DIY Surfboard Traction Pad

[Alton]

The front traction pad on my surfboard was disintegrating so I replaced it with multi-purpose anti-fatigue foam floor mat from Canadian Tire.

1. Removed the old traction pad
2. Removed top layer of old wax from the deck using a scraper
3. Cleaned off the residual wax from the deck using a solvent called Xylene
4. Created a paper template outlined to the deck of the surfboard
5. Used the paper template as a guide to cut out the floor mat
6. Glued the floor mat (new traction pad) to the deck using 3M 5200 fast cure marine adhesive sealant
7. Wait 24 hrs then done

I had so much floor mat (8' x 4') leave over, I carpeted my bathroom and replaced the car floor mats which had a big hole on the driver's side

General Purpose Anti-Fatigue Foam Floor Mat https://www.canadiantire.ca/en/pdp/best ... 1396p.html

Xylene solvent https://www.canadiantire.ca/en/pdp/solv ... 5875p.html

3M Marine Adhesive Sealant https://www.canadiantire.ca/en/pdp/3m-m ... 0215p.html

surfboard_traction_pad.jpeg (218.2 KiB) Viewed 3307 times

floor_mat.jpg (40.22 KiB) Viewed 3307 times

car_mats.jpg (250.07 KiB) Viewed 3307 times

[Mike]

Nice looking job. Board overall looks much better . Will be insteresting to see if slippery when wet. If so, could add a gritty roll on to the surface.

[Alton]

Nice looking job. Board overall looks much better . Will be insteresting to see if slippery when wet. If so, could add a gritty roll on to the surface.

Same concern. Originally his idea, Francis uses the same foam mat on his surfboard without issue ... but he doesn't ride strapless like I do. The DIY floor mats when wet in my car feels grippy enough.

I hope to find out this evening at Spanish Banks

The mat is super cushy so I hope it helps reduce back fatigue in the chop. Prior to this I was riding directly on the hard deck surface (waxed) without a traction pad ... it was rough riding