Surf skate knowledge
Surfskating: 7 Reasons Wheels Matter (And How to Choose the Right Ones)
Surfskating is a 100% gear-led activity. Few components impact your ride more than the wheels. At Surfskateboard.shop, we’ve seen how just swapping your wheels can completely transform the way your board feels — more than your deck, trucks, or bearings in many cases.
Arbor Daniel MacDonald Summit 71mm skateboard wheels
Waterborne Skateboards Super Carve 59mm Black Surf Skateboard Wheels 78a
Whether you’re carving tight turns, cruising your local streets, or dropping into bowls, the right wheels unlock your board’s full potential. Let’s break down why wheels are so critical, and help you find the perfect set for your personal surfskate style.
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Why Wheels Are So Important for Surfskating
Wheels are the foundation of your ride. They affect:
- Grip and control in carves
- Acceleration and speed
- How smooth your ride feels over cracks and rough roads
- How easily you can pump and generate momentum
The difference between a mediocre and a magic ride can be as simple as changing wheels.
Bigger Wheels = Smoother, Faster, Flowier
Many of our riders at Surfskateboard.shop prefer larger wheels for their plush ride and superior roll speed. They’re ideal for riders looking for flowy, surf-style carving — especially on rougher surfaces.
ABEC 11 75mm Reflex Bigzigs Lemon (83a) or Lime (80a)
Orangatang “Durian” 75mm Surf Skateboard Wheels 80a/83a/86a
Popular Big Wheel Picks:
- Orangatang Caguama 85mm wheels – Massive contact patch and smooth rolling. Perfect for carving over rough roads and long-distance pumping.
- Orangatang Dad Bod 105mm wheels – The biggest and smoothest. Great for extreme flow, high speeds, and boardwalk cruises.
- Orangatang Durian 75mm wheels – Nimble, with a rounded lip and stone-ground contact patch for smooth slides and deep carves — a great hybrid wheel for surfskaters who like a bit of everything.
- OJ Thunder Juice 75mm wheels – Soft and juicy for all-terrain domination with a surfy edge.
- ABEC 11 Reflex BigZigs 75mm wheels – A legendary wheel for both downhill control and surfskate flow.
- Arbor Daniel MacDonald Summit 71mm wheels – The perfect balance between maneuverability and roll speed.
Big wheels help your surfskate glide effortlessly, giving you confidence and stability, especially for beginners or longer rides.
Surfskateboard.shop rider Tez comments:
‘I personally love a big wheel – even for skating in the park and riding bowls. Some skaters tell me this isn’t right and won’t work. Yet time and again, I show that it does. This comes back to the ‘no rules’ point. Do what you want and how you want. The top end speed, roll and flow of wheels like the Orangatang Dad Bod 105mm wheels enhance flow and keeps me rolling between transitions. This speed also allows me to get up to the coping effortlessly.’
‘Same with the Caguama 85mm and Thunder Juice 75mm. If you’ve never tried a big rig, monster truck setup – even for park and bowl riding – then I couldn’t recommend getting involved more. You might find you love it. Like I do!
Orangatang Dad Bod 105mm Surf Skateboard Wheels 80a / 77a
75mm Thunder Juice Orange 78a OJ Skateboard Wheels
Bigger Wheels in the Bowl? It’s More Possible Than You Think
Traditionally, bowl riders lean toward smaller wheels for quicker transitions and a lighter setup. But don’t rule out larger wheels entirely — many experienced surfskaters are experimenting with 75mm and up in the bowl or on mini ramps (see vid below), especially when paired with fast-rolling bearings and agile trucks.
Why might bigger wheels work in bowls?
- More speed on entry
- Smoother re-entries and less chatter
- Added grip when powering through bottom turns or re-directs
That said, most bowl-focused setups still favor compact, snappy wheels for tighter control. But if you’re an advanced rider chasing speed and flow, OJ Thunder Juice or even Orangatang 85mm wheels could surprise you in the bowl. See the video below for 85mm Caguama surfskate action.
Smaller Wheels = Snappy Turns and Total Control
If you’re after tight turns, technical lines, or bowl carving, smaller wheels are often the way to go. They offer a lower centre of gravity and are easier to accelerate through pumping.
Best Smaller Wheels in the Shop:
- OJ Super Juice 60mm Wheels – Durable, grippy, and responsive. A surfskate classic for all-around urban riding and parks.
- Waterborne Living Water Wheels – Designed for flow and precision, with surf-style grip and responsiveness. (See the video below showcasing waterborne Living Water wheels in action).
- Waterborne Skateboards Super Carve Wheels – Grippy (as gripper as bigger wheels), fast and aggressive without the potential of wheel bite.
Smaller wheels also make your setup feel more playful, ideal for freestyle moves or tight bowl lines.
Waterborne Skateboards 62mm Living Water Surf Skateboard Wheels 80a
OJ Wheels Super Juice 60mm skateboard wheels
Surfskateboard.shop rider Tez says:
‘Whilst I do love bigger wheels for surfskating I appreciate the benefits of smaller rigs. Both the Waterborne Living Water wheels and OJ Super Juice are bang on choices. I’ve had a lot of fun with both. Faster, snappier and slidier than bigger wheels both these enhance the ride sensation no end.’
Wheel Shapes: Offset Hubs, Lipped Edges & Stone-Ground Finishes
The shape and design of a wheel influence how it performs just as much as size or durometer:
- Offset hubs improve balance between grip and slide.
- Lipped wheels offer extra traction in deep carves or high-speed turns.
- Stone-ground finishes (such as Waterborne’s Living Water wheels featured in the video blow) help break in the wheel for smoother slides from the start.
Knowing these features helps you build a setup that’s tailored to how you ride.
Durometer: The Feel Factor of Surfskate Wheels
Durometer = wheel hardness, and for surfskating, most wheels fall in the soft 78A–83A range. Here’s what that means for you:
- Softer wheels (78A): Cushy ride, more grip, better shock absorption.
- Harder wheels (85A and up): Faster roll speed, but less forgiving on rough terrain.
All our featured wheels, like Orangatang, OJ, and Waterborne, are dialled into this sweet spot for maximum surfskate performance. You can find a more detailed wheel durometer explanation here.
Bearings Matter: Waterborne Black Chrome Bearings
Wheels are only as good as the bearings inside them. At Surfskateboard.shop, we swear by the Waterborne Black Chrome Bearings. As do many other riders we’ve spoken to.
Why We Love Them:
- Made with high-grade chrome steel
- Super low friction for fast, smooth spinning
- Built tough for long-lasting performance
BLACK-CHROME SKATE BEARINGS HIGH VELOCITY
If you’re upgrading your wheels, pair them with these bearings for a top-tier setup that doesn’t hold you back.
Conclusion: No Rules, Just Ride Your Way
At the end of the day, there are no hard rules when it comes to choosing surfskate wheels. It all comes down to:
- Your personal riding style
- The surfaces you skate on
- How you want your board to feel underfoot
We encourage you to experiment, mix and match, and keep evolving. One of the best parts of surfskating is discovering new combinations that unlock a whole new level of fun.
Ready to Customise Your Ride?
Explore our full range of wheels and bearings and find the setup that brings your surfskate vision to life.
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