Skimboard Maintenance: how to take care of and clean your skimboard

by Joost Nusselder | Last Updated:  25.03.2022
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Skimboarding is a lot of fun, but care and maintenance are essential to keep your board in good condition.

Cleaning your board after every use will ensure it lasts longer and performs better. It’s also important to care for the surface of the board before you take it out on the water.

By following these care and maintenance tips, you can enjoy your skimboarding experience for years to come.

Skimboard maintenance

Taking care of your skimboard starts every time you take it out of the water, by cleaning off any salt and sand. Cleaning your board is an important step too and always use a mild soap solution and clean water before storing it in a cool and dark place.

How to take care of your skimboard

Follow these steps to care for and clean your skimboard:

Rinsing your board

Rinse off your board with fresh water after each use. This will remove any salt, sand, or dirt that may have collected on the surface of the board.

Why should you remove saltwater from your board?

Saltwater can damage the surface of your board and cause it to deteriorate over time.

You should clean off these water stains regularly so you can keep a smooth surface.

Cleaning your board

Clean your board with a mild soap and water solution after each use. This will remove any dirt or grime that has built up on the surface of the board.

Why only use mild soap?

Strong detergents can damage the surface of your board.

Towel drying your board

After you’ve rinsed and cleaned your board, towel dry it to remove any remaining water.

Storing your board

When you’re not using your board, store it in a cool, dry place.

This will help to prevent the board from warping or cracking.

Avoid storing your board in direct sunlight, as this can damage the surface of the board, and let your board dry before storing it away.

A skimboard bag like one of these is the perfect solution since your board is in a dark place while being protected against bumps and scratches.

What will prolonged exposure to the sun do to the board deck?

The sun’s ultraviolet rays can damage the deck of your board, causing it to fade and become brittle.

Avoiding heat and humidity

Heat and humidity can also damage your board. Avoid storing your board in a hot car or in direct sunlight.

Warping

Excessive heat and humidity can cause your board to warp. If you notice your board is starting to warp, take it out of the sun and heat and let it cool down to room temperature before storing it in a cool, dry place.

Checking for damage

Before each use, inspect your board for any damage. If you find any cracks or chips in the surface of the board, do not use it.

Using a damaged board can cause you to lose your grip and lead to an injury.

Inspect your board regularly for cracks or damage. If you see any damage, repair it immediately to prevent further damage.

How do you repair the surface of a board?

You can repair the surface of a board by using a surf wax and wax the top of the board.

Wax will fill in any cracks or chips in the surface of the board and help to protect it from further damage.

How to repair deep chips on a skimboard deck?

If you have a deep chip on your surfboard, you will need to use a putty knife to fill it in.

Use a marine-grade epoxy resin to fill in the chip. Once the epoxy has cured, sand it down until it is flush with the rest of the board.

You can then wax over the area to protect it from further damage.

Of course, it might be best to take it to a surf shop where professional skimboarders with the right board experience for everything from a foam skimboard to a wooden skimboard to fiberglass can repair it.

They have everything like a repair kit for the right skimboard type and can ensure the use of the right materials and proper care.

But, if you want to save money, by following these care and maintenance tips, you can extend the life of your skimboard and enjoy it for years to come.

When should you wax your board?

You should wax your board every few months to protect the surface from damage and keep it looking new.

You should re-wax it at least with every changing season so you always have the appropriate temperature wax on your skimboard.

More on skimboard waxes and waxing here

Why skimboard maintenance is important

– Removing sand and dirt particles from the surface of your board will help keep it looking great

– Cleaning your skimboard after every use will help to prevent any buildup of bacteria or mold on the surface

– Taking care of your skimboard will help to prolong its life span

– Regularly inspecting your board for damage will help you to identify any issues early on and prevent them from becoming worse

– Waxing your board will help to protect the surface and keep it looking new

Conclusion

Skimboards are a great way to have fun on the water, but care and maintenance is important. Skimboard care starts before you take it out with cleaning your board after every use.

This will remove any sand or dirt particles that may collect during the use of the skimboard for maximum performance.

Joost Nusselder, the founder of Kauai Surf Report is a content marketer, dad and loves trying out new sports with everything surfing at the heart of his passion, and together with his team he's been creating in-depth blog articles since 2019 to help loyal readers with surfing and water sporting tips.