Hey bendeko,(like the name)

I've had the naish for about three months and have been using wax it's ok but can

be a pain in the but especially on long paddles when it's hot because the wax

seems to melt from not keeping cool enough and it can also be a bit hard on the

feet after a while. I going to get myself a deck grip in the near future and hopefully

save myself some hassle, it's also what i've heard from other guys on this forum.

I hope this helps.

cheers and good luck

Grip deck pads are the only way to go..IMO

Much softer on your knees and when you go to stand and have the paddle across the board its much softer on your hands and paddle..and also offers better grip.

Wax is fine for regular surfing because you're only on your feet for a few seconds and most of the time you're just laying on the board.

I've heard many guys say they are happy to just use wax..Then after a few days they change their mind and say that their feet hurt and they need to get deck grip.

But then..Some of the hard core guys (Robby and Laird) seem happy to use wax..Maybe they have very tough feet....or maybe we're just soft..

DJ

I've checked out all the different grips out there and the best imo is the C4 grip.

here's a link.. http://store.c4waterman.com/C4-Standard-Deck-Pad-p/c4tracstandard.htm ..I'm not sure who sells it here..but it's worth checking.

...and here's a great vid showing the best way to stick it on..

I used this method when sticking mine on and it worked perfectly...btw..Mine is the Oxbow grip.

DJ



..also..For those who like wax..this is a good option.

Hey the Jimmy Lewis is the best grip by far I have seen. The raised edges make padding heaps easier. Hey you got to meet guys like Robby to understand why they just use wax. I think it's a lifestyle thing. Robby sometimes uses the oldest crappy gear. I hear sometimes the company has to hit him up to change his gear over. He is on the water so much his gear gets a pretty good working over. I hear when he finds something that works like a favorite board, he rides it as long as possible. You will find the pro surfers change there wax over pretty regularly, why would you bother doing it on a paddleboard? Bugger that. Wax is for short boards.

Deck pads are to paddleboarding what footstraps are to windsurfing. Friggen the biz.......

I have always previously been a wax guy, and still think it has more performance in the surf, but I recently used one of the Naish Proto type boards with the new 3/4 deck pad on it and I have now gripped all my boards. Super grippy, but comfy, raised edges at the paddling stance area, and a very Naish Camo design, looks great, work even better. To those of you that are going paddling on the northern beaches over the long weekend, I have my 9'6", 10'6" and new 11'4" that I will be testing at Palm Beach in the mornings, come check em out.

JB

Thats the one, raised edges where you stand. 3 piece (the middle strip is optional to fit the grip to wider or thinner boards), really nice.

The 11'4" is more like a bigger version of the 10'6", not a replacement for 11'6". It is substantially thinner (therefore less volume), and a much narrower tail. The 10'6" and 11'4" are the performance SUP's (lighter weight riders go for the 10'6", heavier riders go for the 11'4") the 11'6" is definately staying in the range as the easiest board to learn on, but still fantastic performance in the surf. Once my camera is charged up I will post some pics.

JB

I wrote an email to standuppaddlesurf.com.au about those deck grips and was told the following:

"Unfortunately we dont have any Naish Deck Grips. They do not manufacture those specific ones anymore. They did fit with the design of th eboard, but were nowhere near as good as other grips in the market. Very thin and slippery.
We have a range of colours in stock with our deck grips. If you need any more info, feel free to get back to me."

Seems a real bummer if I have to cover up my wood finish and the design with a non matching deck grip.