the water. Try to make every effort to keep your board out of direct sunlight and heated cars and vans.
Are you warming up before jumping in Sri Lanka’s epic waves? Here’s another tip: lay your surfboard deck down, fins facing upwards during a wave check.
3. Always wash your board
After your morning surf at your chosen surf spot in Hiriketiya or Weligama it is important to rinse your board with freshwater, to remove the sand and the salty water after your surfing session. Over time the salt and sand can deteriorate the materials and compromise your board’s durability. After your session, always give your surfboard a rinse.
In order to keep your board in top shape, our camps in Hiriketiya and Weligama offer outdoor showers. Store your board in a surf rack after drying it with a towel for added maintenance.
4. Rewax your board regularly
If you do not rewax your board regularly it is normal for old wax to build up over time, making your surfboard dirty and heavy, which can negatively affect your grip, weight, and balance. Using a wax comb to remove old wax from your board leaves it clean for the best grip.
Old wax is a problem. It adds weight to the surfboard and loses tackiness, becoming useless. In theory, surf wax should be replaced to maintain a fresh, tacky grip. The slightly adhesive feel that you need to avoid unnecessary slippery wipeouts can only be fully guaranteed if you constantly remove old wax and apply new wax.
When rewaxing, it’s important to apply both a base coat and a top coat. If the base coat is damaged, or if the two layers mix with dirt in the water, your surfboard may become slippery. For this reason, it’s critical to routinely remove wax. You will have better grip with a new set of wax than with old or no wax at all.
The majority of surf wax producers create tropical, warm, cool, and cold water waxes. Choose your wax based on the temperature of your water. Check out this video and learn how to properly remove wax from your surfboard!
5. Check for dings
Before and after surfing, look for any cracks or dings on your board. Over time, minor damage can worsen, eventually allowing water to enter your board. Fix any dings as soon as possible!
Fast Fix:
- Be prepped with a ding repair kit.
- Sand the damaged area and remove wax.
- Use masking tape around the ding to avoid extra sanding.
- Fill small dings with resin; for bigger ones, use resin, Q-Cell, and fiberglass. Let it cure and add a glossy finish if desired.
- Before surfing again, give it 24 to 48 hours to cure.
While most dings are minor, others can require expert repair. Using our Kima Premium Surfboard Collection? Take our board insurance so that every damage will be repaired professionally and we cover all costs – doesn’t matter if it’s a tiny dent or a major break. Book the insurance for 5 days, and your board is covered over a period of 21 days.
Take great care of your surfboard and catch many waves in Sri Lanka. Our camps in Weligama and Hiriketiya have all the tools and amenities for your surfboard to enjoy a long, happy surf life!