The beautiful days are back, summer surf sessions are approaching... But don't worry, we have the solution to continue perfecting your maneuvers and feel similar sensations: surf skate! However, don't rush to the first model you see. We help you choose the best surf skate for you, which will be perfectly suited to your level, your goals, and your style of riding!
What is a surfskate?
But what defines a surfskate?
This is characterized by a board often similar to a shortboard, with a front truck featuring double articulation allowing the reproduction of surfing movements. Added to this is a classic rear truck to provide some stability and, of course, large wheels to absorb the imperfections of different surfaces. How does it work? The modified front truck system offers flexibility and maneuverability at the front of the skate, allowing you to "pump" and generate a perpetual speed movement, similar to the closing wave sections to be passed in surfing. In this article, we will compare the three leading brands available on our HawaiiSurf site: YOW, Flying Wheels, and Carver.
Several criteria will play an important role in the choice of your future surfskate:
- The choice of the front truck
- Using your surfskate
- The size of the board according to your build
- The wheels and the bearings
- The budget
Choose your surfskate based on the main criteria:
1. The choice of the front truck
The front double-jointed truck is surely one of the most important features when choosing your surfskate. Indeed, it will then determine the style of riding and sliding you will head towards. We will therefore present to you the different types of front trucks that exist because it is the first element to consider when choosing your future gem!
The M4 and M5 Meraki trucks from YOW
At YOW, there is only one truck, the famous Meraki available in two versions. The uniqueness of this truck is its flexibility thanks to the spring system. The YOW Meraki S5, equipped with reinforced trucks, offers a smooth and fast glide, ideal for surf training, with increased stability. Meanwhile, the YOW Meraki S4 features single spring trucks to promote more authentic surfing sensations, more radical maneuvers, and is suitable for smaller builds.
The YOW Meraki S5: Truck with reinforced spring. This allows you to "pump" and gain speed super easily. No need to put your foot on the ground anymore. Wide range of maneuvers. Smooth, versatile, ideal for surf training. Stiffer and more stable than the S4. Recommended for people over 50kg.
Levels: Beginners to experienced.
The YOW Meraki S4: Truck with single spring. The sensations similar to surfing are even stronger than for the S5. More responsive and playful. Radical and tight maneuvers. More flexible than the S5. This one is recommended for body weights under 50kg.
Levels: Experienced adults or small builds of all levels.
The C7 and CX trucks from Carver Skateboards
The Carver C7: Original flexible front truck from the brand. It features a spring like the Yow trucks. It allows for long turns and beautiful curves. Perfect for cruising and riding. Stability and flexibility are the key features of this truck. One could say that the C7 truck is more stable on descents or at high speeds than a Meraki Yow truck.
Levels: Beginners to experts.
The Carver CX: Rigid front truck with reverse kingpin. This one does not have a spring. Designed for tighter turns. The sensations are more similar to a shortboard. More responsive, therefore less stable for a more playful side. Ideal for skatepark and surf training.
Levels: Intermediate to expert.
The Kinesis, Pendulum, and STR trucks from Flying Wheels
At Flying Wheels, there are three main trucks. The Kinesis truck offers high-level performance, while being similar to the YOW Meraki thanks to its spring system. On the other hand, the Pendulum, equipped with bushings for effective cushioning, proves to be the most versatile and reassuring. As for the STR, it stands out for its stability and good cushioning, ideal for sessions on pumptrack or bowl.
The Kinesis truck: Performance and sensations guaranteed. Very loose and very flexible truck. Present on all the brand's pro surfskate models. Similar to the Meraki YOW truck (spring system).
Levels: Intermediate to expert.
The Pendulum truck: Good cushioning thanks to the presence of bushings. Reassuring and versatile. A good compromise between the STR and the Kinesis. Ideal for improvement.
Levels: Beginners to experts.
The STR truck: Good cushioning thanks to the presence of bushings as well. It is the most stable truck of the brand. Ideal for pumptrack and bowl. It shares similarities with the Carver CX truck.
Levels: Beginners to advanced.
After choosing the type of trucks that suits you best, usage is probably the easiest thing to determine. Are you looking for a surfskate to cruise, do freestyle, surf training, or for maximum versatility? You just have to read on! Generally, the shorter the board, the more radical the maneuvers and the tighter the turns. Conversely, the longer the board, the bigger and smoother the curves.
For walking and cruising:
Favor a long and wide surfskate for long rides. For cruising and rides, it is preferable to choose a board over 32" for maximum pleasure and sensations! Large turns will be easier and more enjoyable to make than with a short board. The idea is to have a smoother, more fluid sensation because the feelings are more similar to those of a longboard in surfing. To start surfskating, using your skateboard for cruising or rides is very good training. Moreover, the stability allows beginners to feel more comfortable and confident on the board. It is ultimately an excellent way to get introduced to the sensation of gliding.
Our selection of surfskates for cruising:
For surf training and improvement:
As previously explained, the surfskate was designed to meet the needs of surfers desperately waiting for conditions. To perfect your surf maneuvers on asphalt, the ideal is to favor boards between 30 to 32" (see 34" for larger builds)! These are the boards that offer the most stability and maneuverability, the most versatile after all. They will be perfect for carving and riding long distances. You can also train at the skatepark or in bowls with these versatile surfskates. Our selection of surfskates for surf training:
For freestyle and skateparks:
Do you enjoy thrills similar to those of surfing? Skateparks, bowls, and pumptracks will be your best playgrounds! To practice freestyle, opt for short boards under 30"! Indeed, more playful and responsive, this shape is ideal for making short and tight turns. However, these surfskates are rather intended for experienced skaters or smaller builds.
Our selection of surfskates for freestyle:
4. Wheels and bearings
The size of the wheels:
Generally, surfskate wheels are quite large. They are often between 65 and 75 mm. These dimensions are suitable for different types of surfaces. Opt for smaller sizes if you plan to ride on smoother surfaces, such as skateparks or bowls. Smaller wheels provide more agility, while larger wheels offer more comfort.Hardness:
For surfskate, it is preferable to ride with so-called "soft" wheels with a hardness around 78A. A less rigid wheel allows for more grip when accelerating while conforming to the imperfections of the asphalt. With better grip, it also helps to limit falls in case of a turn that is a bit too tight. Even though gravel rarely forgives in surf skate...The form:
The most suitable shape for surfskate remains the wheel with a straight edge (see image). This offers greater grip and better stability. Ideal for city ride sessions! For freestyle and sliding enthusiasts, beveled wheels with a more rounded cut are recommended. They allow a greater steering angle, very useful during tight maneuvers.
The bearings
As for the bearings, like in skateboarding, the best are those with the highest ABEC number or skate rated. In other words, ABEC7 or ABEC9 in the best case. Indeed, these bearings are known to provide the most durability and highest speed.
5. The budget
Obviously, the budget you are willing to allocate to your new purchase is a decisive factor. At HawaiiSurf, we offer surfskates to suit most budgets. Prices range from €145 to €349 for the most expensive ones from Carver. It all depends on your expectations, favorite brands, or the pro model that makes you dream! To assist you in your purchase, we can offer payment solutions in installments with Paypal or ALMA. We hope this article will help you choose your future surfskate! If you have other questions, feel free to visit our experts in our stores in Paris, Saint-Jean-de-Luz, and Mimizan. You can also contact the digital team of 'HawaiiSurf.com who will be happy to chat with you!
Have a good ride and see you soon!
Camille, HawaiiSurf.
