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Beginner's Guide to Surfskating
This guide is an excellent starting point for individuals who have never been on a surfskate. You'll understand how to shift your weight to initiate forward movement without needing to push like on a skateboard. Learn the art of linking seamless turns and positioning your body for optimal control. These movements are akin to surfing techniques such as "bottom turns" and "cutbacks."
Surfskating is an effective land-based practice for the fluid turns, body control, and balance associated with surfing. The specialized surf skateboard uses a front truck that pivots in a way that's entirely different from a standard skateboard truck. Whether you're far from the ocean or the water is calm, surfskating enables you to refine your surfing abilities, strengthen your legs, and enhance your timing.
Overview
Initiate Surfskating: Position and Equilibrium
Surfskate trucks are sensitive to even minimal foot-position adjustments and provide a distinct feel compared to standard skateboard or longboard trucks. Unlike repeatedly pushing with your foot, a single initial push is enough to start moving. From that point, the surfskate pumping technique generates all forward movement.
Your stance is crucial in surfskating. Position your front foot just behind the front truck bolts, angled slightly forward. Place your back foot over the rear truck with your toes more to the side. Maintain bent knees, relaxed shoulders, and focus your gaze in the direction of travel. This low, balanced posture enables quick responses to directional changes.
Mastering Pumping for Velocity on a Surfskate
Unlike conventional skateboarding, generating speed on a surfskate doesn't involve foot pushing. Instead, you create momentum by rhythmically shifting your weight from heel to toe.
The "pumping" movement in surfskating involves:
- Pushing through your toes and leaning your upper body into the turn.
- Synchronizing your shoulder and hip rotation with the board.
- Extending your legs at the end of a turn to propel forward.
Visualize engraving an S-shape on the ground. Each curve offers a chance to build speed and set up the next manoeuvre.
Executing Bottom & Top Turns
Bottom and Top Turns are pivotal surfing elements, and surfskating provides a unique way to practice them.
The Bottom Turn occurs at the wave's base, redirecting the surfer toward the highest point of the wave ("The Lip"). The Top Turn happens near the lip, guiding the surfer back down the wave.
Seamlessly linking these turns creates smooth surfing. They recur repeatedly during a wave and are essential for surfing proficiency.
Move forward, bend into your knees, and carve a deep turn in one direction (Bottom Turn). Then ascend into the next curve heading the opposite way (Top Turn). Combining these turns crafts a flowing path akin to riding a genuine wave.
Tips for Stopping on a Surfskate
Surfskating requires tailored stopping techniques due to the distinct front truck setup. If you're accustomed to dragging a shoe on a typical skateboard, you might find the reaction of surfskate trucks surprising.
Essentially, the high manoeuvrability of surfskate trucks makes intricate carving and sharp turns easy, but it demands a unique approach for deceleration.
Fortunately, halting a surfskate is straightforward. Here are three safe, effective methods for stopping your board:
- Run-Off Technique - At low to moderate speeds, step off with your back foot first and jog forward to dissipate momentum. Always focus ahead and choose a clear spot to land.
- Grass or Rough Surface Stop - If possible, steer your surfskate onto grass or rough ground. The increased friction helps you slow down swiftly without overloading the trucks or wheels.
- Carving for Speed Reduction - Execute a series of wide, controlled turns to gradually lessen speed. This approach is best in open areas, yet it's not suited for immediate stops.
By practicing these strategies, your confidence and surfskate control will grow. Mastering stopping early on in your surfskate progression liberates you to focus on turns, pumping, and other skills without fretting about how to reduce speed.
