Surfboard with alternative to wax

r.evolution series 3.0

The lighter, thinner & softer version of our surf grip.

After changing the standards of surf industry by developing an alternative to surf wax back in 2016, and driven by our customers’ feedback on our surf grip and by our aim to produce a more eco-friendly alternative to surf wax, we started to research new materials.

After a lot of tests, we achieved a softer material, lighter and thinner, with high grip levels. We called our new surf traction pads version r.Evolution Series.

  • Thinner

    The new texture allowed us to develop a thinner version of Van der Waal with the same grip levels: less than 1mm thick.

  • Lighter

    With a weight of only 3 grams per hexagon, r.Evolution Series is lighter than wax.

  • Softer

    A softer material that it will not cause any kind of damage to your wetsuit.

    Check our tests results 
pack of surfboard transparent traction pads

Our surf deserves more

Apply once, surf forever.

Van der Waal grip is built for (and in collaboration with) surfers who rip on the same board for a long time. Because once you apply it, you’re ready to surf for at least two entire years with almost no maintenance at all. And no matter whether you are surfing in cold or hot water, Van der Waal traction is almost indifferent to the water or the environment temperature.

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Surfing with hexagon traction pads
fish surfboard tail pad
Nose ridding surf grip

Modular System

Thanks to it's hexagonal shape, it will fit any kind of surfboard and can adapt to all surf styles. And on top of pre made packs, you can always make your own pack!

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Inside and Outside Van der Waal

Founder of Van der Waal surf grips

A letter from our founder

Van der Waal idea is as simple as it’s grippy, less time maintaining your surf gear, more time to surf. We have all been there: your friends in the water with waves firing and you still scratching old brown wax, end your surf session with a surfboard full of sand and hairs and debris, or that time that you go for a beer after a surf session to find later wax running all over car seats.

Van der Waal surf grip started as a personal solution for my issue - I didn’t want to cover my surfboard design with wax, but thanks to many people our surf grip improved over time and became a product. And despite being a company now, I still run it from my house, doing experiments in my kitchen and taking care of almost every aspect of it. That’s why sometimes I forget to answer some emails, or if waves hit Lisbon coast probably your order will only be shipped in the afternoon as I will be surfing for the morning.

I truly hope that you find joy surfing, with or without Van der Waal, but I keep a big smile imagining someone surfing the wave of their dreams with Van der Waal under their feet.

Stay salty,

Martim

Our history
  • Surf grip for kite surf
1 16

Van der Waal

Shortboard Pack

€29,74 EUR
€35,69 EUR €29,74 EUR
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Let customers speak for us

from 85 reviews

I’m honestly stoked by this product. I bought it with low expectations and didn't really think it would work. The first time I took it out, I sat on my board waiting for a set and was already regretting installing it.Then I caught my first wave. The grip was incredible. I felt completely locked onto the board and was genuinely impressed by how well it worked. The material feels durable, and the installation seems very solid.I was so impressed that I ordered a second set. I want to add at least one more strip on the deck and another on the bottom. I couldn't be happier with the purchase.As a bonus, even though I've been living in San Diego, California, for many years, I was born in Olhão, Algarve, so it was great to find out that the company is Portuguese as well!Thank you! 🇵🇹🤙

Rodrigo
Great product!

I've been using the surf grip now on my longboard and it works so well. It did take a few days to start to work, but I expected that. Since the pads went on not a single one has come off, just follow the instructions when applying the pads! This is a great product and WAAL surf grip pads will be going on my other boards soon.

AJ
A Game-Changer for My Surfboard

Completely exceeded my expectations. I love the clean, wax‑free look it gives my board, and the traction is genuinely impressive — grippy without feeling sticky or abrasive. Installation was straightforward, and once it’s on, it stays put even after long sessions in the water.

Mick F.
Muy agradecido 🤙🌊

Laura y Martím muy profesionales y política de empresa impresionante.
El producto tengo que probarlo ya os contaré pero me imagino que será increíble.
Recomiendo Waal 100% .
Un saludo 🤙🌊

Juan C.
Nice discovery

I wanted to try this new idea of grip and it is a very nice discovery.
The board looks nice and clean, and when you surf the grip is good!
It is a bit slippery paddling out with the wetsuit, but when surfing it holds well.
Let's see how long it will last :)

Ale G.
No wax

I was sceptical at first. Need time to adjust let the water soak in first few waves was a different feeling. No looking back now my quiver is all waal decked out. Using booties make you stick like a gecko. Don’t need to think about waxing up no mess grab the board and go 🤙

Jamie H.
Very good product

Very good product looks great and works perfectly

Brian p.
We like it

I ordered hexagons for my son. He applied them, and he has been using them for 2 months now. Hexagons keep the car clean and save time on reapplying the wax for sure. The grip is close the wax but we’ve yet to test it on a swell

Anna
Good Product and Nice Service

It looks stylish, and I no longer need to apply wax, which saves me time. Also, although it was their first time receiving an order from Japan, they responded very well.

Shun K.
Grip for my mid length

Sceptical about Waal so put off purchasing them for a while. I recently took the plunge and bought them for my mid. On the first time of trying I thought I had made a mistake because it was like trying to stand on a board with no wax but after 20 minutes they were fantastic.

Definitely be buying them for my longboard.

Matt
I highly recommend +++++

I was a bit skeptical at first but I have to say it's a very good alternative to wax. It is not as sticky as wax but it gets the job done. All I see are advantages compared to wax. I am now using it on both my boards and I am very happy with the result so far. The only thing I would like to see improved in the future is the number of guide pieces in the package. I think 3 or at least 2 would make installation a lot easier. But that's just me... Keep up the good work!

Rui P.C.
Love the Product

Installed on my new fibre glass body boards. They are great and no messy wax. Need to wear wetsuit or similar but I do that anyway.

Peter S.
Perfect grip!

Really impressed with the grip these little hexagons give, and it's not rough on the skin. I fitted to a board for winter and it worked fine with wetsuit gloves and boots. I was wondering how well it would work in the spring with bare feet and was so impressed I ordered a second set for a new board. Great grip and the board still looks brand new!

Mike K.

Great product!

Josh
Try Something New

Great product, only had enough to do nose on my 9’6” Black Rose, plan to do all of board as have $ , then the other two I ride, always try new things, you may be pleasantly surprised, yes hold close oldies that work too, I’m looking forward to being free of wax and not having to strip three boards every summer to winter, stay in the salt, heals all!!!!🤙🏻

Bryan N.