Waxes and waves made easier

KENT BLECHYNDEN/Dominion Post

READY TO ROLL: A new vending machine allows surfers to buy wax and sunscreen before they hit the water.

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A Wellington company run by two surfers has come up with a vending machine that allows surfers to buy surf wax and sunscreen just before they hit the water.

Tim Bamford and Ben Fernandez, directors of WaiTiki Surf Co, launched the first of what they hope will be hundreds of machines for surf spots around the country at Wellington's Lyall Bay yesterday.

"Convenience is everything. It's a simple concept to provide a simple service," Mr Bamford said.

Surf wax aids performance and safety in the water. It is spread across the top of a surfboard in clumps, allowing bare feet to grip the board in wet and cold conditions.

In conjunction with Wellington City Council, the machine has been installed at the airport end of Lyall Bay, in front of the surf spot known as "the wall".

For $5, surfers can get one of two brands of wax. Sunscreen will be added later.

The only problem will be where to keep the change in a wetsuit.