Surfboard Deck Pads

Surfboard deck pads are also know as traction pads and deck grip. The most popular version of these is section applied just the tail area above the fins. These things are pretty much peel and stick, the version that has been around since 1981. The vast majority of shortboards have rear traction pads. Only a small percentage of longboards use them.

There are deck pads available to cover the rest of the board but these are far less common. I did meet a guy in Costa Rica who loved covering his board in traction pads because wax is expensive and wears off the board quickly in the eighty degree water. The rest of us usually just slap rear deck pad on a shortboard and wax everything else.

Make sure you place it correctly. Clean the surface of the board then dry it completely. Place the pad so that the kick pad is directly over the back fin or between the back and side fins.

Too many deck pads have been placed too far forward....not where you want those feet to be. Trace the outline with a pencil and when your ready, remove the film and roll it down to avoid bubbles. Do the center piece first to help with alignment. Let it dry for about 12 hours and go surfing.

If the deck pad comes loose later try 3m adhesive spray. Spray the heck out of it and weigh it down to dry. The sucker will stay on after that.

Popular brands include Astrodeck and X-Trak.

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