Getting a custom SUP from Deep in a few weeks, wondering what you guys thoughts are on deck pads vs wax on a SUP.
I've only been using SUPs with deck pads so far (wax on surfboards obviously).
Are they better for compression, board durability, etc...
Any advise would be appreciated.
Cheers!
Yesterday I spent quite a bit of time reading through the Minion thread and most people seemed to conclude that the deck pad was the best option:
1. Less likelihood of creating depressions from your feet or knees
2. Getting wax on your paddle if you prone paddle out through waves
3. Getting wax on your hairy arms when carrying the board
4. Minor hassle of re-waxing
I will be getting a deck pad for those reasons and because I don't miss having to wax the board (when you really need wax I could never find wax) and to save my knees (when you are forced to jump on your knees for a faster paddle out of the line-up) and save my chest (it is more comfortable on a deck pad than the hard waxed surface for prone paddling).
The pad adds weight, but my vote goes with adding a pad.
A few of the crew down here have switched back to grip on their new toys including me. However I haven't bothered peeling the wax off the ones I had already waxed so the difference is not huge. I prefer grip tho.
I like grip pad from tail block to standup feet position and i wax to the nose or MonsterPaint instead of wax.
wax is cheaper, lighter, smells better, and you can prone it without a wetsuit.
That's it.
Thus... I have been using only full pads on my prone surfboards (long and short) once I discovered them years ago anyways, so I cannot think of going back to wax, especially on SUPs :-)
However for some reason liked to wax my paddle shaft. I guess to get back my "fix" of wax smell in the morning... I often waxed a small spot of my surfbards under my nose in paddling position just for this... Paddling out without the scent is just not the same :-)
That's true - I do miss that smell... (But I don't miss picking it out of my hairy bits.)
This recent article covers it - although it does fail to mention about the wax fetishists among us! Apart from that, there is also the purist aspect of waxing a board...
www.mensjournal.com/
Cheers guys!
Looks like I might go with wax fisrt, I found to get the surfboard feel and see how I go. This board will be dedicated to surfing only.
Can always scrape the wax to fit a pad later on if needed!
Select to expand quotebzhpunishers said..
Cheers guys!
Looks like I might go with wax fisrt, I found to get the surfboard feel and see how I go. This board will be dedicated to surfing only.
Can always scrape the wax to fit a pad later on if needed!
Be careful, no wax is quite hard for the board deck. Not an issue for the pros and their disposable boards, but if your board is not extra strong underfoot around the handle (PVC sandwich), it wont last long...
Pay special attention if you have a stringer or a handle, cracks can develop easily in the glassing there along these "foreign bodies"
On the other hand, pads may mask these cracks before it is too late?
Just 2 small waxed thin & stiff pads for board protection + the tailpad may be a good compromise, after some time you should be able to know where to place them from the wax wear or the feett depressions.
I reckon deck grip is superior to wax as its always there, no waxing, buying wax, melting wax, ruining the wetties, its gets slippery, is a lot of work to maintain perfectly etc
Been using deck grip on my shortboards for over 20 years as well, would never go back to wax, I am always first out amongst the crew as well so that extra first choice of the best wave works for me
Sure grips is superior to wax except for tail pad until you start paddling proned longer time than it"s used to be on present over buoyancy SUPs.
Wax will make a come back to avoid rashes like those guys on Colas's picture up here.
