How to maintain your surfboard to extend its lifespan

1. Regular cleaning: keep your board clean

A good cleaning after every session is the first habit to adopt. Here’s how to do it:

• Rinse thoroughly with fresh water at the end of your session to remove salt, sand, and micro-algae.
• Use a soft cloth or a non-abrasive sponge to avoid damaging the surface.
• Avoid standard household cleaners, which are often too harsh. Choose a mild cleaner, or simply use warm soapy water.
• Dry your board in the shade, in a well-ventilated area to prevent the resin from overheating.
• Every 5 to 10 sessions, do a deeper clean by removing the wax before applying a fresh layer.

2. Wax: application and renewal

Wax is essential to prevent slipping. But if it’s poorly maintained, it becomes ineffective and even tricky.
Here’s how to manage it smartly:

• Before each session, make sure the wax is still effective (enough grip).
• Choose wax suited to the water temperature (warm, temperate, or cold). This detail really matters!
• Remove old wax every 5 to 10 sessions, or when it becomes slippery:

• leave the board in the sun for a few minutes,
• use a wax comb or a plastic card to scrape it off,
• clean any residue with a cloth or a dedicated wax remover.

Apply a thin base coat (optional but recommended), then the topcoat wax. Good wax, properly applied, improves not only
safety but also your overall feel on the board.

3. Repair dings and cracks quickly

Impacts are unavoidable, but untreated cracks are what cause real problems.

Look out for these warning signs:

• visible cracks, air bubbles under the resin,
• delamination (separation between the resin and the foam),
• soft or spongy dents.

What should you do?

• Small cracks: use a UV repair kit or epoxy resin
• Deeper dings: sand, apply resin, let it cure, then sand again.
• Serious damage or unsure? Contact a professional.

Never postpone a repair: it increases the cost and the risk of the board breaking.

4. Protect your board from sun and heat

UV rays are real enemies of your board. They weaken the resin, yellow the coating, and can even cause blistering.

Best protection practices:

• Never leave your board in a closed car, even for a few minutes.
• Use a heat-reflective board bag (preferably silver) to protect it from direct sunlight.
• Always store it in the shade, or cover the board with a thick towel at the beach.
• Avoid sudden temperature changes, which create stress in the fiberglass.

In summer, a board left in the sun can reach 60°C (140°F) on the surface—more than enough to damage the resin.

5. Storage: the often-overlooked step

A good storage routine can extend your board’s life by several years.

Short term:

• lay the board flat or on a padded rack,
• don’t place anything on top of it—especially heavy objects,
• avoid damp or overheated areas.

Long term:

• clean and dry the board thoroughly,
• remove the wax,
• store it in a breathable board bag,
• store it horizontally or on its rail—never upright without proper support.

Poor storage is the number one cause of micro-cracks reported by repair shops.

6. Before and after each session: good habits

Simple actions to adopt every time:

Before surfing:

• inspect your board (cracks, wax, fins),
• check the condition of the fins and that they’re properly secured,
• match your wax to the day’s water temperature.

After the session:

• rinse with fresh water,
• dry in the shade,
• check for any new dings or dents,
• store it in a ventilated space.

These habits limit damage and preserve the performance of your equipment.

Maintenance: a performance factor

It’s not only about longevity. A clean board, well-waxed and crack-free, provides:

• better grip on the wave,
• more precise response under your feet,
• less hydrodynamic disturbance,
• faster progression for the surfer.

Ocean-Ride instructors in Lacanau observe it: a student with well-maintained equipment often progresses twice as fast. Taking care of your surfboard is both simple and essential. By adopting a cleaning routine, repairing damage on time, protecting it from the sun, and storing it correctly, you extend its lifespan while improving your feel on the water.

Ocean-Ride, a surf school in Lacanau, also helps you get comfortable with your equipment and offers personalized advice at every level.

Want to go further? Discover our lessons, camps, and rental packs on ocean-ride.com to surf in the best conditions—with a board that’s always in top shape.

FAQ – Frequently Asked Questions About Surfboard Maintenance