Thursday, April 13, 2017

Refresh Your Memory: Basic Tips for Surfboard Care

With the seasons changing, now's a good time to brush up on basic care for your surfboard. Whether your board is new or used, proper maintenance and handling with prolong its life and performance. Follow these quick tips for taking care of your board.

Beware of sun, sand and salt
We know, we know: that's basically what a surfboard was made to be around, right? Right, but you should be aware of how much the board faces when you're not actually out on the waves. When taking a break from the water, lay your board wax-side down on the beach to keep the wax from melting and trapping sand. You can then cover it with a towel or store it in the shade of your car to limit its exposure to the sun. Sun damage tends to turn white foam into a dull yellow color. When your session's over, make sure to rinse the board with freshwater. Saltwater is corrosive and can deteriorate the resin. 

Clean, store and transport your board properly
It's also a good idea to remove all the wax once in a while and put fresh wax on. You can do this once a month, or at least every season. Check that the bottom of the board is free of wax and dirt too.
Storage-wise, avoid keeping your board in very hot or cold climates. Under extreme temperature changes, your board will expand and contract, causing delamination. 
Board bags are one of the most useful accessories for a surfer. They protect against dings during transportation and keep your board safe from the elements.  

Repair dings ASAP
Dings are common and inevitable, but luckily minor dings can be fixed with solar resin. Before patching up your board, rinse it with freshwater and let it dry thoroughly. You can pick up resin at any surf shop, and it's fairly easy to use. Here's step-by-step advice for using resin to fix a simple ding. To avoid dings, use a leash and avoid riding the surf all the way into the beach, which can damage your fins. 

Remember that taking good care of your board will allow you to use it longer and with better results. For more tips on board care, get in touch with us.

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