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.

Read the guide
A rider carving a skateboard in a concrete skate park.

Does skateboarding help surfing? What to practise on land

Where skating fits into surf practice, what does not transfer automatically, and how to choose a useful focus for your next land session.

9 February 2026 · 4 min read

See it in action

Surf Skate 32" - Wanderlust Edition Surf Skate 32" - Wanderlust Edition $279.20
Surf Skate 30" - Daisy Bloom Surf Skate 30" - Daisy Bloom $244.30
Surf Skate 32" - Daisy Dreamer Surf Skate 32" - Daisy Dreamer $244.30
Cruiser Skateboard — The Wild Cruiser Skateboard — The Wild $167.20
Cruiser Skateboard - Aloha Edition 2.0 Chocolate Cruiser Skateboard - Aloha Edition 2.0 Chocolate $167.20

START HERE

New to boards? Start with these guides

The three guides that answer 90% of the questions we get asked.

01 Surfskate vs longboard vs cruiser — which ride fits you? 02 Gravity or Velocity? Choosing your surf trucks 03 What's the right board size for me?
Take the Board Finder quizTakes under a minute