Improve your Surfskills with
Surfskating at Kima
Surfskating has been gaining popularity in recent years and gets more and more of a trend on Social Media. Most likely, you also already heard about Surfskating or even tried it on your own. We fell in love with Surfskating as it’s a great possibility to improve your Surfskills outside the water.
As the name already suggests, Surfskating is a fusion of surfing and skateboarding. It combines the carving motions of surfing with the fluidity of skateboarding, providing surfers with an opportunity to refine their technique, balance, and overall riding style - the reason why it has been making waves in the surfing community as an effective tool for improving Surfskills.
Surfskating can actually be traced back to the late 50s to early 60s as its beginning. When waves weren’t pumping surfers found an alternative to the waves. A Surfskate board differs from a conventional board in the larger trucks and larger wheels that allow the rider to generate more of their own speed and make flowing turns similar to waves. The way it is designed enables the rider to generate that momentum, creating a smooth ride! Over the years, the Surfskate has progressed in design and technology, showing the world choices of Surfskate boards that cater to different riding styles.
The Benefits of Surfskating
Surfskating offers a multitude of benefits that help you to become a (better) surfer. It is a variable training tool to improve your movements on the surfboard, strengthen your balance, coordination, and muscle memory that you also need for surfing.
These are the 3 key benefits of Surfskating:
Improve your Coordination:
When surfing you need to go into different position on the board when riding the waves. This requires a lot of body coordination that you can improve with Surfskating. You need to move left and right to avoid obstacles in your way. By doing this you’ll improve your stance and overall coordination.
Improve Muscle Memory:
Practicing the movements you need for surfing on a Surfskateboard before you head into the water strengthen your muscle memory. Surf Skating will allow you to position your arms, body, and legs similar to what you would do on a surfboard. Once you keep practicing, your body will eventually get used to them and then you will be able to imitate all these moves on your surfboard and ride your wave without any effort.
Improve your Balance:
Balance is they key! Also for surfing. Surfskating will increase your stability on water since it’ll help you position yourself properly in order to keep your balance.
How to improve Surfing with Surfskating
By practising specific drills that closely mimic surfing motions, you can enhance your balance, turning technique, and overall wave-riding skills. The muscle memory you build while Surfskating can be transferred to the waves, allowing you to surf smoother and more dynamic manoeuvres.
Let us show you 2 Surfskate drills that will enhance your Surfskills. For all drills, you’ll need a smooth and open area and some cones. Btw the training areas in our Surfcamps in Canggu, Bali and Hiriketiya, Sri Lanka offer the perfect conditions for a Surfskate session.
These 2 Surfkate drills can enhance your Surfskills:
1. Generate Speed & Pumping Technique:
- Place a series of cones in a zigzag pattern, with some distance between the cone. The distance can be variable based on the level of your surf (Beginner = more space between the cones; Advanced = less space between the cones)
- Begin by pushing off and gaining some speed on your Surfskateboard before reaching the first cone.
- As you reach the first cone, initiate a smooth turn by leaning into the turn and shifting your weight toward your front foot to guide the board around the cone.
- As you exit the turn, shift your weight back to your back foot to regain stability and prepare for the next turn.
- As you navigate through the slalom course, focus on moving forward by using your body's pumping motion.
- Just like when riding a wave, shift your weight between your front and back feet to create an up-and-down motion.
- Time your pumping motion with the turns to maximize your speed.
2. Bottom Turn:
- Place four cones in a square shape with each cone marking a corner of the square. The distance between the cones can be adjusted based on your skill level.
- Start by pushing off and gaining some speed on your Surfskateboard before reaching the first cone.
- As you reach the first cone (as if it were the bottom of a wave). Initiate a deep and smooth bottom turn by leaning into the turn with your front foot. Gradually transfer your weight from your back foot to your front foot, allowing the front truck of the Surfskate to pivot smoothly around the cone.
- Keep your body low and your arms extended for balance, just like you would while surfing.
- After completing the bottom turn around the first cone, ride straight to the next cone.
- As you approach the second cone, do another bottom turn by repeating the technique described earlier.
- Your goal is to simulate the bottom turn manoeuvre that surfers perform to redirect their board and gain speed for the next section of the wave.
You see, Surfskating isn't just a fun pastime, it's a valuable training tool for surfers of all levels. Whether you're a beginner or an intermediate surfer, integrating Surfskating into your training routine will help you during your surfing journey.
But not only surf skating is a way to improve your Surfskills outside the water. Check out our Instagram Account for more drills:
3 ways to improve your surfing at home:
Best Yoga poses to improve your balance for surfing:
Strength & power exercises for surfing:
In our Kima Camps in Bali and Sri Lanka, we offer you different activities and provide you with the necessary equipment to improve your skills. 6 times yoga per week, balance boards, surf workouts, pool sessions, surf theory classes and more. All included in your Kima package.
