Surfskate: the complete buying guide for beginners

Surfskate is surf that keeps going when the ocean's flat. If you want to feel the wave on pavement — or just shred while carving around town — this guide tells you everything to pick your first board right.

What is a surfskate?

A surfskate is a skateboard fitted with a special pivoting front truck that copies how a surfboard moves. Basically, you build speed by "pumping" with your body, without putting your foot down, and you chain super tight turns like you're on a wave. It's the perfect tool to train your surf moves on land, or just to have fun carving around every day.

Surfskate, cruiser, or street skate: which is yours?

• Surfskate : for carving, pumping, and working on surf feel. Super tight turns.
• Cruiser : to get around comfortably (cruising, short trips).
• Street skate : for tricks, flips, and the skatepark.

If you surf or want that surf feeling → surfskate's for you.

How to pick your size (31″ or 32″)?

The deck length, in inches, shapes how it behaves :

• 31″ : shorter, nimble and snappy. Perfect for the city and tight turns.
• 32″ : more stable, more forgiving on your weight. Great for flowing curves and taller riders.

For a beginner, either works : pick the 31″ if you want nimbleness, the 32″ if you want maximum stability.

The anatomy of a surfskate (useful vocab)

• The deck : the board your feet stand on.
• The front truck : the articulated system that creates the "surf" feel. It's the heart of a surfskate.
• The wheels : soft and grippy, to roll anywhere (pavement, bowl).
• The bearings : they determine how smooth your wheels roll.

Your first surfskate moves

1. Start on a flat, open surface (parking lot, plaza).
2. Feet shoulder-width apart, knees loose, eyes ahead.
3. Work on pumping : sway your hips and shoulders side to side to build speed without putting your foot down.
4. Lean into your turns with your ankles and your eyes. You'll feel the board "respond" like a real surfboard real fast.

Safety: ride protected

Surfskates carve hard : a helmet is highly recommended, especially at first. Wrist guards and knee pads cut down on bumps while you're learning.

Maintenance

Keep your board dry (moisture kills bearings), tighten your bolts now and then, and clean your bearings if you ride in sand — we know the Landes coast.

Beginner mistakes to avoid

• Trying to go fast before you've nailed pumping.
• Riding on wet or gritty ground at first.
• Trucks too tight or too loose : tweak until you find your sweet spot.

Which ACTA surfskate to pick?

To get started without breaking the bank, the Overlap model is our best entry point. Want the best? The V2 models (Timber, Foam, Seaweed, Horizon) deliver ultra-smooth carving. Check out the whole range in the Surfskate collection.

FAQ

Do you need to be able to surf? No. Lots of riders shred surfskates and don't surf.
Is surfskate good for beginners? Yes, it's actually great for building your balance.
Can you use it for getting around? Yeah, but a cruiser will be more comfy for longer trips.

Designed in Hossegor, on the Landes coast. Sliding from ocean to pavement.