PSA: "Surf" skateboards are not worth it for beginner surfer

[oldmansurfer]

WOW! That Rodney Mullen has some skills!!!

[Big H]

When I was a teenager, my best friend who had moved to DC from Florida used to say “watch me surf!” and pick up the nose of his skateboard and ride edge to edge of the sidewalk we were on for a few yards.....took me awhile but I learned how to do it too.

Riding a carver, you can feel differences when weighting forward or back, coming into a turn and coming out, differences in pressure and weighting do different things.....this translates really well to the water.

I understand frustration.....some things the only way to improve is hard work, hours put in and pushing yourself out of comfort zones to create new plateaus. Pity with skateboarding is that this will involve some major slams in your first few thousand hours of practice.....if you haven’t got the slams out of the way as a kid/teenager it is probably too late to improve much at skating. (9 years old was my best....dripped into a ramp from a tree and landed so hard I thought I was paralyzed....sent to emergency room for X-rays that yielded no real damage). Stop making excuses and make time to practice either surfing, skateboarding or both. It is the ONLY way to improvement. And stop stunting....advice without real experience doesn’t hold much value and just serves to stir things up (which might have been the aim).

[pmcaero]

Yes other no:
Will a Carver board turn if you apply significant toe or heel pressure with your front foot?

Will a surfboards turn if you do the same or will it stall on a rail?

[RinkyDink]

I took my car in to get repaired and the shop clerk gave me one of these (see picture at link)
https://www.ocregister.com/2012/04/13/c ... kate-park/ to cruise around on while my car got fixed. I had a blast on it. I did realize, however, that I had become the equivalent of a SUP rider in the skateboarding world

[Big H]

Yes other no:
Will a Carver board turn if you apply significant toe or heel pressure with your front foot?

Will a surfboards turn if you do the same or will it stall on a rail?

LOL........just stop.

Get a board and go surf or skate.

[Big H]

If you rode a carver you would know the answer.....riding off the front foot is easier on a conventional skateboard since "significant pressure" applied to a carver will twist the trucks to the point of stalling the board.

Why would you want to ride wrong anyway? If you are skating to develop good habits then do that; the board isn't going to teach you without your input and efforts. It will enhance your skills if you approach it from the point of view of trying to enhance your skills rather than seeing what you can get away with.

Stop being so negative; I wouldn't have bought two if they didn't strike a chord. I used to skate ALOT as a kid; primary transportation for a few years. But you don't have to be a good skater to get something from a Carver; my daughter learned to ride one decently at age 7 after three times on it, total 2hours riding time having never ridden a skatey before. Stop being such a wet blanket and just get out and play......that is what all this is about anyway.

[RinkyDink]

I agree pretty much that "surf" skateboards are not worth the money. If a surfer likes skateboarding, then a surfing-oriented skateboard might be fun to play on. However, the $200+ spent on a good skateboard would be better spent on a good wetsuit or another surfboard if your focus is primarily on surfing.

[waikikikichan]

I DISAGREE that "surf" skate boards are not worth the money. They are worth every penny. I don't skate ramps, or do tricks / oliie, or use it to go to the corner store. I use the surf skate / carver as a training tool WHEN I can't surf. So I don't loose that muscle memory. On days when it's flat or I don't have a ride to the surf, I go down my back street, up and down up and down ten times, and my legs are blown. Shoulders, Neck, Waist, Knees,Thighs all get worked out. The surf skate is for use when you can't surf. The MAIN sport is surfing. The Cross-training/sport, to which applies to the main, is the surf skate/carver.

But agreed, if there's surf, I'd rather surf. ( but a lot of times that not possible ).

[RinkyDink]

But agreed, if there's surf, I'd rather surf. ( but a lot of times that not possible ).

I hear you. I live in the hills and there isn't much pavement around. If I want to skateboard, I actually have to drive to a place where I can skateboard. Anyway, the lack of pavement around my place has really made my skateboard a bit of a waste of money. I keep it, though, because it's a cool skateboard. I wish I could hop on my skateboard and head down to the corner store at the bottom of my neighborhood hill in San Francisco, but sadly, I can't afford that luxury any more. My days of urban living in the city are long gone. I was priced out of the city a long time ago.

As far as using a skateboard as a training device for surfing, I think it is helpful, but definitely not as important as having the right surfing equipment. I'm on a budget so I prefer to spend my funds on surfing. If a surfer has the cash for it, then skateboarding is great when the waves aren't cooperating. I don't think it will help with surfing any more than snowboarding, unicycling, pogo sticking, tight rope walking, or roller skating will, but I think all of those activities can influence and enrich your surfing. More power to you if you find side activities that help your surfing skills.

[pmcaero]

I use the surf skate / carver as a training tool WHEN I can't surf.

I'm sure they help you and many others with physical conditioning and proprioception. But you have learned the basics of surfing maneuvers by putting in the time in the water, not with a surf skateboard that is designed to simulate a shortboard.

[waikikikichan]

I'm sure they help you and many others with physical conditioning and proprioception. But you have learned the basics of surfing maneuvers by putting in the time in the water, not with a surf skateboard that is designed to simulate a shortboard.

You are so right there pmcaero, I learned to surf the correct way, learning the basics first. Then moving on to more intermediate moves I utilized the Carver to increase my awareness of body movements and boards angles that are hard to notice while moving in the water. ( which I could replicate and repeat over and over in a "controlled" environment ). So yes, I didn't learn how to surf / turn with a Carver. But as I train with it, it compliments my time spent in the water.

AGAIN, pmcaero, YOU JUST DON"T GET IT. A SHORT BOARD AND A LONGBOARD TURN THE SAME !!
The rail, the fin, the feet and body dynamics to turn are the same. YOU may say "NO", they look different". But the way to turn is same. The classic log drop-knee turn may look very dis-similar to a full rail lay back snap, but break down the angles ( with your Physics knowledge ) and you'll see they are the same.

So riding a Carver is NOT for turning like on a shortboard. It's for turning like on a SURFboard.

But again I agree with you, a Carver isn't for everyone. It WILL help most surfer to turn better, but not for riders like yourself. Your loose truck imitation penny board should serve you fine for the level you're at.

[pmcaero]

AGAIN, pmcaero, YOU JUST DON"T GET IT. A SHORT BOARD AND A LONGBOARD TURN THE SAME !!

And a Cessna two seater and a C5 Galaxy fly the same.

And a musket and an assault rifle fire the same.

And a sailing dinghy and a ship of the line sail the same.

Sure, the principles are the same in all the above comparisons, including surfboards, but the magnitude of the forces involved is very different and makes operating these devices vastly different.

[waikikikichan]

Very good, you’re starting to realize the similar characteristics. Yes, as Cessna and C-7 take some different techniques, but the basics is the same. Pulling up on the stick/handle does not make the plane turn right. Making a U-turn in a VW bug and an school bus takes the same basic technique, but speed, effort and space limiting factors come into play.
You keep saying short boards turn different from longboards ( and thus carvers are only good for short). So let’s look at your theory. When does a surfboard not become a longboard ? Under 9 feet ? Okay so a mid-length board say 8-7’6” becomes easier to turn ? Then a 7’5” to 7’0” ? Then 6’11” - 6’6” ? By that time you’re getting into shortboard territory. How did the turning change among those various sizes ? Speed, pressure, angles, point on the wave. But the BASICs of turning the 9 foot vs. 5’3” stays the same. You don’t pressure the left rail to go up the face. You don’t push on the nose to make the nose go up. Timing on when and where you lift the nose does change between a 9 and 5 footer.
But since some people suck at even doing a simple U-turn in family sedan, it can’t be expected that they’ll be able to do it in bigger or faster car.

[Onelove]

Love the carver, helped me immensely. Better surfer for it. Highly recommend for anyone learning.

[pmcaero]

Very good, you’re starting to realize the similar characteristics.

Look, we can argue till forever about this...

I am still using my surf skateboard to practice turns, but it hasn't taught me to properly turn a surfboard. I learned the appropriate motions from surfing, spending time in the water, and now I can work on them on the skateboard because I know how it's supposed to feel. But when I got the skateboard I didn't have that muscle memory and the skateboard did not create it because it could turn easily just by front foot rail pressure, which would always stall my surfboard.

So how can it help someone who doesn't yet know the appropriate motions to make a surfboard work - especially a longer board which takes more back-foot pressure and maybe shifting of position?

[waikikikichan]

pmcaero, we are not arguing, but sharing our views. You contend and warned beginners NOT to get a Carver/Surfskate as it's only good for shortboard turning. I on the other hand view the Carver as one of my best training tools to teach my students how to turn ANY surfboard, long or short. Fine, that is your view. But what is interesting is back in July of last year, you were asking for advice on how to turn and problems with your back side bottom turn. But now, your level is up to the point were you can "warn other", yet haven't put in actual time in on that product OR even have performed an actual carving cutback ? It's your prerogative and you're free to say what you want, but Man, you got to be able to have actual have used the Carver and be able to do cutbacks, before giving advice.

I feel you pmcaero. Learning to surf is hard. Learning to turn is hard. It can be frustrating. You may be taking it out/blaming on your equipment. The Bic too heavy, the Softech/beater is too small ( but good for stand jump take-offs ), the Atom or $20 imitation Penny is too easy to turn, blah blah. Look, it is NOT the board, skateboard, fins, wax, etc. It is you. You are not standing properly on the sakteboard, you are not using your upper body correctly on the skateboard, you are not visualizing the movement ahead of time on the skateboard. You just keep front foot pressure, front foot pressure and ask for how to get more back foot pressure. Well then:
1) step back with your back foot further
2) move your front foot back just a centimeter
3) give power to the back foot by angling your front foot away from the rail
4) steer with your front hand, but DRIVE with your back hand ( watch videos of Martin Potter's back arm swing )
5) take the trucks off your skateboard and place it on a carpet. Back foot on the kick tail, lift the nose up and swing the nose back and forth. then practice swinging 180. use your extended arms like a ice figure skater loads up to spin.

I see you comments on other post, not sure if you're trying to be funny or stir up controversy. but whatevers, I am trying to help others and YOU to learn how to surf. I've told you a millions time go back to the basics, but you always put the cart in front of the horse. Let me say this to get you thinking. " How can someone break trim ( to initiate the turn ) if you don't know what trim is ?" Figure that out and you'll be putting the horse in front of the cart.

I don't think you need more advice, i don't think you need a Carver, what you really need is a HUG. pmcaero, It will be alright. It's O.K. I know it's frustrating. It takes time to learn how to surf well. Anything worth while takes time. But you got to learn the right way. Stop fighting and let go.

[RinkyDink]

I gotcha both beat. Not much surf out there today, but the groms had it all worked out. The best way to train your surfing skills when there's not much surf is to rip off your Wavestorm fins and use your Wavestorm as a skimboard. I saw some Wavestorm skimboarders getting some nice little shorebreak waves in their downtime. So there you have it. Throw away your Carvers and break out the finless Wavestorms.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z5U9QRiY46I

[waikikikichan]

But I live 2 1/2 hours from the beach.

[RinkyDink]

But I live 2 1/2 hours from the beach.

Well there's your problem right there. You're a skateboarder. You know this is a surfing website, right? See, I've been thinking this whole time you were talking about longboard SURFBOARDS . . .

[waikikikichan]

Hell no. I am a Surfer. And my passion is to share my love of surfing with others. I ride a Carver on land when I want to "surf", but physically can't get to the beach. In Hawaii, I surfed 5 times a week and lived only 15 minutes by bike from Waikiki beach. Now living in the heart of Tokyo, I live 2 1/2 hours from the beach and maybe if maybe go once or twice in a month. Unless some investor wants to build a wave pool near Tokyo Tower, I'm pretty much stuck with riding my Carver. I guess I could try sand sliding down the grass hills in the parks ?