The surfskate slide is a technique that reproduces the radical maneuvers of surfing by sliding on the asphalt. To successfully master this technique, it is essential to choose a high-performance and suitable surfskate. Here are the essential criteria for choosing a slide-oriented surfskate.
1 - THE TRUCK: REACTIVITY AND STABILITY FOR SLIDING
The choice of trucks is crucial to achieve a responsive surfskate, capable of initiating slides while maintaining good control. A poorly suited truck could make sliding difficult by limiting either reactivity or stability.
Stiff trucks for optimal control: For sliding, it's recommended to opt for stiff trucks, which offer better stability during drifts and make it easier to initiate slides.
Reactivity: A truck that quickly generates speed while pumping and allows for tight and fluid turns is essential for mastering slides. A truck that’s too soft could make slides uncontrollable or difficult to initiate.
Here are two truck references particularly suited for sliding in surfskate:
Carver CX: Unlike the C7 model, the Carver CX is stiffer and allows for quick and precise reactivity, which is essential for sliding. This truck facilitates transitions between carving and sliding, while providing the necessary stability to maintain controlled drifts.
YOW Meraki (S5): The YOW Meraki S5 is a versatile truck, offering both reactivity and rigidity. It enables tight and dynamic carves, along with smooth transitions into slides. Its stability and precision make it an excellent choice for technical slides.
These two trucks are perfectly suited for sliding, offering a good balance between stability and maneuverability, key elements for mastering this technique.
2 - BOARD SIZE AND SHAPE: STABILITY AND MANEUVERABILITY
The size of the board directly affects your ability to perform controlled slides. Different board lengths and shapes offer distinct advantages for sliding.
Medium to long boards (32 to 34 inches): Boards in this length range offer a good balance between stability and maneuverability, ideal for riders seeking smooth and controlled slides. They allow good control, especially during transitions between carves and slides.
Shorter boards (29 to 32 inches): Shorter boards are more responsive and agile, making it easier to perform quick, technical slides. Their small size allows you to engage a slide quickly and maintain it in tighter spaces, making them ideal for riders seeking aggressive, fast maneuvers while retaining maximum maneuverability.
Pronounced concave: A board with a well-marked concave helps keep your feet in place during slides, providing optimal control.
Kicktail and raised nose: A pronounced kicktail at the back and a raised nose at the front allow for better handling of the board during slides, facilitating technical maneuvers like stand-up slides or rotational slides.
3 - WHEELS: SIZE AND HARDNESS FOR SLIDING
Wheels play a fundamental role in successful sliding, as they influence grip and glide smoothness. Here are the characteristics to look for:
Wheel size: 58 to 65 mm: Smaller wheels, around 58 mm, are more responsive and make it easier to initiate slides. Larger wheels, up to 65 mm, provide more stability and better absorption of terrain irregularities, ideal for long, smooth slides.
Wheel hardness: 84A and above: To promote sliding, wheels with a hardness of 84A or higher are recommended. Harder wheels (up to 90A) reduce grip on the ground, making it easier to initiate slides and improving slide control.
Rounded lips: Wheels with rounded lips make it easier to initiate slides and improve the smoothness of the glide. Unlike square lips, which grip the road more, rounded lips allow for better sliding.
4 - OPTING FOR A HANDCRAFTED BOARD: A HIGH-QUALITY SURFSKATE FOR SLIDING
For those looking for a more personalized board, opting for a surfskate made by an artisan shaper is a particularly appealing option. Unlike mass-produced models, handcrafted boards offer unique advantages in terms of quality and performance.
Custom board: A shaper can adjust the shape, concave, size, and other elements according to your specific needs, creating a board perfectly suited for sliding.
Quality materials: Handcrafted boards are often made from materials chosen for their durability and performance, offering better longevity and optimal control.
A unique surfskate: With a handcrafted board, you get a unique product, shaped according to your preferences, which creates a better connection with your equipment, while benefiting from a high-quality board designed specifically for the performance you seek.
CONCLUSION
To excel in sliding on a surfskate, it is essential to choose an optimized setup. Stiff trucks offering good reactivity and stability, combined with wheels between 58 and 65 mm with a hardness of at least 84A, are key elements for better control during slides. By opting for a handcrafted board, you'll also have the opportunity to get a custom surfskate perfectly adjusted to your specific needs, which will enhance your performance and make your sliding sessions smoother and more enjoyable.