How to Choose the Right Surfskate: what nobody told you

Choosing the right surfskate is about fit and function, not design. These are the key factors you need to consider:

1. Trucks - the most important decision

When choosing a surfskate, the two most common truck systems are spring trucks and traditional bushing trucks, Trucks determine how reactive or stable your board feels.

Surfskate with spring system

• Spring system trucks

  This system uses a spring mechanism in the front truck to create extra rotation and responsiveness.

  Characteristics : More flexible and reactive, allows tighter, sharper turns , less stable due to increased movement, generates speed more easily through pumping , heavier due to more metal component.

  Recommended for : Riders who want to focus on improving surfing technique, bit recommended for lighter riders , especially kids, need more flexible trucks to allow turns with less effort .Most surfskates for children are labeled with the word “GROM.”

  This system is ideal if your main goal is surf progression and technical surf simulation.
  
  
  

• Traditional bushing system

  Characteristics: More stable because the trucks are less flexible, bigger tuns, to generate speed and make tighter turns, this system requires more effort and technique. If a bushing (rubber ) breaks, it is universal , cheap , easy to replace and available in any skate shop.

  Recommended for: heavier riders .The stability of the traditional system also makes it the perfect board for riders who want to combine the technique of surfskate with the creativity of classic skateboarding.

  Because of its stability and lighter weight, this system is often preferred by skateboarders transitioning into surfskate or heavier riders.
  
  
  

2. Wheelbase

Most people focus on board length, but what truly matters is the wheelbase (distance between trucks).

Your wheelbase should be slightly wider than your shoulder width because If the wheelbase is too long for you , turning becomes difficult, If it is too short, the board becomes unstable and overly reactive. A correct wheelbase allows proper stance, better rotation, and more realistic surf movement.

3. The Deck Shape

The shape of the tail affects foot placement and control and the concave .Surfskates come in many different tail shapes, but the most commonly used are:

surfskate with fish tail & Squash Tail

Fish tail This type of tail could be super fun for slides and snaps. It doesn’t provide as much contact surface for your back foot, so if you enjoy dropping in from a bowl, it may not give you the confidence you need. Recommended also for riders with smaller feet.

Squash tail It has a straight cut with slightly rounded corners the most versatile design, Provides solid back-foot support, making it ideal for snaps, cutbacks, and technical maneuvers. Because it is not as steeply lifted, this type of tail provides more control and smoother drops.

4. Wheels (Grip vs Speed)

Wheel size and hardness affect control and surface performance.

Bigger and softer wheels: provide more grip, offer more stability, work better on slippery or rough surfaces. For beginners and technical training, grip is usually more important than speed. Smaller and harder wheels: are faster, slide more easily, offer less grip.

surfskate wheels

5. Choose for Fit, Not Trends

The right surfskate should match: Your body weight, your shoulder width (wheelbase), your level and style.

Finally, The Question You’ve Been Waiting For: Which Surfskate Brand is the Best?

The right surfskate depends on your budget, body dimensions, the surfaces you usually ride, and how you plan to use your board.

Since 2008, we have tested many surfskate brands in order of discovery: Carver, Miller, Slide, Station Surfskates, Smoothstar, Wooden Tail, Wood-Doo, Long Island Boards, and YOW. Over the years, we focused on material quality and student preferences, and we’ve noticed some patterns:

Not all surfskates are built the same. Some boards are poorly assembled and require constant truck adjustments, while others may be high quality but develop noise over time, with replacement spring parts that are hard to find. In some popular brands, stiff bushing systems combined with flat concave decks can make smooth, fluid turns more difficult.

From our experience, Station Surfskates (bushing system) stand out for being lightweight, responsive, and easier to turn thanks to their pronounced concave, especially if you enjoy progressive or aerial maneuvers. Long Island Boards offer an excellent price-to-quality balance, with fast, grippy wheels and strong stability. Finally, the well-known YOW , a brand that has invested heavily in both marketing and product quality. As you already know, quality never comes cheap.

When deciding how to choose a surfskate, focus first on the truck system, then the deck shape and wheels, and finally the brand that best matches your riding style, goals, and budget.