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Surf Skating in 2025: The Awesome Evolution of Riding Concrete Waves
Surf skating has come a long way in recent years, and in 2025, it’s more versatile, creative, and accessible than ever. Whether you’re looking for a way to improve your surf technique on land, carve up the local skatepark bowl, or just cruise with effortless flow, there’s never been a better time to get into surf skating.
Two of the biggest names in the industry, Waterborne and Carver, continue to lead the way with innovative designs that push the limits of what’s possible on four wheels. But with so many brands, setups, and riding styles out there, one thing is clear: there are no more rules.
The best surf skate setup is the one that feels right for you. Whether you’re riding a fully customised board with Waterborne surf adapters or dialling in a Carver C5, CX or C7 setup, it all comes down to what makes you feel most comfortable and connected to your ride.
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The No-Rules Era of Surf Skating
Gone are the days of rigid definitions and ‘correct’ setups. In 2025, surf skating is all about personal preference and creativity. Some riders swear by traditional surf skate trucks like Carver’s CX or C7, while others prefer to fine-tune their setups using adapters like Waterborne’s Surf and Rail Adapters. Some people ride longboards with surf skate trucks, while others chop down decks to create short, ultra-responsive carvers.
This shift toward customization means you can take almost any skateboard deck and turn it into a surf skate, fine-tuning the responsiveness, turn radius, and flow to match your style. Want a looser, deeper carve? Adjust the bushings and truck angles. Need more stability at high speeds? Add a rail adapter or tweak your wheelbase. The possibilities are endless, and that’s what makes surf skating in 2025 so exciting.
Waterborne Skateboards: The Ultimate Customisation Experience
If you want maximum control over your ride, Waterborne is the way to go. Their Surf Adapter has been a game-changer for years, and in 2025, it’s more refined than ever. The adapter, which fits between your deck and front truck, dramatically increases the turn radius and responsiveness, allowing for insanely deep carves and fluid movement.
Waterborne Skateboards Dream surf truck (front & rear).
£139.00
Waterborne Skateboards surf skate adapter fin system (for your front truck)
£70.00
This only continues in a more refined fashion with the Waterborne integrated Dream surf skate truck. See above product listing for the full spec.
But what really sets Waterborne apart is its Surf Rail adapter, which adds another layer of motion to the back truck. With both the Surf and Rail Adapters installed you get a ride that feels almost identical to surfing, allowing for full rail-to-rail engagement and smooth, flowing cutbacks. Both component parts make the sport highly affordable, accessible and infinitely customisable. Check out this article for more on that.
Why Choose Waterborne?
- Works with almost any deck and truck combination
- Allows for (limitless) full customization of your ride
- Creates a super loose, ultra-carvey feel
- Perfect for surfers and skaters looking for a realistic land training experience
In 2025, more riders than ever are combining Waterborne adapters with high-end skate decks to create completely unique surf skates. Whether you’re throwing a Surf Adapter on a classic cruiser or a modern popsicle deck, you can build a ride that fits your exact preferences.
Carver: The Gold Standard in Surf Skating
Carver has been at the heart of the surf skate movement since the beginning (the brand was the original formed in 1996 in Venice, California), and their lineup in 2025 remains top drawer. Whether you’re practising your surf technique, flowing through a bowl, or hitting urban lines, Carver’s legendary trucks offer a natural surf feel straight out of the box. (The brand’s decks, wheels and component parts are also top drawer). Equally, if you; ‘re after hybrid cross-over surf skate performance Carver fits the bill here too.
Carver CX: The Best for Bowls & Technique
The CX truck system has become the go-to for riders who want a mix of snappy performance, stability, tunability and versatility. With its bushing system, the CX allows for tight turns, quick pumps, and powerful snaps, making it ideal for both surf training and hybrid surf skating.
Carver CX + C2 6.5″ surf skate trucks (pair)
Original price was: £120.00.£110.00Current price is: £110.00.
- Great for: Bowls, skateparks, and technical surf-style tricks
- Snappy, responsive, and lightweight
- Stable enough for high-speed carving but loose enough for radical turns
If you’re someone who likes to mix surf-style carving with a bit of traditional skate manoeuvrability, the CX is the perfect middle ground – but not a compromise! CX trucks are agile and ideal for riders who love mixing things up. The only thing to ot is CX trucks require a little more maintenance than the C7. Bushings and pivot cups, for instance, do take more of a hammering. Fortunately, these are easily swapped out and changed.
Carver C7: The Ultimate Surf Feel
If you want a deep, flowing carve with a loose, surf-like feel, Carver C7 is still one of the best trucks ever made. Designed for riders who want smooth, flowing carves, the C7 mimics the motion of a surfboard in the most efficient way. Plus, there’s an option to tune C7s and nail a ride feel that’s 100% personal.
Carver C7 + C2 6.5″ surf skate trucks (pair)
£130.00
- Best for: Maximum surf-style carving
- Super fluid, ideal for controlled cutbacks and rail engagement
- Less suited for bowls (although can be tuned for this none-the-less) surf training
Carver C5: The Compact Alternative
For riders who love technical street skating but still want a bit of surf flow, Carver’s C5 truck system is another option. It’s lower, lighter, and narrower, making it more compatible with standard skate tricks like ollies and kickflips while still maintaining a surfy feel.
Carver C5 + C4 6.5″ surf skate trucks (pair)
£110.00
- Best for: Skaters who want to mix surf carving with traditional tricks
- Lower ride height for more control in skate tricks
- Great for hybrid setups that combine surf and street skating
In 2025, many riders are experimenting with C5 setups on street decks, proving that surf skating isn’t just about carving – it can be blended with technical street skating too.
Other Brands Making Waves
While Waterborne and Carver continue to dominate the surf skate world, plenty of other brands are innovating and pushing the scene forward.
- SmoothStar – Known for its incredibly loose and dynamic surf trainers, SmoothStar is still a favourite for surfers who want an ultra-realistic feel.
- YOW (Your Own Wave) – Offers some of the loosest surf skate trucks on the market, with a swivelling front truck system that allows for deep rail-to-rail engagement.
- Hamboards – If you’re looking for the ultimate longboard surf skate, Hamboards provides some massive decks with extra-wide trucks for a truly wave-like ride. However they do perform slightly differently to other surf skate trucks.
Each brand has its unique feel, but as we’ve said before, there are no rules. Some riders even mix and match components from different brands to create a hybrid setup that fits their personal style.
Final Thoughts: The Future of Surf Skating
In 2025, surf skating is more about creativity and personal expression than ever before. Whether you’re riding a fully custom Waterborne setup, shredding bowls on a Carver CX, or experimenting with a hybrid C5 street-skate crossover, the best setup is the one that makes you feel the most connected to your ride.
With so many options available, the only real ‘rule’ in surf skating today is to have fun and experiment. Try new setups, tweak your trucks, switch up your wheels, swap out your bushings and find what works best for you. The beauty of surf skating is its endless possibilities, and as the sport continues to grow, one thing is certain: there’s never been a better time to get involved.
For the full range NCW’s surf skate, park riding, bowl shredding, mini ramp sliding and pool skateboard setups head over to the online shop here.
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