Best Surfskate Brands: Expert Review

Surfskating has exploded in popularity, offering the thrill of surfing on land. Whether you’re a seasoned surfer looking to train when the waves are flat or a skateboarder seeking a new, fluid riding experience, choosing the best surfskate brands is crucial. This comprehensive review will guide you through the leading contenders, highlighting what makes each unique and helping you find the perfect surfskate for your style and needs.

Understanding Surfskates: More Than Just a Skateboard

Before diving into brand specifics, it’s helpful to understand what sets a surfskate apart. The core difference lies in its front truck system, designed to allow for much tighter turns and a pumping motion that generates speed without pushing. This innovative design replicates the feel of riding a surfboard, making it an excellent tool for improving balance, carves, and overall surf-specific muscle memory.

Key Factors When Choosing a Surfskate

Selecting the right surfskate involves considering several elements that impact performance and feel. Understanding these factors will help you narrow down the best surfskate brands for your personal preferences.

Truck System Innovation

Carver C7 vs. CX: Carver offers two primary truck systems. The C7 is a spring-loaded, double-axis truck known for its deep, flowing carves and a classic surf feel. The CX is a reverse kingpin truck, lighter and simpler, offering a snappier, more performance-oriented ride that’s great for skateparks and tricks.
YOW System: YOW’s Meraki and S5/S4 systems feature an integrated spring that provides an incredibly responsive and surf-like feel, allowing for very tight turns and aggressive pumping. The Meraki is their latest and most integrated design.
Smoothstar Thruster: Smoothstar’s patented Thruster system is renowned for its extreme responsiveness and deep rail-to-rail turns, often favored by competitive surfers for technique training.
Slide Trucks: Slide surfskates utilize a third-generation truck system that is adjustable and offers a stable, yet surfy feel, making them a great option for beginners and cruisers.

Deck Shape and Size

The deck’s length, width, and concave significantly influence stability, leverage, and maneuverability. Longer decks generally offer more stability and a wider stance, mimicking longer surfboards. Shorter decks are more agile and responsive, suitable for tighter turns and tricks.

Wheels and Bearings

Softer, larger wheels provide a smoother ride over rougher terrain and better grip, ideal for cruising and carving. Harder, smaller wheels are faster and more suitable for skateparks. High-quality bearings ensure a smooth, fast roll and are a worthwhile investment.

Your Riding Style and Experience Level

Consider how you plan to ride your surfskate. Are you looking for a mellow cruiser, a technical training tool, or something for the skatepark? Your experience level also plays a role; some systems are more forgiving for beginners, while others offer advanced performance for experienced riders.

Top Surfskate Brands Reviewed

When exploring the best surfskate brands, a few names consistently rise to the top, each with its unique approach to replicating the surf experience.

Carver Skateboards

Carver Skateboards is often credited with pioneering the modern surfskate. Their reputation for quality and innovation is well-deserved. They offer a wide range of setups, primarily distinguished by their C7 and CX truck systems. Carver boards are known for their durability and versatility, making them a solid choice for riders of all levels looking for an authentic surf feel.

YOW Surfskate

Hailing from Spain, YOW Surfskate (Your Own Wave) has quickly become a favorite among surfers and surfskaters alike. Their Meraki system, in particular, delivers an exceptionally fluid and responsive ride, allowing for powerful cutbacks and bottom turns. YOW offers boards inspired by specific surf breaks and pro surfers, making them a popular choice for those serious about surf training.

Smoothstar

Smoothstar is another leading brand, particularly favored by professional surfers for dry-land training. Their Thruster system is engineered to provide the most realistic surf feel possible, focusing on rail-to-rail engagement and powerful compression turns. Smoothstar boards are often recommended for intermediate to advanced riders looking to refine their surfing technique.

Slide Surfskates

Slide Surfskates, also from Spain, offers a more accessible entry point into the surfskate world without compromising on quality or performance. Their adjustable truck system provides a stable yet surfy ride, making them an excellent option for beginners to intermediates who want to cruise, carve, and learn the basics of surfskating. They offer a great balance of performance and value.

Curfboard

The German-engineered Curfboard stands out with its unique truckless design. Instead of traditional trucks, it uses a system of levers and springs, offering an incredibly smooth and deep carving experience. This innovative design eliminates wheel bite and provides a truly distinct ride, appealing to those looking for something different from conventional surfskates.

Waterborne Skateboards (Adapters)

While not a full surfskate brand in itself, Waterborne Skateboards offers highly popular surf adapter kits that can transform any standard skateboard into a surfskate. Their Surf Adapter and Rail Adapter combination provides an excellent, customizable surfskate experience at a more affordable price point, allowing riders to experiment with different deck setups.

Making Your Final Decision

Choosing among the best surfskate brands ultimately comes down to personal preference. Consider what type of riding you’ll be doing most often, your skill level, and your budget. It’s often helpful to watch videos of different brands in action or, if possible, try out a friend’s board to get a feel for the different truck systems.

Conclusion

The world of surfskates offers an exhilarating way to experience the flow of surfing on land. By understanding the nuances of each brand and their unique truck systems, you can confidently select a board that perfectly matches your aspirations. Whether you choose the classic feel of Carver, the intense surf training of YOW or Smoothstar, or the approachable ride of Slide, you’re sure to find a surfskate that brings the wave to you. Embrace the carve and elevate your ride!