Basic
Exploring the Differences Between Skim and Surf Wakesurf Boards
Are they similar? What are the main differences?
And what is the most important: which one to choose?
And what is the most important: which one to choose?
Wakesurfing has become increasingly popular in recent years, with enthusiasts of all skill levels hitting the water to catch waves behind boats. One of the key decisions facing new wakesurfers is choosing the right board and riding style preferences. Two types of wakesurf boards exist in the market: skim style and surf style.
Each type offers distinct characteristics and advantages.
There is no rule in decision making, which type to ride. Let's go through advantages and characteristics of each one, so you will have a better idea what it is about.
Spoiler: no one is able to choose your style. It's all about personal feelings and preferences.
Each type offers distinct characteristics and advantages.
There is no rule in decision making, which type to ride. Let's go through advantages and characteristics of each one, so you will have a better idea what it is about.
Spoiler: no one is able to choose your style. It's all about personal feelings and preferences.
Skim Style Wakesurf Boards
Skim style wakesurf boards are characterized by their smaller size, typically featuring a narrower profile and less buoyancy compared to surf style boards. These boards are designed to mimic the feel of skimboarding and are favored by riders who enjoy technical tricks, limitless spins and shove maneuvers. This style of riding is probably even closer to skate boarding than historical ocean surfing.
Caracteristics
Small size
Skim style boards are typically shorter and narrower, allowing for increased maneuverability and responsiveness on the water.
This is one of the reasons skim boards are often suggested to small tiny girls - they are way easier to learn how to start wakesurfing on their first steps.
This is one of the reasons skim boards are often suggested to small tiny girls - they are way easier to learn how to start wakesurfing on their first steps.
Flat bottom
Skim boards often feature an almost flat bottom design, which enhances their ability to glide across the water's surface.
It's necessary to mention skim boards shape at this point. They are typically similar on nose and tail what makes it comparably easy to ride the board in revert position.
It's necessary to mention skim boards shape at this point. They are typically similar on nose and tail what makes it comparably easy to ride the board in revert position.
Sharp rails
Skim style boards typically have sharper rails, allowing riders to dig into the wave for quick turns and tricks. That gives an opportunity to easily perform tricks at the bottom of the wave cutting it through on rotations.
Small fin (or none)
Skim boards typically feature smaller, more minimal fins or no fins at all, reducing drag and allowing for looser, more skate-like performance. This gives an opportunity for unstoppable rotations and easy riding the board in revert. But at the same time that demands much more control from the rider.
Professional Skim Style Riders
Jodi Grassman
Sean Silveira
Surf Style Wakesurf Boards
Surf style wakesurf boards originally were designed to emulate the feel of traditional surfing, with a focus on carving and riding the face of the wave. Don't get too stuck at this idea, because nowadays you will see surf style riders using their board in any stand and different positions.
Surf boards are typically larger and more buoyant than skim style boards, offering a better stability and pushing the boundaries of areal tricks.
Surf boards are typically larger and more buoyant than skim style boards, offering a better stability and pushing the boundaries of areal tricks.
Caracteristics
Large size
Surf style boards are typically longer and wider, providing increased stability and buoyancy on the water. Therefore surf style riding may look more intense and powerful while performing tricks.
Rockered bottom
Surf boards feature a rockered bottom design, which helps them to carve smoothly and maintain control in larger waves. This makes it easier to perform areal tricks, but shorten the ability of riding revert.
Rounded rails
Surf style boards typically have rounder rails, allowing for smoother, more drawn-out turns on the wave. With the high buoyancy of the board that leads to slow and full body involve in rotation performance.
Multiple fins
Surf boards are typically seen with two, but may feature also four fins, providing added stability, speed and control on the wave. This makes all rotations and shoves comparibly harder to perform on the surf style. However, the advantage of speed plays a huge role when it comes to areal maneuvers.
Professional Surf Style Riders
Keenan Flegel
Cassidy Gale
Which one to choose?
As you may see from professional riders performances, there are no limits depending on the board style. You can shove a surf board and go incredibly high on a skim board, despite the fact that it is common (and incorrect) to divide these skills between board styles in an opposite way.
There are no limits to perform any tricks in any style, and even more - not all of them have been already performed or imagined. Athletes break limits and move boundaries of wakesurfing every year. And no-one knows, but many are curious how wakesurfing "list of tricks" would look like in 10 or 20 years from today.
When you try wakesurfing for the first time of your life - it's hard to choose.
Let me be honest with you, for the first steps of learning: how to send up from the water, how to follow the boat and drop the rope - the difference is not that significant. The proper size of the board according to your height and weight plays much more important role at this moment.
However, since you start feeling comfortable on the wave, take your time and try boards of both styles. Maybe your future decision will be based on the picture of how you want to look like on the board later on, what style you prefer to perform. Or that would be a question of better feeling on the board of one style over another. You'll never know before you try it yourself.
I hope, that understanding the differences between skim and surf style boards would help you to make an informed decision when selecting your next board. Ultimately, the best board for you will always depend on YOU.
So grab your board and hit the water – the waves are waiting!
There are no limits to perform any tricks in any style, and even more - not all of them have been already performed or imagined. Athletes break limits and move boundaries of wakesurfing every year. And no-one knows, but many are curious how wakesurfing "list of tricks" would look like in 10 or 20 years from today.
When you try wakesurfing for the first time of your life - it's hard to choose.
Let me be honest with you, for the first steps of learning: how to send up from the water, how to follow the boat and drop the rope - the difference is not that significant. The proper size of the board according to your height and weight plays much more important role at this moment.
However, since you start feeling comfortable on the wave, take your time and try boards of both styles. Maybe your future decision will be based on the picture of how you want to look like on the board later on, what style you prefer to perform. Or that would be a question of better feeling on the board of one style over another. You'll never know before you try it yourself.
I hope, that understanding the differences between skim and surf style boards would help you to make an informed decision when selecting your next board. Ultimately, the best board for you will always depend on YOU.
So grab your board and hit the water – the waves are waiting!
