This article explains how a surfskate can improve your surfing and help you work on your technique even if you’re still a beginner.
No waves in sight? No Problem! With a surfskate, you can bring the surf feeling to the streets — anytime, anywhere and keep improving your surf skills even without waves.
Thanks to social media, many surfers now know that surfskating is the perfect complement to surfing. It helps refine your movements, practice turns and improve your balance, even when you’re far from the ocean. Especially for landlocked surfers who can’t surf regularly, a surfskate is the best way to stay in shape and keep progressing.
I first discovered surfskating during my second surf camp in France, where it was an essential part of the training for advanced beginners and intermediates and I was instantly hooked. Right after the camp, I bought my own surfskate in Berlin to keep working on my surf technique without relying on waves.
In this article, you’ll learn everything you need to know about surfskates plus five key reasons why surfskating can take your surfing to the next level.
What Is a Surfskate?
A surfskate is a special type of skateboard designed to mimic the movements of surfing just on dry land.
The key difference from a regular skateboard lies in the front truck, which is built to pivot and tilt more deeply. This allows you to carve tight, flowing turns that feel remarkably similar to riding a wave.
With a surfskate, you can practice surf-specific movements and weight shifts, generating speed without ever pushing off the ground, a motion surfers call pumping.
To use a surfskate effectively as a training tool, you first need to get a feel for the board. At the beginning, it can feel a bit shaky. I definitely struggled with that at first, especially as someone who wasn’t a skater before. But once you find your balance, you can start with small turns and focus on generating speed.
Because just like in the water: no speed, no turns!
Surfskate Features: What Makes Each Board Different
Surfskates vary in length, truck tightness and wheel size. The right setup for you depends on your height, shoe size, and skill level. As a general rule: the taller you are, the longer your deck should be. A longer and wider deck offers more stability and is great for beginners, while shorter and narrower boards are more agile and responsive.
The shape of the deck, known as the concave, also plays an important role. Flatter decks are easier to control and therefore ideal for anyone just getting started.
If you’re new to surfskating, go for a sturdy, slightly larger board with a longer wheelbase. It will feel more stable and help you find your balance faster. The best option is to get personal advice from a surfskate shop or directly from the manufacturer to find a setup that truly fits your body and style.
The Best Surfskate Brands for Surf Beginners
Today there are plenty of surfskate brands across different price ranges — and each has its own unique truck system, which gives every board a slightly different feel. I’ve tried several brands in surf camps and talked to experienced surfers about their favorites. Opinions vary a lot and honestly, it’s mostly a matter of personal preference.
These three brands, however, have proven to be solid, reliable choices for both beginners and intermediate riders:
- Carver: Based in California, Carver was the first surfskate brand in the world and remains one of the most iconic names today. Their boards are super stable and suitable for all levels, from beginners to advanced surfers.
- Smoothstar: This Australian brand tailors its boards to match your height, weight, and surf style. The trucks are extremely responsive, giving you one of the most realistic surf-like feelings on land.
- YOW („Your Own Wave“): From Spain, YOW is known for its high-quality maple boards and smooth ride. Their trucks come in two stiffness levels, so you can adjust the feel depending on your preference and riding style.
Why a Surfskate Makes Sense for Every Surfer
So what’s the real benefit of surfskating when you’re learning to surf? Simply put, it helps you improve your surfing on land.
A surfskate lets you practice the exact movements you need on a surfboard — no waves, no weather conditions, no ocean required. It strengthens your balance, sharpens your turns, and improves your sense of weight distribution, all key elements for better surfing.
I personally ride a Smoothstar and got mine after a great in-store consultation in Berlin. As both a surf and skate beginner, I found it super easy to handle and I still love it today!
5 Benefits for Surfers of Using a Surfskate
1. Improve Your Surf Skills
With a surfskate, you can practice surf-specific techniques that are often difficult to master in the water.
The challenge with surfing is that your actual practice time is limited, especially if you’re still at the beginner or intermediate level. Most of the time, you’re just happy to catch a wave… and then it’s over before you really get to practice your turns.
That’s where a surfskate comes in. It allows you to focus on exactly those movements — turns, pumping for speed and improving your timing. All without the need for waves or time pressure.
Because the motion and the muscle groups are so similar to surfing, surfskating is an incredibly effective training tool for surfers. You can correct recurring mistakes, like poor arm positioning or body rotation and apply those improvements later in the water.
YouTube is full of tutorials that show you step by step how to practice turns, pumping and speed generation with a surfskate and how to transfer those movements directly to your surfing. The good thing is, you can repeat everything as often as you want.
2. Practice Anytime, Anywhere
One of the biggest advantages of a surfskate is the flexibility. You’re no longer dependent on waves, wind or surf trips to train. All you need is a smooth surface, like a quiet parking lot, a stretch of asphalt or even a skatepark bowl.
That freedom makes surfskating especially appealing for landlocked surfers who live far from the ocean but still want to practice regularly. Especially in the beginning, consistency is key until your body develops real muscle memory.
There are now surfskate communities popping up all over in cities and surf towns alike. In Berlin, for example, local groups meet up for regular surfskate sessions. Many surf camps have also started including surfskate training in their programs, like KIMA Surf Camp in Canggu (Bali), which opened its own skatepark in 2024, or Wellenreiter Camp in St. Giron (France) and Fuerteventura, which offers surfskate sessions as part of its surf courses.
So you can practice solo or share the stoke in a group. Either way, you’ll keep improving.
→ Read Next 10 Ultimate Tips for Finding the Best Surf Camp for You
3. Effective Workout & Targeted Muscle Training
The first time you step on a surfskate, you’ll quickly realize how intense the workout actually is! I still remember my first serious muscle soreness and that’s saying something, because I work out a lot.
Surfing mainly targets your legs, core and shoulders and that’s exactly what you train on a surfskate. The constant pumping and turning strengthen your leg muscles, while your core keeps you balanced and stable. At the same time, surfskating improves your upper-body mobility, a key factor for clean, controlled turns on your surfboard.
Regular surfskating doesn’t just build strength and balance, it also boosts your endurance. That means fewer injuries and way more energy for your next surf trip. And yes, the sore muscles are 100 % part of the deal!
4. Stay Motivated & Keep the Stoke Alive
After a surf trip, you’re usually full of motivation but what happens when your next one is months away?
Without regular training, it’s easy to lose your sense of balance and timing. Many surfers (myself included) know the feeling: that frustrating first week at the spot where it feels like you’re starting all over again.
With a surfskate, you can stay active between surf trips and keep your surf muscles engaged. It helps you work on your weaknesses, build confidence, and step back into the water stronger and more prepared. It’s honestly the best way to maintain your surf rhythm when you’re away from the ocean.
5. Fun & Community
Surfskating isn’t just great training, it’s also a ton of fun, especially when you share it with others. Personally, I rarely practice alone. I love skating with a buddy or a small group. It’s just more motivating (and way more fun) to try new tricks together, cheer each other on, and celebrate small wins along the way.
Plus, you’ll naturally meet new people who share the same passion for surfing. Whether you’re a beginner or already advanced, surfskating together keeps you inspired and connected. It’s all about that sense of community and trust me, some of my favorite surf friendships started on the pavement, not in the water
Final Thoughts
The best way to learn surfing is, of course, by being in the water but since that’s not always possible, you need alternatives. A surfskate is far more than just a skateboard with special truck, it’s a powerful training tool for surfers.
It helps you practice key surf movements, refine your technique and stay fit at the same time. Especially for landlocked surfers, surfskating is the perfect way to keep improving your skills even when you’re far from the waves.
A great thing is, you’re completely independent of weather, waves or travel plans. You can train anytime, have fun and stay motivated without waiting for the next swell.
And let’s not forget: your surfskate isn’t just a training tool, it’s also a stylish way to get around town and bring that surf vibe into your everyday life.
This article was all about how a surfskate can level up your surfing and why it’s the perfect complement to your surf training even when you’re miles away from the ocean.
