You know the ritual... a bar of wax, owned or borrowed, a few minutes of rubbing it on the board, and you’re good to go. But as the world becomes more conscious of environmental impact, health concerns, and innovation in sports gear, the demand for alternatives to traditional surf wax is growing rapidly. Here's why you should consider to move to an alternative:

Traditional surf wax is often made with paraffin, a byproduct of petroleum. While it may not seem like a big deal to wax your board before each session, when you multiply that habit across millions of surfers worldwide, it adds up. Over time, wax flakes and particles can wash off into the ocean, potentially harming marine ecosystems (more info here).

Consistency
Traditional wax can melt in hot climates, lose grip over time, or need frequent reapplication. Alternatives like traction pads offer long-lasting, consistent grip without the need for constant maintenance. Since our first version, our surf traction pads have evolved a lot in terms of traction, flexibility, and durability (you can read more here)

Surf trips
If you’ve ever traveled with surf wax, you know the mess and struggle. It melts in hot cars, it sticks to everything, and usually means a surfboard bag full of melted wax, or removing and applying before and after your flight, and do it all again on your way back home. Traction pads eliminate these hassles. Once applied, they’re permanent or semi-permanent solutions that don’t melt, spill, or require reapplication.

Health
Petroleum-based products, including paraffin waxes, may contain harmful chemicals. Long-term skin exposure or inhalation of these compounds during application (especially when melting or using heated tools) isn’t ideal for your health. Natural wax alternatives and synthetic traction gear remove these risks, offering a cleaner, safer option for surfers of all ages.

Innovation
Despite what you may think, surfing isn’t just about tradition—it's also about progression and innovation. As surfboard design evolves, so should the accessories we use. May we, as surfers, embrace inclusivity, technology, and eco-conscious living, adopting better alternatives to surf wax as part of a new cultural shift.