Surfskate Weekly: March 15–21, 2026
CX upgrade debates, expired truck patents, choosing between Black Tip and Kai Lenny, and Curfboard trucks on a Loaded Tangent
A community-driven week in surfskate: the Reddit community debated whether to upgrade a Carver CX or switch systems entirely, explored which truck patents have expired and what that means for the market, and compared popular Carver models for first-time buyers.
Industry & Tech
Which surfskate truck patents have expired? An interesting thread exploring which surfskate truck patents have expired, opening the door for new manufacturers to create similar designs. The discussion covers Carver’s original patents and how this affects the growing number of CX-style clones on the market. Worth reading if you’ve wondered why so many brands now offer CX-like trucks.
Reviews & Discussions
Carver CX: upgrade or switch? The most popular thread of the week: whether to upgrade a Carver CX setup or switch to a different truck system entirely. The community consensus is clear — the CX is already very capable, and upgrading bushings and wheels often delivers more improvement than switching trucks. Good advice for anyone on the fence.
First Surfskate: Carver Black Tip vs Kai Lenny Powerline vs Custom Setup A detailed comparison for first-time buyers choosing between two popular Carver models. The community highlights the key difference: the Black Tip (31.75”) is more versatile for all-round use, while the Kai Lenny Powerline (31.25”) has a wider platform and shorter wheelbase for more aggressive carving.
Loaded Tangent with Curfboard Trucks — does it work? An unusual combo discussion: mounting Curfboard’s gravity-driven trucks on Loaded’s distance surfskate deck. The Tangent is designed for long-distance pumping with its Zee Bracket, so pairing it with Curfboard’s springless system would create a very different ride character. The thread explores compatibility and what to expect.
Wedging a rear rail adapter — does it help? A technical thread about adding wedge risers to rear truck adapters to change the riding angle. Community members share their experiences with different wedge angles and how they affect stability, turn initiation, and pumping efficiency.
Is a surfskate worth it over a longboard? A newcomer asks the classic question. The community’s answer: if you want to carve and simulate surfing, absolutely yes. If you want to commute or go downhill, a longboard is better. Different tools for different goals.
What deck has similar specs to the Carver Blacktip but cooler graphics? A rider loves their Blacktip specs but wants something more visually distinctive. The thread surfaces several alternatives with similar wheelbase and dimensions from YOW, Slide, and other brands.
Community Highlights
Adam Knox surfskate coaching in Nicaragua — June 7-13 Pro surfskate coach Adam Knox announced a week-long coaching camp in Nicaragua combining surfskate training, video analysis, and boat trips for surf sessions. A sign that surfskate coaching is becoming a niche travel experience.
Surfskaters in Zurich? A rider looking for the local scene in Zurich. These community-building posts appear regularly for cities worldwide — a reminder that local surfskate groups are still forming everywhere.
Surfskaters in Omaha, Nebraska Same story, different continent. Even in landlocked Nebraska, riders are looking for others to skate with. The surfskate community continues to grow beyond coastal cities.
This week we covered 15 items from Reddit r/surfskate.
Surfer looking for a land training board? Try our Surf-to-Surfskate Matcher or compare boards side by side.