This is your last drawing step and what you will do now is just simply detail the water and the wave. Erase all the guidelines and shapes that you drew in step one and then move to the last step to see what your sketch should look like.
How to use surfskate to level up your surfing
Don’t we all dream of surfing like Carissa Moore, Mick Fanning, Kelly Slater and other professional surfers? We secretly visualize ourselves surfing a wave as they do. Dreaming of the ability to make sharp turns on our shortboard or balancing graciously on the nose on our longboard.
They just make it look so easy. No matter if they are surfing on beach- or reef-breaks, in shallow or deep water – every one of those surfers looks like they are in total control of what’s happening out there.
But how do we get better after an amazing surf holiday? What if we live in places with no ocean around the corner?
Watching videos of surf techniques, keeping fit and practising our take-offs on the carpet beside our bed is one way to improve. But a few years ago, a few clever minds came up with another brilliant solution – and we’re not talking about river waves.
The solution is called Surfskate! This post will tell you how to improve your surfing skills in the ocean with this special board on land.
You can also start by watching our guide video right below.
Learning to surfskate: a guide to generating speed
In order to get the most out of a wave, it’s important to not only pick the right surfboard but also know the rules at the lineup and do a good take-off/pop up.
You probably heard someone saying he or she wants to learn how to ‘generate speed’ or the slang word ‘pumping’. Or maybe you happened to see people surfing a wave for a greater distance than you at the same spot.
How do they do that?
That is where surf skate comes into play. Using this precious tool can be THE solution and be great for improving balance and taking your surfing to the next level.
Let’s break down how to get speed using a ‘pumping technique’ and start having some REAL fun in the ocean!
When following the face of the wave, surfers draw curves (like sinus curves known from maths in school) with their surfboards. The reason for that is simple.
Imagine yourself at the line-up. You have done your pop up/ take off and are ready to surf the wave. You are at the pocket of the wave, getting momentum and until you’re at the bottom of the wave.
Then suddenly lose all speed and the wave is continuing without you. How do we keep up? Buying a fish is one way to go. But a fast board doesn’t make you stay on the wave. Without the right technique. The keyword for success is TURNS. With turns, you can generate the speed needed. It creates a wonderful and smooth start to following the manoeuvres you are planning to do. It all starts with the first bottom turn.
This is the way pro surfers start surfing the wave too.
Learning to Surfskate: The bottom turn
After sliding to the bottom of the wave face, it’s time to turn by ca.180 degrees (bottom turn) and make a comeback towards the top of the wave. This is followed by another 180-degree turn at the peak, leading you back to the bottom of the wave face (top turn) – and so the sinus curve along the wave continues.
It has been said that the bottom turn is the foundation for any following tricks. If you dream of doing cutbacks or even aerials in the future, practice starts with that bottom turn.
Step 2.
In this next step you will start sketching in the foam for the wave and then at the same time draw another arched line for the wave as well. Next start sketching in the surfers hair style and then the shape of his face. Sketch out the shirt lining as seen here and make sure you add some texture to it. more
Step 3.
As you can see your ocean surf waves are starting to look more alive. What you will do here is sketch in the ocean flat that the board rides. Be sure to sketch in all the lines and definition to the ocean waves and flat surf. You will also sketch in more detail to the face and the shirt as seen here. Draw out the arm and then the shape of the surfboard. more
Step 4.
You will ow focus on the drawing of the surfer now. Detail his hair but not too much because it is wet. Next add more wrinkles and creases on the shirt and then draw out the other arm that is reaching for the wave. Surfers do this for balance while t hey are riding the waves. You will then draw out his legs and his shorts. Add some definition and then move to th next step. more
