Modern day boards are made porous, this characteristic is what allows them to act like a sponge to the wax that is applied to them. Waxing not only protects the board from wear and water penetration, it also makes the bottom of the snowboard waterproof. This in turn reduces the friction from the triboelectric effect. This leads to speedier sends and reduces skidding. In addition to helping make your gear speedier, waxing also prolongs the lifespan of said gear. The wax will seal the base to prevent it from drying out, think of the wax like being moisturizer that you apply to your skin after a shower.