Surfers who live on land find it difficult to stay in practice away from the sea. But it doesn’t have to be that way! With a surf skate you keep fit and at the same time train the movements that are also used on the wave.
Which surfskate carver is good?
With surf skates it is possible to choose which style you ride in. Should it be a relaxed board for cruising and pumping, or would you prefer a surf skate with which radical maneuvers such as snaps or cutbacks are no problem?
Avoid buying mistakes:
Find out in the BeyondSurfing guide which differences there are in surf skates and which is the best surf skate for your needs.
The best surf skateboard 2024?
Content
In a hurry? Our favorite surf skate:
- Maintenance-free axle design without spring
- Ideal for surf training
- Radical surf maneuvers possible
- Very tight turns, at the same time tilt-stable
- Suitable for beginners and advanced users
- High quality and high fun factor
Surfskates Checklist
- What is it suitable for? Surfskates are used to practice surfing on land. (Some) surf skates are also a good choice for cruising through the city.
- Which movement? The movement sequences on the surfskate are very similar to those on the surfboard.
- Which structure? Surfskates consist of four wheels, two axles and a deck.
Also interesting: What does the surfboard shape say about surfing behavior?
The 9 best surf skates from 2024
Best surf skate for surfers for surf training
1. Surfskate Wave SE
Advantages
- Maintenance-free axle design without spring
- Ideal for surf training
- Radical surf maneuvers possible
- Very tight turns, at the same time tilt-stable
- Suitable for beginners and advanced users
- High quality and high fun factor
Disadvantages
- Too short for people over 1.9 m
Customer ratings
Best surf skate for beginners
2. Jucker Hawaii Skatesurf HONU
Advantages
- Stable surf skate
- Good for turns, slides but also for carving and pumping
- Also suitable for longer distances
- Good compromise between surf and skate
- Soft rollers for slides
- Well suited for beginners
Disadvantages
- Not loose enough for radical surf maneuvers
Summary
A stable surfskate that is ideal for surfskate beginners. Thanks to the movable front axle, tight turns and slides are possible with the board, but carving and pumping are also great fun.
A good compromise:
The HONU has the surf feeling that a surf skate should have. At the same time, it can also be used to cover longer distances. Perfect for anyone who wants to practice their surfing skills but also values mobility and cruising.
Thanks to its soft wheels, the Surfskate is easy to slide. It is less suitable for radical maneuvers and 180° turns, as the front axle is not as flexible as on other surf skates.
Conclusion
Good for surfing moves, but also suitable for cruising through the city.
Product details
Length: 31.2” (79.5 cm) | Concave: Low | Griptape: included
Customer ratings
Customers are completely satisfied with this surf skate. They praise the high quality of the board and say that it is well suited for surfing moves and cruising.
FAQ
Best surf skate for advanced surfers
3. YOW Unisex Adults Huntington
Advantages
- Very loose driving feel
- Perfect for radical maneuvers
- Ideal for surf training
- Good for ramps
- Large deck suitable for beginners and advanced users
- Cool design
Disadvantages
- Possibly too wobbly for beginners
- Not for long distances
Summary
As the movement of YOW surf skates has to come from the core, this surf skate is ideal for training on land. In addition to important muscle groups, movement sequences are also trained, keyword muscle memory.
One plus point is the appealing design of the board. The skate park is a great place to ride on ramps and in bowls.
The board is a little too wobbly for complete skate or surf beginners. The Surfskate is unsuitable for covering medium to long distances.
Conclusion
Radical surfskate for beginners and advanced surfers.
Product details
Length: 34” (76.2 cm) | Concave: Performance | Rocker: Tail Rocker | Griptape: included
Customer ratings
FAQ
Best surf skate for cruising
4. Surfskate Classic 2.0 SE
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Customer ratings
Further highlights
5. Miller Surfskate Classic
Advantages
- Good for beginners and advanced users
- Stable surf skate
- Inexpensive
- Wide deck, also suitable for large feet
- Pumping, carving and tight turns are no problem
- Suitable for cruising
Disadvantages
- Not suitable for radical maneuvers
Summary
If you are looking for an affordable surfskate for beginners and advanced riders alike, the Miller Surfskate Classic is the right choice. The board is stable for a surf skate and, thanks to the wide deck, is also suitable for tall and heavy riders.
Pumping, carving and tight turns are no problem with this board. This trains the core muscles and ensures that the movement patterns learned while surfing remain a routine for the body. But this surf skate is also great fun for cruising through the city. However, long distances are quite strenuous.
This board is not suitable for radical surf maneuvers. The axles are not flexible enough for this. This board gives you more of a fish or single-fin surfboard feel.
Conclusion
Good and affordable surf skate for beginners and advanced surfers.
Product details
Length: 31.5” (80 cm) | Concave: Medium | Griptape: included
Customer ratings
Customers are of the opinion that this surf skate is ideal for beginners. It is agile, but also has enough stability for cruising through the city.
FAQ
6. Flamingueo Surfskate
Advantages
- Stable longboard
- Good price-performance ratio
- Suitable for beginners
- Skatepark: Bowls and ramps
- Good for cruising
Disadvantages
- No loose driving feel
- No radical maneuvers possible
Summary
The Flamingueo Surfskate is a stable longboard. It is more suitable for beginners who want to practice the movements from surfing and cruise through the city at the same time. Compared to other surf skates, the Flamingueo is inexpensive and scores with a good price-performance ratio.
As the trucks are not too wobbly, you can get from A to B easily with this surf skate. The board can also be ridden well in bowls and on ramps in the skate park. However, it is not suitable for skateboard tricks.
For those who want a very loose feel for radical maneuvers and super tight turns, this board is not the right choice.
Conclusion
Entry-level surf skate with a good price-performance ratio.
Product details
Length: 31.2” (79.2 cm) | Griptape: included
Customer ratings
FAQ
7. Jucker Hawaii Nalu
Advantages
- High-quality workmanship
- Good compromise between surf and skate
- Soft castors for bumpy surfaces
- Ideal for turns, pumping, carving and cruising
- Well suited for beginners
Disadvantages
- No radical surf maneuvers possible
Summary
This surf skate from Jucker Hawaii is very high quality and robust. The board offers a good compromise between surf and skate. Tight turns are no problem and speed is generated by pumping. At the same time, it is also possible to cover longer distances without too much effort.
Thanks to the soft wheels, the board also rides on bumpy surfaces, but it is somewhat slower than surf skates with hard wheels and is less likely to slide.
This surf skate is rather unsuitable for radical surf maneuvers, as the angle at which the axle can move is too small.
Conclusion
High quality surf skate. Good compromise between surf and skate.
Product details
Length: 31.2” (79.5 cm) | Concave: Low | Griptape: included
Customer ratings
Customers are very satisfied with this product. They praise the high-quality workmanship and great riding characteristics of the board.
FAQ
8. Flow Stub Surfskate
Advantages
- Adjustable axle with spring
- For radical maneuvers and relaxed cruising
- Surfskate for beginners and advanced
Disadvantages
- Processing
Summary
This surf skate meets the requirements of both beginners and advanced surfers. The movable front axle works with spring tension.
Adjustable for every requirement:
Both the hardness of the axle and the spring can be adjusted. This allows the surfskate to be adapted to the desired riding style. Either firm for cruising for longer distances or very loose for a loose riding feel and radical maneuvers. This makes the board a good all-rounder for everyday use and surf training.
Conclusion
All-round surf skate with adjustable front axle.
Product details
Length: 29” (73.6 cm) | Griptape: included
Customer ratings
Around 22% are neutral about the product, while 0% rate the product as poor and inadequate.
One customer was not satisfied with the Surfskate as he felt it was poorly made and had already been delivered with minor damage.
FAQ
9. Flying Wheels STR Perf Black
Advantages
- Ideal for beginners
- Stable
- Good for practicing carving and accelerating like surfing
- Cruiser for the city
Disadvantages
- No radical surf maneuvers possible
Summary
This surf skate from Flying Wheel has stable axles, so the board doesn’t wobble so quickly. Ideal for beginners!
Turns, pumps and carving can be practiced with this surf skate. This not only keeps you fit, but also allows you to practise and train the movements you have learned (or not yet learned) while surfing.
This board also makes you mobile in the city and allows you to get from A to B without too much effort. Radical surf maneuvers are not possible with this surf skate, as the axle cannot turn freely.
Conclusion
Affordable entry-level surf skate.
Product details
Length: 32” (81.3 cm) | Griptape: N/A
FAQ
More articles you might find interesting:
Bestsellers: The most popular surf skates
(**Last update 2024-09-16)
Buy a Surfskate:
How to make the right decision
Surfskates are a special type of skateboard that can be used to practice surfing on land. However, they differ from classic street skateboards in a few aspects.
In this buying guide from BeyondSurfing, you’ll find out what differences there are in surf skates and what you need to look out for when buying them.
What to consider when buying a surfskate?
When looking for the right surf skate, you should definitely pay attention to the following features and characteristics:
The structure of a surfskate?
As with classic skateboards, a surf skate consists of:
- Four roles,
- two axles
- and a deck.
All three components have different characteristics and features.
1 The roles
The wheels are the only part of the surfskate that has contact with the ground and ensure that the board can move at all.
Different roll widths
- Wide castors: Offer a lot of grip and stability as they have more friction than thin rollers.
- Thin rollers: Provide a smooth transition between turns and are better suited for slides due to their low friction.
Different roller hardnesses
- Soft wheels: Are best suited for uneven surfaces and are somewhat slower and more difficult to slide.
- Hard wheels: Best ridden on flat surfaces, they are faster and easier to slide.
2 The axles
The biggest difference between surf skates and normal skateboards is in the trucks.
While skateboards have a fixed or non-rotating axle, the front axle of surf skates is movable. This is what makes very tight turns and radical maneuvers possible.
Different movements are possible depending on the characteristics of the axes:
| Factor | Impact |
|---|---|
| Axis angle | Indicates how far the front axle can rotate. The greater the angle, the more relaxed the ride feels. |
| Wedging | Specifies the angle between the baseplate and the deck. The greater the angle, the easier it is to pump the board. Wedge raisers, also known as bolt wedges, are fitted between the axle and the deck to change the angle. |
| Axis resistance | The height of the axle, or the distance between the deck and the ground, influences the stability and handling of the board. The higher the surfskate, the faster it turns, but this also makes it more unstable, especially at high speeds. Low boards tend to wheelbite (the roll is stopped abruptly by the board and causes the rider to fall). |
| Rear axle | Works on a surfskate like fins on a surfboard. The nose is “free” and can move, while the fins are a kind of fixed point around which the board rotates. |
| Center distance | The smaller, the tighter and more radical turns are possible. |
3 The deck
The deck is the wooden board on which the skater stands. With surf skates, the shape of the deck is often reminiscent of a compressed or shrunken surfboard.
The right surfskate deck size
Surf skates are available in many sizes and shapes. But which is the right one? The shape is of secondary importance and in most cases should be reminiscent of a surfboard.
In principle, the following applies:
The deck must be long enough to stand shoulder width apart. It should be wide enough for the feet to find a good footing on it. The front foot should be slightly behind the front axle and the rear foot on or slightly behind the rear axle on the tail.
There are also exceptions!
Depending on the riding style, smaller or larger surfskate decks can be used. Very small decks are reserved for experts.
The Concave
The concave is the curvature on the top of the deck. A pronounced concave is particularly important for radical maneuvers, because it exerts better pressure on the deck and the foot stays in position better during the turn.
The right surf skate manufacturer?
In our buying guides, we normally focus less on brands and manufacturers and more on the design and differences between water sports equipment.
Surfskates are the exception:
The term surfskate is very general and is used for many skateboards with a movable or very loose front axle. Manufacturers often use an exclusive axle system that is more or less different from their competitors.
Loose, radical, tight or smooth?
The manufacturer and therefore the axle used has a decisive effect on the surfskate’s handling. Some are ideal for practicing radical surfing maneuvers, others are good for everyday use and for getting from A to B.
The best-known surfskate manufacturers include:
Carver Surfskates
- Offer two different surfskate axles
- Surf or skate feeling
- Ideal for surf training
Carver is considered the bedrock of the surfskate industry, the brand has been around since the 90s and still enjoys great popularity. Carver is so well known that the name is sometimes used as a synonym for surf skates.
Carver decks and trucks are considered to be very robust and durable. However, Carver is one of the most expensive surf skate brands.
Spoiled for choice:
Carver offers two different trucks, which can be purchased as a complete set including deck and wheels, or individually and can be attached to any skateboard.
C7 Axle
- Movable axis with rotation arm
- Surf Feeling
- Less suitable for tricks and vert skating (vertical skateboarding)
- Stiffness of the axle can be adjusted
- Suitable for beginners and advanced users
The C7 is the classic among surfskate trucks. The movable rotating arm allows the nose of the skateboard to be moved back and forth. At the same time, the fixed rear axle functions like the fins on a surfboard as a fixed point around which the board turns.
With this axle, the skateboard therefore feels similar to a surfboard and can be used to practice pumping and other maneuvers. They can be used to ride bowls and ramps in the skate park. The axles are unsuitable for tricks and vert, as they are too wobbly.
The best:
The stiffness of the axles can be adjusted using a multitool. Either firm or loose and that’s how the ride feels. This makes the C7 Surfskate truck from Carver suitable for beginners and advanced riders alike.
CX axle
- Similar to a normal skateboard axle
- No rotation arm
- Stable and good for pumping
- Good compromise between skateboard and surfskate
The CX truck is similar to a normal skateboard truck. It is not equipped with a movable rotation arm. The ride feel with this axle is more stable than with most other surf skates and makes sliding more difficult.
A good compromise:
Most surf skates are not suitable for long distances as they are difficult or impossible to push and pumping is very tiring in the long run. With the CX axle, you can get from A to B easily and still have a relaxed riding experience. Classic skateboard tricks are also possible.
So if you want to stay fit and above all practise pumping, the CX axle is a good choice.
YOW Surfskates
- Very relaxed driving experience
- Good for tight turns and radical surf maneuvers
- Movement comes from the core
- Surf Feeling
- Bad for long distances and total beginners
The axles of the YOW (Your-own-wave) surf skates also work with a rotating arm that makes it possible to move the nose back and forth. YOW Surfskates’ trucks are very loose and offer a loose ride.
Ideal surf training:
The performance of YOW surf skates is reminiscent of shortboards. They are fast and radical. The loose axles make very tight turns and radical maneuvers, such as cutbacks or snaps, possible.
With YOW surf skates, as with surfing, the movement comes from the core, i.e. the torso, hips and pelvis. This trains the movement sequences and the muscles required for surfing in equal measure.
Who are YOW surf skates suitable for?
For all those who want to train radical maneuvers and stay fit. The boards are best used on the street, in bowls and for radical surf moves.
YOW surf skates are the wrong choice for long distances and relaxed cruising. The movement has to be initiated from the core, so pushing like on a normal skateboard works less well.
The boards are also rather unsuitable for total learn to surf/skate due to the very loose axles.
Swelltech Surfskates
- Relaxed 180° driving experience
- Movement comes from the core
- Well suited for radical surf maneuvers
- Less suitable for cruising and for beginners
Swelltech surf skates are ideal for training radical surf maneuvers such as turns, snaps or cutbacks. Thanks to the 360° movable axle, these surf skates have an extremely smooth ride and can be turned 180°. The shape of the brand’s decks is similar to that of shortboards.
It’s all about the right movement:
First of all, the Swelltech surf skates are not suitable for total surf/skate beginners. Pushing the board practically doesn’t work, instead the movement has to come from the core. Cruising or long distances are not the area of application for these surf skates.
How does a Swelltech Surfskate work?
Most of the movements and turns are initiated with the arms, but the power comes from the hips, pelvis and torso. Here you can see exactly how to ride a Swelltech Surfskate:
Hamboards Surfskates
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- Large selection for different riding styles
- Wide and large decks
- Smooth surf feeling, similar to longboards
- Robust and movable spring-torsion axle
- Less suitable for radical turns and maneuvers
Hamboards differ from many other surf skates because most of the decks of this brand are wider and longer than ordinary surf skates. This gives them a soft surf feel, comparable to that of surf longboards.
The spring-torsion axis is movable, but only at an angle of 28°. Hamboards are therefore smoother and more stable than other surf skates. The axle is built very robustly to withstand the heavy pressure from large decks.
The right surfskate for everyone:
Hamboards offers a wide range of decks for different styles such as carving, cruise, noseriding or pump. Depending on what the surfskate is to be used for.
What are hamboards not suitable for?
For radical turns and maneuvers, as the axles are less flexible and extremely tight turns are not possible. They are also usually difficult to ride in bowls due to their length and width. The core muscles are trained less, as hamboards can be pushed in the classic way.
Jucker Hawaii
- Less radical than other surf skates
- Inexpensive
- Stable, even at high speed
- Good for everyday life
Jucker Hawaii is known as a longboard brand and also produces high-quality and affordable surf skates. The boards of this brand are suitable for tight turns, but less so for radical maneuvers.
A good surf skate for everyday use:
The axles of Jucker Hawaii surf skates are solid and therefore also suitable for longer distances. If you are looking for a good compromise between a surf skate and a means of transportation, surf skates from Jucker Hawaii are a good choice.
Slide Surfskates
- Inexpensive
- Ideal for beginners and novices
- Surf training and getting around
Slide surf skates are a good choice for surf and skate beginners. Surf moves as well as pumping and carving can be practiced with it. They are well suited as a means of transportation from A to B.
Ramps and bowls can be ridden in the skate park. A good opportunity to practise turns and carving and thus improve your surfing skills. If you are looking for a radical surf skate for very tight turns, you should look at brands such as YOW, Smoothstar, Swelltech or Waterborne.
Waterborne Surfskates
- Very relaxed riding experience
- Steering rubbers instead of springs on the axle
- Available individually and as a complete
- Easy to install
Surf skates from Waterborne have a very relaxed ride. Steering rubbers are used on the axles instead of springs. This makes the feeling on the board even more fluid and particularly good for carving. At the same time, radical turns and maneuvers can also be performed.
The trucks are also available separately, so that any skateboard can be converted into a surf skate. Waterborne also offers complete packages, so-called completes or complete decks. These consist of a deck, trucks, wheels and griptape.
Smoothstark Surfskates
- Only completes available
- Loose ride, very wobbly
- High performance
- Ideal for radical maneuvers
Unlike most other surf skates, Smoothstark only sells complete surf skates. The axles cannot be purchased individually.
The surf skates from Smoothstark have a very loose feel and are difficult to push. In return, they offer a high level of performance and make tight turns and maneuvers possible. They are therefore ideal for surf training.
Radical maneuvers in particular, such as tight turns, cutbacks and snaps, are great for training with these surf skates. As the board cannot be pushed, the movement must come from the core, as in surfing, and these muscle groups are trained.
What kind of surfskate maneuvers are there?
The tricks and maneuvers that are possible on a surfskate are very different from tricks on a normal skateboard. Such skate tricks are usually hardly or not at all feasible on surf skates, as they are not designed for this.
For optimal surf training on land:
With surf skates it is possible to perform various turns and maneuvers that are similar in movement to riding a real wave. What maneuvers are there and how do they work?
Basic movement: Pumping
Pumping is a method of generating speed on the surfskate and skateboard. This involves a rotational movement in which the feet, hips and shoulders are used.
Pumping should definitely be learned first, some surf skates can even only be moved forward by pumping. Pumping builds up a feeling for the surfskate.
The bottom turn
A solid bottom turn is particularly important when surfing and follows directly after the takeoff on the wave. This turn is best practiced on a slight slope, a bowl or a quarter.
This is how it works on the Surfskate:
- Build up some speed before starting the turn.
- The rail, which in theory would point to the shaft, is loaded. To do this, bend your knees and shift your weight towards the rail.
- Then the legs are pushed through again and the body is brought back into an upright position. As a result, the board comes out of the turn at speed again.
The top turn
After the bottom turn, the top turn follows on the upper side of the wave in the direction of the lip. This turn can also be practiced well in a bowl, slope or quarter:
- Drive up the (imaginary) ramp at speed.
- At the upper end, the body is opened and a downward rotation in the direction of travel is initiated.
- Lower the ramp again.
The Snap
A snap is a radical top turn in which the board is rotated by almost 180°. On the surf skate, the snap works similarly to a top turn, but the weight is shifted to the front foot and the tail is slid.
The cutback
The cutback also resembles a top turn. Instead of going in the direction of travel, at the end of the turn you go back in the opposite direction.
Who are surf skates suitable for?
A surfskate is actually worthwhile for almost everyone. Whether you’re a surfer, longboarder or just learning to surf, surfskating is fun and keeps you fit at the same time.
Surfer
Landlocked? Then a surf skate is ideal to keep you fit and train your surfing movements, keyword muscle memory. As many surfers already have a good sense of balance, getting started is usually relatively easy.
Skateboarding experience is helpful, but not necessary. If you really want to practice radical turns, you need a very loose surf skate. For cruising and covering longer distances, you should opt for a manufacturer with fixed axles.
Longboarder
Longboarders who like to carve and pump will also have a lot of fun with a surf skate. The movable front axle is ideal for this. Surfskates, on the other hand, are not suitable for long distances because pumping with them is strenuous.
Beginners
Never stood on a board before, but want to try something new? Then let’s get on the surfskate. They train their balance, have fun and possibly lay the foundations for real surfing.
If you don’t have any skateboarding experience yet, you should opt for a slightly wobbly surf skate that can also be pushed normally. This makes it easier to get started.
Who are surf skates not suitable for?
Surfskates are not suitable for anyone who wants to cover long distances or ride downhill like a longboard. Surf skates are also unsuitable for flip tricks or classic street skating.
Conclusion?
It is important to choose a surf skate that meets your requirements. After all, nobody wants to travel long distances on a wobbly surf skate. It is just as difficult to practice radical maneuvers with a stable surf skate.
Fit for your next surf trip:
Surfskates are not only a lot of fun, they also offer the perfect training to improve your surfboard skills.
With this guide, you are guaranteed to make the right choice!
FAQ: Frequently asked questions and answers about surfskates
Which surfskate is the best?
Where can you buy surf skates?
How expensive are surf skates?
What to look out for when buying a surf skate?
More details on the most important features and characteristics of surf skates can be found in BeyondSurfing’s surf skate guide.
*Price includes VAT, plus shipping. Customer reviews, prices, delivery times and costs may change in the meantime. By linking to selected online shops and partners, we may receive a small affiliate commission. There are no additional costs for you.
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