Surfskate Guide

No waves? No stress. If it's flat, it doesn't mean you can't experience the surf feeling.

Surfskating is the perfect way to keep practicing your surf skills, or simply to enjoy riding - on the street, at a pumptrack, or in the skate bowl.

What exactly is surfskating?

Surfskating is exactly what the name says: surfing on a skateboard. Thanks to a specially designed truck at the front of the board, a surfskate simulates the movement, flow, and turns of real surfing. You can practice surf moves like cutbacks, snaps, and laybacks, or simply carve wonderfully over the asphalt.
The roots of surfskating lie in the 1940s, when surfers were already looking for ways to maintain the surf vibe on land. Since the 1990s, surfskating has grown into its own sport within the skateboarding world – and today's boards are more advanced than ever.

What makes a surfskate different from a skateboard?

At first glance, surfskates resemble a cruiser or longboard, but appearances can be deceiving. The trucks under the board make all the difference.

The unique surfskate truck
The magic is in the front truck. Unlike a regular skateboard truck, a surfskate truck can rotate much further. It often also incorporates a spring, allowing you to gain speed without pushing off. The rear truck provides stability.
Soft, large wheels: Surfskates have larger and softer wheels than regular skateboards. They roll more smoothly over bumps and give you grip and comfort, even on rough tiles or cobblestones.
Higher deck for deep turns: Due to the greater rotation of the truck, a surfskate sits slightly higher. This prevents wheelbite (when your wheel touches the deck during a sharp turn) and ensures you can make tight turns without problems.

Which surfskate suits you?

Ready to keep training your surf skills on dry land? Then check out these tips for choosing your ideal board.

Surfskate Brands

We only have the best surfskate brands in our shop:

Smoothstar is widely recognized as the most ‘surfy’ option, with the sharpest steering, ideal for shortboard training.
YOW is more versatile, with an adjustable spring and different models for both beginners and advanced riders.
Slide Surfskates is often recommended as an affordable entry-level option, with more stable trucks and less extreme rotation, which gives beginners confidence.
Carver combines speed and control with a smooth pumping mechanism, making it ideal for surfers who want to refine their flow and turns on asphalt.

Choosing the right surfskate length
A surfskate should fit your height and weight well, so that your stance feels natural – just like on your surfboard.

Height	Weight	Surfskate length (inch)
< 155cm	25 - 55 KG	< 30"
150-170 cm	40-75 KG	27-31"
160-181 cm	50-85 KG	30-32"
165-187 cm	60-90 KG	31-33"
175-193 cm	70-100 KG	32-35"
182-203 cm	85-120 KG	34-39"

We have a wide variety of lengths and deck shapes in the Hart Beach Surf Shop in the harbor of Scheveningen. Come and try them in the store or shop surfskates 24/7 online on our webshop!

Starting with surfskating

Just bought a surfskate, but no idea what to do with it? Or never been on a skateboard at all? No stress.
Here are three original exercises to get started immediately – simple, effective, and fun.

The Wiggle Start
Place both feet on the board and try to move forward slowly without pushing off by moving your hips. Think of it like a dance: turn your hips left-right and feel the board start to roll. This is the core of surfskating – pumping without pushing.

Surf Stance Switch
Ride slowly and switch stances: from your regular stance to goofy (or vice versa). Keep it fluid. This improves your balance and helps with learning cutbacks.

Driveway Snap
Find a small slope or driveway. Ride up, turn at the highest point, and "snap" back down with a sharp turn. Perfect for practicing your top turns without water (or wipeouts).

👉 Ready to make real progress? Check out our surfskates in the shop or book a lesson at the Hart Beach Surfschool – we'll teach you to ride like you're on a wave in no time.

Ready to ride?

Not entirely sure yet? Come by our shop to test boards or ask our team for advice. Would you prefer some guidance? Sign up for a surfskate lesson at our surf school – perfect if you want to start or improve your technique.

📞 +31 (0) 70 350 25 91
Call the Hart Beach surf shop for personal advice

🛒 Or shop for your new surfskate directly!