Flat sea? Howling onshore? Dark by half five? Welcome to a North Wales winter. The good news is you don't have to lose your surf legs until spring. A Carver surfskate puts that wave-riding feeling under your feet on any bit of smooth tarmac, and it's one of the best ways we know to keep your surfing, SUP surfing and foiling sharp through the off-season.
Carver have been building surfskates in California for 30 years. They pretty much invented the category, and they're still the board most surfers point to when they want to train on land. We now stock the full Carver range at Môr, from complete boards to decks, trucks and every spare part you're likely to need. This guide walks you through how to choose the right one.
What makes a surfskate different?
A normal skateboard turns when you lean. A surfskate's front truck turns and pivots, so the nose swings round as you shift your weight. That lets you do something you can't do on a regular board: pump. Compress and extend through your legs, twist through your hips and shoulders, and you'll build speed without ever putting a foot down, exactly like working a wave down the line.
That's why surf coaches use them. Bottom turns, top turns, cutbacks and rail-to-rail flow all transfer from the board to the wave, and vice versa.
C7 vs CX vs C5: choosing your Carver truck
The truck is the biggest decision you'll make. Most Carver boards come in a choice of truck, and the deck shape matters less than people think. Here's the quick version:
| Truck | Feel | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| C7 | Loose, flowing, the most surf-like. Patented swing-arm front truck with a second pivot. | Surf training, long drawn-out carves, pumping on the flat. The classic Carver feel. |
| CX | Tighter and more stable at speed. Reverse-kingpin design with Carver geometry, so it still pumps. | Riders who also want parks, bowls, faster hills or a snappier, more skate-like feel. |
| C5 | Lower and lighter, with more pop in the tail. | Smaller riders, kids, and anyone mixing tricks with flow. Comes on the 28" Purple Haze. |
What size Carver do I need?
Length changes how quick and lively the board feels. Wheelbase (the distance between the trucks) is the number to watch: shorter means tighter turns, longer means smoother, more stable carves.
| Length | How it rides | Who it suits | Try |
|---|---|---|---|
| 26"–29" | Quick, tight, very easy to pump | Smaller riders, groms, tight spaces, a board to throw in the car | 28" Purple Haze, 29" ...Lost Pisces |
| 30"–32.5" | The all-rounder sweet spot | Most adults: surf training, cruising and carving | 31" Resin, 30.75" Blue Thunder, 32.5" Black Tip |
| 33"–38" | Stable, smooth, long sweeping turns | Taller or heavier riders, longboard surfers, cruising the prom | 34" Greenroom, 37" CI Noserider |
Our Carver picks
Best all-rounders
Carver 31" Resin – C7 Complete
£279.95
The board that defines the surfskate feel. Balanced, forgiving and does everything well. If you only buy one, make it this.
Carver 34" Greenroom – C7 Complete
£279.95
A long-running favourite. Wide stance and a longer wheelbase for deep, confident carves. Great for taller riders.
Carver 30.75" Blue Thunder – C7 Complete
£279.95
Shorter and more reactive, with a deeper concave. For riders who want to push their skills.
Surfboard-shaper collaborations
Carver work with some of the biggest names in surfboard shaping, and these boards borrow directly from their designs.
Carver 29" ...Lost Pisces – C7 Complete
£299.95
Designed with Matt "Mayhem" Biolos of ...Lost Surfboards. A compact, lively shredder for snappy turns.
Carver 37" Channel Islands Noserider – C7 Complete
£299.95
CI's longboard shape on wheels. A concave nose for noserides and a square tail for pivot turns. Perfect for loggers.
Carver 31.25" Cosmic Haze – C7 Complete
£289.95
Carves with confidence and breaks into smooth, controlled slides when you want them to.
Small but serious
Carver 28" Purple Haze – C5 Complete
£239.95
A full-performance surfskate at 28". Low, easy to push and pumps with almost no effort. Not a toy, but great for younger riders too.
30 Years of Carver: the special editions
Carver 32.5" Black Tip Carbon – C7 Complete
£339.95
The proven Black Tip, rebuilt in carbon fibre. Stronger, lighter and livelier underfoot.
Carver 32.5" 30 Year Limited Edition – C7 Complete
£319.95
A serialised edition marking 30 years of Carver: birdseye maple, hand-polished C7 trucks and high-rebound wheels.
Build your own: decks and truck kits
Already have a favourite shape, or want to convert an old deck? Every Carver deck is sold on its own, and our truck kits include trucks, wheels, bearings, risers and hardware, so you're ready to ride once it's bolted together.
- Carver 6.5" C7 Truck Kit: the classic surf feel
- Carver 6.5" CX Truck Kit: tighter, faster, park-friendly
- Carver 5.75" C5 Truck Kit: low, light, poppy
- All surfskate decks
Keep it rolling: spares and upkeep
Carver trucks are built to last, but they do like a bit of care, especially near the sea. Salt air and wet promenades are hard on bearings and springs. Wipe your board down after damp sessions, grease the C7 link spring now and then, and swap bushings when the feel goes vague. We stock the parts you'll need:
Where to ride in North Wales
You don't need a skatepark. You need smooth, flat tarmac and a bit of space. Quiet promenades along the coast, empty car parks after hours and smooth seafront paths are perfect for learning to pump. Be considerate on shared paths: give walkers and cyclists plenty of room, and save the big carves for when it's quiet. Wear a helmet, and wrist guards while you're learning. Your future self will thank you.
Carver surfskate FAQs
Is a surfskate good for a complete beginner?
Yes. A surfskate is actually a friendly way into skating because you learn to generate speed by pumping rather than pushing hard. Start on a mid-size board like the 31" Resin, find a smooth flat car park or promenade, and wear a helmet and wrist guards while you get the feel for it.
C7 or CX: which Carver truck should I get?
If your main goal is surf training and that loose, flowing, down-the-line feel, go C7. If you want a bit more stability at speed, plan to ride skateparks or bowls, or just want a tighter, snappier board, go CX. If you're still torn, get in touch and we'll talk it through, or arrange a go on our demo boards.
What size Carver surfskate do I need?
Most adults are well served by something between 30" and 32.5". Go shorter (28"–30") for tighter turns and smaller riders, longer (33"+) if you're tall, heavier or want long, drawn-out carves. Width matters too: bigger feet like a wider deck.
Can I put Carver trucks on my own deck?
Yes. Our C7, CX and C5 truck kits come with wheels, bearings, risers and hardware, so you can convert a standard deck or build your own setup around a Carver deck.
Do you stock Carver spare parts?
We do: bushings, link springs, grease, griptape, wheels, bearings and individual truck parts. Have a look at our surfskate trucks & parts collection.
Need a hand choosing?
We're a small, independent North Wales watersports shop, and we ride this stuff ourselves. If you're not sure which board or truck to go for, call us on 01492 588001 or email info@morwatersports.com. We'd much rather help you get the right board first time.