Why not just lay traction pad on the entire board?

Question

I've only seen this once out at Rincon, a guy [riding a shortboard] had a traction pad for the front and backfoot. But there was still some space in the middle where there was no traction pad. He wasn't a kook either, was ripping it.

I was wondering why we don't just apply traction to the entirety of the board where there would normally be wax?

Answer 1

Yeah, that doesn't sound like a good idea to me.  Personally, I hate the feel of  the traction pads.  But, some people like them.  To each his own I guess.

Answer 2

you know when you put your arm on the corner of a table for a second and your arm gets like a indented line.  I think its basically the same concept for the grip

Answer 3

the traction pads would rub against your skin and hurt like nothing youve felt before. except maybe breaking a bone. ok it doesnt hurt that much but it will hurt a lot.

Answer 4

I know it sounds funny, but that will tear your nipples up. Trust me, I know by experience

Answer 5

After a few minutes, the traction would rub you raw.

Answer 6

i know a guy that surfed with that set up too. i cant answer for anyone but myself, but i wouldnt do it because i like surfing bareback as much as possible. that being said---i also like the skin on my chest, therefore i wax my board.  

Answer 7

It just doesn't look good and i like to wear just trunks in the summer.

The Surfboard Man

http://www.thesurfboardman.com/

Answer 8

Once you been surfing for quite a while (especially on a short board) you will KNOW where you plant your feet after you pop up. On a short board once you plant your feet, you NORMALLY don't need to move them anymore except for small subtle adjustments.

I've seen many good surfers only wax the mid-section and the tail of their board. They know that there's no need for them to waste wax where they won't be planting their feet.

In the 80's when traction pad were just becoming popular it was common to see Pro's with traction pad's for the mid-section and tail of their boards.

The only time I've seen traction pads on the entire length of the board were on longboards, where walking up and down on your board is expected. Even that is pretty rare nowadays, it's also not cheap.

- mahalo -

Answer 9

Haha, I'm familiar with burning nipples rubbed raw from the first time you surf without a wetsuit in a while.

I've seen one guy with a board like that, and he was doing a lot of airs, so maybe that had something to do with it. Personally, I think it would be annoying on my feet, as well as lying down. I don't always use a stomp pad either, some of my boards have wax on the tail instead. If it works for you, do it, but I think it would do more harm than help. I hate saying this, but look at any pro surfer and see if their board is like that. I think it would be a bit of an obstacle between me and the board, and take away a bit of control and feeling while I'm riding.