Maybe you are not a good surfer who always finds it easy to go to the sea when you want to play. Nevertheless, the desire to surf is strong enough. You can play surfskate where the sensation is similar to when you are on a surfboard in the middle of the waves crashing in the sea. This is surfing on land which has recently become a hit in various countries.
We know that today sometimes the sea becomes hostile due to the impact of climate and weather anomalies. While you really want to move actively even if you only use a simple longboard on small waves. For this reason, you can try surfskate which is famous for its land waves and surfing equipment that really resembles real surfing in the sea.
Surfskate Board
You can still turn your face to the side while turning your upper limbs to the right with simultaneous movement of both feet on the surfskate board. Anyway, the name ‘surfskate’ refers to the activity of surfing on land using a board with a shape that at first glance resembles a skateboard. With artificial waves on land, a surfskate board with a surfer on it will automatically turn or slide over it.
You can find surfskate rides at sporting events, exhibitions at big malls or shophouses. On another day in your leisure time, you can plan to make your own surfskate arena with friends on the street or in your backyard. Just be a surfing skateboard with a special front track that allows the board to move on wheels according to the way a surfboard moves in the waves.
However, surfskate often look the same as longboards but it is different. Once again, surfskate has a forward track that allows a ride very similar to surfing. The basic surfskate movement is more complicated, quite tiring, pumping with a narrower surfskate path but we have to move agilely. Then, there are no jumps and actions like when you use roller skates.
Always remember that a surfskate board is more like a skateboard where the equipment is much heavier and you can’t use a surfskate board to travel long distances at high speed like a longboard.
Your upper body should not be stiff and your legs should be comfortably stable as if you were surfing. You can do fluid turns even when you have to float on asphalt concrete with shoulder and hip movements at the same time. These are the two pillars of surfskating.
Surfing Practice with Surfskate
You may need some time to prepare yourself for a surfing contest. So, surfskate is the best exercise you can do while waiting for the contest. You can try all the top spins and bottom spins then pumping to increase the speed.
This is like when you do a surfing session against real waves in the sea. How you have to stand on the board and then paddle with a ratio of 3 to 7 when surfing. Meanwhile, you also have difficulty catching good waves while waiting due to unfavorable weather conditions.
An important note when you are surf skating, you don’t need to swing your legs down to push against the ground on all terrain, both flat and incline. You just need to pump your nose from side to side to maintain speed. You can also smoothly turn even if it is the tightest corners.
Don’t forget to use a surfskate board that suits your weight and height. At least if your body weight is around 40 to 75 kilograms and your height is more than 150 cm, then you should choose a surfskate board length of more than 27” but less than 31”. if your height exceeds 170 cm and your weight reaches 70 to 100 kilograms then you should choose a board that is more than 32” and not more than 35”.
Surfskate Deck Materials
For the best surfing experience, consider the best deck material. There are three common materials as listed below.
- Maple Wood: Maple is a popular choice for surfskate decks due to its durability and flexibility. It offers a good balance of stiffness and responsiveness.
- Bamboo: Bamboo decks are lightweight and provide a bit more flex than maple. They offer a smooth ride and are environmentally friendly.
- Composite (Fiberglass or Carbon Fiber): Some surfskate decks use a combination of materials like fiberglass or carbon fiber layers. These composite decks are known for their strength and enhanced pop. The kind of fiberglass typically used in these composite decks is fiberglass cloth or fabric, which is layered with epoxy resin to create a strong and flexible deck. This combination offers a unique blend of characteristics, including strength, flexibility, and responsiveness.
So, when will you do surfskate for the first time? Do it with the proper equipment like a high-performance board, helmet, best outfit, and body protection. You can do it for surfing practice on land and it’s even better if it’s with a coach and team you can rely on.