Learning to surf is difficult. But there’s one way that you can level up your fledgling surf skills - pick up a surf skate next time you’re in Hossegor. It may just be the secret weapon to take you from whitewash to green waves.
There are many ways you can support your surfing. Yoga is one. Breathwork is another. But one of the most effective and fastest means for improving your surfing is by using a surf skate.
Fortunately for our guests, there are heaps of place you can use a surf skate in Hossegor. There’s a dedicated skatepark in Hossegor for one (well… Capbreton anyway). There are also plenty of flat surfaces for you to cruise along. Just bring your own surf skate to Hossegor or pick one up while you’re here.
In our opinion, a surf skate acts like a shortcut for ambitious beginner surfers. In this article, we’ll talk about some of the reasons why having a surf skate in Hossegor is a good idea if you want to progress quickly. But first… what the heck is a surf skate?
What is a surf skate?
Surf skates are essentially a skateboard that’s been designed to imitate the movement of surfing a wave. They replicate the feeling of being on a surfboard. Simulating that sensation of carving and weaving.
Surf skates look similar to a skateboard, but with a few key differences. The front trucks swivel from side to side and the boards more or less resemble the basic outline of a surfboard.
You don’t need to push with your foot to generate speed. Instead you use the power of your feet and your hips to propel yourself forward. You can then ‘surf’ along flat or inclined surfaces on your surf skate… until your legs can’t handle it anymore.
The fact you can drive yourself in this manner will make you more comfortable on a surfboard. There are of course a number of other benefits to bringing a surf skate to Hossegor. But we’ll cover this a bit later…
Where can I find skateparks in Hossegor?
One of the most awesome things about using a surf skate in Hossegor is that you don’t even need a skate park.
Find yourself a smoothly paved surface (such as the famous footpath that runs parallel to the beach out the front of our surf house) and go for a roll.
If you do want a dedicated skatepark in Hossegor to flex your surf skate skills though, there’s pretty much only one option when it comes to skateparks in Hossegor and surrounds.
This is the local skatepark in Capbreton, which is an outdoor skatepark with cement ramps and mini pipes plus a few rails. It’s located at 47 Boulevard des Cigales in Capbreton and will require a quick drive or a leisurely ride to reach from Southwest Surf House.
Like we said earlier though, a skatepark in Hossegor isn’t the only place where you can practice surf skating. As long as it’s sunny and dry and you’ve got a sidewalk… you’re in business.
9 ways beginner surfers can benefit from using a surf skate in Hossegor
Surfing is bloody hard.
Even the pros still have outrageous moments of kookiness. Bogging rails, going over the falls and nosediving on easy takeoffs. If only there was something to make it infinitely easier for beginners to master.
Oh… wait a second. What about picking up a surf skate in Hossegor? That’s sure to do the trick. Here are the following ways these epic little innovations can help fast track your surfing success.
1. Your balance will improve dramatically
You need a good sense of balance if you want to progress as a surfer. But the type of balance that’s required for surfing is hard to replicate on land. Fortunately a surf skate can help with this. By heading to a skatepark in Hossegor or riding one of the town’s many footpaths you can significantly improve your sense of balance.
2. You can refine your style
Besides balance, style is another important element to surfing. It makes the riding of waves infinitely more pleasing to the eye.
Whether it’s a bent back knee or relaxed shoulders. Riding a surf skate while staying in Hossegor will help you refine your style. Because let’s be honest… adding your own individual flair to a wave is what it’s all about. And nobody wants to rock a poo man for their entire learn to surf journey.
3. Regular surf skate session in Hossegor will keep you fit
Crossfit, pilates and even busting out 50 plus push ups a day will keep you fit. But at the risk of sounding like true surf frothers… using a surf skate is the only way to get your heart rate up AND simulate that awesome feeling of riding a wave when you’re on land. It’s a win, win!
4. Using a surf skate in Hossegor is great flat day fun
Hossegor and the surrounding beaches offer some excellent waves. But despite the fact that there’s an abundance of options… there are some days when the conditions just don’t cooperate.
Us mere mortals are normally tempted to reach for a beer or pour ourselves another glass of Bordeaux red. And why not? Every day here feels like a holiday. But if you’re serious about upping your surf skills while staying with us, a surf skate session in Hossegor is the perfect antidote to those flat day blues.
It’s the next best thing to dropping into the wave of the day. And you don’t even have to put on a wetsuit. Plus… riding in a skatepark in Hossegor or perfecting your surf skate skills won’t leave you with a hangover.
5. It gives you the opportunity to practice away from the ocean
According to Malcom Gladwell it takes 10,000 hours to become a master at anything. The problem here is that those of us not living near an ocean would be lucky to get 10 hours of beach time per year.
This means you need to find some way to practice the fundamentals of surfing while away from the water. And using a surf skate is for sure the most practical solution.
It allows you to continue working on things that you learned at your surf lesson while staying at our surf house.
You can even bring your surf skate to Hossegor when you return. Then it’s just a matter of repeating those key movements until they become second nature.
6. You’re able to iron out any deficiencies
Timing is everything when it comes to surfing. Accounting for the many variables that come into play when riding a wave takes practice. Fostering good timing is also the key to unlocking your true surfing potential.
By going to a skatepark in Hossegor on your down days, you can iron out any deficiencies you may have and work on your timing.
Pretend that ramps are waves or that the coping is a lip. You can then develop your timing by pretending that you’re coming off the top of a wave, pulling into a barrel or racing around a breaking section.
This will enhance your decision-making capabilities. Giving you the confidence to apply this newfound knowledge in the water.
7. It will introduce you to a little thing we call ‘flow’
Flow is about having your board, body and wave all in sync. Not to be confused with style, flow is more about mechanics than aesthetics.
Think about flow as the ability to generate forward momentum and speed with subtle movements. Using a surf skate, you can repeat these movements again and again. All the while discovering how to use your body more efficiently when on a wave.
8. It’ll improve your focus
Focus is essential if you want to nab the perfect wave or pull off your first manoeuvre.
In the same way that surfing require focus, riding a surf skate also demands that you remain present with the task at hand. As we mentioned previously - timing plays a big role in riding a wave to the best of your ability.
By focusing on each movement and how the wave changes, you can react appropriately. Using a skate park in Hossegor or wherever you’re located will give you a chance to hone your focus.
9. A surf skate session in Hossegor is a great excuse to meet other peeps
Finally, just like surfing and a night out on the town, using a surf skate while in Hossegor is a great way to meet different people. In the same way that surfing with mates can build bonds that last a lifetime, surf skating can do the same.
Get a little crew together and cruise into town or practice your surf skate skills at a skate park in Hossegor. You can even assess each other’s performances and provide constructive feedback. As long as you’re learning something new and having fun then the good times will surely roll.
Book a stay with Southwest Surf House today and try out our fleet of surf skates!