Find Your Perfect Board
Not sure if you need a surf skate, cruiser or longboard? Answer a few quick questions and we'll match you to the right board, size and trucks — the same advice we give riders in person every day.
“Board quality and riding experience is second to none” — Jess Talks Travel, independent two-year review
The Three Boards, Explained
Every GCLB board is 7-ply Canadian maple & bamboo with our own aluminium trucks, ABEC-9 bearings and soft SHR wheels. The difference is how they ride.
Feels like surfing
Surf Skates
A specialised truck system lets you pump and carve rail-to-rail without pushing — the closest thing to a wave on land.
- Best for: surf training, deep carving
- Sizes: 30" (under 6ft) or 32" (over 6ft)
- Trucks: Gravity (snappy, fast & precise) or Thruster (spring-loaded, deepest carves)
Grab & go
Cruisers
Compact 28" boards that live in the car boot. Perfect for beach runs, café trips and getting around campus.
- Best for: short trips, portability
- Perfect size for kids & a familiar feel for returning skaters
- Big soft wheels roll over rough paths
Smooth & stable
Longboards
Longer decks with bigger wheels — effortless pushing, a higher top speed and the most comfortable distance riding.
- Best for: commuting & long cruises
- The easiest boards in our range to learn on — both shapes
- Kicktail: agile tail · Dropthrough: low & planted
The Surf Skate Size Rule
All our surf skates share the same wheelbase, so carving performance is identical. The only question is deck room: under 6ft → 30" (compact & portable), over 6ft → 32" (more foot room & confidence). Kids and smaller riders: 30" every time.
Board Questions, Answered
What's the difference between a longboard, cruiser and surf skate?
Longboards are best for smooth cruising and longer distances — stable and easy to push. Cruisers are shorter and more portable, perfect for quick trips and kids. Surf skates have a specialised truck system that mimics surfing — ideal for carving, surf training and practising turns on flat ground.
I'm a complete beginner — which board is easiest?
A longboard is the easiest board in our range to learn on: a big, stable deck with plenty of room while you find your feet. The dropthrough sits a touch lower to the ground, but both shapes are very beginner-friendly — pick the one you love. Cruisers are also easy to ride and perfectly sized for kids, though the compact deck is a little less stable for a beginner adult. Surf skates are beginner-friendly too if the surf feeling is your goal — start with the Gravity truck.
What size surf skate should I get?
All our surf skates have the same wheelbase, so carving performance is identical across sizes. The 30" board is more compact and portable — great for kids, smaller adults, or anyone under 6 feet. The 32" has a larger deck for more confidence and foot room — ideal if you're over 6 feet or have bigger feet.
Gravity or Thruster surf trucks — which should I choose?
Gravity trucks use matched front and rear trucks on an inward axis — very responsive, with faster, snappier turns, and better for building speed — the pick for hills and commuting, and the gentlest to learn on. The Thruster pairs a spring-loaded dual-pivot front truck with a standard rear (the same family as Carver C7, YOW and SmoothStar) — the rear holds like surfboard fins while the nose leads, for the deepest, most surf-like carves. Both are excellent surf trainers — it comes down to feel. Try our interactive truck comparison for a personal recommendation.
Which board handles rough footpaths and bumpy roads best?
All our boards run large, soft SHR wheels that absorb cracks and rough surfaces far better than hard skatepark wheels — that's why they feel so smooth on real Aussie footpaths. For the roughest routes, the longboard's bigger wheels and longer wheelbase give the most settled ride, while cruisers stay comfortable thanks to their big soft wheels.
What about hills?
Longboards are the most stable at speed thanks to their longer wheelbase — the dropthrough especially, as it sits lower to the ground. On a surf skate, choose Gravity trucks if you ride hilly areas; they're noticeably more stable at speed than spring-loaded trucks. Whatever you ride, learn to foot-brake early, keep speeds sensible, and walk down anything steep while you're learning.
What's the best board for commuting?
Short hops (a few blocks, campus, the café): a cruiser — light, agile and easy to carry inside. Longer, smoother routes: a longboard — bigger wheels roll further per push, so it's less effort and more comfort over distance. Want fun on the way? A surf skate with Gravity trucks pumps along happily and turns the commute into a carve session.
What age can kids start?
The 28" cruiser is the perfect size for kids from around age 5 — light enough to carry and easy to ride. Worth knowing: because they're lighter, kids actually find a surf skate easier to turn than a cruiser — so surf-mad, athletic or quick-learning kids do great on the 30" surf skate. Whatever the age, start on smooth flat ground, always with a helmet, and supervise younger riders.
Can I do tricks on these boards?
These are cruise-and-carve boards rather than street-trick decks. That said, the kicktail longboard and cruisers have a raised tail for kerb hops, kick turns and quick pivots — plenty of play for everyday riding. If technical flip tricks are your main goal, you'd want a traditional double-kick street deck instead.
Is surf skating good exercise?
Genuinely, yes. Pumping a surf skate — generating speed by compressing and extending through turns instead of pushing — is a serious legs-and-core workout, and it's exactly the movement pattern surfers train. Many riders use short pump sessions as their cardio.
Do the boards come assembled?
Yes — every board arrives fully assembled and ready to ride, straight out of the box.
How long does delivery take?
Standard shipping typically takes 2–6 business days for QLD, NSW and VIC, and 3–14 business days for TAS, SA, WA and NT. Shipping is free on orders over $180 Australia-wide (excluding WA, which ships at a flat $9) — and we ship worldwide, with rates calculated at checkout.
What if it's not right?
We offer a 30-day returns policy. If you're not happy with your board, return it within 30 days for a refund or exchange — items just need to be unused and in original packaging.
Riders Who Found Their Board
"Amazing board! Easy to ride. Get comments every time I ride it. Blown away by the quality. Customer for life!"
Tammy — Verified rider"Very impressed with my board, fell in love with the artwork and the way it's made. Customer service was excellent."
Matt W — Verified rider"Ordered as a gift, was so impressed I ordered a second one. Check these guys out — you won't be disappointed."
Sam — Verified riderStill tossing up?
Browse the full range — every board ships fast, free over $180, with Afterpay available.
Surf Skates Cruisers Longboards