Historians believe that surfing originated thousands of years ago in the Hawaiian and Polynesian cultures. The popularity of surfing grew in the 20th century, with ongoing innovations to boards and techniques. One of these innovations was surfboard wax.
According to the California Surf Museum, Alfred "Al" Gallant Jr - who surfed in Palos Verdes, California - was the first to use surfboard wax in 1935 when he applied a small amount of liquid floor wax to his wooden surfboard.
Although 17-year-old Al found that the floor wax improved the grip of his board, his mother wasn't happy that he used expensive floor wax for his hobby. She told him to use the household paraffin they used to seal jam jars. He gave it a try, and it worked. After telling his mates, the popularity of surf wax began to spread.
To this day, paraffin wax is the main ingredient in many surfboard waxes. Other ingredients include beeswax, rubber and resin, and plastics to make the wax suitable for different temperatures. These include surf wax for cold, cool, warm and tropical water temperatures.
Paraffin wax is a by-product of petrochemical productions. Besides the environmental impact of producing paraffin, there's concern about the health impact of the chemicals used. With growing concerns for the environment and health, there has been a focus on creating eco-friendly and organic surfboard wax.
The latest development has been the creation of permanent surfboard wax in the form of anti-slip PEVA tape, an economical and durable alternative to traditional surf wax. Using this product removes the need to scrape off old wax and apply new wax regularly.
Whatever type of wax you choose to use on your board, you can thank Al Gallant Jr for starting an innovation that has helped surfers stan on their boards for over 85 years.
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