Freedom is one of the most sought-after human reasons, and there are some sports that bring you closer to that feeling. This is the case with surfing, which puts us in direct contact with the sea and nature, or in the absence of the sea, with surfskate, its more street version.
Both sports require a lot of training and technique. In fact, one of the best ways to do this is through the repetition of movement patterns, to gradually integrate them into our minds.
In today's post, we are going to talk to you about this sport that is born as a support for surfing but gradually becomes its complement. Surfskate - Don't miss it!
1. WHAT IS SURFSKATE: ITS TRUE MEANING AND BEGINNINGS
To talk about surfskate, we first have to talk about surfing. The practice of surfing in Spain is relatively "new" (from a few decades ago) and has gained more importance in recent years. Its practice has become much more accessible, gender barriers have been broken, and the existence of surf schools has proliferated enormously. Surfing is experiencing a boom on such a scale that traveling in search of the perfect wave has become common, and the surnames Slater and MacNamara are increasingly common in sports conversations. Alongside this exceptional practice, which limits us to living near the ocean, the need has arisen to simulate the movements we make when surfing, and to feel what we feel when riding the waves and enjoying the adrenaline rush. This need is already met and has a name: Surfskate.
But what exactly is a Surfskate? It is a skateboard that allows you to achieve practically the same sensations as surfing thanks to a special axle. This tool is very useful for training surfing movements on dry land, as sometimes it is difficult to perfect the technique on the water. The first traces of the surfskate appeared when two Californian surfers and snowboarders, David Colley and Brad Gerlach, missed practicing their movements on the board during days without waves. However, it was in 1996 when the surfskate went from being a vague idea to a reality thanks to Neil Carver and Greg Falk in Venice (California), with the invention of a revolutionary axle and its subsequent patent, thus founding the most recognized brand today in the surfskate world: Carverskateboards.
2. THIS IS THE STRUCTURE OF A SURFSKATE! PART BY PART
- Board.
Once again, surf and surfskate are infinitely connected; The board, also known as deck or top, the main part of the surfskate to which axles and wheels are attached, is similar to the surfboard, and as in it, the front part is called nose and the rear part, tail. This board is used because it is not necessary to push with the foot to move or generate speed. Generally, they are boards made of between 6 and 7 layers of sturdy wood, with little flex and very low chances of breaking. In a traditional skateboard, both the tail and the nose are a bit more elevated; however, in surfskates the tail is usually raised, although it doesn't necessarily have to be.
- Front axle.
It is the axles that make the difference and bring us closer to that feeling of flying over the sea water or spinning on its walls. The front axle features a system that allows it to turn twice as much as a conventional axle thanks to springs, a different angulation, and a series of specific rubbers. The front axle allows us to perform movements very similar to surfing. The surfskate axle's turning dynamics allow short and maneuverable turns as if it were a surfboard on the waves, enabling you to reproduce surfing movements even if you've never touched a board in your life.
- Rear truck.
The rear truck is a conventional truck; you can salvage it from your traditional skateboard or buy it without problem at any sports store.
- Distance between the trucks and the board.
Interestingly, this distance is known as the wheelbase, although its use has little or nothing to do with this name. It is vital to know the distance between the trucks of the board and its length; making a good surfskate choice is easy if you thoroughly understand the ins and outs of these two factors.
- Wheels.
The ones logically responsible for helping us move forward, grind, and slide. They are usually medium-sized and very soft. This way, turns that simulate surfing can be made but do not allow unplanned sliding.
- Grip tape.
Located on the top of the board, its purpose is to provide traction between the rider and the ground.
- Bearings.
Skateboard or Surfskate bearings are a pair of metal rings with 6, 7, or 8 balls inside, protected by two thin discs. They are usually made of aluminum. Each skateboard has 8 bearings, 2 per wheel.
3. YOUR SURFSKATE TRUCKS: AN ESSENTIAL PART FOR MOVING AROUND
Each brand has its own patented surfskate truck with different turning systems that distinguish them from classic longboards. Most of these trucks are adjustable in hardness for different uses or weights, allowing you to practice, perfect, and refine your surfing on days without waves or in cities where there are no waves. However, the brand of trucks, and of all surfskate equipment in general, par excellence is Carver, which is why many times, when talking about trucks or wheels, this brand is referenced. The big difference between a surfskate and any other type of skateboard lies in the trucks. Surfskate trucks can rotate much more than normal both horizontally and vertically. There are several types of trucks, each covering specific technical needs; we talk below about the most demanded ones:
Carver C7 Front Truck: It is the surfskate truck that offers the smoothest turning and fastest pumping. Its appearance differs greatly from the traditional longboard or skateboard truck, featuring a swinging extended arm system that connects to the central axle and an adjustment nut that can be altered to provide more or less stiffness to the trucks, thus causing more or less turning. The C7 generates a smooth, loose, and fluid ride, resembling surfing waves with a large longboard style surfboard or a single fin single fin board, ideal for drawing lines and working on style.
The Carver CX truck: This Carver truck offers a look almost identical to a traditional truck, although it performs all the functions of the C7. The CX has no internal spring, designed for higher speed. For riders seeking maximum speed and responsiveness. It is a more energetic and extreme truck, allowing quick turns and cuts, and sharper maneuvers.
You get a sensation similar to riding a thruster three-fin surfboard.
4. THE WHEELS: ANOTHER KEY DIFFERENCE
Regarding wheels, they come defined by different sizes and hardness. Size is measured in millimeters. Larger wheels offer more stability and are faster, and being larger, they are also softer. Larger wheels are perfect for practicing moves without fear of sliding out and for long distances. Smaller, harder wheels are better for use in skateparks and for performing jumps. The wheel's durometer measures its hardness, classified with the letter A, which is a reference to the wheel's resistance to abrasion or penetration by sharp objects. The higher the number, the harder the wheel.
There are several types of wheels depending on the needs and style of surfskaters:
- Square edge: Provide good grip, stability, and cushioning. Designed to favor wide turns. Recommended for use on long rides.
- Concave surface: More grip and traction than square edges. They provide a lot of stability. Designed for practicing all kinds of turns. Also recommended for long rides.
- Beveled edge: They favor cushioning, speed, and sliding. Recommended for short rides.
- Round rail: They provide hardness and resistance. Designed for jumps and ramps. Use in Skateparks.
5. THINGS YOU SHOULD KEEP IN MIND TO CHOOSE YOUR SURFSKATE
Choosing the right board is not a very difficult task if you can answer these questions:
- Your height and weight
These parameters are related to the pressure we exert on the rails of the board and the stance (foot separation on the board). It is more important to pay attention to your height; the taller you are, the longer boards you will need to reduce instability, but keep in mind that the smaller the board, the more turns it will make and the tighter they will be, similar to a surfboard.
- Your surfing level and the boards you use in the water
If you are already a fan of skate or surf, you can choose from a wide range of surfskates. You can choose a smaller board than what corresponds to your height to make it more explosive and dynamic with tighter turns. Every surfboard you have at home will have a surfskate with similar behavior for asphalt. On the other hand, if you want to start in the world of surfskate, you should opt for larger boards, which will allow you to make wide and controlled turns and will offer you more stability.
- Your surfing style and where you will use your surfskate
Finally, your surfing style determines the type of board and trucks you will use: If you like to ride around the city, you can opt for the C7 truck we mentioned earlier, which resembles surfing a single fin on the water. This truck is also recommended if you use longboards in the water. If you prefer quick and radical maneuvers, then trucks like the CX can suit you. Think about your style on the water; if you like high-performance thrusters, short twin fins with volume for small waves, or if you prefer a board to use in the skatepark. There are countless options, and before choosing your surfskate, think about which one you will get the most out of based on your style and technique.
Also consider where you will use your surfskate, whether you want it to practice surfing in a bowl, if you will be riding on the street, or if you will be going to the skatepark. Think about the type of surface and terrain where you will be moving. If you have already practiced skate or longboard and want to make short rides, you can opt for small boards. If what you want is to make long trips and enjoy the ride, the best are long boards with a prominent distance between axles and large wheels.
6. A BIT OF HISTORY… THE ORIGIN OF SURFSKATE: CARVER SURFSKATE
As we mentioned before, Carver was the first, the most, and the most well-known worldwide in the design and distribution of surfskates.
It has become more than just a brand for this sport because, historically speaking, it became a pioneer and an essential part of its birth.
The brand has been on the market for over 20 years and has established itself as a sector leader, and generally, skaters trust it when choosing trucks, wheels, and their boards.
It is the quintessential brand that builds surfboards for asphalt; they allow you to surf the streets, sidewalks, bowls... as if you were in the water, on a wave that never ends.
Carver sponsors top professionals Taylor Knox, Yago Dora, Courtney Conlogue, JM Cabrera, and Axi Muniain.
7. THE BEST SURFSKATES YOU CAN CHOOSE
What are some of the best surfskates?
Besides Carver, there are several surfskate brands that have been gaining a lot of notoriety in recent years and offer quality similar to the market-leading brand. These are some of the most purchased and recommended ones. You choose!
Smoothstar: This Australian brand has positioned itself as one of the best on the market. Their team has created a system so that the board adapts to the rider's height, weight, and surfing style. The skates are designed by and for surfers. Among their ambassadors is Filipe
Toledo: Smoothstar offers a very sensitive truck, with a spring included, also adjustable depending on the rider. This is a very technical and specific surfskate designed to simulate being on the face of a wave. It is a board for surfers looking for an extra level of turning and sensitivity in a small space, allowing training in a small area. The most well-known models of this brand are those of Filipe Toledo (HOLY Y 77) and Johanne Defay.
Yow: Based in the Basque Country, this brand has been on the market for over 15 years and has become a benchmark in the world of longboarding and skateboarding. Their boards are made with Mapple wood and feature a sensitive and controllable truck. The brand offers two types of truck hardness. Yow provides a surfskate made in Spain, fast and capable of competing with the big brands on the market. The most renowned ambassador of the YOW surf skate team is surfer Aritz Aramburu.
SwellTech Surfskate: It is a young American brand with Jamie O’Brien as the main brand ambassador. SwellTech offers an ideal product to improve technique and is very sensory; it is one of the brands that conveys the most surfer feeling. It offers an axle that allows a 360º turn. The brand's skate is closer to a surf trainer than a traditional axle.
Surf Skate Miller: This Cantabrian brand, located among snowy mountains and the first surf reserves in Spain, has been developing skates for years. They have very aesthetic and modern designs inspired by the waves we surf, the snow we descend, the music we listen to, and the beach or urban culture we breathe, which strongly break into the surfskate scene. Their lXRKP Surf Truck axle simulates the operation of CX axles (Carver Skateboards). Today, they are in more than 30 countries, including most of Europe, Japan, Chile, United Arab Emirates, Korea, among others.
8. MADRID: CITY OF SURFSKATE
The Spanish capital has a large number of skateparks. A wide range of options spread throughout the city for the joy of skaters and surfskate enthusiasts. Below we leave you some skateparks that you may not know yet:
- Madrid Río: is one of the best known and most frequented. Located inside Arganzuela Park, this skatepark is perfect for practicing surfskate. It features open and closed bowls, inclined planes, downhill lanes, dunes, and much more.
- Plaza Tetuán: It is one of the most popular skateparks in Madrid since it was one of the first in Spain. It is ideal for those skaters who like Street skating.
- Alcobendas: It is located in the municipal sports center of Valdelafuentes (Alcobendas). It has been renovated and is one of the most frequented skateparks in Madrid. It has two deep bowls connected to a third one, which will let you enjoy like a kid with surfskate.
9. AND BCN IS NOT FAR BEHIND!
Surfskate Barcelona
In Barcelona, there are several skateparks that refer to the origins of skate in surf and the movements surfers sought to emulate on asphalt with their boards:
Arenys de Munt: It's the first skatepark in Spain, built in 1979 and recently unearthed by a group of skaters. It hasn't been fully uncovered yet. It has two old-school style bowls connected to each other. They are half-sphere shaped and have no coping. They also have considerable depth. A flat ground area surrounded by ramps, with an arched rail and a kind of dune with an edge for grinding.
Skatepark de Canyelles: It has 3 bowls. Each has different depths and lines. The first has more aggressive lines and extensions, for more advanced skaters. The second has much smoother lines, suitable for less experienced skaters. The third is like a bathtub, square-shaped, and has a huge wallride and a lower section. It also has a small street area with a pyramid, bars, and boxes of different shapes.
La Mar Bella: It's a giant bowl. At the entrance, it has a waveramp that leads you to the bowls. On the right, you'll find the bowl with the least difficulty, shallowest, and perfect for beginners. On the left, you'll find the deepest and most difficult bowl, for higher-level skaters. It also has a Street area with rails and stairs.
10. YOU DIDN'T KNOW THE “SOMO SURFSKATE HOTEL” – IT'S AMAZING!
This “surf house” concept is an amazing alternative to learn about surf or surfskate and visit the beaches with the best waves in northern Spain. Somo is a hostel in Castanedo (Ribamontán al Mar).
It is organized by a team of professionals certified in surf teaching, with many years of experience in the best schools in the municipality.
Besides offering accommodation for a few days, their sports and local knowledge allows them to advise clients on their surfing experience.
They also offer an exclusive surf class service to help with sports initiation or progression.
We've told you everything you need to know to be a top surfskater, so if you already surf but want to perfect your technique off the water, we encourage you to join this dry practice; if you haven't started either of these two board sports yet, what are you waiting for?
