Freedom is one of the most sought-after human desires and there are some sports that bring you closer to that feeling. This is the case of surfing, which puts us in direct contact with the sea and nature, or in the absence of the sea, surfskate, its more street version.
Both sports require a lot of training and technique. In fact, one of the best ways to do it is by repeating the movement patterns, thus gradually integrating them into our heads.
In today's post we are going to talk about this sport that was born as a support for surfing, but that little by little 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. Surfing in Spain is relatively “new” (just a few decades old) and has been gaining more importance in recent years. Its practice has become much more democratized, gender barriers have been broken and the existence of surf schools has proliferated to an enormous extent. 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 becoming more and more common in sports conversations. Along with this exceptional practice, which limits us to living near the ocean, there is a need to simulate the movements we make when we surf, and to feel what we feel when we ride the waves and enjoy the adrenaline rush. This need is already covered and it has a name: Surfskate.
But what exactly is a Surfskate? It is a skate that allows you to get practically the same sensations as surfing thanks to a special axle. This tool is very useful for training surfing movements on dry land, because sometimes it is difficult to perfect the technique on the water. The first traces of surfskate appeared when two Californian surfers and snowboarders, David Colley and Brad Gerlach, noticed that they missed practicing their movements on the board during days without waves. However, it was in 1996 when 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 world of surfskate: Carverskateboards.
2. THIS IS THE STRUCTURE OF A SURFSKATE! PART BY PART
- Board.
Once again, surfing and surfskate are infinitely connected; The board, also known as the deck, the main part of the surfskate to which the axles and wheels are attached, is similar to the surfboard, and like this, the front part is called I don't know and the rear, tail. This board is used because it is not necessary to push with the foot to move or generate speed. They are usually tables between 6 and 7 layers of robust wood, with little flex and very little chance of breaking. In a traditional skateboard, he tail as the nose They are a little higher, however, in surfskates the tail is usually raised, although it does not have to be.
- Front axle.
It is the axles that make the difference and bring us closer to that sensation of flying over the sea water or turning on its walls. The front axle has a system that allows it to turn twice as much as a conventional axle thanks to springs, a different angle and a series of specific rubbers.The front axle allows us to perform movements very similar to surfing. The turning dynamics of the surfskate axle allow short and maneuverable turns as if it were a surfboard on the waves, allowing you to reproduce the movements of surfing, even if you have never touched a board in your life.
- Rear axle.
The rear axle is a conventional axle, you can rescue it from your traditional skateboard or purchase it without any problem in any sports store.
- Distance between the axles and the board.
Curiously, this distance is known as the wheel, although its use has little or nothing to do with this name. It is vitally important to know the wheelbase of the board and its length; making a good surfskate choice is easy if you know the ins and outs of these two factors.
- Wheels.
These are, of course, the ones that help us move forward, grind, and skid. They tend to be medium-sized and very soft. This way, you can make turns that simulate surfing but do not allow for unplanned skidding.
- Sandpaper.
Located at the top of the board, its purpose is to create 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 AXLES: AN ESSENTIAL PART FOR MOVING AROUND
Each brand has its own patented surfskate axle with different turning systems that differentiate them from classic longboards. Most of these axles are adjustable in hardness for different uses or weights and power. practice, perfect and improve your surfing skills 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, so, many times, when talking about trucks or wheels, this brand is used. The big difference between a surfskate and any other type of skateboard is in the trucks. The trucks of a surfskate are capable of rotating much more than normal both horizontally and vertically. There are several types of trucks, each one covers specific technical needs; we will talk about the most popular ones below:
Carver C7 Front Axle: It is the surfskate truck that offers the smoothest turn and the fastest pumping. Its appearance differs greatly from the traditional long or skate truck, it has an extended swing arm system that joins the central axle and an adjustment nut that can be altered to give more or less rigidity to the trucks, thus causing a greater or lesser turn. The C7 It creates a smooth, loose, fluid ride that feels like surfing the waves on a large surfboard. longboard or a table single fin single fin, ideal for drawing lines and working on style.
The Carver CX Axle: This carver axle offers an image that is almost identical to a traditional axle, although it undertakes all the functions of the C7. The CX does not have an internal spring, it is designed to go faster, For those riders looking for maximum speed and response. It is a more energetic and extreme axis, which gives the possibility of making quick turns and cuts, and more abrupt maneuvers.
You get a feeling similar to riding a three-fin thruster surfboard.
4.THE WHEELS: ANOTHER KEY DIFFERENCE
Wheels come in different sizes and hardness. Size is defined in millimeters. Larger wheels offer more stability and are faster, and because they are larger, they are also softer. Larger wheels are perfect for practicing skid-scary moves and for long rides. Smaller, harder wheels are better for use in the skate park and for performing jumps. The durometer on a wheel measures its hardness, which is rated with the letter A and is a reference to how resistant the wheel is to abrasion or penetration by sharp objects. The higher the number, the harder the wheel is.
There are several types of wheels depending on the needs and style of the riders. surfskaters:
- Square edge: They provide good grip, stability and cushioning. Designed to facilitate wide turns. They are recommended for use on long runs.
- Concave surface: More grip and adherence than square-edged ones. They provide a lot of stability. Designed for practicing turns of all kinds. And also recommended for long rides.
- Beveled edge: They improve cushioning, speed and skidding. They are recommended for short journeys.
- Round song: They provide hardness and resistance. Designed for jumps and ramps. Use in Skateparks.
5. THINGS YOU SHOULD KEEP IN MIND WHEN CHOOSING YOUR SURFSKATE
Choosing the right board is not a very difficult task if you know how to answer these questions:
- Your height and weight
These parameters are related to the pressure we exert on the edges of the board and the stance (separation of the feet). 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 skateboarding or surfing, you can choose from a wide range of surfskates. You can choose a board smaller than the one that corresponds to your height so that it is more explosive and dynamic with tighter turns. Each surfboard you have at home will have a surfskate with a similar behaviour on asphalt. If, on the other hand, you want to start in the world of surfskating, 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 are going to use your surfskate
Finally, your surfing style determines the type of board and trucks you will use: If you like to go around the city, you can opt for the C7 truck that we mentioned before and that resembles surfing a single fin on the water. This truck is also recommended if you use longboardsIf you are more into fast and radical maneuvers, then axles like the CX may suit you. Think about your style on the water; if you like the thruster high performance, the twin fin short, voluminous boards for small waves, or if you prefer a board to use at the skatepark. There are endless options, and before choosing your surfskate, think about which one will be most useful for you based on your style and technique.
Also consider where you're going to use your surfskate, whether you want to practice surfing in a bowl, if you're going to ride on the street or if you're going to go to the skatepark. Think about the type of ground and the terrain you're going to ride on. If you've already practiced skating or longboarding, and you want to do short trips, you can opt for small boards. If you want to do long trips and enjoy the ride, the best option is long boards with a prominent wheelbase and large wheels.
6. A BIT OF HISTORY… THE ORIGIN OF SURFSKATE: CARVER SURSFASKATE
As we mentioned before, Carver has been 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 leader in the sector. In general, skaters trust it when choosing trucks, wheels and boards.
It is the quintessential brand that builds surfboards for asphalt; they allow you to surf the streets, the sidewalks, the 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?
In addition to Carver, there are several surfskate brands that are gaining a lot of notoriety in recent years and that offer a quality similar to the market leader. 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. His team has created a system to make the board adapt to the height, weight and surfing style of the rider. The skates are designed by and for surfers. Among its ambassadors is Filipe
Toledo: Smoothstar It offers a very sensitive axle, with a spring included, which is also adjustable depending on the rider. This is a very technical and specific surfskate that simulates riding on the wall of a wave. This is a board for surfers looking for extra spin and sensitivity in a small space, allowing them to train in a small area. The best-known models from this brand are those from 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 from wood Mapple and have a sensitive and controllable axle. The brand has two types of axle hardness. Yow offers 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 brand's main ambassador. SwellTech offers an ideal product for improving technique and is very sensorial, it is one of the brands that transmits the most surfer feeling. It offers an axle that allows a 360º turn. The brand's skate is closer to a surfing technique than a traditional axle.
Surf Skate Miller: This Cantabrian brand, located between the snowy mountains and the first surf reserves in Spain, has been developing skateboards for years. They have very aesthetic and modern designs inspired by the waves we surf, the snow we ride down, the music we listen to and the beach or urban culture we breathe, which have burst onto the surfskate scene with force. Their lXRKP Surf Truck axle simulates the operation of CX (Carver Skateboards) axles. Today, they are in more than 30 countries, including most of Europe, Japan, Chile, the 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 to the delight of skaters and surfskate fans. Below are some skateparks that you may not know yet:
- Madrid River: It is one of the best known and most frequented. Located inside the Arganzuela Park, this skatepark is perfect for surfskating. It has open and closed bowls, inclined planes, downhill lanes, dunes and much more.
- Tetouan Square: It is one of the most popular skateparks in Madrid, as it was one of the first in Spain. It is ideal for those skaters who like street.
- Alcobendas: Located in the municipal sports centre of Valdelafuentes (Alcobendas). It has been renovated and is one of the most popular skateparks in Madrid. It has two deep tubs connected to a third, which will allow you to enjoy surfskating like a child.
9. AND BCN IS NOT FAR BEHIND!
Surfskate Barcelona
In Barcelona there are several skateparks that refer to the origins of skateboarding in surfing and the movements that surfers sought to emulate on the asphalt with their boards:
Arenys de Munt: This is the first skatepark in Spain, built in 1979 and recently unearthed by a group of skaters. It has not yet been fully unearthed. It has two old-school bowls connected to each other. They are half-sphere shaped and have no top. They are also quite deep. Part of the park is flat ground, surrounded by ramps, with an arched bar and a kind of dune with an edge for grinding.
Canyelles Skatepark: It has 3 bowls. Each one has depth and different lines. The first one has more aggressive lines and extensions, for more advanced skaters. The second one has much softer lines, suitable for the less experienced. The third one is like a bathtub, square, and has a huge wallride and another lower part. In addition, it also has a small street area with a pyramid, bars and boxes of different shapes.
The Beautiful Sea: It is a giant bowl. At the entrance there is a waveramp that leads you to the bowls. On the right you will find the easiest bowl, less deep and perfect for beginners. On the left you will find the deepest and most difficult bowl, for more advanced skaters. In addition, it has a street area with railings and stairs.
10. I BET YOU DIDN’T KNOW ABOUT THE “SOMO SURFSKATE HOTEL” – AMAZING!
This “surf house” concept is a brutal alternative to learn about surfing or surfskate and visit the beaches with the best waves in northern Spain. Somo is a hostel in Castanedo (Ribamontan to the sea).
It is organized by a team of professionals graduates in surf teaching, with many years of experience in the best schools in the municipality.
In addition to offering accommodation for a few days, their knowledge of sports and the environment allows them to advise clients on their surfing experience.
They also offer an exclusive surfing class service to help with initiation or development in the sport.
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 out of the water, we encourage you to join this dry practice; if you haven't yet started in either of these two sports on a board, what are you waiting for?
