Complete Surfskates

Surf Skateboards Turn Concrete Into Waves

Discover our extensive range of surfskates designed to mimic the feeling of surfing. Explore what makes surf skateboards unique and find the perfect board for your style and skill level.

What Is a Surf Skateboard?

A surf skateboard (also called a surfskate) is a specialized skateboard equipped with an advanced front truck system that enables fluid carving and pumping to generate speed.

Difference Between a Surf Skateboard and a Regular Skateboard

The main distinction between surfskates and ordinary skateboards lies in the trucks. How you turn and how you gain momentum is completely different when you compare surfskates to other types of skateboards.

Truck Design

• Regular skateboards use standard trucks that pivot on a single axis.
• Surfskates feature a dual-axis front truck that mimics surfboard movement, allowing deep, smooth turns and speed generation through body motion (pumping).

How You Gain Momentum

• On a skateboard, you gain speed by pushing (or kicking) backwards against the ground with one foot.
• On a surfskate, you generate speed through pumping - shifting your weight from heel to toe and moving your body in a fluid motion.

Check out our guide: Surfskating for beginners.

Height and Agility

• Surfskates are often taller than regular skateboards. The extra height prevents the deck from touching the wheels during sharp turns, reducing the risk of wheel bite (this is what it is called when the wheels make contact with the deck, something that can cause falls).
• Regular skateboards are less agile and usually lower than surfskates. This is because they do not need to accommodate as steep deck angles as surfskates.

Is a Surf Skate Good for Beginners?

If you are new to skateboarding or longboarding, you may wonder whether a surfskate is a good first skateboard. The answer to this question naturally depends on your own motivation for getting into it. Below, we’ve gathered a few points to consider.

Beginners who want to get into skateboarding:

• Surfskates are less stable (read: incredibly lively) and therefore it is more difficult to learn to balance on them.
• For small spaces such as driveways, small yards, or compact parking areas, a surfskate can offer a lot of fun for a beginner, as it enables tight turns in limited space.
• If you plan to commute, cruise long distances, travel, or go downhill, you will likely find a longboard or a regular cruiserboard to be a more inviting and stable option than a surfskate.
• If you want to learn tricks like ollies or kickflips, the answer is “get a skateboard”.

Surfers who want to get into skateboarding:

• The turning mechanics closely mimic the feel of carving on a wave, allowing you to practice pumping, balance, and flow when you are not out on the waves.
• Surfskates can be a valuable tool for keeping your surf skills sharp during days where the ocean is flat or you can’t make it to the water.

Beginners who fell in love with surfskating:

• Neither cruiserboards, longboards, or skateboards offer the surf-like feeling that you can get from a surfskate.
• You know what you want: Get a surfskate!

Can You Surfskate on a Regular Skateboard?

A regular skateboard does not have the responsive, pivoting front truck needed for surf-style movement. To convert one into a surfskate, you can install surfskate trucks on your existing deck. However, a standard popsicle deck will result in a shorter wheelbase than a purpose-built surfskate deck.

If your skateboard currently has small, hard wheels, replace them with proper cruiser wheels for a smoother, more flowing feel. You will also need to install risers to provide extra clearance, preventing wheel bite during sharp turns.

Difference Between a Surfskate and a Cruiser Skateboard

In this case, the names say it all - cruiserboards are designed for cruising, while surfskates are built to mimic surf movements.

• A cruiserboard provides smooth, comfortable transportation on streets, featuring soft wheels and a short, wide deck.
• A surfskate emphasizes dynamic carving and pumping, delivering a wave-like sensation.

The side-to-side motion required on a surfskate makes it less practical for cruising, as it takes up more space on pavements and streets.

Can You Ollie on a Surf Skate?

You can definitely ollie on a surfskate, and some skaters incorporate skateboard tricks into their surfskating with great success.

However, most surfskates have a very steep pop angle, which makes executing a proper ollie more challenging. Landing can also be tricky - maintaining stability without excessive wobbling often requires extra effort.

Let’s be honest:

• If your main focus is performing ollies, kickflips, or shuvits, a surfskate is not the ideal choice. You would be better off with a traditional skateboard designed for tricks.
• If you are just casually wondering whether it’s possible to integrate some skateboard tricks into your surfskating, then yes - there’s no reason to limit yourself.