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How to Surfskate: A Beginner’s Introduction
If stepping onto a surfskate is a novel experience for you, this guide serves as the ideal entry point to understanding the fundamentals. You will discover how to shift your weight to generate forward momentum without the need to push off like on a skateboard. You will learn to link seamless turns and position your body for optimal control. These movements directly correspond to surfing techniques such as the “bottom turn” or “cutback”.
Surfskating offers an on-land method to hone the dynamic turns, body coordination, and balance reminiscent of surfing. It utilises a specialised surf skateboard with a front truck designed to pivot in a way absolutely distinct from regular skateboard trucks. If the ocean is far or the water still, surfskating enables you to refine surfing skills, build leg strength, and perfect your timing.
Overview
Getting Started with Surfskating: Stance and Balance
Surfskate trucks react to even the slightest adjustments in foot placement, offering a very distinct feel compared to traditional skateboard or longboard trucks. Rather than constant foot pushing, one simple push sets you in motion. From that point, all forward momentum is generated through the surfskate pumping technique.
The key to all manoeuvres in surfskating is your stance. Position your front foot just behind the front truck bolts, angled slightly forward. Place your back foot over the rear truck with your toes more angled to the side. Keep your knees bent, shoulders at ease, and eyes fixed on your intended direction. A low, balanced posture lets you quickly adapt to changes in direction.
Mastering Pumping for Speed on a Surfskate
Contrary to conventional skateboarding, there is no need to push off with your foot to accelerate. Instead, momentum is created by shifting your weight from heel to toe in a fluid motion.
The surfskating “pumping” action includes:
- Pressing through your toes and leaning your upper body into the turn.
- Rotating your shoulders and hips in synchronisation with the board.
- Extending your legs as you exit the turn to drive forward.
Visualise drawing an S-shape on the ground. Each curve offers an opportunity to increase speed and set up for the next move.
Bottom & Top Turns Explained
Bottom and Top Turns are essential components in surfing, and practising them on a surfskate offers a unique opportunity.
The Bottom Turn occurs at the wave’s base, redirecting the surfer back towards the peak of the wave (known as "The Lip"). The Top Turn happens near the lip, propelling the surfer back down.
Smoothly linking these turns is fundamental to fluid surfing. They are repeated continuously throughout a wave and are crucial to surfing.
Advance forward, bend into your knees, and execute a deep turn to one side (Bottom Turn). Then ascend into the next curve in the opposite direction (Top Turn). Integrating these turns forms a flowing path that feels akin to sliding along a real wave.
Effective Ways to Stop While Surfskating
In surfskating, developing stopping methods adapted to the distinctive front truck system is essential. Those accustomed to halting by dragging a shoe along the ground on a regular skateboard may find the surfskate trucks’ response surprising.
In essence, the high flexibility of surfskate trucks makes carving and sharp turns simple, but it also necessitates a different strategy for slowing down.
Fortunately, stopping on a surfskate is straightforward. Here are three safe and efficient techniques to bring your board to a stop:
- Step Off Into a Run - At a low to moderate pace, step off with your back foot first and jog forward to dissipate your momentum. Always look ahead and select a clear landing area.
- Grass or Rough Surface Stop - If available, steer your surfskate onto grass or a rougher ground surface. Increased friction will decelerate you quickly without stressing the trucks or wheels.
- Carve to Reduce Speed - Execute a series of wide, controlled turns to gradually slow down. This approach is most effective when ample space surrounds you, but it is not useful in emergencies requiring an immediate stop.
By practising these techniques, you will build confidence and remain in control of your surfskate at all times. Mastering stopping early in your surfskate journey will grant you the liberty to practice turns, pumping, and other manoeuvres without the concern of controlling speed.
