Skimboarding: know where to ride | Photo: Exile Skimboards

The world has plenty of high-quality skimboarding beaches and slick terrains for wave enthusiasts and flatland riders. Discover what makes a skimming spot really special. And remember: skimboarding is harder than it looks.

Skimboarders are picky, but there are good reasons for carefully selecting the right conditions and the ideal breaks.

If you live on the coastline, there are certain variables to consider: swell, the wind, tide, rocks, crowd factor, and steepness of the beach.

Flatland skimmers have to deal with slightly different issues when picking a spot to ride. The quality of the sand and the amount of water available on the surface are the fundamental conditions.

Inland riders look for a smooth, firm, and clean playground (it can be mud, though) with half an inch of water covering it. More water means more pop and less speed.

Very steep (100 degrees) beaches are not as perfect as you might think. They might restrain you from gliding down the sand into the shore-breaking waves.

The acute water entrance angle will catch the nose of your skimboard and lead to a disastrous wipeout.

Gentle-to-medium sand slopes (150 degrees) are the perfect venue for oceanic skimboarders.

Good skimboarding beaches are usually associated with pounding shore breaks, especially if you're already an intermediate rider. In the end - you know that too - it's all about timing.

Skimboarding is often considered the perfect blend between surfing, skateboarding, and snowboarding. That is why finding the perfect skim spot is harder than it looks.

So, skim's up. Get the right skimboard, and explore the best skimboarding spots in the world.

USA

Dash Point State Park, Washington
Santa Cruz, California
Paradise Beach, California
Laguna Beach, California
The Wedge, California
Aliso Beach, California
Baker Beach, California
Ocean Beach, California
St. George, Utah
Dewey Beach, Delaware
Vilano Beach, Florida
Anna Maria Island, Florida
Cocoa Beach Pier, Florida
Ft. Lauderdale, Florida
Emerald Isle, North Carolina

Canada

South Beach, Savary Island
Thormanby Island
RC Beach, Roberts Creek
Whitaker
Spanks, Spanish Banks
Bunsen Lake

Mexico

Cabo San Lucas
Laguna del Tule, Melaque
Playa Condesa, Acapulco
Punta Zicatela

Brazil

Sununga, Brazil

Portugal

Espinho
Esmoriz
Figueira da Foz
Praia do Meco
Santa Cruz
S. Pedro do Estoril
Sesimbra
Faro

Spain

Gavà, Barcelona
Faro de Trafalgar, Cadiz

France

La Perroche
La Malaiguille, Oléron Island
Hossegor
Cap Ferret

United Kingdom

Torcarne Beach, Cornwall
Mother Ivey's, Cornwall
Challaborough Bay, Devon
Preston Beach, Devon

Netherlands

Oostvoornse Meer

Poland

Gdansk

Angola

Cabo Ledo

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