Just curious about the pro/con of a full deck pad. Seems like a good idea to protect the board from pressure dings.and no need to wax. What about performance? I never see a short board with deck pads and I figured it must affect the board...extra weight?
I have a couple of boards with full deck traction that I use to kite surf. On occasion, I have surfed them and in the winter, in a fullsuit its fine. In the summer it will kill your chest, stomach and thighs. Even with a shirt on, the rash will get gnarly. I think Julian Wilson may occasionally use a front foot traction pad. But I'm pretty sure you don't see it more often b/c of the rash that would ensue.
I just don't think it's necessary. It really is not a weight issue. A freshening up with good, sticky wax is all you really need if you change your wax with the seasons.
I'm not certain of this, but I seem to recall hearing that Roy Stuart is experimenting with this concept. Only on his boards that sell for $250k, though; not the $500k sticks.
Ah...did not even think about board rash. I guess if you only surf cold water(wetsuit) it would be ok.
Let's not forget inner thigh rash. it's murder on a long walk back. More than once, I've taken the trunks off walking back around Fort Story to 80th.
Living on a sailboat with a waxed board isn't easy, and i can't ride a popout. So i have a full deck. i always use rashguard shirt and shorts. It's no worse than a waxed board with no shirt. The only reason for no wax is the boat. Do any other sailing surfers particularly in the tropics have other ideas?
As a kitesurfer, I'm curious to know which boards you find work well for you for both surfing and kitesurfing - preferably good for light wind
i don't Kitesurf, looks fun. we sail an Ericson 35 II. with a 6.0 Lost Sub Driver and a 6.8 Ricky Carroll quad egg thing.
There is a way to rough up the gloss with sandpaper that is surprisingly grippy. Not sure of the grit and you would need to be sure not to cut through to the hot coat but I have read that it is just as positive as wax. There was a product years ago in spray can that was great and it didnt rip you up even as much as wax would. Unfortunately its not made anymore. They do still sell peel and stick transparent traction that wont tear you up either, but it's expensive.
Xm surf more has a good clear grip sticker I put on all my boards and have used for at least 8 years. I wax on top of it. With anything like that you gotta trim it so that it doesn't touch your thighs though
Coil industries or LibTech's are the best I have personally used for strapless kiting and surfing. I liked the Coil over the Lib.
You're going to look like a Ken doll after using full deck traction, no nipples and no manhood. It's going to tear off your wobbly bits and wedding tackle bruh!
