Understanding a Carver Surf Skate, Its Components and Thinking About Board Purchase.

If you're excited about getting your first surf skate it’s worth knowing about all the parts of the board. When it arrives it will be prebuilt, but it is all fairly simple build wise, so easy to replace bits and pieces if you ever need to.

Carver is the OG of surf skate and we love it. This is based on the boards we have and use in the surf skate school.

Whether you're a seasoned skater or a newbie to the surf skate world, understanding the components of your skateboard helps you to understand the board but also can enhance your your understanding of the movement. Let me break down the parts of a surf skate and how to fit the trucks and wheels. We won’t put everything in here but just some basics. You might just want a different colour of wheel at some point, or a harder or softer wheel for different types of skating.

Components of a Surf Skate Board

1. Deck: The deck is the wooden board you stand on. Surf skate decks are usually shorter and have a distinctive shape that resembles a surfboard. This design helps mimic the feel of surfing on concrete. The top part you stand on is covered in grip tape. The underneath usually has a design of some sort which people often purchase based on how good they think that it looks.

2. Trucks: Surf skate trucks are crucial because they allow the board to simulate the carving motion of surfing. Most surf skates come with a unique truck system specifically designed for this purpose. Brands like Carver and Swell tech are popular in providing specialised trucks that perform to feel like a surfboard which is very different to a standard set of skateboard trucks.

3. Wheels: Wheels are the round parts that make contact with the ground. Softer wheels are generally preferred for surf skates because they provide better grip, making it easier to carve smoothly. Size wise they are usually between 50mm and 70mm in diameter. There are varying sizes for different types of skating. You can buy harder and softer wheels too for more or less grip etc. Wheels are also measured by durometer, a fancy word for hardness. For surf skate choose around 78A to 82A. Softer wheels grip the ground better, aiding in smoother turns and better carving.

4. Grip Tape: Grip tape is on the top surface of the deck to prevent your feet from sliding off. It’s similar to sandpaper but designed for skateboards.

5. Bearings: These are fitted inside the wheels and allow them to spin smoothly. Bearings are rated by the ABEC scale, although many skaters argue that personal preference is more important than the ABEC rating.

6. Risers: These pads sit between the deck and trucks. Risers increase the distance between the wheels and deck, helping to prevent wheel bite, while shock pads absorb vibrations.

Which Trucks should I get?

We're going to focus on Carver Trucks because these are the boards that we use.

CX

• Snappy and agile for tight turns

• Balanced surf skate experience

• All rounder

C5

• low profile, tighter stance

• perfect for tricks and technical skating

• Tighter turns with more control

C7

• Double axis for smoother motion

• Ideal for the most surf like feel, but harder to pump than CX

• Loosest carves, very fluid

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Getting Going

Make sure your board is stable and turns smoothly before hitting the streets or skatepark. Adjust the trucks to your comfort level; tighter trucks offer more control but less carve, while looser trucks allow for more fluid motion.

Here is a video by Carver to show you how and what that might mean.

Choosing your surf skate board with the right trucks and wheels elevates your skating experience, allowing you to replicate the fun and exciting sensation of surfing on land. By understanding these components and the proper setup, you will improve. and feel better when skating. Best bet is to try before you by :)