Surfskate Selector
WHICH SURFSKATE IS RIGHT FOR YOU?
First of all, what is a Surfskate? It’s a skateboard with patented truck geometry that creates thrust and deep rail to rail carves, yielding a carve dynamic that is remarkably similar to a surfboard.
TRUCK TYPE
The CX truck is a single -axis truck with a precision pivot pin which allows for very snappy turns, like riding a thruster surfboard, and replicating the quick response you feel as you pump for speed. The single axis permits one axis of adjustment before a different shape or hardness of bushing is needed. It’s the same weight as a standard truck, but the simpler, lighter truck design is better for airs, skate parks and transition.
The C7 dual-axis truck set is very fluid, like riding a single fin surfboard and replicating the lateral sway you feel as you pump for speed. The dual axis allows the rider to adjust both axis independently for fine tuning. It’s a bit heavier than CX truck, but the internal spring system allows for a wide range of adjustment. The trailing arm and wide adjustment range make this truck better for faster speeds and fluid surfing.
BOARD LENGTH
MINI LENGTH | Quicker turning, easier to pump and snappier. Mini boards are preferable for use in tighter spaces where easy pumping and tight cutbacks are desired, such as driveways, flat lots and small banks. The shorter the board the snappier the feel, so the advantage of a Mini board is how easy it is to pump around, or how it replicates the feel of the mini surfboard you ride. A ‘Mini’ board ranges between 25.5” to 29”, with the shorter ones being looser and the longer ones being a bit more stable.
SHORT LENGTH | A combination of tight turning and easy pushing. Short boards are preferable for use in everyday conditions, where pumping and cutbacks are mixed in with pushing around town and surfskating small inclines, or how it replicates the standard thruster shortboard you ride. The difference between lengths in the Short range is more subtle, where small changes in length correspond to small changes in performance. Shape and style are more easily used as a guide where performance is more similar. A ‘Short’ board ranges from 30” to 33”, with the shorter ones being slightly looser and the longer ones being a bit more stable.
MEDIUM LENGTH | More stable and faster pumping. Medium boards need more effort to initiate a pump, but once going they are faster. Medium boards are preferable for use on longer distances, where pushing for travel is desired. The longer the board the more stable the feel, so the advantage of a Medium board is how well it can be pushed and used for travel, or how it replicates the feel of the groveler surfboard you ride. A ‘Medium’ board ranges from 34” to 36”, with the shorter ones being looser and the longer ones being more stable.
LONGER LENGTH | Stable, fast pumping and flowier. Longer boards don’t turn as tightly, but have a higher top pump speed even though they are harder to start pumping from a standstill. Longer boards are preferable for cruising and easy travel pushing because of their stable length, or how it replicates traditional longboard riding techniques like cross stepping and nose riding. A ‘Long’ board ranges from 38” to 43”, with the shorter ones being slightly looser and the longer ones being more stable.
SHORT LENGTH | A combination of tight turning and easy pushing. Short boards are preferable for use in everyday conditions, where pumping and cutbacks are mixed in with pushing around town and surfskating small inclines, or how it replicates the standard thruster shortboard you ride. The difference between lengths in the Short range is more subtle, where small changes in length correspond to small changes in performance. Shape and style are more easily used as a guide where performance is more similar. A ‘Short’ board ranges from 30” to 33”, with the shorter ones being slightly looser and the longer ones being a bit more stable.
MEDIUM LENGTH | More stable and faster pumping. Medium boards need more effort to initiate a pump, but once going they are faster. Medium boards are preferable for use on longer distances, where pushing for travel is desired. The longer the board the more stable the feel, so the advantage of a Medium board is how well it can be pushed and used for travel, or how it replicates the feel of the groveler surfboard you ride. A ‘Medium’ board ranges from 34” to 36”, with the shorter ones being looser and the longer ones being more stable.
LONGER LENGTH | Stable, fast pumping and flowier. Longer boards don’t turn as tightly, but have a higher top pump speed even though they are harder to start pumping from a standstill. Longer boards are preferable for cruising and easy travel pushing because of their stable length, or how it replicates traditional longboard riding techniques like cross stepping and nose riding. A ‘Long’ board ranges from 38” to 43”, with the shorter ones being slightly looser and the longer ones being more stable.
OTHER CONSIDERATIONS
When choosing a board model there are some other factors to consider:
EQUIVALENCY RANGE | The trucks on each board model can be adjusted to feel tighter or looser, meaning it can feel equivalent to several different lengths of surfboard. A general rule is that shorter boards are tighter turning, while longer boards have a bigger arc of turn. That means you can also consider shape and graphics when choosing your favorite model. For example, a 31” Resin can feel like a 5-11 to a 6-2 surfboard depending on how you adjust the trucks.
YOUR SIZE | Generally smaller riders do best on smaller boards, and bigger riders do best on bigger boards. This is only an average though, as it truly depends on how you’ll want to ride, and what type of terrain you’ll be skating. Its best to prioritize these factors, as there are no size limits on who can ride any one of the board models.
YOUR EXPERIENCE | If you are a surfer looking to practice cutbacks and pumping so you can learn to ride a shorter board, then lean towards choosing the board that will fit the size board you wish to learn for. This way you’ll get the practice on land so when you move to a shorter surfboard you’ll already have the muscle memory of a snappier ride.
THE TERRAIN | If you are riding small spaces at low speeds a Mini board will work best, but that same board will feel squirrelly at higher speeds. If you are riding mostly in skate parks you’ll want a Transition model with a nose kick to help lock you in, but if you are riding mostly on the street you’ll want a Surfskate or Longboard model.
There are several other ways to approach this question.
Base your decision on surfboard size comparisons, or by height/weight criteria. Use the chart to give you an idea of how a board will feel compared to your surfboard. The wheelbase measurements are key to performance, so when looking for a board model equivalent, compare wheelbases. There are many boards in the line that are close in performance to others, so you can look to shape and graphic for a differentiating factor.
EQUIVALENCY RANGE | The trucks on each board model can be adjusted to feel tighter or looser, meaning it can feel equivalent to several different lengths of surfboard. A general rule is that shorter boards are tighter turning, while longer boards have a bigger arc of turn. That means you can also consider shape and graphics when choosing your favorite model. For example, a 31” Resin can feel like a 5-11 to a 6-2 surfboard depending on how you adjust the trucks.
YOUR SIZE | Generally smaller riders do best on smaller boards, and bigger riders do best on bigger boards. This is only an average though, as it truly depends on how you’ll want to ride, and what type of terrain you’ll be skating. Its best to prioritize these factors, as there are no size limits on who can ride any one of the board models.
YOUR EXPERIENCE | If you are a surfer looking to practice cutbacks and pumping so you can learn to ride a shorter board, then lean towards choosing the board that will fit the size board you wish to learn for. This way you’ll get the practice on land so when you move to a shorter surfboard you’ll already have the muscle memory of a snappier ride.
THE TERRAIN | If you are riding small spaces at low speeds a Mini board will work best, but that same board will feel squirrelly at higher speeds. If you are riding mostly in skate parks you’ll want a Transition model with a nose kick to help lock you in, but if you are riding mostly on the street you’ll want a Surfskate or Longboard model.
There are several other ways to approach this question.
Base your decision on surfboard size comparisons, or by height/weight criteria. Use the chart to give you an idea of how a board will feel compared to your surfboard. The wheelbase measurements are key to performance, so when looking for a board model equivalent, compare wheelbases. There are many boards in the line that are close in performance to others, so you can look to shape and graphic for a differentiating factor.