Complete Surfskates

Surf Skateboards Transform Concrete Into Waves

Explore our broad selection of surfskates engineered to replicate the sensation of surfing. Delve into what sets surf skateboards apart and find the ideal board that suits your style and proficiency.

What Constitutes a Surf Skateboard?

A surf skateboard, often known as a surfskate, is a distinctive skateboard fitted with an advanced front truck system that allows for smooth carving and pumping to build speed.

Dissimilarity Between a Surf Skateboard and a Standard Skateboard

The primary difference between surfskates and regular skateboards lies in the design of the trucks. Surfskates differ significantly from other skateboards in how they turn and how momentum is gathered.

Truck Construction

Standard skateboards utilise regular trucks that pivot along a single axis.
Surfskates possess a dual-axis front truck that imitates surfing motion, permitting deep, fluid turns and speed generation via body movement (pumping).

Ways to Build Momentum

With a skateboard, speed is achieved by pushing (or kicking) backwards against the ground with one foot.
A surfskate generates speed through pumping, which involves shifting your weight from heel to toe and moving your body fluidly.

Have a look at our guide: Surfskating for beginners.

Height and Nimbleness

Generally, surfskates are taller than traditional skateboards, which prevents the deck from contacting the wheels during tight turns, thereby reducing the chance of wheel bite (this occurs when the wheels come into contact with the deck, potentially causing falls).
Traditional skateboards are lower and less nimble than surfskates as they do not need to accommodate such steep deck angles.

Is a Surf Skateboard Suitable for Beginners?

If you're new to skateboarding or longboarding, you might wonder if a surfskate is an appropriate first choice. Whether it is suitable depends on your reasons for embarking on this journey. Below, we have assembled some points for consideration.

Beginners aiming to learn skateboarding:

Surfskates are less stable (read: exceptionally lively) and thus make learning to balance more challenging.
In small areas—such as driveways, compact yards, or limited parking spaces—a surfskate can be quite enjoyable for novices as it accommodates tight turns in confined spaces.
For commuting, long-distance cruising, travelling, or downhill adventures, a longboard or a standard cruiserboard is likely a more stable and appealing choice than a surfskate.
If your goal is to master tricks like ollies or kickflips, then the advice is “get a skateboard”.

Surfers transitioning into skateboarding:

The turning mechanism closely replicates the feel of carving on a wave, enabling you to practise pumping, balance, and flow when you can't be on the water.
Surfskates serve as a valuable tool for maintaining your surfing skills during spells when the ocean is calm or visits to the water are not feasible.

Beginners enchanted by surfskating:

Neither cruiserboards, longboards, nor skateboards offer the surf-like experience achievable with a surfskate.
You know what you're after: Invest in a surfskate!

Is Surfskating Possible on a Standard Skateboard?

A conventional skateboard lacks the responsive, pivoting front truck necessary for surf-style dynamics. To transform one into a surfskate, you can attach surfskate trucks to your existing deck. However, a typical popsicle deck results in a shorter wheelbase compared to a deck designed specifically for surfskating.

Should your skateboard have small, hard wheels, switch them out for proper cruiser wheels to achieve a smoother, flowy ride. Additionally, risers will be required to offer extra clearance, thus preventing wheel bite when making sharp turns.

Distinction Between Surfskate and Cruiser Skateboard

The names describe them perfectly – cruiserboards aim for smooth travel, while surfskates are constructed to emulate surf movements.

A cruiserboard provides smooth, comfortable travel on streets, featuring soft wheels and a short, wide deck.
With a surfskate, the focus is on dynamic carving and pumping, delivering a sensation akin to riding waves.

The side-to-side action required by a surfskate makes it less ideal for cruising, as it consumes more space on pavements and roads.

Can You Perform an Ollie on a Surf Skateboard?

Yes, executing an ollie on a surfskate is feasible, and some skaters seamlessly incorporate skateboard tricks into their surfskating regimen.

However, most surfskates exhibit a very steep pop angle, complicating the execution of a proper ollie. Landing without excessive wobble often demands additional effort to maintain stability.

Honestly speaking:

If your primary goal involves performing ollies, kickflips, or shuvits, a surfskate may not be the best fit. A skateboard specialised for tricks would serve you better.
If you are casually curious about integrating certain skateboard tricks into your surfskating, go ahead—there's no reason to limit yourself.