Traction Pads - Pros and Cons

[walter_mundstock]

Hi.

Can someone help me undestand what are the pros and cons of using Traction Pads (Deck) on the rear of the surfboard?

Thanks.
Walter

[garbarrage]

Pros - Better grip on rear foot. Due to hump in the middle and kicker at the rear, much easier to feel foot position. Find difficult to surf a shortboard without one.

Cons - Absolutely none that I can think of.

[Aloha]

I'll add some to the above

Pros - Easier to duck dive when using your foot as the arch on the back gives some leverage.

Cons - If you've got a rough one and are wearing boardies or a springy, your knee will get chaffed. You'll build up resistance to it if you surf enough, but the alternative is buy a soft one instead. Most pads in the surf shop have a little bit of sample material stuck to the outside of the packaging, so feel it for how rough it is before you buy it. My first pad ever was like grip tape! Damn near took all the skin off my knee.

[tony g]

Some people use them some do not. I have them on some of my boards, but I can ride a short board fine without one too. What I do like about tail pads is they let you know more easily if you have your back foot on the tail or not. Most of them also provide really good grip. I also agree with someone else that they are good for duck diving as you can feel them and your foot won't slip off very easy. One other bennefit is that they are kind of spongy foam like, so they will provide some protection from pressure dings on the tail of your surfboard and will definetly keep your tail intact longer by having one on your board. If I have a board I really like I will put one on the tail to help make that board last a little longer. If they get in your way and you do not like them don't use one. You will be fine without it. You will have to wax your board good though! Hope that helps you!

Tony
http://safaritownsurf.com

[cornishsurfer]

do they help for beginners to learn foot placement?

[Surfbum23]

i dont even use them, just wax the living hell out of my tail lol

[Kaaimans]

Can't duckdive heavy waves without one. I always go for the one for the hugest kicker too.

[madcat]

I always catch my toe's on them popping up, but they may just be bad technique/low fitness. I haven't used one in about 4 months.

[LucasLazari]

another pro: using traction pad will save you wax money

[surfingsince]

Traction pads on a surf board is like grip tape on a skateboard. You don't need, but it sure as hell helps. On some board it's not as necessary as others. However on shortboards its pretty much a must have. I have gone through plenty of traction pads in my days, but for some reason Prolite traction pads always perform the best and last me the longest. People also try Dakine and Creatures but Prolite is what I have found works best for me

[MrSurf]

Tail pad: ALWAYS, and better with archbar. Finding that sweetspot in a hurry is critically important. ALSO, FRONT foot traction is seeing new interest. Saves the mess of wax, and it IS a mess : ) There's stuff called Tiki Grip that comes in rolls.