Skateboarding helps with balance, body-eye coordination, and stamina – that’s a fact. But, if you’re a skater, will skating help your surfing? While one sport is water-based and the other is based on concrete, many believe the skills of one sport are transferable to the other. But are they?
First, in order to understand if the skills or transferable you need to understand what those skills are. First off, both sports require a high amount of balance and coordination. On both a surfboard and a skateboard you stand with one foot forward. If its your left foot you are “regular” footed and if you stand with your right foot forward you are “goofy” footed. Also, in both sports your back foot controls the board, allowing you to turn on a surfboard or do tricks on a skateboard.
Second, several professional surfers are also skaters. The transfer between the two sports here comes in the form of tricks, many of which are aerial. Being able to do aerial tricks on a skateboard will easily transfer over to your surfing. This is where having the same stance for both sports can allow you to transfer over your skills from one sport to the next.
Finally, many avid surfers take the time to practice on skateboards in inclement weather or during the off-season for surfing. Skateboarding allows for easy repetition. You can practice tricks on your skateboard anytime, anywhere there is concrete. This allows for practice of your surf skills out of the water. Skateboarding can help you become a better surfer. The more time you spend on a board – with or without wheels – the better you will be.