Surfskating has always been about bringing the feeling of the ocean to pavement. Long before modern systems existed, surfers were already skating empty swimming pools and sidewalks as a way to practice their turns when the waves went flat. The modern surfskate movement evolved from those roots, with specialized trucks that allow riders to pump, carve, and generate speed without pushing. These systems add a second axis of rotation to the front truck so the board can pivot dramatically while the rear truck acts as a stable anchor, creating the fluid rail-to-rail motion that mimics surfing.
One of the most influential modern surfskate brands to emerge from this movement is YOW — “Your Own Wave.” The company was born in 2014 when Andalusian engineer Juanjo Almansa began designing a surf-training skateboard for his daughter so she could practice surfing techniques away from the ocean. His prototype caught the attention of the Iraola brothers, pioneers of European skateboard manufacturing, and together they developed what would become the YOW system. Their goal was simple: create a skateboard that reproduced the sensation of surfing as closely as possible on dry land.
THE YOW TRUCK SYSTEM
The heart of every YOW surfskate is the truck system. Surfskates differ from traditional skateboards because the front truck includes a rotating mechanism that allows the board to pivot far more aggressively than a normal truck. This extra motion allows riders to pump for speed and perform tight surf-style turns without pushing.
YOW’s most well-known system is the Meraki Surfskate Truck, the latest evolution of their patented spring-based design. Inside the front adapter is a coiled tension spring that drives the turning mechanism. This spring allows extremely deep carving, a wide turning radius, and a quick snap back to centre, which gives riders strong pumping power and forward momentum. The design creates a unique ride that can feel both loose and fluid while still being responsive and snappy.
The Meraki system is available in two versions: S4 and S5. The difference between them is the size and stiffness of the spring. The S4 uses a smaller 4 mm spring and is typically recommended for lighter riders or those who want an ultra-reactive surf feel. The S5 uses a thicker 5 mm spring that offers slightly more stability and is better suited for heavier riders.
Before Meraki, YOW also produced earlier versions of their system such as the V4 adapter. The Meraki platform simplified the design, removed unnecessary parts, and reinforced the key structural areas, creating a lighter and more durable system while maintaining the deep carving sensation that made YOW famous.
SURFERS AND ARTISTS
A major part of YOW’s identity is its close connection to surfing culture. The company collaborates with world-class surfers and shapers to design boards that reflect different surf styles. Signature models inspired by professional surfers help translate real surfing techniques to pavement, allowing riders to practice maneuvers such as cutbacks, snaps, and pumping lines on land.
YOW has worked with influential surfers such as Gabriel Medina, the three-time world champion whose signature boards reflect his powerful and aggressive surfing style. Collaborations with surf brands and shapers like Pukas Surfboards bring authentic surfboard design language into the surfskate world, translating outlines, tails, and rocker concepts directly into skate shapes.
Artists also play a large role in the brand’s identity. YOW regularly partners with illustrators and designers to produce striking deck graphics that capture the spirit of surfing culture. These visuals often feature bold colours, abstract waves, and coastal imagery that blend modern design with the long artistic tradition found in skateboarding graphics.
THE YOW EXPERIENCE
One reason YOW has grown so quickly in popularity is that their boards appeal to more than just surfers. Many riders use surfskates simply because they are incredibly fun to ride. The deep carving ability makes them perfect for pumping around neighbourhood streets, carving hills, or flowing through skateparks in a completely different way than traditional skateboarding.
Unlike many surf trainers that are strictly for practice drills, YOW boards generate strong forward momentum through pumping. Riders can maintain speed across flat ground without pushing, which makes them surprisingly effective for cruising longer distances as well as surf training. The ride sensation feels closer to surfing than traditional skateboarding, making it possible to practice timing, body positioning, and rail-to-rail movement on land.
SURF SKATE CITY @ BOARDERLABS
For riders in Vancouver, the surfskate movement has a home at Surf Skate City @ BoarderLabs. The shop has become a destination for surfskate enthusiasts looking to experience boards like YOW alongside other carving setups. Whether someone is a surfer trying to sharpen technique between swells or a skater simply looking for a flowing ride style, surfskates have carved out their own unique space in skate culture.
Surfskating represents a full-circle moment in board sports. Skateboarding began as a way for surfers to ride when the ocean was flat, and decades later companies like YOW are continuing that tradition with modern engineering and design. By blending surf mechanics, skateboard innovation, and artistic collaboration, YOW has helped push surfskating into a global movement where riders can truly create their own wave—anywhere there is pavement.
