You know that feeling when the waves aren’t hitting and the beach is out of reach? Yeah, we’re all about keeping the stoke alive anyway.
Well, let me tell you, surfskates have absolutely blown up here at the shop in the last years, and for good reason!
These boards are pure magic. We've seen so many of you grab one to keep that surf flow going during those long flat spells, or to improve your surfing with some serious land-based training. But honestly? Most of you are just having an absolute blast cruising around the neighborhood. And you know what? We're right there with you! We've been riding them for all of these reasons, and if you're a surfer, we can't recommend them enough. Even if you've never touched a surfboard, you seriously gotta try one – the sheer fun factor is off the charts.
For a long time, Carver Skateboards pretty much owned the surfskate game, and they still make some incredible boards, especially with their awesome collabs with brands like Santa Cruz and Arbor. Another amazing brand is Waterborne, doing some super cool collabs with their trucks with brands like Penny and Z-Flex.
It can be a bit much trying to figure out which board is right for you, right? That's why we've pulled together everything we know about the different surfskate brands and truck systems, mixed in with our own riding experiences, to give you the lowdown.
First off, let's get something straight: you are going to have a ton of fun on any surfskate you pick up from us, no matter the brand. Seriously, we stand behind every single one in our shop. The quality, the ride, the designs, the prices – they're all fantastic! But, depending on how you plan to ride and what kind of rider you are, one brand might just click better for you than another. We want to help you make that perfect choice, so let's dig into a few things to consider.
Surfskate vs. Longboard: A Whole New Vibe!
Okay, so if you're used to a traditional longboard, forget everything you know about how to ride. Surfskates offer a completely different experience! The movements you make on a surfskate are incredibly similar to actual surfing, and that's where they really set themselves apart from longboards and skateboards.
The secret is in the surfskate trucks. They allow for so much more movement! You can literally build up speed on the board just by shifting your weight – tilting your toes, then your heels. This is called pumping, and it means you can ride a surfskate and get faster without ever having to push off the ground! That's just not possible with regular skateboard or longboard trucks. And get this: the body movements you use for pumping are super close to what you do when you're actually riding a wave. Plus, surfskate trucks are way more maneuverable than longboard trucks, letting you carve unbelievably tight curves and radius that you just can't get on a longboard.
Under the Deck: Breaking Down the Trucks
The trucks are the heart of your surfskate, dictating how it feels and performs. Here’s a quick look at some of the popular ones we carry:
Waterborne Trucks: You'll find these on Penny and Z-Flex surfskates. From a performance perspective, we honestly think it’s one of the most versatile surfskate designs out there. It handles bowls like a champ and loves steep terrain because of its strong "spring-back" resistance. And when it comes to pumping, it's just amazing – you can even pump uphill! That high resistance also makes it pretty stable when you're just pushing, but because of its clever dual-axis design, that stability doesn't come at the cost of how mobile it is. It's truly impressive.
Carver Trucks: These are the OG's, found on awesome boards like Santa Cruz and Arbor surfskates. Carver offers three main models: the C7, the CX, and the C5. The C7 is what we call the "pure surf skate truck" – it's got that classic, super fluid surf feel. The CX is a bit lighter and, in our opinion, better for those steeper rides like bowls, offering a quicker, snappier turn. Then there’s the C5 – lower, lighter, and built for tricks. It's a solid option if you're looking to blend surf style with a bit more street and park action. All three are fantastic, it just depends on your vibe!
Bear Trucks: Gen 6 130mm 50 Degree, you will find these on the Landyachtz Surfskates. These are Bear's narrowest RKP (Reverse Kingpin) cast trucks, and trust us, they deliver an ultimate carving experience. What's really cool is that even though they're super carvy, they still feel totally confidence-inspiring and stable, ready to handle whatever you throw at them.
Your Skill Level? No Problem!
Whether you're a total beginner or a seasoned pro surfer, everyone can jump on a surfskate and find their challenge. From learning to pump and glide to really refining your surf moves on dry land, the only limit is what you want to achieve.
Come on down to the shop or click HERE, and let's find you the perfect board to start shredding on concrete!
