no pads/traction-just wax

if you dont see the benefits in having a track pad with a tail block on your surfboard, you may not be surfing hard enough..tail blocks are the only reason why i need a tack pad on my short board..for everything else there's wax.

 

I don't use traction pads or leashes and I better not catch any body boarders at my lineup.



Just kidding. When I first saw the post title I thought for sure it was gona be someone acting high and mighty because he didn't use a traction pad Glad to say it wasn't the case.
I use a traction pad on my boards, but not on my longboard and I've only seen one person ever with a pad on their longboard. But I don't think you were talking about longboards.

 

Tailblock on a pad is pretty crucial for me when youre spinning (reverses,air reverses) even just hits off the lip but im not going hate on your call of just wax its just preference and style of surfing

 

I only put pads on my hpsbs and grovelers. Wax only on my fish, log, and big wave boards. I feel like unless I'm pushing my tail around... using a lot of lateral force... I don't need it. For me, fish and logs are about carving and flow, and gun's are about driving off the rail.

 

I personally like tail pads/tractions pads. Although I totally agree that they are not necessary. It is personal preference, but I like the way they feel under my foot. Especially when I have thick booties on, I can feel the board more and helps me get a better idea where my feet are exactly without having to waste time looking while on a wave. Also, for whatever reason, I feel like adding a tail pad adds extra float to the board. I know it doesn't really, or if it does its so minor it doesn't really have an effect.
I removed the pad off one of my favorite boards to do some ding repair and rode it again before I put a new pad on. I actually really liked it and had a couple good sessions. But then I found myself at the surf shop this weekend and bought a new one. I immediately put it on and used it the next day.
I say go for the tail pads... They make you look cool

 

Maybe I'll line up like a dozen of them on my log. Can't think of a better use of $400.

 

I've never had one, always have gone with just wax, my 1st board ever was 6'4" BAT and didn't have one but that was over 15 years ago, my shortest board now is a 6'10" WRV FunFish and i've never put anything but wax on it, but I have been thinking about getting one for my new board, which is a 6'4" Coil Flashback Fish and thought it may be appropriate for this particular board but haven't 100% decided if I want to have one or not. It's got the new "kick" technology so the extra grip from the textured surface may make it so you don't need one at all, but it seems most people have one so IDK.

 

I put traction on kook's windshields!! Locals only!!!

 

This is the only reason I use one...I mean realistically they add no additional structural support/strength, wax provides as much traction if not more, and I find it incredibly odd to see a lot of guys waxing them up. However, tailblocks just give me a better sense of my foot placement...Case in point, I was always stepping off the back of mini simmons...as a result...I'm sad to say I cut up a friends old pad just for the block for that board (flame away....).

I like this guys style...no pad necessary...http://vimeo.com/54567000

 

perfect 10/10

 

I think boards 6'10'' and over and guns shouldn't need a pad. First of all, your back foot rarely ever gets back that far, unless you're putting on the brakes into a barrel. Second, it would just look funny. Yes, pro longboarders I could see w/ pads on their logs. Also, I think fish's shouldn't have pads because since most fish tails are pretty wide, they would look a bit funny too. And you wouldn't really be following the style (thats dane's job) of fish boards. Traditional single fins also shouldn't have pads in my opinion. Right when I got my CI Gravy, I wanted to go for a surf and not have to wait for the pad to fully dry and stick on. I couldn't really feel a difference, of course I wasn't doing airs that day.

 

You what!?!? Dude that's hilarius!!

 

I have trac pads on most of my boards. I like them because it gives me a feel for where my back foot is on the tail of the board when I have to react fast. The only board I don't have one on is my barrel board. Its a nice rounded pin I strictly use for nasty screamers. Point aand shoot, no trac pad needed.

 

Had one on my first board, a hayward thruster from 1986. I was foolish enough to earn on a short board. I have never used one since. When I was learning I was a knee dragging fool and that thing ate my foot up. Next board I just left it off and never looked back. I can see the need for the young floppy aerial guys... But not for us slater aged east coast slop riders.

 

I don't use it on my fish, simply because I move my feet a lot when I ride it. Its a 5'9 and I can ride 5 on da nose!

 

i do beleive they help protect the board from your feet digging into the deck a bit,that said i dont use on all boards. also thinking of young pros ,mason ho rips very hard and doesnt need one

 

I've tried them, but I don't really like them. I must admit, though, that I do not do air - I am a pretty old fashioned wave rider on both long and short board. All my boards are just waxed - just my personal preference.

 

Have you ever had your back foot blown off the board by whitewater trying to make it around a section? Before traction pads, that used to happen to me occasionally, and that was, at the time, the main reason why I started using them. Over the years, I feel the most important part about the pad are the block and the arch. In fact, I've only put those two parts on many of my boards. I feel like when you're pushing the tail around and using a lot of lateral force, the arch and block keep your back foot from slipping, and give you a little something more to push against. Plus, it helps keep your foot planted when the lip explodes right next to it.