There's something magical about watching a surfer glide effortlessly across the face of a wave. But here's the thing—you don't need an ocean to capture that feeling. Urban surfing (also known as concrete surfing) lets you ride a longboard with the same fluid style as wave riding, bringing that surf sensation to the streets beneath your feet.

Whether you're a landlocked surfer missing the ocean or just someone looking to tap into that unique flow state, longboard skating opens up a world where every hill becomes your wave and every street your personal break.

Ready to bring surf style to your city streets? Let's dive into everything you need to know about urban surfing—from selecting your perfect board to mastering those smooth, surfing-inspired moves.

What is Urban Surfing? The Soul of Longboarding

Urban surfing isn't just a sport—it's a mindset. It's taking that feeling of gliding across water and translating it to concrete. When you're longboarding with surf style, you're chasing that same flow state that ocean surfers live for.

You know that feeling when everything clicks? When your push becomes almost effortless and you're carving smooth lines down a gentle slope? That's the sweet spot—the moment when urban surfing becomes poetry in motion.

Your city becomes a wave playground:

• That hill near your apartment? Your personal point break
• The wide, smooth pathway in the park? Perfect for practicing cross-steps
• That freshly paved street? Your canvas for carving smooth, flowing lines

Here's the beauty of urban surfing: while ocean surfers might wait weeks for decent waves (checking forecasts, tide charts, and wind reports), your concrete waves are always there. No checking surf reports, no dawn patrol disappointments. The streets are open 24/7/365—whenever you feel the need for some stoke, your urban break is waiting for you.

Gear Up: Finding Your Perfect Urban Surfing Setup

Before you hit the concrete waves, let's talk about the gear that'll get you flowing. The right setup makes all the difference between just riding and truly surfing the streets.

The Board: Your Concrete Surfboard

Not all longboards are created equal when it comes to capturing that authentic surf feel. At Deviate, we've obsessed designing boards that bring true surf sensations to pavement.

What Makes Our Boards Different

• Surf-Inspired Shapes that let you carve and pump like you're on a wave
• Flatdeck Designs giving you the perfect platform for cross-stepping and dancing
• Responsive Rail Profiles that translate your weight shifts into smooth, flowing turns
• RKP Trucks that add that loose, surfy feeling to every carve

Safety Gear: Respect the Concrete

Let's be real—concrete is less forgiving than water when you wipe out.

• Helmet (this isn't optional—protect that brain)
• Knee and elbow pads (especially when you're learning the ropes)

Finding Your Concrete Breaks: The Best Urban Surf Spots

Ocean surfers check forecasts and travel miles for the perfect wave. Urban surfers? We just need to know our local terrain. Here's your guide to finding those perfect concrete waves:

Mellow Hills: Your Urban Point Break

• Those gentle, rolling slopes with smooth pavement? They're your Malibu—perfect for long, drawn-out rides
• Look for hills with gradual declines where you can practice fluid carves and footwork
• The best ones let you ride for minutes at a time, just like a perfect peeling point break

Morning Downtown Sessions: The Urban Reef

• There's something magical about early morning sessions in the heart of the city
• Weaving through quiet streets before the world wakes up, feeling the city come to life around you
• The wide, smooth asphalt becomes your canvas for carving turns and practicing your cross-steps

Bike Paths & Greenways: The Never-Ending Wave

• These car-free zones are like finding that mythical endless wave
• The smooth surfaces are perfect for dialing in your cross-steps and fancy footwork
• Many have gentle slopes and curves that naturally enhance your carving experience

Mastering the Concrete Wave: Urban Surfing Techniques

First Paddle Out: Beginner Moves

If you're just dipping your toes into the world of urban surfing, start with these fundamentals. They're the building blocks that'll set you up for success:

• Finding Your Stance & Push - Get comfortable on your board, learn to push smoothly, and find your balance
• Weight Distribution & Carving - Use your shoulders, hips, and knees to initiate those smooth, flowing turns
• Your First Cross-Steps - Learn to move your feet along the board while staying centered and balanced
• Speed Control - Master the foot brake before you tackle any serious hills (trust us on this one)

Advanced Riding: Surf-Style Maneuvers

Once you've got the basics dialed, it's time to bring more surf style to your concrete wave:

• Peter Pan - That graceful cross-step where your feet briefly cross, adding style to your ride
• Nose Riding - Walking to the front of your board for a "hang ten" or go nose manual and get the rear wheels off the ground
• Walking the Plank - Smoothly stepping from tail to nose and back in one fluid motion
• 180 Step Back - That stylish move where you rotate your body while stepping backward

Finding Your Lineup: The Urban Surf Community

Just like traditional surf culture, urban surfing is about more than just the ride—it's about the community, the shared stoke, and the collective search for flow. There's something special about connecting with others who understand why you're smiling so big after a perfect carving run.

Connecting with Fellow Concrete Surfers

• Find your local longboard crew on Instagram or Facebook (they're out there, we promise)
• Follow and engage with #UrbanSurfing, #Longboarding, #SurftheStreets, and #DeviateLongboards
• Show up for local group rides—there's nothing like cruising in a pack of like-minded riders
• Visit your local skate shops—they're community hubs with insider knowledge about the local scene

📸 Caught a sweet carving session or mastered a new move? Tag us on Instagram with #UrbanSurfing and #DeviateLongboards—we love to see your concrete surfing journey!

Surf Smart: Urban Surfing Safety

Even the most skilled surfers respect the power of the ocean—and concrete demands the same respect. Keep your urban surfing experience positive with these essential safety practices:

• ✅ Brain bucket always - No excuses on the helmet. Your skull will thank you.
• ✅ Progressive learning curve - Start flat, then gradually take on more challenging terrain
• ✅ Master the stop - Learn solid braking techniques before you point your board downhill
• ✅ Scout your spots - Take a walking tour of new locations before you ride them (especially for hills)
• ✅ Spread the stoke, not the hate - Be respectful to pedestrians and drivers—you're an ambassador for our sport
• ✅ Know the local laws - A little research can save you from unwanted conversations with authorities

Why We Ride: The Benefits of Urban Surfing

🌊 Always in session - No more checking surf reports or waiting for the perfect swell
🌦️ Weather friendly - As long as the pavement's dry, you're good to go
💰 Wallet happy - More affordable than chasing waves around the world
🏄♂️ Surf training - Develops balance and muscle memory that translates directly to ocean surfing
🤝 Find your people - Connect with a community that shares your passion
💪 A workout - Get fit while having fun (core strength, balance, and leg power)
🧠 Mental reset - Tap into that meditative "flow state" that washes away stress

Ready to Paddle Out?

Whether you're a seasoned ocean surfer looking to bring that feeling to land or someone who's never set foot on a wave but loves the surf aesthetic, there's a perfect board waiting for you in our Deviate Board Co lineup.

Our boards aren't just longboards—they're concrete surfboards designed specifically to deliver authentic surf sensations on pavement. Each one is crafted to help you translate those fluid, wave-riding movements to the streets of your hometown.

See you in the concrete lineup!

"The best surfer out there is the one having the most fun." - Duke Kahanamoku

The Duke's wisdom rings just as true on asphalt as it does on water. Don't get caught up in what tricks you can do or how stylish you look—focus on the joy of the ride. Keep pushing, keep flowing, and above all—keep that stoke alive.