How to choose your Yow, Carver or Flying Wheels surfskate ? | HawaiiSurf

The warm weather is back and summer surf sessions are just around the corner... But don't worry, we've got the solution to help you perfect your maneuvers and experience similar sensations: surf skateboarding! But don't rush out and buy the first model you see. We'll help you choose the best surfkskate for you, perfectly suited to your level, your goals and your riding style!

What is a surfskate?

Introduced in the 90s, this discipline is becoming increasingly important in the surfing world. Surfers are used to always waiting for the waves. Except that, when the ocean is flat, the days are very long for our friends... But fortunately for them, two Californian surfers in need of waves decided to find an alternative to these off days. In 1996, David Colley and Brad Gerlach joined forces to create a brand new product: Carver surfskates. This led to the creation of the iconic Carver Skateboards brand, which would mark the appeal of a whole new discipline and a growing passion for riding. The dream of the legendary Z-Boys was finally realized: "to literally surf on asphalt." And so, once again in sunny California, a new style of skateboarding was born.

But what defines a surfskate?

The board is often similar to a shortboard, with a double-jointed front truck to reproduce surfing movements. Added to this is a classic rear truck to provide a little stability and, of course, large wheels to absorb the imperfections of different surfaces. How does it work? The modified front truck system gives the skateboard's front end a supple, maneuverable feel, allowing it to "pump" and generate a perpetual motion of speed, similar to the closing wave sections to be overtaken in surfing. In this article, we'll compare the three leading brands available on our HawaiiSurf website: YOW, Flying Wheels and Carver.

Several criteria will play an important role in the choice of your future surfskate:

Choosing the front truck
Using your surfskate
Board size to suit your body type
Wheels and bearings
The budget

Choose your surfskate according to the main criteria :

1. Choosing the front truck

The double-jointed front truck is probably one of the most important features when choosing a surfskate. In fact, it will determine the riding and gliding style you choose. Let's take a look at the different types of front trucks that exist, as this is the first element to consider when choosing your future jewel!

M4 and M5 Meraki trucks from YOW

truck meraki yow S5

YOW has just one truck, the famous Meraki, available in two versions. The particularity of this truck is its flexibility thanks to the spring system. The YOW Meraki S5, equipped with reinforced trucks, offers a fluid, fast glide, ideal for surf training, with enhanced stability. The YOW Meraki S4, on the other hand, features single-spring trucks for more authentic surfing sensations, more radical maneuvers and is suitable for smaller riders.

The YOW Meraki S5: Truck with reinforced spring. It makes it super easy to pump and pick up speed. No need to put your foot down. Wide range of maneuvers. Smooth, versatile, ideal for surf training. Stiffer and more stable than the S4. Recommended for people over 50kg.

Levels: Beginners to experienced.

The YOW Meraki S4: Truck with single spring. Surf-like sensations even stronger than the S5. More responsive and playful. Radical, tight maneuvers. Smoother than the S5. Recommended for sizes under 50kg.

Levels: Experienced adults or small people of all abilities.

yow surf surfkskate yow surfskate

C7 and CX trucks from Carver Skateboards

At Carver, there are 3 different front trucks. The C7, which contributed to the brand's success, the CX and then the C5 (which arrived recently). The C7 features a supple front truck, ideal for long, flowing turns, suitable for cruising and touring, offering stability and flexibility. The Carver CX, on the other hand, features a rigid, springless front truck for tighter turns and shortboard-like sensations.

truck carver c7

The Carver C7: The brand's original flexible front truck. It features a spring like the Yow trucks. It allows long turns and beautiful curves. Perfect for touring and cruising. Stability and flexibility are the watchwords of this truck. You could say that the C7 truck is more stable going downhill or at high speed than a Meraki Yow truck.

Levels: Beginners to experts.

The Carver CX: Rigid front truck with inverted axle. No springs. Designed for tighter turns. Feels more like a shortboard. More reactive, so less stable for a more playful feel. Ideal for skatepark and training surf.

Levels: Intermediate to expert.

surfskate carver carver surfskate

The Kinesis, Pendulum and STR trucks from Flying Wheels

At Flying Wheelsthere are three main trucks. The Kinesis truck offers top-level performance, while its spring-loaded system makes it similar to the YOW Meraki. On the other hand, the Pendulum, with its bushings for effective cushioning, is the most versatile and reassuring. The STR stands out for its stability and good cushioning, ideal for pumptrack or bowl sessions.

truck surfskate flying wheels

The Kinesis truck: Performance and feel. Very loose, very flexible truck. Featured on all the brand's pro surfskates. Similar to the Meraki YOW truck (spring system).

Levels: Intermediate to expert.

truck pendulum flying wheels

Pendulum truck: Good cushioning thanks to bushings. Reassuring and versatile. Good compromise between STR and Kinesis. Ideal for improvement.

Levels: Beginners to experts.

truck flying wheels

The STR truck: Good cushioning thanks to bushings too. This is the brand's most stable truck. Ideal for pumptrack and bowl. Similarities with the Carver CX truck.

Levels: Beginners to advanced.

2. Using surfskate
Once you've decided on the type of truck that's right for you, it's time to decide what you're going to use it for. Are you looking for a surfskate for cruising, freestyling, training surfing or maximum versatility? Just read on! Overall, the shorter the board, the more radical the maneuvers and the tighter the turns. Conversely, the longer the board, the bigger and smoother the turns.

For cruising:

Choose a long, wide surfskate for long rides. For cruising, it's best to choose a board longer than 32" for maximum fun and thrills! Big curves will be easier and more pleasant to draw than with a short board. The idea is to get a smoother, more fluid feel, as the sensations are more similar to those of longboard surfing. For beginners, using your skateboard for crusing or cruising is a great way to practice. What's more, the board's stability makes it easier for beginners to feel comfortable and confident. All in all, it's an excellent way to get to grips with the sensations of gliding.

Our selection of surfskates for cruising :

Yow Padang Padang 34 Power Surfing Series Surfskate

For surf training and improvement:

surfskate yow bowl

As explained above, surfskate was designed to meet the needs of surfers desperate for conditions. To perfect your surfing maneuvers on asphalt, it's best to opt for boards between 30" and 32" (or even 34" for taller riders)! These are the boards that offer the most stability and maneuverability, and are ultimately the most versatile. They're perfect for carving and long-distance riding. You can also practice at the skatepark or in the bowls with these versatile surfskates. Our selection of surfkates for surf training:

For freestyle and skateparks:

Like the thrills and spills of surfing? Skateparks, bowls and pumptracks will be your best playgrounds! For freestyle riding, opt for short boards under 30"! More playful and responsive, this shape is ideal for drawing short, tight turns. However, these surfskates are best suited to experienced skateboarders and smaller riders.

Our selection of surfskates for freestyle :

3. Board size according to template

Choosing the right size for a surfskate board depends on two major factors: the size of the board and the type of board. template and the level of the rider. For measurements, please refer to our size guide or contact us for personalized advice. However, if you're a good skateboarder or surfer, you can of course choose a size that suits your riding style and preferences. A shorter size, for example. As a general rule, we always recommend a short board for smaller riders and a longer board for larger, heavier riders. Please note that beginnersit's easier to start with a slightly larger board. long and large to ensure good stability. surfskate size guide board size

4. Wheels and bearings

Last, but by no means least. Let's not forget the wheels and bearings, which have a direct influence on the surfskate's behavior. Wheels are very important. Even though they are often supplied with the model, it's important to take into account their characteristics. Size, hardness and shape are the three main criteria.

Wheel size :

Surfskate wheels are generally quite large. They are often between 65 and 75 mm. These sizes are suitable for different types of surface. Smaller wheels are better suited to smoother surfaces, such as skateparks or bowls. Smaller wheels are more dynamic, while larger wheels are more comfortable.

Hardness:

For the surfskate, it is preferable to ride with "soft" wheels with a "soft" rim. hardness around 78A. A softer wheel gives you more grip when accelerating, while at the same time taking on the imperfections of the asphalt. With a better grip, it also helps to limit falls in the event of bends that are a little too tight. Even if gravel is rarely forgiven in surf skateboarding...

Shape:

wheel surfskate carver skate

The best shape for surfskating is the straight-edged wheel (see image). It offers greater grip and better stability. Ideal for city riding sessions! For freestyle and skidding enthusiasts, beveled wheels with a more rounded cut are recommended. They allow a wider steering angle, which is very useful for tight maneuvers.

Bearings

When it comes to bearings, as with skateboardthe best are those with the highest ABEC number or skate rating. In other words, ABEC7 or ABEC9 at best. In fact, these bearings are renowned for providing the highest durability and speed.

5. The budget

Obviously, the budget you're willing to spend on your new acquisition is a decisive point. At HawaiiSurf, we offer surfskates to suit most budgets. Prices range from 145€ to 349€ for Carver's most expensive models. It all depends on your expectations, favorite brands or the pro model you've been dreaming of! To help you with your purchase, we can offer you payment solutions in instalments with Paypal or ALMA. We hope this article will help you choose your future surfskate! If you have any further questions, don't hesitate to visit our experts in our Paris, Saint-Jean-de-Luz and Mimizan stores. You can also contact theHawaiiSurf. com digital team, who will be delighted to talk to you!

Have a good ride and see you soon!

I choose my first!

Camille, HawaiiSurf.