Skateboard help surfing?

[pkbum]

I was planning to buy skateboard so I can practice some balance while I m on my way to my local beach or local swimming pool. I want to know how much skateboard helps you on surfing?

Many thanks for the advice!

[gerk86]

Having to lean and distribute weight is kind of like skating. Ive been skating 5 years (surfing 3 months) and am now starting to ride the face of the wave. When I pop up and go to turn down the line it feels alot like a turn on a skateboard but thats where the similarities start and end i think.

[surfitch]

i've noticed that skating up half pipes or bowls feels a lot like surfing up the face of a wave. i've learned my front and backhand snaps this way. it taught me how to lean more on my back foot when turning and also helps at that critical point in the snap. the good thing about learning on a skateboard is that half pipes and bowls are more consistent than waves and also it teaches you not to eat it - water hurts less than concrete, unless your surfing shallow reef or get caught in the spin cycle

[parrysurf]

Downhill is good but I like ramps.
So good for surfing....So good for fitness....So much fun!!!!

The only negative is, don't slam. Concrete hurts. I did miss a good swell this winter nursing my wrist.
A good slam always does makes me feel alive tho.

[uglystick]

good for balance and turns if you just pump up and down the ramps as already mentioned.

Not so good if you skate more technically, i skated for 5 yrs prior to starting surfing and it effected my surfing style (wasnt so smooth and flowing...all is good now though )

[Otter]

Don't skate with glass bottles. Matter of fact, skate only in a park. The streets are dangerous for the un-initiated.

[pkbum]

I m not like planning to go to like skateboard park or anything... Just going straight concrete...to my local places(supermarket and etc)... Probably gonna buy a longboard skateboard so I can pump on it and have enough speed without doing the leg kick. So will it help on surfing even without skating on bowls, ramps and downhill??

Appreciating every comment you guys write...:p

[surfitch]

if you're not going on bowls or ramps, at least try some hills. people have said carving on a skateboard feels like carving on a wave. the similarities i feel are throwing around my weight and leaning into turns, so i guess it can give you some of the feelings of surfing. but surfing feels more ethereal.

[Johno]

I took up skating because of surfing its defo helped wi turning balancing and how to lean forward when droping in,

Only problem is it herts a lot lot more when ya fall off

[greg@hoodatsurfco]

i like to ride my long board down my streets on the side walks and pump up and down drive ways like waves as i go along... not exactly the samething but its fun!

[mowflow]

I skated long before i started surfing (skating for 15 years surfing for 2). When i started surfing i found that i progressed way quicker than anyone who started at the same time and didn't skateboard. My leg strength and balance was way better along with my understanding of the body movements, weight distribution and to some degree the technique for turns etc just came naturally.

In saying that, i spent a lot of time skating bowls as my prefered environment so i don't know how much use skating about on the flat will be in terms of improving your surfing since you don't surf on the flat (hopefully). You'll also have to be prepared to push no matter what type of board you use if you just going to use it for transport.

My advice would be to give it a go. Skateboarding is fun and at least you can be sure it won't make your surfing any worse.

[garbarrage]

^^very similar situation... used to skate as a kid. wasn.t very good or but used to love downhill. was a lot bouncier back the so don't think i'd be into it as much now. but started with a load of friends and progressed a lot quicker than most of them except one who was just gifted at picking waves. even then my balance and turning came on a lot faster.

it can't hurt and will definitely be better for your fitness than driving catching busses, and probably even walking. also barring hard falls will be much better for your knees than road running. go for it!

[narmo67]

if your going for a cruising longboard i recommend the 48' kick at longboardlarry.net, its a bit pricey if you get the upgrades. I got this board about a month ago and i completely forgot about my other board. Great smooth rides and carves and cross stepping on it is amazing!

[nothinglikeHB]

Something fun that you can do is hop on your skateboard while your friend pulls you along on a bike (with a rope and handle attached). It mimics racing down the line really well and is an absolute blast!

[steph k?]

i like to ride my long board down my streets on the side walks and pump up and down drive ways like waves as i go along... not exactly the samething but its fun!

aha!
i thought i was the only one that skates up and down drive ways :]


i got a teeny tiny old school single kick board

lots a fun carving hills and skating bowls.

[Bub]

Once you get to your feet on a surfboard, your skateboarding experience and skills kick in. Problem is....most of your earlier problems you'll have with developing surfing skills are in the parts prior to planing down the wave in a standing position....paddling endurance, positioning in the lineup, wave selection, timing of your paddle and finally the poppup have zero to do with skateboarding experience. Don't get frustrated early on, once you gain the experience to get to your feet frequently, you're surfing development will exponentially take off over someone who has never skated before.

[The Fafanator]

It is great, as long as you don't do street skating (flips, stairs, and bull like that.) Once you start turning on a wave it helps heaps. For instance a snap would feel completely natural if you can do a 5-0 on a halfpipe/miniramp. Floaters are quite alot like doing a rock 'n roll on a miniramp/halfpipe. And grabrail turns are basically like grabrail bertslides. The biggest difference is that your stance is doubled on a surfboard. A great way to go is if you can skate along a quaterpipe. (Preferable a bowling one, it simulates a wave a bit better.)

[surferdude_scarborough]

wow you know loads about floaters and snaps for someone whos been surfing for about 5 months. cut the crap please.

[pkbum]

Bought a longboard practiced with it couple of time... tried to pump on it, but no results ...Tried surfing after skateboarding for a while...

All I can say is WOW. money well spent.