cross over skateboards for surf training

Halda's picture
Halda started the topic in Thursday, 18 Oct 2018 at 8:28pm

I've been eyeing off cross over skateboards such as the carver, smooth star etc... as a way to stay in touch with surfing while there's no waves about - anyone got any thoughts on whether it's a good way to improve your surfing? Recommended models?

mattlock's picture
mattlock's picture
mattlock Sunday, 25 Nov 2018 at 1:41pm

Smoothstar is the go.

edd_finn's picture
edd_finn's picture
edd_finn Sunday, 25 Nov 2018 at 8:43pm

Surfskate is pretty decent. Definitely good for simulating cutbacks etc. And getting the upper body rotating.

Gary G's picture
Gary G's picture
Gary G Sunday, 25 Nov 2018 at 10:30pm

Gary, who’s fond of the use of toys to help train for water sports activities, found this article very helpful.

https://www.ridingboards.com/best-surf-skateboard/

Gary has tried the surfskate and smoothstar and would probably lean towards smoothstar for the wider deck with more concave; but it’s much of a muchness.

They’re both good for the rig and in the limited time that Gary used them he found them helpful for working on surfing-like body movements.

joesydney's picture
joesydney's picture
joesydney Sunday, 25 Nov 2018 at 10:52pm

I have a carver and also had one of these http://www.streetboardz.net/page.php?page_id=2

The streetboardz are closer to surfing in motion but I found the carver more fun as they are smaller and have more general functionality. I take my carver to the local skate park and they are loads of fun. The streetboardz are not as easy to ride in the park because of their length.

Gary G's picture
Gary G's picture
Gary G Monday, 26 Nov 2018 at 6:30am

Seems that's the trade off.

Gary enjoys a good strut around the skatepark, and the carver seems to be good for that, but is thinking he's better off keeping his regular skateboard for that purpose and going for a surf-focused board for surf training.

Important point for Halda - If you're looking at the SmoothStar / SurfSkate, don't expect you'll be cruising down the shops on it. They're geared for surf training, not transport

truebluebasher's picture
truebluebasher's picture
truebluebasher Monday, 26 Nov 2018 at 11:52am

Halda I have authored GC Skate history + soon hopefully Tweed Coast.
I'll be honest my skateboarding is not what it was.
I haven't tested this gear...but they sure look like decent Surf/Skate crossover boards.

Surfstick(Skate)=$215(us) > Carveboard (off/road)=$385 (us) (For smooth turns/Cutbacks)
http://carveusa.com/

High performance Surf/Skate both share ramps & foam pits...(For big aerial moves).
Most Oz Capitals/Regions by now or soon will have a foam pit.
https://www.surfingaustraliahpc.com/pages/skate

Flowboarding crosses Surf/Skate + reverse flow...(For switchfoot/Air reverse & kicks)
Most Oz Capitals/Regions have a Flowrider

Here's a 'flow wave' surfed with mini surfboards that also fuses Flowboards (For Flicks)
It is a training facility that runs comps independent of (Surf Australia/WSL)
https://www.alohasurfhouse.com.au/surf/about-the-waves/

Wake boards/Cable parks sell/run Skateboard (Packages) Not to mention KiteSurfing

rj-davey's picture
rj-davey's picture
rj-davey Monday, 26 Nov 2018 at 12:12pm

There was a fella surfing north wall ballina earlier this year who was shredding. When I overheard he'd been out of the water for 6 months with a broken hand or something I complimented him on how well he was surfing given the lay-time. He told me kept sharp (and sane) by spending a whole bunch of time on his Smoothstar and totally rated it. So I looked into one myself and in the end wound up buying one for a bit of extra-water riding before an Indo trip in Sept. It's pretty good hey. As Gary says just gotta remember what it's designed for (training) and don't ride it like a normal skatey. If you are old, stiff and lazy like me I think it def helps with compression, drive and release.

joesydney's picture
joesydney's picture
joesydney Monday, 26 Nov 2018 at 12:51pm

Word of warning I went arse over tit in the bowl and landed on my back pretty heavily. Not wanting to show pain in front of the local crew of 10yr olds on their scooters I shook it off and kept skating. Went to compress and unload on my backhand about 15 mins later and BANG the whole back spasmed, locked up tighter you can imagine. A bit of time out of the water getting that sorted.
Being 40 sucks.

Check these out
https://m.

freeride76's picture
freeride76's picture
freeride76 Monday, 26 Nov 2018 at 1:19pm

pardon the ignorance but whats the diffo between a smooth star and a normal skatey for carving a few turns on the concrete?

joesydney's picture
joesydney's picture
joesydney Monday, 26 Nov 2018 at 1:30pm

The trucks, normal skatey the trucks are fixed and surf skates the trucks will rotate. So you can actually pump a surf skate to get speed.

Not sure if that helps - have a go and the difference is pretty easy to pick up

Check the vid
https://m.

truebluebasher's picture
truebluebasher's picture
truebluebasher Monday, 26 Nov 2018 at 2:26pm

rj-davey I found similar front 'V' truck (carver/smoothstar) on Swelltech Surf Skate
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCyiVDwJH3QQJFBiVOlneNWQ

Halda there's a lot going on here ...keep an eye out for design flaws.
360* Trucks...
Need flexi deck or deck trickery of sorts to accommodate wheels.
In turn this surrenders both stability & maneuverability

*Carve (Low balanced cruiser)
Has superwide wheel base that surrenders maneuverability. I reckon would also belly out!
I note that all the weight is supported on thin deck ends /mostly bolts... Design Weakness?

*SmoothStar (High wobbly penny)
Has super short wheel base that increases maneuverability
But super padded rear trucks to raise deck above wheels surrenders stability + torque
Superpads are renowned for working loose from deck....A design fault!

Swelltech (High fairly stable)
Deck has scallops to accommodate rear wheels but also a v shape surrendering Torque.
Again! V shape could present an issue with wobbly trucks.

Swelltech seems closer match to your Carver

You can switch to this forum for test runs by Surf/skaters current to Aug 2018 (hit it!).
Carver/Swelltech/Smoothstar are all there.

Next link is like a Technical ENCYCLOPEDIA about surf/skate equipment...same 3 & more!
https://www.ridingboards.com/best-surf-skateboard/
http://www.surfing-waves.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=6&t=26926

mattlock's picture
mattlock's picture
mattlock Monday, 26 Nov 2018 at 2:27pm

Smoothstar is a contraption that goes under the front truck[old style truck]making the front of the board highly manouverable. I feel that Smoothstar gives the most surf like turns out any skateboard I have tried. Just buy the contraption and build it up with the deck/trucks/wheels you want. I've got a couple. Best on hills, the steeper the better.

truebluebasher's picture
truebluebasher's picture
truebluebasher Monday, 26 Nov 2018 at 2:30pm

Oops! I meant this Surfing Waves forum.
http://www.surfing-waves.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=6&t=26926

truebluebasher's picture
truebluebasher's picture
truebluebasher Monday, 26 Nov 2018 at 2:56pm

That's perfect mattlock (Word is like Old style 80's Santa Cruz/Varoflex )
Explains why I thought it was some Funky Brazilian brand...
I was wondering why many decks/boards looked so odd. (Hence the extra Pads)

joesydney's picture
joesydney's picture
joesydney Monday, 26 Nov 2018 at 3:04pm

I had a quick look at the smoothstar site, they have stopped selling their thrusters (contraptions) as a stand alone product, have to buy a complete board now

truebluebasher's picture
truebluebasher's picture
truebluebasher Sunday, 16 Dec 2018 at 5:58pm

Holiday Skate viewing (2 x SBS TV series- Password/Login required)

Skate Legend Rick McCrank takes you on some bizarre phantasmagorical rides.

(1)Abandoned***** Uncovers skaters at home in iconic dystopian ruins.(10 parts)
https://www.sbs.com.au/ondemand/program/abandoned

(2)Post Radical***** Explores the weird wide world of Skateboarding.(6 parts)
https://www.sbs.com.au/ondemand/program/post-radical

Nothing more to it...Rick is the perfect guide.(Insane Vidz for whole Family!)
Simply had to share...Sillyseasonings Swellnet Skaterz.