Longboards vs Surfskates (How to choose)

I've noticed a lot of confusion around longboards vs surfskates. Here's my perspective on the differences.
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Our mission is to get more people into skateboarding and carry it as a lifelong passion. Skateboarding is more than just a wooden plank with four wheels. It's a way to connect with friends, leave behind the daily grind and express who you are. No matter what style you choose, it's all valid. The ride is the reward.
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[@Thejubeabides24]

Appreciate the video my dude

[@BurningSpiderStokeCompany]

Well ballanced information as usual. Fantastic.

[@concrete-waves]

Thanks man 🙌 means a lot

[@eBoard3R]

*Another awesome video!* ⚡🤙🏼🤙🏼⚡ I love the genuine passion, knowledge and perspective 👌🏼👌🏼

[@concrete-waves]

I appreciate that bro! Means a lot. It's crazy, I feel like every skate related YT vid I watch... I scroll down and see you already commented lol. Love the genuine passion you have too

[@eBoard3R]

@@concrete-waves haha, I love esk8/sk8 and I hate when great creators stop uploadin, videos like this are much needed.

[@SkaterDeeVlog]

Great video. I'm sending it out to some of my friends because every time I try to explain the differences to someone I get tongue-tied and can't really articulate what I mean by "mellow carving" or "more stability" without just having them get on the board and feel the difference for themselves. My own evolution went from standard cruiser trucks to Waterborne before going to RKPs on a 10 inch wide old school deck. My thinking was that I wanted something lightweight, stable and comfortable to ride, but that I could still pump and carve on. I put the Waterborne adapter on a thinner cruiser deck for whenever I wanted more aggressive carves and easier long distance pumping, but over the last year it kinda sat in the closet while I rode the wider, old school deck and the RKPs. I found I could pump it just as easily and definitely liked not having massive hunks of metal weighing everything down. But then, very recently, a friend wanted to learn how to ride skateboard. At first, I had him cruising around on standard trucks for a few weeks just to make sure he was getting the basics of balance and control and how to pump before introducing him to the Waterborne. As soon as he set foot on the Waterborne, however, I was amazed at how quickly he picked it up. Not only was he pumping and picking up speed, but he was mastering carves and turnarounds the same day. I really couldn't believe how easy it was for him to go from a standard truck to just taking off on a Waterborne like he'd been doing it for years. What's more, all the things I was telling him about technique and stance suddenly made sense to him. Like I said, it's hard to explain the differences between setups without having someone just stand on the deck and feel it for themselves. Meanwhile, I found myself at a crossroads. I had forgotten how much I loved riding surf adapters, but still didn't miss the extra weight. I took this as a sign to finally try out Carver's C7 truck and see what it had to offer, and instantly fell in love. I can long distance pump and have a nice, mellow session of simply cruising without all the extra weight, but I can still get deep, aggressive carves for some real fun sessions. I think I'm going to pass the Waterborne onto my friend as a Christmas present and just stick with the Carver for a while.

[@concrete-waves]

This is such a great comment! Really appreciate you sharing all this. I had a similar experience where I discovered surfskate pivoting adapters and that's all I rode for a while. Then started to experiment with other pumpy setups that were lighter and lower to the ground. I hear ya about not wanting all that metal weighing everything down. I'm glad you found your way to the C7s - that's a great truck!

[@jtdaanil8r550]

I hope u can reply to this. I wanted to get my first skateboard and was rec’d a surfskate from a friend. However I was looking at vids like this that would compare it to longboards and cruisers and realized I wanted the deck space of a surfskate and the fast cuts it offered but also wanted to make it like a cruiser, offering more stability and pushing as a viable option. Do u have any recommendations for what I should look at getting to check all those boxes. I’d really appreciate your insight 🙏🙏

[@marcusm.l.9511]

Just found your channel. My kids are 8/9 and starting to skateboard so I am learning with them. You're videos have been very helpful!

[@concrete-waves]

Awesome! Love to hear that. Such a great experience to share with your kids 🙏

[@Jesticles85]

Nice video as usual. Happy holidays my dude!

[@concrete-waves]

Much love bro! Happy holidays to you as well

[@user-if2zr7rw4x]

+1 subscriber. I love your content dude!

[@concrete-waves]

Thanks 🙂 I’m stoked to hear that!

[@one23neo]

The animations/graphics/illustrations in this video are sick

[@concrete-waves]

Much love! Appreciate that 🙏

[@funkingitup1805]

Need that LDP vs Surfskate video.

[@SuperMarijus]

i love my surfskate adapter on my elektric longboard its stable enough to reach 25mph no problem and gives me insane mobility in the city especially when i go on the sidewalk to skip some traffic

[@jorgecardoso5863]

Thanks for the video my dude! Have you tried the YOW surf cruisers? It seems like a nice middle ground so I'm looking for some opinions on how the different truck widths relate to pumping

[@concrete-waves]

Of course and thanks for watching 🙌 To be hoenst I haven't given the YOW cruiser enough love to give you a solid answer. I plan to experiment with it more

[@EricJMcA]

very well put. I have both a YOW as well as the carver cx. the next step may be an eggboard. love them both, but for different reasons. great video !

[@concrete-waves]

thanks eric! The YOW and CX are so solid. I have my eggboard lying around and was trying to think of a custom setup I could do with it

[@goofyfootgreg]

I never could get into land longboarding. For a long time I didn’t have access to the space. Good stuff, as always 🤙✌️

[@concrete-waves]

Interesting. Thanks as always for watching greg✌️

[@jamestaylor6869]

Great video. I like the idea of having the TKP with angled risers and softer bushings. Would that setup or a Paris RKP be better for a snowboard type feel with more speed? My Waterborne with TKP is good but I’d like a lower ride that can manage a little more speed.

[@concrete-waves]

Nice! I think either could get you to that snowboard feel with more speed. I'd recommend looking at how the comet cruiser and the landyachtz dipper or ripper are set up. Those type of setups sound like the vibe you're going for

[@wingnut381]

I’d love you to do a video going more in depth about flex in longboards and longer surfskates.

[@concrete-waves]

That's a great idea actually. Wrote it down and will start experimenting. Appreciate the recommendation

[@Explogene]

I second that!🙌

[@3Y3ECE]

I had a loaded flex longboard that I put sidewinder 2's on, and that thing shredded somewhere in the middle of those two setups. 75mm squishy wheels, and that thing was very fun once you dialed in all 100 bushings!!

[@concrete-waves]

Now that's something I want to try. I've only used sidewinders with stiff decks and it felt ehhh. But I can see it being fun with flex and diff bushing duros

[@keikitano]

Dream Setup: Powell Peralta Slidewinder with Carver CX Trucks. It‘s a popsicle Streetdeck with 17“ Wheelbase longboardy and Carver Cx Surfskate Trucks. Try it. You gonna love it.

[@concrete-waves]

Sooo sick 🔥 Gonna have to try that

[@icantsee0]

1:34 oh my god, not only is the video fantastic, but that clip was sick asf 🔥🔥🔥

[@concrete-waves]

Haha I can't take credit for that clip, got it from YOW's website lol. Appreciate you always watching and dropping a comment 🙏

[@Explogene]

Great vid! Do you think the Chinchiller with Cx trucks is worth a try?🤙

[@concrete-waves]

Definitely. That was something I’ve wanted to try but haven’t yet. The deck flex is probably a fun combo with the cx

[@Explogene]

Thanks!! Will try to update you on it as soon as I'm out of my cast! @@concrete-waves

[@concrete-waves]

@@Explogene hope you heal up quick!

[@StokedNC-surfer]

I have two surfskate setups: a Carver Hotdogger 42” with the new Carver CX trucks and a carver 31” Plank with CX trucks. I have upgraded the bushings, pivot cups, wheels and bearings. I rode Carvers for years and a few Yow Setups, but shortly after we shutdown I began trying to get better and work on my technique. At 49, I still feel like I am progressing.

[@concrete-waves]

Niceeee. That's awesome you're still progressing at 49! Love to hear that 🔥

[@skate-further]

Great Video as always! A carver CX Truck is great starting point for almost everybody! I would disagree tho on the starting difference. At first a longboard feels better and safer, but after an hour my experience goes with the YOW adapter, since it's so easy to pump and people often get discouraged, when they push and it does't work out that well at first :D

[@concrete-waves]

Thanks Michael, I appreciate the different perspective. Totally agree CX is a great starting point. But yeah it's a tricky topic for a blanket statement, that's for sure haha

[@zhikunli475]

I've been riding the landyachtz battle axe with rayne bamboo drop through 5° angled risers with stock bear gen 6 trucks. Front wedge and back dewedge to get a 55° - 45° combination. Replacing the front road side bushing with 80A and back road side 85A riptides and precision flat washers. The setup is very carvy and relatively surfy, it is pumpable past 10km/h and pumps comfortably above 15km/h of speed. It handles both longboard pumping and surfskate pumping nicely. It is also extremely stable at the same time. The problems I have with this set up are: 1. I've had two incidents of sliding out when pumping aggressively. This can be resolved by replacing the stock hawg supremes with abec 11 mcfly 83mms, they have more grip, are bigger in diameter and are narrower, which translates to less slideouts, better roll speed and improved clearance. 2. Front and back truck angles are too similar, I could fix this by using 10° drop through wedge risers in front and 40° bear gen 6 at the back 3. The footwell of the battle axe is not great for pushing, might consider getting the drop cat

[@zhikunli475]

Im more of a long distance skater

[@concrete-waves]

Danggg this comment is legendary! Really appreciate you taking the time to share all of your experimenting. Now I wanna try this setup... 60°- 40° split is very intriguing 🤔

[@Redbloodedsky]

I usually do street surfskate, rarely bowl or downhill. A stock deck with carver CX trucks was great as a beginner, but setting up a Soulboardiy with Yow trucks has been mindblowing.

[@concrete-waves]

Yeah that torsional flex from the soulboard mixed with the pivoting of the YOW is something else 🔥 That's awesome

[@justadutchman5169]

Again great info. Never stop what you are doing. You rock. 💯🫵🏼👍🏼🫡👊🏼✌🏼🇳🇱

[@concrete-waves]

I appreciate that thanks 🙏

[@MaalysWorld125]

That surf skate setup is 🔥🔥🔥 what is it?

[@nateross14]

The advice for most Beginners to start on a regular RKP longboard is spot on. People like different things, and Longboard vs Surfskate is subjective, but for me once I started riding a YOW Meraki which is a pivoting Surfskate front truck, I no longer want to ride regular non secondary pivoting trucks or even the Carver CX. I mean, I'm ok riding them and appreciate them, but they're not home. For me it's all about the feel of having nose swing. Yeah you can pump the CX and even RKP trucks, but its not the same, they don't have nose swing that mimics the loose front end of a surfboard in water. The Meraki is home for me and what I want to be riding. I went through a progression of being a basic longboarder, then a Surfskate Longboarder, then a Surfskate super long longboarder ( think 5.5ft long Hamboards but with a Smoothstar Thruster adapter), then I started riding short 18" wheelbase Surfskates, and now most recently I'm building and riding super short and lower deck height mini cruiser Surfskates with a Meraki, 4" truck hangers, and 90mm wheels. They are all so awesome to ride in their own ways, and I love riding the spectrum depending on what I feel like riding that day. If your only riding one specific size Surfskate, your missing out on a whole lot of fun. My advice would be to realize Surfskating is a spectrum and to embrace all types and sizes, from 19" or 22" mini cruiser builds all the way up to 6ft and longer crazy long ones. On shorter wheelbases I prefer the Meraki, but on the 50" and longer boards the Smoothstar Thruster (Clone, since Smooth Star won't sell just the adapter) feels real good due to the longer pivot arm length. There's nothing wrong with basic longboards and if all I had to cruise around on was an RKP longboard I'd be happy just to be able to roll around. But Surfskating with secondary pivoting trucks like the Meraki is just so much more special and is what speaks to me. Personally, I think Surfskating is the future of skateboarding as far as being the next boom and attracting alot of new interest in skateboarding. Not to knock other formats of skateboarding, they're all awesome in their own way.

[@rageburst]

I'm the same. You basically get muscle memory from using surf motions on the more loose surfskates like Swelltech or Yow Meraki. They're able to do much tighter carves in a pinch. However, the Carver CX is good if you want more rebound, stability, and to encourage less sharp edges and to preserve your flow (also possible with the looser surfskates, but it will rely more on your correct technique). The other thing is that some surfskates get dirty very easily so while they're so much fun, they need more maintenance/oiling. This is the case for Swelltech's exposed springs. I think Yow Meraki is a pretty good choice for a first skateboard because it has stability, but is loose enough that you can learn to pump easily. Carver CX are good for skateparks because you might want that extra stiffness when dropping or practicing snaps/cutbacks.

[@bmx-rk5bs]

Everyone should have a comet Cruiser if you like tricks the Foster fingey is a mix between the Comet and the popsicle board. Both are amazing.

[@concrete-waves]

Ahhh man I've been eyeing the fingey for a lil now. It's on my list of boards to try

[@Lwokey]

i have never, tried a longborad/curiser/surfskate i have not really thought about it but recently i went to my local skate shop and tested some skateborads and i really enjoyed the surfskate for more ground level flat and downhill>:D

[@concrete-waves]

Awesome! I love surfskates 🙌 Be careful picking up speed on them though!

[@Lwokey]

@@concrete-waves thank you😀

[@_Ramen-Vac_]

I just got a pair of Solride trucks and have yet to mount em up on anything, but am thinking an old pig with barely any concave would be super fun. I have a Jesse Parker 38" board with waaay too much concave and Tracker Dart trucks (traditional pivot/pin design) and it seems cool, but I usually just wanna ride my light street board. Longs and surfs are cool, but I'm not into them yet, even over 50 yrs eld.

[@concrete-waves]

Awesome. I want to try the Solride trucks - been seeing them all over Instagram. Paired with an old pig/minimal concave seems fun. What type of riding are you mainly doing?

[@_Ramen-Vac_]

Ditches, hills (not mountains) . curbs, sidewalk and lot spots, banks, like ollies and wallies too much to go long or surf. Out with a screwed up knee for a minute now. I didn't even do anything to it ! lol -SG

[@concrete-waves]

Gotcha, yeah that light street setup makes a lot of sense for how you're riding. Hope your knee heals soon!@@_Ramen-Vac_

[@open_ogen9]

Can you please make a review about major arc trucks? Combine them with a loaded tan tien deck!! Cant wait to see your opinion.

[@concrete-waves]

That sounds like a very interesting setup. I wrote it down and will do my best to get to it. Have you tried that combo before?

[@open_ogen9]

​@@concrete-waves yes i am using it as my daily cruiser!!

[@thatchris1626]

Long Distance Push or Pump (LDP) Is a very big example of this. Often you have these extremely long setups with 0 degree back trucks that are mounted to these long metal frames. You then have a small standing area and a slightly more aggressive turning front for that pump. The pump here is more aimed at getting as much distance for your effort instead of the tighter turning of a surf skate

[@concrete-waves]

LDP is super interesting. I've been browsing a bunch of LDP FB groups and the setups there are wild. I'd love to dive more into it

[@thatchris1626]

@@concrete-waves Super niche but a lot of fun, just as extreme as downhill in many ways

[@lulunomu]

i see that comet cruiser back there!👀👀

[@lulunomu]

omg you rode it in the video nvmd haha edit: it's my favorite board, need to get new wheels soon

[@concrete-waves]

Haha yeah I love it. I mainly use it for surfy / higher speed cruising but I'm guessing you do some freeride on it if you need new wheels? Also, rocket league is the🐐@@lulunomu

[@lulunomu]

@@concrete-waves i haven't played rocket league in forever, it's kinda 💩 tbh. but yeah I'll do backside slides on the way to and from classes and having fun riding around my campus. super fun

[@subollo]

Great

[@concrete-waves]

appreciate that thanks 🙏

[@AdventuresInSkateboarding]

When I tell people I skate, at 46, the first response is always, "you long board?" I tell them, "no I skate skate, but I do like surfskates." Most don't know what a surfskate is. I would like to get into downhill, I just live in the wrong area. Downhill is a completely diff different setup. I would like to get smart on it and give it go.

[@concrete-waves]

"You long board" classic haha. I'd love to try downhill too. Another style I wanna try is slalom - they have very interesting setups as well

[@AdventuresInSkateboarding]

@@concrete-waves I am setting up a 70s G&S Fibreflex for slalom 💯

[@concrete-waves]

Oh whattt. That sounds sick!@@AdventuresInSkateboarding

[@AdventuresInSkateboarding]

@@concrete-waves 2 really, one with all tissue new components and restoration of a 77 Fibreflex with a front HPG Split axle truck. The king pin is being fabricated now from the original that was broken. Paying $100 to have the kingpin made.

[@alexdelgadojr7718]

Can you please tell me what you think about a loaded omakase deck paired with Yow meraki s5 trucks? I'm 5'10 235lbs. Thank you.

[@concrete-waves]

It could definitely work but two things come to mind. One, (imo) once you start pairing pivoting surfskate adapters (like the meraki) with boards that have a wheelbase over 20", pumping can start to feel a little disconnected between the front and back. If that makes any sense? Two, it's a beefy deck so pairing it with a meraki will make it a heavy setup compared to your average cruiser. My favorite surfskate setup on the Omakase was with Carver CX since it works well on longer wheelbases. You could even swap out the stock CX bushings with softer RipTide if you want more pump. But if you want something easiest to pump from a standstill, the CX prob won't do it for ya. What type of riding are you looking to do?

[@alexdelgadojr7718]

I was thinking just goofing around in parking lots/shopping centers, or some mellow declines. Can you recommend a set up (complete or a build) that would suit me?@@concrete-waves

[@alexdelgadojr7718]

also something pump friendly to annoy pedestrians.@@concrete-waves

[@concrete-waves]

Gotcha. Sounds like a YOW meraki with around 17" wheelbase will be solid for you. You could buy one of their completes or use your own deck/wheels. @@alexdelgadojr7718

[@joaopedrojr1971]

I prefer longboard's set ups, cause I like speed and stability. But I have a longboard shape with a CX Truck Carver Surfskate to flatter areas by the shore.

[@concrete-waves]

Yeah that makes sense. You can never go wrong with a CX. Nice!

[@rolandasgrigaitis708]

surfskates are just skateboards that in case you fall off a ledge and fall into the water, you can at least surf on water rather than drown.

[@mariozogbo790]

3:37 🔥

[@concrete-waves]

yewww 🙌

[@DanielKwan]

Wait, so surfskating wasn’t all about pumping? 😅 Late bloomer here, I didn’t become aware of surfskates until like 2 years after I started longboarding/e-skating. Tried a Carver and got one with the C7 truck. Love it!

[@concrete-waves]

🤣Carver trucks are so solid. They nailed the deep carving experience while still keeping it somewhat low to the ground/light

[@sujaysunil7994]

Hii bro ... I from India I really love to surfskate but I am not able to buy one can you guys please help me with a surfskate board.😔😔

[@ajkdot1217]

Bruvvv... so i didn't actually peep it before, you also HAVE THE SAME SNOWBOARD HELMET I do. (This is the guy who also has the owl and the riot above his tv)... You trolling me Gov?

[@DaddyRobotX15]

re the question in title; uh, easy... you get a downhill setup & dont tag such impertinent things such as ' surfskate 'or ' long boards '* just use gravity hard enough to rip past pigeonholing yer skates & he ave no time for nomenclature 🤙🏻

[@concrete-waves]

yup that'll work too 🤙🏻