General
wax up
What does wax up mean?
To apply surf wax to the deck of a board in a pattern that gives your feet grip and traction.
"Wax up quick, the tide's dropping and the bank is turning on."
Origin
Surf slang verb phrase from applying surf 'wax'.
Frequently asked questions
What does 'wax up' mean in surfing?
It means rubbing grip wax onto the deck of your board so your feet have traction, which surfers do before paddling out.
Why do surfers wax their boards?
The board's surface is slippery when wet, so a textured layer of wax gives the grip needed to stand and manoeuvre without sliding off.
How do you wax up a board?
You rub a bar of surf wax across the deck in a pattern until it builds up small bumps that give your feet grip.
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