Sex Wax
ActiveOverview
Sex Wax, officially Mr. Zog's Sex Wax, produces surfboard wax for traction on board decks, available in formulas for different water temperatures and fragrances. It expanded to snowboard wax and recently air fresheners, maintaining a focus on surf products since 1972. The brand gained global reach through word-of-mouth among surfers.123
History
Founded in the early 1970s by Frederick Charles Herzog III, known as Zog, who shaped boards and ran a surf shop in Goleta, California. Initial sales grew from $5,000 to $16,000 in the first few years, doubling annually via surfer recommendations, reaching Japan and worldwide by the late 1970s. Developed temperature-specific waxes (Cold, Cool, Warm, Tropical) and later snowboard wax.13
Product Lines
| Product Line | Positioning | Price Range |
|---|---|---|
| Surfboard Wax (Original Sex Wax) | Standard traction for surfboards | $2 - $5 |
| Quick Humps Surf Wax | Fast-applying surf traction | $2 - $5 |
| Really Tacky Surf Wax | High-grip surf formula | $2 - $5 |
| Navel Wax | Bodyboarding traction wax | $2 - $5 |
| Snowboard Wax (Melt-on) | Base wax for snowboards | $5 - $10 |
| Snowboard Wax (Rub-on) | All-purpose snowboard base | $5 - $10 |
Manufacturing
Products are produced at Factory 1, associated with the original Goleta, California location where Zog started. Specific details on current in-house versus outsourced production are not specified.1
Notable Products
- Original Sex Wax - Base surfboard deck wax for general traction.
- Quick Humps - Quick-drying surf wax variant.
- Really Tacky - Extra-sticky formula for surfboards.
- Navel Wax - Wax designed for bodyboard decks.
- Snowboard Melt-on Wax - Temperature-specific wax applied by melting to snowboard base.
Reputation
Known among surfers for effective formulas providing reliable traction in varied conditions, with the provocative name becoming iconic through word-of-mouth. Enthusiasts value its heritage and specialization in surf wax over 50 years. Some note expansion into snow and fragrances as a pivot from core surf focus.23