Surfskate Boards are the nearest feeling you can get to actual Surfing on the water while riding on concrete.
Use a Surfskate Board to practice your Surfing when the waves are poor, or you’re away from the coast.
It’s not just surfing practice. Some Longboarders prefer a Surfskate board for carving, performing extra sharp turns, skate parks and pumping.
Surfskate Trucks
Surfskate Boards include a front truck which provides 3x the turning ability of standard Longboard Trucks.
The Truck doesn’t just pivot. It turns from side to side, providing sharper turns and a surfing feel.
The Surfskate Truck is the be-all and end-all of a Surfskate board. Without the special front Truck, there would be no Surfskating.
The Surfskate Truck was pioneered by Carver sometime during the mid-nineties. Today several firms the world over make and sell Surfskate Trucks and Boards.
Surfskate Decks
Surfskate Boards are generally shorter than longboards, and most (but not all) include a single kick on the tail.
Most Surfskates range between 29″-33″. The optimal sizes for everyday Surfskating, turns, snaps, cutbacks and some pumping.
However, shorter decks are available for children and riders who want an extra snappy feel.
Longer decks are also available for riders who want extra stability and ‘pump’.
Longerdecks are better for pumping and cruising, especially over distances but not so good for the sharper moves.
Your height and weight will also play a part in deciding the right Surfskate length for you.
Surfskate Boards come in a range of shapes, including Pintail, Fishtail, Diamondtail and Single Kick.
Some decks are symmetrical, while others are asymmetrical.
Whatever shape deck you choose will be adequately covered in grip tape or include a clear spray grip. Surfskating requires your feet to be firmly on the deck.
Surfskate Wheels
Surfskate Wheels range from 65mm to 75mm and are typically on the soft side with hardnesses of 78A-81A. Soft wheels of mid to large sizes lend themselves well to carving, cruising and pumping.
Softer wheels provide more of a surfy feel and are better for Surfing training.
Softer wheels are better for rougher surfaces as they deal with bumps and grip better. On smoother surfaces, you’ll get more grip from a harder wheel.
Larger wheels are best for riding at speed and riding over rougher surfaces, while smaller wheels accelerate quicker and ride better over smooth surfaces.
Extra small and hard wheels such as 60mm 95A are the best option for skate park surf skating. They accelerate and roll extra quick over the smooth, hard surfaces of bowls and halfpipes.
Beginner Surfskaters will quickly pick up the essential moves with a complete Surfskate Board from a reputable brand (see below)
Experienced Surfskaters who are in tune with their bodies and riding conditions may buy the deck, trucks and wheels separately and customise/adjust the trucks and wheels to their own unique needs.
Who Makes Surfskate Boards?
Various companies manufacture Surfskate Boards in the US, Spain & Portugal (both hotbeds for Surfskating) and the UK.
Many decent Surfskate boards are available in the UK, such as
Carver
Carver is ‘the’ original Surfskate boards invented by Neil Carver and Greg Falk in Venice Beach back in 1996. The duo wanted to practice their surfing skills during the long summers when the conditions were calm and the waves were small. The Surfskater concept was born and later replicated by other companies.
Carver offers a large range of complete decks with the choice of two front Surfskate trucks, the CX and the C7, and an awesome rear truck, known as the C2.
Landyachtz
Landyachtz is a renowned Longboard brand that makes premium decks of extremely high quality.
Lucky for Surfskaters, Landyachtz offers three styles of Surfskate Board also.
Z Flex
Z-Flex is one of the oldest Skateboard brands and pioneers in the sport who contributed to innovations most skaters use today.
Z-Flex Surfskaters are available in two shapes with multiple designs, all of which are fitted with the Waterborne Surfskate Adapter.
Penny
Penny Surfskate Boards are made from environmentally friendly plastic, the highly lightweight and durable deck material and refreshing change from conventional maple.
Yow
Yow Surfskate Boards are locally made in Basque Country, near the Iberian Peninsula, a Surfskating Hot Spot.
Yow offers a wide range of decks fitted with the S5 Meraki Surfskate system trucks.
Smoothstar
Smoothstar Surfskate Boards are first and foremost made for Surfing training featuring a patented ‘thruster’, a special spring-loaded truck built to give the closest possible surfing feel.
Smoothstar products are designed and tested in Australia and Japanese engineering. A favourite tool of many surf coaches across the planet.
Slide
Slide complete Surfskates are fitted with ultra-tight turning 3rd generation Trucks and are available in multiple sizes ranging from 30-35″.
Made by Spanish company Sancheski no strangers to skating, having built skateboards for 55+ years.
The Waterborne is a Surfskate adapter that allows you to convert any skateboard or longboard deck of your choice into a fully functioning Surfskate Board.