New Snowboard, needs waxing?

[Charmless man]

Any expert Snowboarders out there? I've been a few times and always had my own board. It was just a cheapy bought off a mate so never took much care of it. I usually just chuck it at the nearest hire shop when I get to resort and let them edge and wax it.

I've just bought me and the GF new boards for a trip over new year. As this is my current P&J I fancy having a go at waxing it myself (the snowboard that is). Does a brand new board need waxing? If so any tips?

[speed8]

Personally, I would have it waxed, some would also have it detuned but I wouldn't bother with that as I'm of the school which says that the parts that people detune are actually important for your turning.
Saying that it should come with a factory wax so if you can't be bothered then it shouldn't be an issue for a week or two on holiday I would have thought. You can tell when you need a wax as the base starts to look and feel a bit dry near your edges (as they parts get the most use).

My dome board hasn't been waxed or edged since I bought it but slow and blunt is the way I want it for the dome.

[Marcellus]

It will have been supplied to the shop "overwaxed"... the shops should then remove this wax and ensure that it is waxed correctly for use.

[Marcellus]

IL_JDM said:

You'll see better results getting the right wax to match what you'll be riding.

Totally agree with you... but how many riders change the wax before going out every day?

Those whi live and work in resorts (coughcough) have different skis/boards for different conditions... your average holiday maker doesn't... especially if they're not sure if they need to wax a new board or not......

[Marcellus]

IL_JDM said:

It's no different to allowing a novice to have a track-day and giving them the incorrect tyres or tyre pressures for the conditions, it will still make a huge difference if you get that simple factor right, and waxing a board will cost a tenner max so probably worth waiting until you get out there, locals will know what they're doing.

I'd say it was more like a novice track driver using road tyres..... proper track tyres will make a massive difference but they won't come to any harm on their road tyres the same with wax... conditions are so changeable that the purists will have a whole selection of tyres; wet, inters and dry and possible move through the range during the course of the day...

[Charmless man]

Thanks for all the replies. Very helpful indeed.

I'm currently torn between not bothering and having a go! I'll have a look up on youtube for a few 'how to's' but if anyone has got any general product they would recommend I'm all ears. Going to Bulgaria over New Year so mostly slushy crap snow with the odd bit of rock and tree stump thrown in. If the boards don't get nicked then going to have a late season jaunt in Austria/France if that helps?!

[anonymous-user]

Having lived in a ski resort I was taught to wax and edge my own gear, as I used to do it every two weeks and change the wax for the weather. Waxing is easy buy an old elecrtic iron from a fle market, and off you go, better than expensive wax melters. Getting a good supply of waxes is not so cheap, and getting a good edge file you can dial in the settings is expensive, (Mine cost be 50 pounds in 1986) so umless you ski a lot (i.e once a week) just get it done by any shop at the resort.

[parakitaMol.]

The only thing that might be worth bearing in mind.... is your GF's ability.

Newly waxed boards can be super slippy - if she's a novice then perhaps get it waxed mid-week in resort so she's had time to get into the groove.

[Charmless man]

Berw said:

Having lived in a ski resort I was taught to wax and edge my own gear, as I used to do it every two weeks and change the wax for the weather. Waxing is easy buy an old elecrtic iron from a fle market, and off you go, better than expensive wax melters. Getting a good supply of waxes is not so cheap, and getting a good edge file you can dial in the settings is expensive, (Mine cost be 50 pounds in 1986) so umless you ski a lot (i.e once a week) just get it done by any shop at the resort.

That kind of confirms my thought. I like to think I'm quite handy but not exactly good enough to really notice the difference between brands of wax! At the end of the day I don't want to miss out on the apres whilst sat in my room playing with my board! Thanks for the advice.

[Charmless man]

parakitaMol. said:

The only thing that might be worth bearing in mind.... is your GF's ability.

Newly waxed boards can be super slippy - if she's a novice then perhaps get it waxed mid-week in resort so she's had time to get into the groove.

This will be her second time on the slopes, so still learning. I would've thought a super slippy board for a learner is not a good thing?! Wonder if it's worth getting her's turned down from 11?!

[parakitaMol.]

Charmless man said:

parakitaMol. said:

The only thing that might be worth bearing in mind.... is your GF's ability.

Newly waxed boards can be super slippy - if she's a novice then perhaps get it waxed mid-week in resort so she's had time to get into the groove.

This will be her second time on the slopes, so still learning. I would've thought a super slippy board for a learner is not a good thing?![quote]

Yep this is what I meant. I'd probably leave the waxing in that case