The Best Surfskates to Improve Your Surfing

Where to Buy Boards
Carver Surfskates: carverskateboards.com
Slide Surfskates: slidesurfskates.com/product/
Smoothstar Surfskates: smoothstarusa.com
Waterborne Surskates: waterborneskateboards.com/col...
YOW Surfskates: yowsurf.com
In this episode I test some of the biggest names in Surfskates. Find out what Surfskate feels most like surfing.

[@nateross14]

Most of the difference you guys are feeling between all the boards has to do with wheelbase, rear truck bushing stifness, and deck shape. Bushing durometer between brands varies greatly and makes a HUGE difference in how the front truck leans/pivots. I've been setting up different board configuratioms for a while now, and I can get all of these different systems to feel almost the same as each other by simply using the exact same deck and then just adjusting wheelbase and rear truck bushing stifness. They're all good systems, and the best thing ia to just spend a little time experimenting with the above to find the setup you like. That being said Yow Meraki is my favorite on short, wheelbase boards, and smoothstar for longer wheelbases over 30".

[@99timewaster]

Almost sounds a bit too optimistic. Slide trucks have little turn when compared to Yow, Waterborne or Smoothstar

[@ThePokersurfer]

I'm so glad you've expressed awareness on how important staying in the groove with surfing by incorporating skateboarding into the mix as far as the fundamental aspect ....... I when I don't surf always tic tac in a surf motion when the surf is flat to keep up with muscle memory.

[@bendare8210]

Great review, just pulled the trigger on a Slide “Diamond Carving” model because of it. I go for 3 mile cruises pumping and carving the whole way. I think it will help me from getting rubber legs when surfing long point breaks like Rincon. 🤙🏽

[@silvergeckoss]

Thanks for the video, we have been big slide fans for a while and think it’s the most underrated surfskate on the market. We ride our slide in bowls all the time and they work great. We have smoothstar and yow systems but slide is the most versatile.

[@AdventuresInSkateboarding]

Enjoyed this. I am at the start of the rabbit hole with a Carver c7 and the original waterborne. I mostly skate park and bowl but I like the fitness and aggressive calming aspect of surf skate.

[@chopsnz88]

Awesome review Noel would love to see which is better bowl skating/ramps out of the 5 also!

[@caspercrause2583]

So refreshing. Like so many other surfers I started out on the Toledo #77. Found it terrible for my style of surfing both on flat ground and in the bowl. Fast forward a couple of months later I got my hands on a slide surfskate truck system and bought a 33" deck. The deck had medium concave and the room for my back foot was too narrow for my liking. So I switched the decks and put the #77 deck on my slide surfskate trucks. Such a great feeling! The best part is that slide surf skates are extremely well priced. FYI both the YOW and Slide truck systems come from Spain.

[@surfnshowreviews7777]

I bet the board and truck combo feel great. Thanks for posting.

[@KarlRohde]

This is a high-value review!! A key take-away here is flow and glide. Ride so that you can get more glide. To ride such that you glide more is a technique that seperates the pros from beginners. Again very cool. You explained it!

[@driftlaboratoires2465]

Its nice to see pro surfer takes on surfskate. Im from Singapore. We have no wave here. However we have very passionate community of surfskaters. Almost 80% of us skate custom surfskate. As we find factory default setup is not optimal for our needs. Slide surfskate is the very 1st surfskate that got me hook on this sport

[@WATERBORNESKATEBOARDS]

Thank you for including us in the review! Stoked that you enjoyed the LIBRA!

[@surfnshowreviews7777]

Thank you for participating in our review by sending in the Libra. Congrats on the solid products you guys are making…. Thoroughly impressed with your technology.

[@nateross14]

Rear truck bushing stiffness greatly effects the lean and turning radius of the front truck. If the Smoothstar felt tignt and you had to weight the front to get sharp turning, either the front adjustment can be loosened, or you can put softer bushings on the rear trucks. I have both Yow Meraki and Smoothstar front trucks and I can get the Smoothstar to functionally perform equivalent to the Meraki by simply adjusting the front bolt adjustment and rear bushing stifness. The Meraki is a little smoother overall. Where the Smoothstar really shines is on long wheelbase surfskates.

[@HoStevie]

*Probably the best review out there 👏🏽*

[@MrConfo]

Interesting, Slide trucks have been my first surfskate experience on Gussie and immediatly loved it. 2 years after, i stiil have Slide trucks mounted on more concave deck 34. I agree with you when you point the importance of the deck and highlight the quality of Slide rear truck. I still love Slide trucks on flat, for more versatile purpose (pumptrack, Park), i prefer Carver CX to have more resistance which reminds me the natural water resistance on rails when surfing. À combo with Slide rear truck with CX front truck works very well. I did not feel C7 as naturally flow surfing than Slide. Very good review, and of course, wheels, bushings, New concave deck can turn a surfskate than we like in another one that become THE thing.

[@josesnowsneves5132]

I do have the YOW Lighting Bolt and it is really good for those days with no surf ;)

[@TheDazboo]

I love that you get to do this with your son-Great stuff Sal

[@phil5347]

Please try and get a hold of a swelltech model for a review. Would love to hear your honest opinion on them from an experienced surfer as yourself. Great channel! Thanks again.

[@nayooti298]

Specially you should give Swelltech a try (try at least 5 sessions because you will hate it on the first day). Don't go too short! You need a deck with similar stance to surfing. Only system that really forces you to engage the rails.

[@surfnshowreviews7777]

Ok thanks for the tips

[@tomjdleaf]

The front back foot weight presence is just that… a preference. My power surfing actually comes from a more balanced initiative, then lots of weight on the front foot. And tons of spray. I appreciate how you prefer a more rear foot initiative in turns, but it works very well the other way too. 🤙

[@vela07]

Really good on this I just wish there was a SwellTec in the mix

[@filosophik]

Interested, intrigued, and incredibly appreciative I would be to hear your personal perspective and review of the 'Yow Christenson Lane Splitter 34'

[@KouSurfGuy]

Great review! I ride a Smooth Star after transitioning from a Craver. Craver is definitely great for generating a lot of speed before maneuvering. The SS takes a little bit more work, which I kind of prefer because I feel like it translate to my surfing as well, and there's slightly more hold in my turn on the SS. One thing I do like about Smooth Star is their guide to picking the right board size. They also recently just developed new trucks. Thanks for the great review!

[@Nick_Taylor.]

Craver? Don't you mean "Carver"?

[@KouSurfGuy]

@@Nick_Taylor. Yes ^_^

[@riles1088]

My experience between the carver and smoothstar is the complete opposite to yours haha. I'm 6'2 and ride the Tolledo so that may be why. I had a carver for 6 months and found I had to drive it from the front foot and my first few waves in the ocean I would be horrendous with my weight all over the place. I skated the smoothstar and bought it that day, sold the carver and have trained on the smoothstar for 2 years and massively improved my surfing. Plus there's no weight transition problem's going from skating to surfing. Interestingly the boards you don't like so much eg DHD 3dv I absolutely love and boards like the dominator 2 I hated haha. Brilliant content as usual.

[@surfnshowreviews7777]

I wonder if you’re more of a front footed surfer? The wide pint on the Dominator 2 is significantly behind center and likes to surfed off the tail. The 3DV always wanted to roll over on rail even when i didn’t want it too. Just curious… we are miles apart on what feels good underfoot.

[@riles1088]

Yeah, more front footed. I feel the 3DV allows me to hold rail for longer and transition smoothly between turns. It felt a bit twitch first few waves, but disnt take long to get use to it. I ride it with the large AM fins and also has really good release in small to medium size surf. I tried everything with the dominator, surfed better as a quad for me, but never clicked with it.

[@surfnshowreviews7777]

@@riles1088 That makes perfect sense to me. I figured you were a bit front footed… the 3DV enables the surfer to put it on rail and hold it. That’s huge for a front footed surfer… keeping the rail engaged through turns with most of your weight forward keeping the rail engaged so you don’t loose the fin engagement is vital. I can see why you like the Smoothstar now too. It wants to drive off the front foot hard. The more you drive through your turns leaning on the front truck the better it performs.

[@foxgd9117]

I’m carver all the way, back footed is the dream😂 get to love boards like the dm2

[@user-tp3vx9gj3l]

I purchased Slide Diamond carving 32' after wayching your show. Maybe this is 5th times? buying something after seeing your review. I have been using Smoothstar Holy Toledo 32' but it made a mess to my surfing. it enhanced very bad habbits of too front heavy. I started to bog my rails when going rai to rail. Slide is very similar to surfing thruster and I hope to correct my bad habbits which came along while riding smoothstar. Cheers from Japan.

[@surfnshowreviews7777]

Thank you for posting. I know this can happen…. You will fix it on the Slide. Just remember to start your carves with your back foot then shift your weight forward to accelerate through your turn.

[@MarktheLandlockedSurfer]

Hey, curious if you have ever tried a Curfboard system? They designed their boards with a unique system that emphasizes driving from the back foot to turn rather than diving the front foot onto its rail. This and the Swelltech would be good ones to try next and compare.

[@surfnshowreviews7777]

Sounds good to me

[@PebCak42]

@@surfnshowreviews7777 I ride a smoothstar and a curfboard setup and can really feel the difference . When I ride the smoothstar my front leg gets more workout, when I ride the curfboard it's my backleg. Curfboard also sells just the trucks, so it's nice for a custom setup. Swelltech is a different beast entirely.

[@patricl0]

Great vídeo! Who Fall you are and what size of the board is your favorite?

[@JColeman00]

This is such a good review 😮

[@brba1325]

So awesome. The results were surprising.

[@simonecani9194]

Nice review! I had a Carver but moved to the SS 77 as it felt better under my feet. I place my backfoot further back on it (unless I have to pump it), I believe it works better that way. Do you also train in skateparks?

[@surfnshowreviews7777]

I do a bit of parks but it been a while

[@rctrix9063]

Great review 👍👍

[@ross2358]

Hi Noel, any plans on reviewing the Lost Retro Tripper? Wondering how this board surfs; especially in their black sheep carbon/EPS construction.

[@surfnshowreviews7777]

No sorry

[@iansurf123]

You gotta review christenson lanesplitter! Cheers

[@chriztianhusher8401]

I would say smoothstar, yow, especially carver. Main way to improve I would say practice compression and decompression and riding ramps. Do not depend on wiggling which is a bad habit to take on surfing

[@decadeca1000]

Smooth star has the new Thruster D truck now....would be interested to see how that one stacks up.

[@surfnshowreviews7777]

Agreed… I just got my hands on one. It’s a bit shorter and looks sharp.

[@chrysr7773]

Had you done the test with all of the systems having the same axle to axle wheelbase, I think it would have made obvious how the truck systems did or did not perform. I get the impression that the Waterborne was too short for you and a longer wheelbase model by an inch or two or three would have given it a better chance. Also, your Waterborne setup did not have their rail adapter for the rear, which I think makes a big difference. I would have loved to see how the Carver CX trucks did in this comparison, I think the CX system is better than their C7.

[@Sarah-uu9mr]

Great review, for a small woman like me 5'4 height less than 50kgs do you think the waterborne Libra would be a good size? Or is it still to short? I'm thinking of getting either the waterborne or a slide. Which one would be more easy and fun and helpful to progress my surfing? Thanks.

[@surfnshowreviews7777]

The Waterborne Libra would be good for you. I think a Slide will go mental too. I personally like the feel of the Slide better. A bit smoother with more flow… feeling more like surfing.

[@RaulEdu33]

Very interesting, there's many surfskate reviews out there, but not many looking into how well the truck systems translate into surfing. I have a Carver CX, SmoothStar and Swelltech, I like all of them. However, the Swelltech system has a better rail to rail type feeling driving from my back foot, it almost forces you to use core muscles while turning, instead of pumping by compressing the trucks to generate speed. But now I want to try one of those Slide systems, the flow and turning looks great around the cones.

[@surfnshowreviews7777]

Now I want to try a Swell Tech

[@tyronemones9557]

Agreed. I have both swelltech and smoothstar. Swelltech feels straight like a hpsb and the smoothstar like a fish🤙🏽

[@Daneuro974]

Hi Noel, As Usually, it is a blast to enjoy your tests and comments…. From Reunion Island, at the age of 50, I surf and try to improve my surfing skill with surf skating…. From my perspective, you should have talk Wheels Softer, Harder, bigger, smaller, wheels are like fins on a skate…and it make a huge difference riding different types of wheels… Keep on sharing, we love your shows around here Peace and see u in the Water… Bye Bye

[@surfnshowreviews7777]

Agreed… wheels are a big deal for sure.

[@sixpointtwo62]

Thanks for the great video! I'm 6'3". Do you think Slide 30.5' is too short for me because I have wider stance? Taller people should get longer board like Felipe 34' you think?

[@surfnshowreviews7777]

Yes.. get a longer Slide for your height

[@sixpointtwo62]

ok thanks!

[@zachnewsom4071]

Try skating to lowers with trucks that are too loose and you'll likely get speed wobbles pretty quick

[@surfnshowreviews7777]

Yessir

[@IvanFazekas]

How does flatground carver skating compare with riding a quarter pipe or bowl? I've only ridden the latter. I feel like skateparks that have *pump tracts* offer a decent alternative.

[@surfnshowreviews7777]

I will do a episode or two covering transition and bowls at some point

[@patricl0]

Do you already have an episode about bowls and pipes? Couldn't find anything yet. Cheer's

[@giannabarret9262]

Swelltech is the best! 🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉

[@808iy]

What abt the Kelly Slater flexdex?

[@lkmusic9840]

Carver with the CX trucks is the best of all

[@jimmychen1441]

I think swelltech were missing here .... consider swelltech can do the most aggresive turning and felt must likly surfing

[@surfnshowreviews7777]

I will try to get my hands on one.

[@surfnesia2390]

Agree 🤙🏼🤙🏼🤙🏼

[@sharoncohen9242]

Agreed

[@shannonyoung3465]

Noel... I've got a question for ya. Would you trade a Lost RNF 96 for a CI Bobby Quad? Or trade the Lost RNF 96 for a FW FRK? Live on the East Coast between Cocoa Beach & Sebastian Inlet. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

[@surfnshowreviews7777]

I say go 96

[@shannonyoung3465]

@@surfnshowreviews7777 Thank you! I sincerely appreciate you taking the time to hit me back! Hope the hip is healing quickly & you are back to better than good, ASAP!!

[@bennemien7593]

which slide surfskate model (length and shape?) is this you’re using there??

[@surfnshowreviews7777]

It’s called the Hot Butter model. Check the links below the You Tube comment field. I personally like the Slide Gussie Spoon best in the Slide line up. Check them out here. www.ebay.com/itm/404255833760?chn=ps&norover=1&mkevt=1&mkrid=711-117182-37290-0&mkcid=2&mkscid=101&itemid=404255833760&targetid=1263094005306&device=m&mktype=&googleloc=9026842&poi=&campaignid=14859008593&mkgroupid=130497710760&rlsatarget=pla-1263094005306&abcId=9300678&merchantid=686247010&gbraid=0AAAAAD_QDh9bbeaWjz4WZDRB2LO34ozMs&gclid=CjwKCAjw67ajBhAVEiwA2g_jELssMn19OX-Jyzh8qbkKUztbSWD9Fd2dXifKCVa_2PWIs0F-50t4KRoCr8cQAvD_BwE

[@josesnowsneves5132]

Wondering if you can also make this connection between our surfboards and snowboards, since we are now in the winter time :)

[@surfnshowreviews7777]

Sorry I don’t snowboard

[@surfershaper]

@@surfnshowreviews7777 Noel, your missing a sick rush! Catch some powder, lean back and enjoy the ride. Directional Freeride, go longer for control.

[@surfershaper]

I experience somewhat similar feelings between surfing and snowboarding, more so in powder. The deeper the better. Leaning back and carving some fresh tracks on untouched fluff lends a feeling of carving down a double, triple overhead wave. Pure speed rush. Hard pack? Leaning on the front edge and carving is cool with even more speed! I get less of a surf experience on that however. Parks? No thanks. Wakeboarding? Fun alternative with a good surf feel slashing the wake and all that. Stay salty my friends

[@josesnowsneves5132]

@@surfershaper :) Fully Agree !!!

[@michaelono7335]

How’s the Sharpeye twin turbo?? Must have??

[@surfnshowreviews7777]

Working on it

[@scottcuttre9705]

Noel have you tried Swell Tech?

[@surfnshowreviews7777]

Not yet

[@pwayne3580]

YOW make a killer product

[@dune4396]

yow are the best

[@elikfoury7157]

🔥

[@DavidJones-yl9kk]

Why not include the Carver CX instead of the Slide? The carver has a larger range of motion and from what I understand, better manufacturing quality.

[@surfnshowreviews7777]

The CX offers excellent pivot but not much flow and doesn’t feel like surfing to me as much as the C7.

[@DavidJones-yl9kk]

You should try the CX with Riptide APS 85a bushings. It is a much different board. The rebound on the APS bushings is much more intense than the stock bushings. I actually like the CX more than the Yow. I haven’t tried the Slide, but the CX with riptide bushings feel more like surfing than any board I have tried. For me it is all about the flow and the ability push through my carves. Anyway, thanks for the great content. Keep up the good work.

[@KC-ro9ro]

too bad its missing the swelltech, its the most unique and exigent of them all

[@robysurf]

I prefer much more Carver CX instead of C7 for surf training

[@rwandeuk]

I definitely agree !! Cx rules !

[@harrisvaneijk]

Which slide surfskate board is this?

[@surfnshowreviews7777]

Watch this episode. I talk about it. You should also check out the Slide Gussie Spoon. It’s epic

[@Soloriderpowder]

I can’t do this with regular skateboard

[@surfnshowreviews7777]

Not really

[@felipebrock1549]

come on noel, you're not inspiring me to buy a board or a surfskate, but to have a son with my GF

[@rodstrickland4865]

i think your feet arent in the right place/s on the toledo /smoothstar. its a weird board because the nose is long giving you an illusion to move the front foot up, which you shouldnt do. front footit needs to be behind the front wheel, which created a weird no use space and if you ride lots of boards it wont seem right. then your backfoot isnt back far enough either. redo it, you cant evaluate boards without putting your feet in the right place

[@surfershaper]

Kickin the Carver to the curb?

[@surfnshowreviews7777]

It still feels good and I will keep one around for Speed drills but I like the Slide way better. No need for both the Slide and YOW does flat ground better.

[@surfershaper]

@@surfnshowreviews7777 great info and review. I'm holding grom skate sessions for the local kids, and have been using Carvers. Some are too long for them. I'll look into the models you currently like. You're due a trip to Tahoe or Mammoth aren't you? ❄️❄️❄️🤙🏼🤙🏼

[@surfnshowreviews7777]

@@surfershaper sounds fun… no trips to Tahoe for me.

[@mikeuptegrove]

I’ve been riding most of these boards for a year. Yow is best. SmoothStar and C7 are crap in comparison. Yow has best spring mechanism. The others get stale with use. Buy Yow. I’ve got almost 200 videos up showing the progression on these boards over a year.

[@Jason-TheChad-Muska_circa1995]

DO NOT BUY A CARVER UNLESS YOU ALREADY HAVE A FEW BOARDS!!!! The Carver is a "surf trainer" not a "surf skate". I see so many people confusing conflate these two things. If you want to use the Carver solely in front of your house or some other smooth topped area and set up your cones practice your maneuvers then it is an incredible board to do so. Also carvers can be fun at Pump Track Parks and snake runs as well. If you're looking for something to increase your rhythm and fluid maneuvers for surfing as well is be able to effortlessly generate your speed your pump and flow to ride through town of the neighborhood then stay away from the Carver and get a YOW, Curfboard, Smooth Star, Waterborne, Hamboards or a Swelltech. You will absolutely love these boards. I made the mistake of purchasing a Carver as my first board. Please do not make the same mistake. Again they are surf trainers and not surf skates.

[@abnormalprophet]

^^^THIS ^^^

[@Ancient88Wisdom]

Is this related to the CX or C7 trucks?

[@ramshaka]

I feel like the waterborne is kind of undisputable in value, and customizability. It's what I started with, personally. However, I set it down for a period of months, after obtaining a very nice YOW, and enjoying it's much more forgiving ride. Just recently though, with a ton more experience under my belt, I pulled the old Waterborne out of the closet for a 'nostalgia ride', and discovered it was more nimble, and faster than the YOW by a wide margin. Paradoxically, it's the most affordable system, but it's also the least forgiving for beginners, and allows an expert rider to generate exceptional speed, with deep leans, and super snappy whips. I was shocked at how much higher I was able to climb a vert ramp with it, from a direct run in the flat, compared to the YOW. But the YOW definitely feels much more stable when your at those higher 'downhill' speeds. The Waterborne can be outright scary going fast, or when doing any tricks where your feet leave the board, simply because the system is so responsive, and demands a certain amount of precision from the rider. Once you can provide it with that precision though, it's a whole other animal, that can give you a lot of reward for learning it's quirks, and capabilities.

[@vela07]

This is true you cna put it on about any board you like. I've seen pictures of it breaking though which is not good.