THE GCLB JOURNAL

Stories from the Gold Coast

Ride guides, surf training and board art — straight from the GCLB crew.

Three-part GCLB collage showing surf skate, longboard and cruiser riding and lifestyle scenes.

Beginner Skateboards

Surf Skate vs Longboard vs Cruiser: Which Board Suits You?

Carving sessions, relaxed cruising or a compact board for everyday trips? Compare the three board families and find the right place to start.

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Your first longboard ride — find your feet, then find your flow. GCLB Wanderlust dropthrough longboard on a sand-coloured editorial graphic.

Beginner Guide

How to Ride a Longboard: A Beginner’s First-Session Guide

Start small: find your stance, take a gentle push and practise stopping before adding distance. A practical guide to your first longboard...

9 September 2026 · 6 min read

Start surf skating — control before speed. GCLB Wanderlust surf skate product views on a sand-coloured editorial graphic.

Beginner Guide

How to Surf Skate: A Beginner’s First-Session Guide

A good first surf skate session starts with control, not speed. Find your stance, make a small push and practise stopping before explorin...

7 September 2026 · 6 min read

Boarding with your board: a Gold Coast Longboards Wanderlust surf skate beside a padded bag and suitcase.

Board care

Can you take a skateboard on a plane in Australia?

Taking your board on a trip? Here’s what to check with Qantas, Jetstar and Virgin Australia, plus a practical packing checklist before yo...

7 September 2026 · 6 min read

Family photo collage headed Skateboarding for a Growth Mindset.

How skateboarding can support a child's growth mindset

A family story and practical ways to encourage learning on a skateboard: notice progress, adjust the approach and let children learn at t...

9 February 2026 · 3 min read

Two people holding GCLB boards with the deck artwork, trucks and wheels visible.

Gravity vs Velocity: Which Surf Trucks Should You Choose?

Gravity or Velocity? Compare the two GCLB surf truck options by feel, riding goals and experience, with a clear next step for choosing yo...

8 August 2024 · 3 min read

GCLB boards with different deck shapes, artwork and wheel colours gathered together.

What Size Board Do I Need? GCLB Size Guide

Understand 30-inch vs 32-inch surf skates, deck width and wheelbase, then compare current GCLB dimensions without relying on height alone.

10 January 2023 · 4 min read

Three transparent Lucid Collection boards with engraved lines and blue wheels.

The Lucid Collection: A Clear View of Board Design

From the GCLB archive: transparent acrylic decks and engraved surfboard-inspired lines. Discover the original Lucid Collection design.

8 November 2022 · 1 min read

Three original Ocean Collection acrylic boards with blue and white resin wave artwork.

The Ocean Collection: Resin Wave Art on Acrylic

From the GCLB archive: ocean-inspired resin artwork, clear acrylic and a local Gold Coast collaboration. The story of our 2022 Ocean Coll...

4 November 2022 · 1 min read

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