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A Beginner’s Guide to Surfskating
This guide serves as an ideal starting point for those new to surfskating. You will be introduced to the fundamental techniques, such as how to shift your weight in order to generate forward momentum without the need to push off the ground as done on a skateboard. Learn to connect fluid turns and position your body for optimal control. These actions are directly applicable to surfing skills like “bottom turns” and “cutbacks”.
Surfskating provides a land-based means to practise the flowing turns, body control, and balance familiar from surfing. It utilises a specialised surf skateboard with a front truck engineered to pivot distinctly from a conventional skateboard truck. For those distanced from the sea or when the waters are calm, surfskating enables the training of surf skills, leg strengthening, and honing of timing.
Overview
Getting Started with Surfskating: Mastering Stance and Balance
Surfskate trucks are highly responsive to even the slightest adaptations in foot positioning, offering a distinct feel compared to regular skateboard or longboard trucks. Instead of multiple pushes with your foot, a singular push initiates movement. Thereafter, all continued momentum relies on the surfskate pumping technique.
Your stance is the cornerstone of all surfskating mechanics. Position your front foot just behind the front truck bolts, oriented slightly forward. Place your back foot over the rear truck with toes turned more sideways. Maintain bent knees, relaxed shoulders, and your gaze directed towards your intended path. A low and balanced stance enables swift reaction to directional shifts.
Speeding Up on a Surfskate: Learn to Pump
Dissimilar to traditional skateboarding, foot-pushing is unnecessary for building speed. Momentum is crafted by smoothly shifting weight from heel to toe.
The surfskating “pumping” motion involves:
- Applying pressure through the toes while leaning your upper body into the curve.
- Synchronising the rotation of shoulders and hips with the board’s movement.
- Extending the legs as a turn concludes to propel forward.
Envision tracing an S-shaped pattern on the ground. Each curve offers an opportunity to gather speed and set up the next manoeuvre.
Executing Bottom & Top Turns
Bottom and Top Turns are fundamental components of surfing, and surfskating uniquely allows for their practice.
The Bottom Turn is executed at the wave's base, redirecting the surfer towards the wave's peak (known as "The Lip"). The Top Turn occurs near the lip, guiding the surfer back down the wave.
Smoothly connecting these turns establishes the basis of fluid surfing, repeated consistently during a ride, and is vital for surfing.
Move forward, bend into your knees, and carve a deep turn in one direction (Bottom Turn). Then rise and guide into the ensuing curve in opposition (Top Turn). Seamlessly linking these turns generates a path closely resembling the sensation of riding a genuine wave.
Effective Stopping Techniques for Surfskating
Surfskating requires the development of stopping techniques tailored to its distinctive front truck system. If accustomed to dragging a shoe for stopping on a standard skateboard, you might find the surfskate trucks’ reactions surprising.
Conclusively, surfskate trucks' high versatility makes carving and sharp direction shifts simple, yet slowing down necessitates a different strategy.
Thankfully, halting on a surfskate is straightforward. Consider these three safe and efficient methods to stop:
- Step Off and Run - While rolling at a moderate or low pace, first step off with the back foot and jog forward to absorb momentum. Always look ahead and plan where to land.
- Stop on Grass or Rough Terrain - If accessible, direct your surfskate onto a grassy area or rough surface. The extra friction swiftly reduces speed without stressing the trucks or wheels.
- Carve to Slow Down - Execute a series of broad, controlled turns to gradually decrease speed. This works best where ample space is available, unsuitable for immediate stops.
Practising these methods will boost your confidence and ensure control over your surfskate. Early mastery of stopping will provide the freedom to focus on turns, pumping, and other skills without the concern of reducing speed.
