Over the last few years we have seen a huge momentum gain in our store of customers racing to get their hands on Surf Skateboards. So what is a Surf Skate? A Surf Skate Skateboard is basically a larger cruiser or mid sized longboard that has a special truck that allows you to mimic or duplicate the pump and flow you get surfing or that carving feeling you get on your snowboard. Skateboards in fact were originally made of concocted cutout wood shaped with some roller skate wheels attached to the bottom as a way for surfers to do something when the waves were flat. Have you watched Lord’s Of Dogtown? That's when it all started.
On a regular skateboard momentum if mostly gained from pushing. Riding a surf skate, momentum is generated from carving and upper body movement. Carver has always been about surfing, and of capturing that amazing feeling of flow on a skateboard.
There are lots of brands on the market but by far Carver and Yow are in our mind the cream of the crop. The original since 1996, Carver has led the modern surfskate movement forward with its innovative truck systems, like the reverse-kingpin CX for a quick and snappy ride, or the lower, lighter C5 for tricks and parks. And with a variety of surf-inspired shapes and concaves, along with fast and grippy Roundhouse wheels, Carver delivers speed, power and flow so you can truly ‘Surf your Skate’.
So what do you look for when buying a Surf Skate? In a nut shell most surf skates will be available from 28" long to 34" long. Shorter boards will be more agile and easier with to pump and make quick turns, while longer boards will feel more stable at speed and be great with long flowy turns. The wheelbase and the weight of the rider come into play but length can be subjective to what you feel. As a gauge if you are around 55kg stick between the 28" to 30" and above that move up. As a general guideline.
What is he difference in truck systems? Should you ride Yow or Carver, spring loaded or urethane. In our experiance the Carver CX truck is by far our best seller as its a great mix of stability and flow. A great all-rounder. Yow and Carver C7 trucks are certainly have a sharper turn and deliver maybe a truer surf feel. Both styles are awesome just feel a bit different. Drop into the store and try out a demo before you buy!
So how do you Surf Skate? First up grab a board and get out for a push. Once you get the feel there is loads of YouTube instruction channels like the one below plus you can get inspiration from Carver or Yow's instagram pages and YouTube channels.
Surf Skates are where it is at if you are looking for the ultimate feeling of effortless flow and unmatched carve on a skateboard. They are so good and purpose built you will find that the Australian and USA surf associations use Surf Skates as off water training tools whether you want to improve your surf skills or create the most epic flow in your local bowl. Snowboarders not travelling to Japan this Summer in search of powder? This is what you want to ride off snow. Check our massive range of surf skates including Carver and Yow HERE
