Amazing review, Mark. So well done. And I LOVE that your skills are so developed and diverse so you can give people such a complete picture of a system’s capabilities and limitations. Can’t wait for you to put out more reviews.
Your comment about how this model has a smaller wheelbase than expected for the deck length is what inspired the nose manual and the nollie. I wondered "What IS the point of that big nose, it isn't like somebody is going to nollie this boa...🤔".
Those are the knees of a man who doesn't fall. Barefoot too. But I see that you do fall, but well. Alright. BTW, the physics of concave is such that it radically affects stiffness, which is intuitive, if you think of bending a sheet of paper. You can hold it out without sagging. Also, stiffness of a board increases to the third power of its thickness, so a half inch thick board will be quite a bit stiffer than a 7/16." Also it decreases to the third power of length, all things being equal---material, width etc. Stay rad.
Been looking forward to this review! I'm still in shock over the nollies... I never thought that'd be possible with those sensitive front trucks, cool to see you pushing boundaries and inspiring the rest of us.
Thank you Beth! It shocked me when I tried the nollie and it worked! It was all thanks to Steve from SurfSkateLove mentioning that this board has a smaller wheelbase than expected for the deck length so I wondered "What IS the point of that big nose, it isn't like somebody is going to nollie this boa...🤔"
Perfect work. You did your research, but yet it's explained heartwarmingly and passionate. I did not know whether to take the YOW in my local store. Sure thing I test it anyways in the store, but from this point it's clear YES. Thank you.
Thanks so much Russ, if you are having fun on your board and continually pushing to get better, you are shredding in my evaluation system! I’ve met some really skilled people who don’t qualify
Bought a YOW Christenson for £290 in the UK. The Meraki blew me away after using a CX truck. I absolutely hated the deck and swapped that out for a Soulboardiy with nice concave. The designs are all awful and tacky looking in my opinion. Had a squeaking spring which needed some lube and was a quick fix.
Hey, Christenson is a legendary board shaper and YOW is a well-respected brand, so I'm really curious what your thoughts were on the deck. What didn't you like and why? And what is Soulboardiy's selling point for you, versus YOW? I have a YOW currently but am considering buying another so friends could surfskate with me and buy their own if they like them enough. Also, what blew you away about Meraki vs the Carver trucks, which are still well-respected? Shred Shack indicated a difference in feel and preference, but Mark and others lean towards it being superior. I only have a Landyachtz "surfskate" which doesn't stack up at all to my YOW, so opinions of others with experience with multiple boards (trucks especially), would be really valuable to me.
Excellent review! Very informative. I was leaning towards buying a YOW surfskate and your review has helped me decide. Good thing I am from Europe so it makes it easier to get one :)
That surf skate love dude mentioned the YOW trucks are prone to having the spring break in them. I have a YOW Kontiki and have been shredding bowls, but not really airing out because of it
I am babying it a little compared to my other boards, partially for that reason, but I also live by the motto that you shouldn't buy something if you don't plan on using it!
I also have the Kontiki, which is now the pick of my quiver, but only ride on smooth roads to cruise, carve and snap. What are your thoughts on the stock wheels and the deck? And how do you like it compared to your other boards?
@@santiagopeschiera1743 nice! I prefer to use the board for just the park or carving downhill. I like my Boosted or Penny Board for commutes. The stock wheels are really nice imo. A lot of people prefer hard wheels for sliding, but I can slide just fine with how the truck just swivels. I learned to speed check/power slide on this thing and it’s been great. What do you think of the stock wheels? I like this board the most right now. It’s the funnest thing ever learning how to carve a bowl and grind coping on a quarter pipe for the first time on these things. How do you feel about the board overall?
@@BetterWithAir Sweet! I only started 2 mo ago, switching from my Landyachtz drop-through longboards, Turbo Dinghy and a "surfskate" that's really a surfy cruiser. The YOW is on another level. Like Mark says, the concave is slight but the width and length of the board give me stability. I can slide and snap well but it still has good grip. I'll stick with stock wheels. The wheelbase is about right for me too, as well as the length, since I'm 5'10 165lbs/75kgs and I won't be carving too tightly now, but would be curious to try a slightly shorter deck with a slightly narrower wheelbase *later* on when I want to carve tighter and more responsiveness. I even bought my friend who moved to TN (and is now a landlocked surfer like Mark!) a YOW Christenson and he could not be happier. Glad to have found others on here who are also enjoying the Meraki trucks. Do you have other surfskates to compare it to? Thanks to this video review, Shane Lai's, Shred Shack's and Surfskate Love's, I don't know that I'll ever buy another. Should I? Thoughts?
@Santiago Peschiera Solid. I started about a month and a half ago, but I'm currently recovering from a sprained calf, so I'll be out for a while. Transitioning from a longboard has to be kind of a leap, no? I really wish the board had concave, but the width of the board was really nice. Its flat as hell. That's my only real nitpicky concern. That's awesome! Hopefully your friend appreciated the gift. I feel that that gives them good exposure to this niche of skateboarding because it's so overlooked but I feel confident with it being here to stay because of how much it's grown at a sustainable rate (unlike those hover board gimmicks). I don't have any other surfskates. This is my first one and it is unlike any of the other skateboards I own. It's truly unique and helps you unlock a one of a kind feel with carving that you didn't know you'd like
Mark you really make me frustrated as I still did not have a chance to ride my Pukas. Good thing is that as I’m progressing with my skills I’ll enjoy yow far more once I finally get it. Awesome review as usual. I really like that you can show a complete picture of the meraki system. Cannot wait for a swelltech turn 🤙🏻
Great review! So much useful information. There seems to be a consensus growing about YOW being the ultimate do-it-all surfskate, but your review offers a bit more insight. I started following you after your Oxelo 540 review, which helped me to pull the trigger on it. After getting it, many times, I have suffered from major FOMO, after seeing how highly regarded the YOW and SS systems are. However, I feel that in the surfskate market, there still isn't a single do-it-all offering. I like to skate on flat ground to improve my skills and to work out. I have started going to skateparks and intend to go more often. In my opinion, the best solution is to buy a surfskate truck system (YOW or Carver) and pair it with a cruiser deck from a brand that offers what you are looking for in terms of length, width, wheelbase and concave. For this reason, I am glad I did not pull the trigger on YOW or SS. Your surfskate journey has been similar, as you have played around with different combinations of trucks and decks. Surfskatelove seems to agree, as he uses a Soulboardiy deck with Meraki trucks. I have already done a ton of research. If you build your own set-up, it will cost roughly the same as a YOW or SS, but you get the added benefit of picking your components to suit your needs and your style. Thank you for sharing your journey and for adding information to the growing surfskate databank.
The interesting part is that you never know for sure until you try something out. What clicks for me might not for someone else so it is great that there are a variety of perspectives and reviews out there that I can add to. Thanks for watching!
Hey Mark, I was in the same situation as you. As a Canadian, from Toronto, surfskates, are hard to come by. There are some stores that sell Carver but they are wildly over priced. I bought a YOW Holeshot on line. And yeah, shipping from Denmark was pricey. But I love it. I wished that I had a "cheaper" Surfskate to learn on and thrash up. But I went for YOW. I love it. Im planning to get a Carver soon. And hopefully a Smoothstar eventually. Love you stuff , dude.
I’m planning a skatepark tour in TO at some point in the summer. Check out My IG @surfskateottawa to stay updated, no dates yet but would be cool to meet up with some of the Toronto surfskaters🤙🏽
@@MarktheLandlockedSurfer Hey Mark. These: SENSIVO Skateboard Deck Guards Protector, Excellent Edge Protection, Longboard, Boosted Board Nose Guard and Tail Guard, Durable Shock Absorbing Rubber Cover, Rubber Strip（Pack of 2） www.amazon.com/dp/B07WR37M8W/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_glt_i_G09DS6JZ67H5YE7KVSFQ I've only had them on for 4 weeks but they've held up well so far. I've dinged up all my other boards but when I took my YOW out of the box I was like "Not this one." LOL EDIT: @Mark the Landlocked Surfer UPDATE: Don't get them as they scratch the board! I peeled them back a little to see and noticed they had peeled off the art/paint on the bottom of the board. There must be a safer alternative out there. If I do, I'll post it here.
@@santiagopeschiera1743 Interesting, I do tend to bash the nose up at the skatepark, but I would worry about these dampening the pop for Ollie based tricks from the tail. Maybe I should consider some nose protection.
I have been riding the smoothstar holy toledo. after watching this video I went to try my friend's brand new Yow Shadow. First impression is the front truck is so stiff compared to my SS. it takes a lot more effort to pump or wiggle. The turning circle is much larger with the same pressure. it feels in between a regular skateboard and a surfskate. the SS is a more proper "thruster" that's much looser and more responsive.
@@MarktheLandlockedSurfer Update: I have got the Medina as well. It's looser than my friend's Shadow. I think the main difference is the bushing is firmer in the yow so there is more rebound when finishing the turn. Also it's less easy to fold the front wheels, giving me more confidence.
@@alexlj09 Thanks for the update - I will be trying a Smoothstar for the first time in the coming weeks so I'll get a chance to feel the difference in person which is always the best way to understand!
Fantastic review of the Meraki truck system. I totally agree with the strengths and drawbacks of the system. I am also glad to know that they don't slide well on the coping to avoid an unpleasant surprise. I also agree that they need to work on the concave, it seems that the Snappers is the only one with high concave but it is always out of stock. I got myself a Soulboardiy Adam Revolution that has a fantastic front pouch, but probably is to long for your taste. Cheers and keep up the great work!
Tried one of these today and absolutely loved it! Kind of a bummer that you can't 50-50 properly. I mostly skate a Santa Cruz reissue for transition, so I might still grab one!
You can! I made a follow up video on the adjustments you need to make to avoid hangups. Basically getting really backfoot heavy and using your front foot to just point. I'll throw the link up below.
Hey, I have sorted it out since and posted a follow up video. They grind find but you really need to keep your weight over the back trucks because the front trucks are so loose they can bottom out on the coping causing the sudden stops I experienced.
Was lucky to score an unused Meraki on an auction here in Japan -- they are as rare as hens teeth! Got a Soulboardiy Adam on order so can't wait to pair the two. Thanks for your review!
Great video! I’m about 1h30 from Toronto in the Niagara region, but I found a Toronto based shop called Ontario Surf that does appear to have some Yow in stock.
Yes, since I posted this video SurfOntario have started carrying them and their shipping is crazy fast! I bought a YOW Snappers from them since and it came the next day. @SurfOntario
@@MarktheLandlockedSurfer amazing, I'll definitely have to check them out. Looking to buy my first board (bad timing now since we're heading into off season).
Thank you Mark, great video as usual. I got a Yow a few weeks ago, my first skate in three decades, and got hooked right away, making a fool of myself among all the kids in the skate park. Then I bought a 'Giraffe' so I don't have to take turns with my son at the skatepark. Having nothing else to compare it to, I thought this is sooo much like surfing, I must try other boards in case they are even better. Your review has saved me a lot of money - no need to try out anything else it seems! The guys in my favourite surf shop said they tried them all, and they are no longer stocking any other brands of surfskates, because the YOW Meraki's are the best. Seem like they were right and I'm glad I spent the money. Question: Do you find it harder to drop in with the Giraffe? I have not progressed to dropping in yet, but learning it on sloped ramps seems much harder on the giraffe than on my other YOW. The giraffe does not sit stable when I stand on the tail, it wants to tip over to either side. And on a coping at the bowl, the truck touches the coping and the wheels hang free in the air, making is super wobbly. Any tips on how to learn to drop in with the giraffe?
I can’t count out the others that I haven’t tried, so my perfect unicorn board might still be waiting for me somewhere. I’ve only just tried dropping in yesterday on the small miniramp and it seemed to go okay but that ramp has a really mellow transition. I did jackknife it once so I am a bit hesitant to try it on the 5 foot concrete bowl just yet. Not sure that I have advice to give at this point but I will make note of this as maybe a future video idea once I’ve got it dialed in.
@@MarktheLandlockedSurfer Replying so I will get an update once you know. I'm considering getting the Giraffe, but would like to drop in with it as well and was wondering about this too.
@@DJMixomnia It drops in fine. It is a little discomforting initially because it is very nose heavy and the profile of the tail kick is not very steep. So when you lock on it is already drooping down into the bowl a bit. But you get used to it.
@@VoodooBossanova I’m not sure. If you still have some muscle memory about riding a regular skateboard, I think you’d be fine jumping right to this. For those who have never been on a skateboard and don’t know how to kick push, it could be a hard initial learning curve, but you could always use a regular skateboard to learn the basics like pushing and stopping and rolling, and then move to the YOW. I think the YOW makes pumping easier once you are comfortable with the basics compared to some of the more stable boards, so even though the first week might be tougher, I think you could progress faster.
Hi, thank you for this presentation, it's been 6 weeks since I ordered the same board to help me improve my surfing, as the wave season is coming to an end. Your video reassured me anyway because I was a little worried about my choice. But I see that there are positive points which should correspond to me ... Thank you very much!
I am so happy with my SmoothStar #77 Toledo. Had it for over 5 weeks now. Prior to putting my name on a shop’s waiting list (only 1 week wait - good timing), that shop had a YOW Medina on display. Next day, it was sold. Having very limited money and lockdown causing a massive boom in sports equipment sales, anyone would be lucky to get any surf skateboard. There’s still something in the back of my mind wondering what YOW Medina be like as my first board? I should be grateful that I have a board.
I took time my umming and ahhing, it was only a chance visit to SmoothStar head office in Sydney, Australia. They let me have a try of #77 Toledo and I was convinced that would be the board for me.
Maybe this is just an Australian thing but I see many SmoothStar surf skateboards around. I see a few Carvers but I have only seen 1 YOW in the shop. I haven’t seen a YOW out and about. Maybe I will one day. I can’t afford to buy two surf skateboards. I really should buy another surfboard. I got a surf skateboard because I am landlocked due to injury. I miss surfing in the ocean.
One of the reason I choose SmoothStar over YOW is: all of my fav RUclips Surfers love SmoothStar. The other was availability. I have already visited SmoothStar office and they adjusted my board. Maybe it would be very different if I live in Spain for example. Most likely I would ride YOW instead.
I feel you - except in Canada I was maybe one of 5 people who even knew what a surfskate is before I started introducing others to the sport. There is nothing available to buy in stores here except the atrocious landyachtz ones. So I totally agree with you, it is a privilege to have any surfskate because once you experience it, you realize how lucky you are to have found it!
@@pokeypickle3 I live in the Sydney region. First board was the SmoothStar Manta Ray (brought from head office). Rode it about 14 months before I got the YOW Ghost. Love the SS Manta Ray but now find riding the YOW Ghost more within a skate park, particularly bowls for the past 2-3 weeks (focusing on bowl work to get more specific surf training). Yesterday took both the SS & Yow to the Curl Curl netball court area… found it really weird going back on the SS for the first time in nearly a month… the concave is much more than the YOW & takes a bit of getting reacquainted to the extra concave of the SS. Both very good boards… provide a good surfy ride… but have different traits that may take about 30-60 minutes to get fully reacquainted with. Next will be the Swelltech Banzai… which will be another learning curve from what I have seen/read.
A great review covering all the essential points honestly and as ever riding with full commitment. Thank You for all your time effort and financial investment and of course to your eternally patient and understanding partner. Peace Love & Skateboarding
Thank you so much for this excellent review! I’ve been surfing for 40 years as of this year but only recently started to try surf skates, going for a C7 set up but on a longer board. It’s 36 inches with a 24 inch wheelbase. Even though I surf short boards this feels more like surfing to me than the shorter wheelbase boards that come stock with most surfskates. Think I just like having a wider stance that’s more how my stance is on a surfboard. How do you think the Yow set up would perform on a longer wheelbase board like this? 90% street skating with focus on the surf carves.Thanks again for the awesome video!
YOW sell some more longboard styled completes that a lot of people love. I haven't tried them myself but I think you might just need a board with a longer wheelbase, not necessarily a larger board to accommodate your stance better. The Malibu would be similar to your current setup 36" and 23" but it might be worth trying one shorter because the YOW feel so much looser than the C7, it might still feel surfy at closer to 20". It is hard to know without trying though!
Hey Mark, great review ! I just got a Yow Meraki and starting surfskate, great feeling, can't wait to pull all these tricks... just need to work again and again :) By watching at the part where you talk about the grind issue, i thing I understand why it does not grind like your Carver does: the kingpin bolt of the Yow seems to stick out, so the grind bar gets in contact with the bolt, and not the truck bar. That could explain why it just "digs in" the grind bar and stops the board instead of sliding smoothly. Let me know if you see what i mean... but maybe i'm wrong ! cheers from France
Hey, I actually did figure it out later and it was the fact that the front trucks are so loose that when you get them on the coping they bottom out. I put out a follow up video here: ruclips.net/video/-NK71rGNEB4/видео.html
I've been looking to get my first surfskate, and I'm stuck between a yow meraki and a slide board. I'm leaning toward the slide for beginners, and I was wondering if you'd ever consider doing a review on a Slide board. Love the review! Thanks 🤙
I'd like to try a Slide board but I am tapped out for buying boards at this point! I am at 16 surfskates now. I contacted the company to see if they would send me one to review for the upcoming comparison video I am doing between the major surfskate companies but I didn't get a response. Maybe someday! I will say that most people who have tried the Meraki have been very satisfied.
Outstanding video Mark, top quality review. Have you tried a smoothstar? Curious as to how the two compare! Also who's the one nitwit that gave this video a thumbs down 🤨 Keep up the progress and epic videos Master Shredder🤙🏼
Thank you! I have in my possession a Smoothstar borrowed from @surfskatelove - I have 3 other boards I am riding to review in the meantime, wanted to save it for last. So soon there will be a comparison, put I haven't assembled it just yet! As for the dislike, hey, you can't please everyone. Though sometimes I suspect people just get a thrill out of being the first to do something different!
Thnx heaps Mark!! That was really helpful! About the grinding. Did you try waxing the trucks (or is this altogether a stupid suggestion?). Do you plan on doing a review of a smoothstar in the future? You don't have one in your quiver right? But you mention in a few videos that you have riden them. Keep on riding and inspiring us😉. Cheers
I looked in to that, some people do it, but I don’t think it would last more than one grind, and even when I managed to grind the flat bar with oodles of wax I was a bit worried about wax getting in and gumming up the bearings on either the wheels or the articulated arm. Also, I just filmed that flat bar part last minute and it got me thinking since: I think part of the issue is that on the coping with the board coming in on an angle causes the truck to turn and the inside of the wheel hits the coping or the concrete, dragging sideways and literally acting like a roller skate style brake pad. I’ve never ridden or seen a smoothstar, but I have ridden the knockoff, which I understand to be pretty close in feel. If I could get one I’d do a review, but even if willing to spend the money I think they are even harder to get here.
@@MarktheLandlockedSurfer hi Mark, that could be it. I ride a smoothstar and was curious about your opinion (I am way more beginner than you are) but the few grinds I have done were no problem whatsoever. The wheels on the smoothstar are 84A though. Thanks for all the info!
Nice review Mark, for ride in street I prefer the Slide truck, but I love Cx, I don't know why, but I can generate more speed with Cx trucks, that I can't with Mehaki or Slide. And estability Cx are more than the anothers I talk. My soon love ride Cx, but for me Slide 3.0 it is allround. Downside from Cx it is start from zero, but after it is a lot of fun. The Yow it is the easy to start from zero but for bigenners like me it is not very good.
Interesting your YOW stoops in the rails I think if you keep with it you’ll get it or maybe the coping I’m my local parks is nice and waxed. But I get longer 50/50s in the bowl on my YOW S5 then my carver C7.
I sorted it out later. C7s are more forgiving if you have your weight forward or centered. Really have to have your weight over the back trucks on the YOW.
Dear Mark, Now i guess you've tested Yow Meraki trucks on different decks and wheelbases, for your bowl riding expert practice, what is your favorite wheelbase with those trucks ? Thanks for the great content.
For me, I like 17". Larger ones like the 18.5" Pipe my wife uses still work well for finding lines in the bowl, but I find it harder to get the weight shift right for snaps.
@@MarktheLandlockedSurfer Thanks Mark, curious to test it from 17 to 19 WB (on a Soulboardiy Meda with 17-18-19 options) and looks forward Yow Snappers for the high concave (17 WB only). I'm not skilled enough to snap on a surfskate in a bowl, so as first approach i would be certainly more about 18 WB mini (i like Slide V3 trucks in 18 or 19 on the Meda), but i guess as far the level increases in bowl, the tentation to shorter the WB could come. I've quickly tested a Yow Pipe 32 (WB 18,5) in pumptrack and it was surprisingly easy to go on. Always a pleasure to follow your videos.
By chance, have you tried the YOW lakey peak board before? If so, how would you compare the feel of the lakey peak to actual surfing? And how would you compare those trucks to the Meraki?
Hey Chris, sorry I missed this earlier. I haven't tried it, but the Lakey Peaks are available with the Meraki trucks, so it would carve somewhat similar. If I recall correctly it has a flatter profile and longer wheelbase so it might feel more flowy and less snappy than the Meraki.
Mark, Unfortunately, not so much a yow system related topic, but how much have to experimented with different durometers (ie. softer, a la 85a) on your CX system? I've only ever ridden a CX set up, but found adjusting the bushings to a softer setting (85a front, 87a rear) have really given me the carvy surf/smooth feeling I was looking for, but still being able to ride aggressively with confidence. You probably have toyed around with bushing adjustments and still thinking yow meraki's are superior feel in this department. What say you? A custom CX set up still gives me vibes of best of both worlds, especially with a 1 board "quiver"...p.s. eyeing a Soulboardiy Carbonyx as a future purchase... interesting to see the yow deck with as much torsional flex as we saw here. How'd you enjoy the torsional flex? Did it add value to your ride experience? And if so, how would you best describe that feeling? Keep ripping! Thanks.
I'm starting to test out different CX bushings and plan to experiment a little more this season. As for the torsional flex, I didn't love it but I think that is a personal thing with a skate background. That kind of flex was a sign of a soggy board that lost its pop in my street skating days.
I had to get a shot Vodka and Red Bull before I pressed play for this one. And Wow...Respect!!!! You didn't hold back on the abuse being its new and it took 6 week to arive. I really didn't expect the madness to be this early but you did it anyways. I can only imagine If that Giraffe could talk!! Other then that you made it look good in the bowl aside from not being able to grind with it. Your flow seems to be smoother with the Yow in the bowl but you did say you had to dial it down a bit.The boards concave seems to not affect your riding style. Do you think the metal material they use can withstand that style of skating? Also the spring system how did that do? Mark, this was awesome review on the Yow and I hope you can review the durability Meraki in the future. Love all your Video's my friend!!!
Thanks for the kind words Noel, I always appreciate your enthusiasm when I get a new video posted! I did feel great in the bowl on this aside from not being able to grind. I didn’t get a chance to use it on the big vert wall at the indoor skatepark where I really need the concave at full stretch on a vertical wall - it was closed to to Covid lockdowns. But the times I tried in the big outdoor bowl (not on film) it was definitely harder to stay in control of the board, but otherwise it was fine without the mellow concave, though I felt a little lost with my footing, I always have to look rather than feel, maybe because it is still relatively new. No issues with the springs, and I do wonder how the trucks will hold up long term with my style of riding. I messaged YOW and some of their pro riders who also do airs to see how long theirs last under that kind of use, but no responses received.
@@MarktheLandlockedSurfer Hey mark, that was an excellent review and I really want a Meraki (and looking hard at the yow x pukas rvsh). The only thing I'm concerned about is the degree of concave in the Yow boards. I will mostly ride small bowls, without grinding, but coming from a standard street skateboard I really do like some concave to feel where I am on the board. Do you think maybe some other Yow is better, or should I go with a different surfskate altogether? Aside from the grinds, and ollies, it would be my dream to carve around like you are doing in this vid, and it's really selling the Meraki to me. Sick stuff! Any other recommendations I should look at?
@@dash9655 Tough call Dash. If you aren't going to be doing grinds or airs, I would absolutely recommend the YOW for all around performance. I 100% agree with you about being able to feel where you are on the board, and the reason I like a lot of concave is specifically when I am doing airs, grinds, and slides. Aside from that your feet are going to stay planted where you set them at the start of your run for the most part. For bowl riding, I don't find that the Meraki trucks offer a huge advantage over C7s, or CX for just carving, but when you take them to flat land that is where you'll get a better experience in my view. So maybe worth buying the Pukas x Yow and if you don't like the deck, I'm sure you will like the trucks and could swap the deck for something different.
@@MarktheLandlockedSurfer Awesome, thanks a lot. I've placed my order now :) My local park has a few nice bowls, and quite a lot of flat, so I am optimistic its the right board for me :)
@@MarktheLandlockedSurfer yey, my yow arrived today :) good shipping here in sweden :p Too bad I rolled my ankle yesterday and need a few days to recover first!
Hmm that is a good question. I feel like the deep lean of the YOW is more extreme than you’d usually get on the snow on a typical hill. But if you are a master slalom carver or ride a lot of powder maybe you’d favour the YOW and the feeling of getting right on edge.
Hey great review! Fellow landlocked surfer here based on London UK. Not sure if you mentioned it in the review maybe I missed it, just wondering how these new design trucks compare to the old yow trucks, are they much improved? is the different worth me shelling out for a new setup? Awesome channel, thanks man!
I haven't tried them, but my understanding was that the S4 trucks are a bit heavier and that the spring is softer so there is less rebound back to center. They still sell them, but they are marketed as "grom series" for kids and lighter riders. Again this is only what I have read though.
Hey Mark Really nice video again. I m ridding a Yow christenson hole shot with a deck much more skate park friendly, but i found all what you said to be really accurate If you were not overseas I d love to have a ride with you !
as a guitarist we never have one guitar, we have mentality buy as many as u can afford each has its own flavor...Boards r no different! buy as many as u can
I have been looking at the Yow for a surf trainer/ cruiser. But a couple of hours before seeing your review I bought a Slide Gussie Avalanche 31. But from seeing your review I not sure if I got the right board. Have you ridden a Slide? Cheers Martyn from UK.
That is a review. Let me fly see if there are others !. One question if I may. You never mention smoothstar surfskate. How does it compare to them ? Cheers and thanks.
Hi Mark, thanks for the informative video :) Could you give a yow surf skate recommendation, please? I have only theory to go by in my decision. I plan to buy as first surf skate a YOW and try to decide between: YOW Teahupoo (34/10/19), X Pyzel Ghost (33,5/10/20), possibly other like Pukas or smaller. I am open for other recommendations. I look for some concave, so medium at least. The Amatriain is also in this size range, but is advertised as lower than medium concave (performance). I am 1,78m (5'1) tall and 95 kg (heavy), 44 yrs., stance short of 17, not very sporty/flexible :) Wanting to use the board mostly for short - medium distance cruising, for fun, and playful flowy surfing on the flat pathways and yard around our house. No bowls or pipes, possibly at some point concrete wave park. Having almost no boarding (surf/skate) experience, it seems logic that I initially feel more comfortable on a long stable board, but I want to think also ahead, for when I am used to surf skating and not buy a second board after a year. Alternative boards I looked at: Pukas (34,5/9,858/20) which is the only one I could try, found it great (!), but for my size possibly a bit long so not ideal (?) I had no praxis comparison. Medina or Artiz shorter boards with 19 WB. Love! the shape, wide tail and front of the FANNING FALCON, but it's a lot shorter (32,5/10/18,5) or the old ARICA with 34/10,5/19,5, but it has only performance concave (besides if I could still find it in a shop).
Tough call. Most people who try it fall in love with surfskating, so your first board usually isn't your last. For just pumping on flat ground, I do enjoy longer wheelbases, and if you have no prior skate experience, I think the ones you identified should be a good fit. Little things like the shape and concave are more important as you become more experienced and feel what you like. I learned on 3 of the worst boards possible on paper, so you will adapt with any of the models you've cited. I would stay over 18" wb as the main thing given your size, experience, and riding goals. Have fun!
YOW Meraki's axis is 2 inches more than other brands, if your stance width is 17, you should go for a YOW of 19. The range that is worth for you in YOW to not have wheelbite would be between 18-20. 18 for tighter and more aggressive turns, 20 for flow and cruising. I would go for a 19, virtue is in the middle ground. A YOW of 19 is equivalent to a Carver's 17. Greetings.
Hi, Mark and thanks so much for your videos. They are really helpful. I own a craver super surfer with CX which I love for bowl and pumptrack but which is also a bit too long for me (I m 163 cm talk, 54 kg). I also wanted to get a surfier system, like the smoothstar and yow meraki for more flat land carving. Given I’m in Spain I’m kinda inclined to opt for a yow meraki, which one would you recommend? Many thanks in advance
I haven’t tried the new smoothstar thruster d system, and it addresses one of the main issues of the old one, which is how far back it offsets the front axle meaning you need a longer deck to get the same wheelbase. But I do think that both YOW and Smoothstar make excellent trucks with a surfy flow and you would be happy with either. In Spain I think there are some shops where you can try demo boards and I think finding the right deck would be the most important deciding factor. YOW have a lot more options with differences in wheelbase and concave and shape than smoothstar does. Check out the surfskate selector tool on surfskate.love/surfskate-selector to get an idea as a starting point of some ideal choices for your size and riding style aspirations.
Thanks for this review! I was about to get the Medina camo, but it's now out of stock... I am tempted to get a La Santa 33 instead. Any chance you know how that compares? it would be mainly to learn riding bowls
From the specs it looks very similar, maybe just half an inch trimmed off the nose, so this would probably be a good choice, but I have only ridden the Medina Camo from the YOW series.
Hi Mark. Awesome review. Question for you. I am just interested in intermediate bowl riding for the flow. Currently riding an old school hosoi hammerhead double kick with modern concave and cx trucks - but am interested in this board for more flow and maybe some sharper turns. I don’t really do any tricks as over 50. What do you think? Thank you.
It has a different feel than CX trucks in the bowl, and I think it does flow well and let you turn sharper without kickturning, but if primarily interested in getting it for riding bowls, I don't know if it has a huge edge aside from if you just want to try something with a looser feel, and honestly nothing wrong with wanting that. Pumping and Carving on flatland is where it really outperforms CX in my view or if you have a skatepark layout where you need to pump to keep your speed between features.
@@MarktheLandlockedSurfer Dude this is perfect , thanks for the info & I cant wait to surf with this camera !! thanks & great videos dude keep surfskaiting to surf .
Hej Mark, Thanks so much for a great review. I really like your attention to details . I am planning on buying a Yow Snappers and would like to know what the axle distance is on the Medina is since it is listed as having the same 17 in. as the Snappers wheelbase. The axle distance is more accurate because wheelbase for skateboards is measured from bolt to bolt which doesn't really help me because wheelbase for skateboards and axle distance don't match up from company to company. Could you please help me with this. I also hope that you will one day do a review on aftermarket bushings for Carver CX type trucks as these are very popular here in Europe. These are what I am using at the time. Thanks so much for your help. Keep coming out with the great reviews. Best regards, Hayward from Denmark
Which YOW would you recommend for a 6’3 lean build guy? I am new to surfskate coming from longboarding and would love to just go for a fast pump and carve session. Not really near bowls that often though. Thanks!
I’ve tried the yow pipe from a friend and I loved it. It’s on the heavy side bit it’s awesome. I want to buy a yow (im in France pretty cheap). But I can’t get to know which one I want to buy… which one would you tell me to go one for? I’m looking for a around 32 ´´ good for on flat and in the park. The Medina looks awesome but I wonder if it’s not too long. (I’m 6feet and about 150 pounds). Thanks !
Length of the board itself isn’t a huge factor, I have surfskates between 29” and 44” in length. How the wheelbase works with your stance is the biggest factor. SurfSkate Love put together a really good tool that can help find the options that would suit your stance and riding style from all the major companies, I think it is like $10 but he let me sample it and it seems very useful if you are starting out and deciding on your first purchase. They Yow pipe is a really fun board on flatland, but in the park it isn’t as good as the Medina or Snappers because of the very flat profile, swallowtail, and lack of concave.
Really good review. Got the YOW Mundaka and really like it although a little small for me. Curious to see if this deck would go well with the Carver CX or C7s on it! What would you say?
I think it depends on your stance, I do tend to like smaller wheelbases, and this works well because the meraki sets back the axel to axel distance. If you like a longer wheelbase this deck paired with Carver could be okay.
Which surfskate trucks do you think would be better for a heavier rider? C7 or Yow? I’m 6’7, 240lbs. Have intermediate surfing background, beginner skate background.
I can only give you my best estimate, but while I think that YOW offers a closer to surfing feel, their trucks are not "tunable". They have one spring tension level for the s5 series. Carver C7 and CX can be tightened to accommodate taller heavier riders who might be putting more force into the same carves. If it were me, I might start with a Carver and target a YOW once I have gotten a bit better and more light footed in my abilities.
Hey Mark, always appreciate your videos. I'm wondering, do you still feel the same way about the YOW trucks ? reason I ask, I've had a C7 for a few years but finding it less suitable for what I like to do, carve, rail to rail, technical turns and surfing moves. I am about 69Kgs and 5ft, 9inch. so I've been watching endless videos on Smoothstar and YOW, as they seem to have a better turning and truck system for this style of riding and my weight (C7 constantly comes loose(bolt becomes disengaged) as I like it loose). The new 32.5 Felipe Smoothstar seems to be perfect but before I make the plunge I thought I'd ask an expert... Yours In Surfskating -Ricky
I think you would be happy with either YOW or Smoothstar if looking for that surfy rail to raill flow, but I would also consider Swelltech. I think Carver are great all-around surfskate trucks but these 3 have more of a deep lean carve.
thank you for your great reviews... I own a yow with the traditional V4 S5 truck system ( with indy 149). Feels great in bowl and mini ramp. It's good to know, that you have to lean back for grinding the coping, I only 5-0 the coping, never tried a 50-50... I am just learning to skate and feel somehow more safe on a surfskate than on a skateboard. one question, what skatedeck are you using in this video for the Carver C5 truck-set? I am just searching a deck for my C5 but dont know wich one to choose. My wheels are bones spf 84b 58mm that I want to use with it. Thank's in advance. Happy surf-skating
It is a Sector 9 sessions deck - It is the board that fuelled my progression, but I recently upgraded to a board that is similar in shape but a little wider and love that even more, it is the one I am using in some of the recent vlogs. The deck is a darkroom 9.38 balled up which works like a dream.
thank you for your reply. 9.38 feels like to wide for regular hard wheels on a 8.5 truck. I am searching something in the 8.5 to 8.75 range an I think I have to redrill the deck for the front truck to bring it about to the wheelbase of a regular front truck.
Hi Mark! Here's a specific carve grind question. I finally bought the C5 trucks and I really like them but..... To my surprise the kingpin on the front truck sticks so far out that it's more or less level with the hanger. If I do a carve grind (or simulate this by picking up the board and sliding it over the coping) I can see the kingpin making contact with the coping. Have you noticed this as well? And do you have a solution? Because in this vid you carve grind them like a boss😉
Mine are old, and I saw some of the newer models look like a different design, but I didn't realize the kingpin issue was that bad, kind of defeats the whole purpose! But good news... @surfskatelove do you still have the videos of you reversing your C5 kingpins?
@@MarktheLandlockedSurfer hi Mark thnx for the great answer. I it's just like you said; I was flabbergasted when I found out because the C5 is promoted for hybrid skating. @surfskatelove being able to reverse the kingpin would be a lifesaver
@@SunriseSessions Alright, I have been doing some digging to figure this out... And it has completely changed my perception of reality. I bought my Bureo boards second hand and they were sold to me as having C5 trucks, the seller even posted a link to the website that listed the boards as coming with C5's. But I have found out that for a brief time, Bureo's came stock with and extremely uncommon proto-C5 truck called the CX5 mini!!!! That is what I have on two of my boards. And now I am freaked out that I will never be able to find replacements for these trucks I love!
@@MarktheLandlockedSurfer no way that is really unexpected. And I really see why you like them. Just going around a bowl they create so much speed but why oh why would they design it with the kingpin like that. I was thinking of doing it like @john bishop when he reviewed them but it seems like such a shame to have to that
@@SunriseSessions I am still shook... Do I take down my other video? Edit it? What happens if I ruin these ones and can't get replacements? I'll need to try the proper new C5's sometime soon and then decide if it is different enough to warrant drastic measures.
Hi, really nice review.Im pretty new on this and Im looking for a new board, what brand and trucks do you recomend? C7, cx, miraki? Thanks and regards.
There is a time and place for all of those, but right now, this would be my favourite all-around board so if it is a while before getting into grinds and big air, I think you'd be happy with Meraki.
@Mark the Landlocked Surfer What's your height? I'm considering buying a Yow Arica as my first surfskate and curious how height relates to the wheelbase and comfort. You seem to be super comfy on that thing and look about the same height as me. I've also been torn between a Yow with Meraki trucks or a Carver with C7, which would you say is best for surf training? I'll mostly be riding in the street and doing flatland/small hills carving and maneuvers on days I'm not able to surf (hopefully find a bowl to ride occasionally too).
I am 6ft. I like Meraki and C7 but the deep lean and snappy rebound of the meraki feels closer to surfing for me. C7 better for grinding on coping or riding fakie.
@@MarktheLandlockedSurfer Thanks for the response, it's very helpful to have your opinion! I'm curious, have you had experience with the Arica or Snappers? They're both on sale this weekend and having a hard time deciding between the two, would love your opinion, thanks!
It works just fine as long as you keep your front foot behind the bolts. I’ve dropped in up to 9 foot tall bowls on it and it works great. When I was first learning on small ramps I had one jackknife incident because my foot was too far forward and I was off balance.
No, I actually find this one of the best boards for it. Because the wheelbase is shorter and the front trucks are set further back from the nose of the deck, it makes it really easy to take your weight off the back wheels when you initiate your snaps. I find it takes a lot more effort on boards with a longer wheelbase where the front trucks are pushed right to the front of the deck.
Hello I hope you don’t mind me asking but how tall are you? I am looking at the YOW Kontiki 34 which looks almost the same but a 34. Same WB of 17. I am 6‘1“ and could shed a few pounds lol. I currently ride a Yow Malibu 36 WB23. Would you say this is ok for an intermediate rider of my high? I am looking for a smaller board for learning ramps, bowls and carving shaper. Thanks
Hey, no problem, I am 6 foot and the Kontiki looks like a great choice in my opinion. I am going to be getting a new one soon and was torn between the Kontiki and the Christensen Skalle.
@@MarktheLandlockedSurfer Thank you that’s great i was also looking at the J bay 33 WB19. But was unsure if a WB of 17 would be to twitchy for me. There are a few in the sale in the Uk at the moment, so a good time to pick one up.
I didn’t mind it, even though I would have preferred more concave, but I did snap it in half on a pretty small 3 stair Ollie! They are on my qwik truks now so I can use them on my Whitetail Tigershark deck.
I’m actually an old guy 54, my son started skating two years ago and I couldn’t help but join in. I’m very comfortable in the skate park now in the bowls and absolutely love it. Lots of fear initially but I made it. Now I’m looking for some Carver trucks to do parking lot stuff and out in front of the house so I can get my fix when I don’t have time to go to the skate park. I’m kind of between these yow trucks and the carvers probably the C7 I like wider boards and 215 trucks to the skate park. The yows are almost $100 more than the carvers. They look really nice and better than their C sevens. What do you think?
I've just ordered mine! I've been learning surfskating on a cheap board (charger-x) and it's been really hard to get moving and it's a really short board so my stance is too wide for it, but I can pump with it now and I love it now I can actually get going. Kind of intimidated by the Yow because it's probably going to be so much looser but everyone seems to love them so I'm pretty sure this is the right decision. Also good note on the bolt placement because I totally use those for foot placement guide.
@@MarktheLandlockedSurfer yo I thought I'd update you, I went out on my yow for the first time yesterday and wow, I was so happy just cruising around on the flat. Easier to pump, can go from a standstill, can pump up hills, trucks are looser, can pump over bad surfaces, only negative is my front foot doesn't stay in place so well. 100% worth it, I'm already comfortable using my board to get around. Been watching some of your tutorials so I can start playing in the skate park too 💪
Height and weight are only part of the equation, I am 6 foot roughly but I have boards that range from 29" to 36" and they just have a different feel, kind of the way that I can ride a surfboard between 5'9 and 10 feet. Here is a useful resource that has some detail: www.surfskatewaves.com/how-to-choose-the-right-surfskate/
@@sarahaconn1 I haven't tried the Zflex but I have tried some setups with waterborne and I like them on flat ground but find them a bit heavy and cumbersome in the skatepark
It isn't quite wheelbite but effectively the same thing when the truck turns so far to the side that the wheel drags along the wall like a brake - I made another video about how I corrected for this soon after. Wheelbite, jackknifing, side wheel brake thing... Whatever it is, the key is that I learned how to correct for it, though this does still happen from time to time!
I think just as you wouldn't use a box cutter to carve a turkey you wouldn't use a dedicated surfskate in a bowl. After all, pumping in a bowl isn't the same as pumping in a carpark.
I am just going to guess you haven’t tried riding a surfskate in a bowl if this is how you feel. It is the ULTIMATE use of a surfskate, it is euphoric, and I highly highly recommend you check out my bowl riding on a surfskate tutorial and go try it! The sponsored skateboarders here watch me in the bowl on my surfskate and ask how I can ride so elegantly around the bowl. If a surfskate is the box cutter in your analogy, a regular skateboard is like carving a turkey with a spoon! I am serious, you need to try it!
@@MarktheLandlockedSurfer Ok, I will. The box cutter wasn't meant to be derogatory just vastly different to a carving knife. I'm currently a bit frustrated because I'm on crutches with a torn achilles tendon. I'll look forward to the experience in a few weeks/months depending on the recovery.
@@Hotwire_RCTrix No worries man, hope you heal up soon, Achilles injuries are really annoying and lengthy. Surfskates just hug the curves of the bowl so perfectly, it makes it feel like I am riding a brick when I try going back to a standard skateboard. Once you are healed up, give it a shot, you won’t regret it!
@@MarktheLandlockedSurfer yes, sir, there is an S4 option. Designed for lighter weight riders, but some rad riders, like yourself, might in theory find it a worthy ride. I'm taller and heavier (6'5" 200lbs), so it would be S5 for me... nevertheless, trying to gather as much info as I can before committing to a $$$ purchase like a YOW set up. Thanks for what you do, Mark. It's been quite informative getting to learn from you and the others out there like you.
Love the enthusiasm you have for my content and greatly appreciate your support! But between making RUclips content, teaching surfskate lessons, doing my 9-5 day job, and being a father of two amazing kids, I don't know if I am ready to open the door to global facetime conversations at this point. I am still trying to find that work-life balance! Thanks again for your support Andrei.
i was so happy with my Yow, till one day the fucking Spring broke inside the bowl, fuck it man, after watching the comparing the smooothstar spring and Yows, i decide to go fro safty. Smoothstar won't break the spring, the decks are much nicer for Yow, that's all
I rode my YOW exceptionally hard for 5 months as you will see in my upcoming movie “Unconventional” and it recently did start to encounter some issues. In my case I ripped the threads right out of the body of the adapter so my hardware wouldn’t screw in. I contacted them and showed them video of the issue and they are sending a replacement. Given that I was riding on rocky outcrops and doing bertslides on unfinished granite bedrock, ollies down staircases, enormous full speed slides in the skatepark, I was impressed with how long it lasted before encountering this issue. I am riding a Smoothstar now, but it is borrowed so I am treating it a little more gingerly and it may not be a fair comparison.
YOW complete and trucks only are now available at Rollin Boutique in Montreal! shop.boutiquerollin.com/collections/surf-skate/products/yow-meraki-s5-system-pack-surf-skate-trucks
Amazing review, Mark. So well done. And I LOVE that your skills are so developed and diverse so you can give people such a complete picture of a system’s capabilities and limitations. Can’t wait for you to put out more reviews.
Your comment about how this model has a smaller wheelbase than expected for the deck length is what inspired the nose manual and the nollie. I wondered "What IS the point of that big nose, it isn't like somebody is going to nollie this boa...🤔".
@@MarktheLandlockedSurfer 🤣 LOL
Hi Mark. A great video all round mate. I am on the market for YOW myself. And I'm 5'7 in height. May I ask yours? Cheers man, Ro
Those are the knees of a man who doesn't fall. Barefoot too. But I see that you do fall, but well. Alright. BTW, the physics of concave is such that it radically affects stiffness, which is intuitive, if you think of bending a sheet of paper. You can hold it out without sagging. Also, stiffness of a board increases to the third power of its thickness, so a half inch thick board will be quite a bit stiffer than a 7/16." Also it decreases to the third power of length, all things being equal---material, width etc. Stay rad.
Been looking forward to this review! I'm still in shock over the nollies... I never thought that'd be possible with those sensitive front trucks, cool to see you pushing boundaries and inspiring the rest of us.
Thank you Beth! It shocked me when I tried the nollie and it worked! It was all thanks to Steve from SurfSkateLove mentioning that this board has a smaller wheelbase than expected for the deck length so I wondered "What IS the point of that big nose, it isn't like somebody is going to nollie this boa...🤔"
Perfect work. You did your research, but yet it's explained heartwarmingly and passionate. I did not know whether to take the YOW in my local store. Sure thing I test it anyways in the store, but from this point it's clear YES. Thank you.
Thanks, Mark. Watched your review and got myself a YOW as a first surfskate
Dude I felt your sonics when you were running to get your board!!!
Awesome review, Mark. I love my YOW Meraki setup as well although I have a long way to go to be shredding like you. Love your videos.
Thanks so much Russ, if you are having fun on your board and continually pushing to get better, you are shredding in my evaluation system! I’ve met some really skilled people who don’t qualify
Thanks for the review. It's nice to see a review from someone who rides it that hard :) Most people are just cruisin.
The YOW is awesome! I love riding on mine, taken up long rides as an exercise form. I go on 4km long rides, really fun!
Bought a YOW Christenson for £290 in the UK. The Meraki blew me away after using a CX truck.
I absolutely hated the deck and swapped that out for a Soulboardiy with nice concave. The designs are all awful and tacky looking in my opinion.
Had a squeaking spring which needed some lube and was a quick fix.
Hey, Christenson is a legendary board shaper and YOW is a well-respected brand, so I'm really curious what your thoughts were on the deck. What didn't you like and why? And what is Soulboardiy's selling point for you, versus YOW? I have a YOW currently but am considering buying another so friends could surfskate with me and buy their own if they like them enough.
Also, what blew you away about Meraki vs the Carver trucks, which are still well-respected? Shred Shack indicated a difference in feel and preference, but Mark and others lean towards it being superior. I only have a Landyachtz "surfskate" which doesn't stack up at all to my YOW, so opinions of others with experience with multiple boards (trucks especially), would be really valuable to me.
Excellent review! Very informative. I was leaning towards buying a YOW surfskate and your review has helped me decide. Good thing I am from Europe so it makes it easier to get one :)
That surf skate love dude mentioned the YOW trucks are prone to having the spring break in them. I have a YOW Kontiki and have been shredding bowls, but not really airing out because of it
I am babying it a little compared to my other boards, partially for that reason, but I also live by the motto that you shouldn't buy something if you don't plan on using it!
I also have the Kontiki, which is now the pick of my quiver, but only ride on smooth roads to cruise, carve and snap. What are your thoughts on the stock wheels and the deck? And how do you like it compared to your other boards?
@@santiagopeschiera1743 nice! I prefer to use the board for just the park or carving downhill. I like my Boosted or Penny Board for commutes.
The stock wheels are really nice imo. A lot of people prefer hard wheels for sliding, but I can slide just fine with how the truck just swivels. I learned to speed check/power slide on this thing and it’s been great. What do you think of the stock wheels?
I like this board the most right now. It’s the funnest thing ever learning how to carve a bowl and grind coping on a quarter pipe for the first time on these things.
How do you feel about the board overall?
@@BetterWithAir Sweet! I only started 2 mo ago, switching from my Landyachtz drop-through longboards, Turbo Dinghy and a "surfskate" that's really a surfy cruiser. The YOW is on another level. Like Mark says, the concave is slight but the width and length of the board give me stability. I can slide and snap well but it still has good grip. I'll stick with stock wheels. The wheelbase is about right for me too, as well as the length, since I'm 5'10 165lbs/75kgs and I won't be carving too tightly now, but would be curious to try a slightly shorter deck with a slightly narrower wheelbase *later* on when I want to carve tighter and more responsiveness. I even bought my friend who moved to TN (and is now a landlocked surfer like Mark!) a YOW Christenson and he could not be happier.
Glad to have found others on here who are also enjoying the Meraki trucks.
Do you have other surfskates to compare it to? Thanks to this video review, Shane Lai's, Shred Shack's and Surfskate Love's, I don't know that I'll ever buy another. Should I? Thoughts?
@Santiago Peschiera Solid. I started about a month and a half ago, but I'm currently recovering from a sprained calf, so I'll be out for a while. Transitioning from a longboard has to be kind of a leap, no?
I really wish the board had concave, but the width of the board was really nice. Its flat as hell. That's my only real nitpicky concern.
That's awesome! Hopefully your friend appreciated the gift. I feel that that gives them good exposure to this niche of skateboarding because it's so overlooked but I feel confident with it being here to stay because of how much it's grown at a sustainable rate (unlike those hover board gimmicks).
I don't have any other surfskates. This is my first one and it is unlike any of the other skateboards I own. It's truly unique and helps you unlock a one of a kind feel with carving that you didn't know you'd like
It is so funny that all intuitive motion lead to loose energy. Thanks for breaking it up. Will take some time I guess but that's the fun
Mark you really make me frustrated as I still did not have a chance to ride my Pukas. Good thing is that as I’m progressing with my skills I’ll enjoy yow far more once I finally get it. Awesome review as usual. I really like that you can show a complete picture of the meraki system. Cannot wait for a swelltech turn 🤙🏻
You've waited longer than me but at least you know it will be worth it by the time it arrives!
What a stunning review! 10/10 my friend.
Thank you!
Great review! So much useful information.
There seems to be a consensus growing about YOW being the ultimate do-it-all surfskate, but your review offers a bit more insight.
I started following you after your Oxelo 540 review, which helped me to pull the trigger on it. After getting it, many times, I have suffered from major FOMO, after seeing how highly regarded the YOW and SS systems are. However, I feel that in the surfskate market, there still isn't a single do-it-all offering. I like to skate on flat ground to improve my skills and to work out. I have started going to skateparks and intend to go more often.
In my opinion, the best solution is to buy a surfskate truck system (YOW or Carver) and pair it with a cruiser deck from a brand that offers what you are looking for in terms of length, width, wheelbase and concave. For this reason, I am glad I did not pull the trigger on YOW or SS.
Your surfskate journey has been similar, as you have played around with different combinations of trucks and decks. Surfskatelove seems to agree, as he uses a Soulboardiy deck with Meraki trucks.
I have already done a ton of research. If you build your own set-up, it will cost roughly the same as a YOW or SS, but you get the added benefit of picking your components to suit your needs and your style.
Thank you for sharing your journey and for adding information to the growing surfskate databank.
The interesting part is that you never know for sure until you try something out. What clicks for me might not for someone else so it is great that there are a variety of perspectives and reviews out there that I can add to. Thanks for watching!
Awesome review! Ordered mine a few days ago!
what an awesome park wish i had something like that over here
Awesome video.
We have been trying to get YOW into Canada for a while now, demand is high, stock is low and shipping is hard/expensive.
Hey Mark, I was in the same situation as you. As a Canadian, from Toronto, surfskates, are hard to come by. There are some stores that sell Carver but they are wildly over priced. I bought a YOW Holeshot on line. And yeah, shipping from Denmark was pricey. But I love it. I wished that I had a "cheaper" Surfskate to learn on and thrash up. But I went for YOW. I love it.
Im planning to get a Carver soon. And hopefully a Smoothstar eventually.
Love you stuff , dude.
I’m planning a skatepark tour in TO at some point in the summer. Check out My IG @surfskateottawa to stay updated, no dates yet but would be cool to meet up with some of the Toronto surfskaters🤙🏽
Get deck guards. After seeing how much nicer my YOW Kontiki deck was compared to my 4 other boards, it felt right.
@@santiagopeschiera1743 What kind did you get Santiago?
@@MarktheLandlockedSurfer Hey Mark. These:
SENSIVO Skateboard Deck Guards Protector, Excellent Edge Protection, Longboard, Boosted Board Nose Guard and Tail Guard, Durable Shock Absorbing Rubber Cover, Rubber Strip（Pack of 2） www.amazon.com/dp/B07WR37M8W/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_glt_i_G09DS6JZ67H5YE7KVSFQ
I've only had them on for 4 weeks but they've held up well so far. I've dinged up all my other boards but when I took my YOW out of the box I was like "Not this one." LOL
EDIT:
@Mark the Landlocked Surfer UPDATE: Don't get them as they scratch the board! I peeled them back a little to see and noticed they had peeled off the art/paint on the bottom of the board. There must be a safer alternative out there. If I do, I'll post it here.
@@santiagopeschiera1743 Interesting, I do tend to bash the nose up at the skatepark, but I would worry about these dampening the pop for Ollie based tricks from the tail. Maybe I should consider some nose protection.
If you live in Canada, Surf Ontario have some YOW skates in stock right now.
I have been riding the smoothstar holy toledo. after watching this video I went to try my friend's brand new Yow Shadow. First impression is the front truck is so stiff compared to my SS. it takes a lot more effort to pump or wiggle. The turning circle is much larger with the same pressure. it feels in between a regular skateboard and a surfskate. the SS is a more proper "thruster" that's much looser and more responsive.
Hopefully I can try one someday!
@@MarktheLandlockedSurfer Update: I have got the Medina as well. It's looser than my friend's Shadow. I think the main difference is the bushing is firmer in the yow so there is more rebound when finishing the turn. Also it's less easy to fold the front wheels, giving me more confidence.
@@alexlj09 Thanks for the update - I will be trying a Smoothstar for the first time in the coming weeks so I'll get a chance to feel the difference in person which is always the best way to understand!
Fantastic review of the Meraki truck system. I totally agree with the strengths and drawbacks of the system. I am also glad to know that they don't slide well on the coping to avoid an unpleasant surprise.
I also agree that they need to work on the concave, it seems that the Snappers is the only one with high concave but it is always out of stock. I got myself a Soulboardiy Adam Revolution that has a fantastic front pouch, but probably is to long for your taste. Cheers and keep up the great work!
Thanks so much!
Tried one of these today and absolutely loved it! Kind of a bummer that you can't 50-50 properly.
I mostly skate a Santa Cruz reissue for transition, so I might still grab one!
You can! I made a follow up video on the adjustments you need to make to avoid hangups. Basically getting really backfoot heavy and using your front foot to just point. I'll throw the link up below.
ruclips.net/video/-NK71rGNEB4/видео.html
Here is the video on how I learned to grind with it.
@@MarktheLandlockedSurfer Awesome! Thanks! :)
You could line the trucks with a piece of pipe or cutting board plastic.itwill glde.
Or grind blocks from inline world.
Hey, I have sorted it out since and posted a follow up video. They grind find but you really need to keep your weight over the back trucks because the front trucks are so loose they can bottom out on the coping causing the sudden stops I experienced.
Was lucky to score an unused Meraki on an auction here in Japan -- they are as rare as hens teeth!
Got a Soulboardiy Adam on order so can't wait to pair the two.
Thanks for your review!
Finally it arrvide . Nice review Mark.
Thanks for this nice review!!! Greatings from Germany
Great video! I’m about 1h30 from Toronto in the Niagara region, but I found a Toronto based shop called Ontario Surf that does appear to have some Yow in stock.
Yes, since I posted this video SurfOntario have started carrying them and their shipping is crazy fast! I bought a YOW Snappers from them since and it came the next day. @SurfOntario
@@MarktheLandlockedSurfer amazing, I'll definitely have to check them out. Looking to buy my first board (bad timing now since we're heading into off season).
Thank you Mark, great video as usual.
I got a Yow a few weeks ago, my first skate in three decades, and got hooked right away, making a fool of myself among all the kids in the skate park.
Then I bought a 'Giraffe' so I don't have to take turns with my son at the skatepark. Having nothing else to compare it to, I thought this is sooo much like surfing, I must try other boards in case they are even better. Your review has saved me a lot of money - no need to try out anything else it seems! The guys in my favourite surf shop said they tried them all, and they are no longer stocking any other brands of surfskates, because the YOW Meraki's are the best. Seem like they were right and I'm glad I spent the money.
Question: Do you find it harder to drop in with the Giraffe? I have not progressed to dropping in yet, but learning it on sloped ramps seems much harder on the giraffe than on my other YOW. The giraffe does not sit stable when I stand on the tail, it wants to tip over to either side. And on a coping at the bowl, the truck touches the coping and the wheels hang free in the air, making is super wobbly.
Any tips on how to learn to drop in with the giraffe?
I can’t count out the others that I haven’t tried, so my perfect unicorn board might still be waiting for me somewhere. I’ve only just tried dropping in yesterday on the small miniramp and it seemed to go okay but that ramp has a really mellow transition. I did jackknife it once so I am a bit hesitant to try it on the 5 foot concrete bowl just yet. Not sure that I have advice to give at this point but I will make note of this as maybe a future video idea once I’ve got it dialed in.
@@MarktheLandlockedSurfer Replying so I will get an update once you know. I'm considering getting the Giraffe, but would like to drop in with it as well and was wondering about this too.
@@DJMixomnia It drops in fine. It is a little discomforting initially because it is very nose heavy and the profile of the tail kick is not very steep. So when you lock on it is already drooping down into the bowl a bit. But you get used to it.
I’ve read newbies (someone that hasn’t ridden in a l o n g time) should NOT begin with one of these. Thoughts?
@@VoodooBossanova I’m not sure. If you still have some muscle memory about riding a regular skateboard, I think you’d be fine jumping right to this. For those who have never been on a skateboard and don’t know how to kick push, it could be a hard initial learning curve, but you could always use a regular skateboard to learn the basics like pushing and stopping and rolling, and then move to the YOW. I think the YOW makes pumping easier once you are comfortable with the basics compared to some of the more stable boards, so even though the first week might be tougher, I think you could progress faster.
Hi, thank you for this presentation, it's been 6 weeks since I ordered the same board to help me improve my surfing, as the wave season is coming to an end. Your video reassured me anyway because I was a little worried about my choice. But I see that there are positive points which should correspond to me ... Thank you very much!
Great to hear!
I am so happy with my SmoothStar #77 Toledo. Had it for over 5 weeks now. Prior to putting my name on a shop’s waiting list (only 1 week wait - good timing), that shop had a YOW Medina on display. Next day, it was sold. Having very limited money and lockdown causing a massive boom in sports equipment sales, anyone would be lucky to get any surf skateboard. There’s still something in the back of my mind wondering what YOW Medina be like as my first board? I should be grateful that I have a board.
I took time my umming and ahhing, it was only a chance visit to SmoothStar head office in Sydney, Australia. They let me have a try of #77 Toledo and I was convinced that would be the board for me.
Maybe this is just an Australian thing but I see many SmoothStar surf skateboards around. I see a few Carvers but I have only seen 1 YOW in the shop. I haven’t seen a YOW out and about. Maybe I will one day. I can’t afford to buy two surf skateboards. I really should buy another surfboard. I got a surf skateboard because I am landlocked due to injury. I miss surfing in the ocean.
One of the reason I choose SmoothStar over YOW is: all of my fav RUclips Surfers love SmoothStar. The other was availability. I have already visited SmoothStar office and they adjusted my board. Maybe it would be very different if I live in Spain for example. Most likely I would ride YOW instead.
I feel you - except in Canada I was maybe one of 5 people who even knew what a surfskate is before I started introducing others to the sport. There is nothing available to buy in stores here except the atrocious landyachtz ones. So I totally agree with you, it is a privilege to have any surfskate because once you experience it, you realize how lucky you are to have found it!
@@pokeypickle3 I live in the Sydney region. First board was the SmoothStar Manta Ray (brought from head office). Rode it about 14 months before I got the YOW Ghost. Love the SS Manta Ray but now find riding the YOW Ghost more within a skate park, particularly bowls for the past 2-3 weeks (focusing on bowl work to get more specific surf training). Yesterday took both the SS & Yow to the Curl Curl netball court area… found it really weird going back on the SS for the first time in nearly a month… the concave is much more than the YOW & takes a bit of getting reacquainted to the extra concave of the SS. Both very good boards… provide a good surfy ride… but have different traits that may take about 30-60 minutes to get fully reacquainted with.
Next will be the Swelltech Banzai… which will be another learning curve from what I have seen/read.
A great review covering all the essential points honestly and as ever riding with full commitment.
Thank You for all your time effort and financial investment and of course to your eternally patient and understanding partner.
Peace Love & Skateboarding
I read it to her and she was appreciative of the recognition for her largely unheralded but essential role in all this!
Thank you so much for this excellent review! I’ve been surfing for 40 years as of this year but only recently started to try surf skates, going for a C7 set up but on a longer board. It’s 36 inches with a 24 inch wheelbase. Even though I surf short boards this feels more like surfing to me than the shorter wheelbase boards that come stock with most surfskates. Think I just like having a wider stance that’s more how my stance is on a surfboard. How do you think the Yow set up would perform on a longer wheelbase board like this? 90% street skating with focus on the surf carves.Thanks again for the awesome video!
YOW sell some more longboard styled completes that a lot of people love. I haven't tried them myself but I think you might just need a board with a longer wheelbase, not necessarily a larger board to accommodate your stance better. The Malibu would be similar to your current setup 36" and 23" but it might be worth trying one shorter because the YOW feel so much looser than the C7, it might still feel surfy at closer to 20". It is hard to know without trying though!
Great vídeo and review 👏👏👏🙌
Thanks, super helpful review! :)
Hey Mark, great review ! I just got a Yow Meraki and starting surfskate, great feeling, can't wait to pull all these tricks... just need to work again and again :)
By watching at the part where you talk about the grind issue, i thing I understand why it does not grind like your Carver does: the kingpin bolt of the Yow seems to stick out, so the grind bar gets in contact with the bolt, and not the truck bar. That could explain why it just "digs in" the grind bar and stops the board instead of sliding smoothly. Let me know if you see what i mean... but maybe i'm wrong !
cheers from France
Hey, I actually did figure it out later and it was the fact that the front trucks are so loose that when you get them on the coping they bottom out. I put out a follow up video here: ruclips.net/video/-NK71rGNEB4/видео.html
I've been looking to get my first surfskate, and I'm stuck between a yow meraki and a slide board. I'm leaning toward the slide for beginners, and I was wondering if you'd ever consider doing a review on a Slide board. Love the review! Thanks 🤙
I'd like to try a Slide board but I am tapped out for buying boards at this point! I am at 16 surfskates now. I contacted the company to see if they would send me one to review for the upcoming comparison video I am doing between the major surfskate companies but I didn't get a response. Maybe someday! I will say that most people who have tried the Meraki have been very satisfied.
Outstanding video Mark, top quality review. Have you tried a smoothstar? Curious as to how the two compare! Also who's the one nitwit that gave this video a thumbs down 🤨
Keep up the progress and epic videos Master Shredder🤙🏼
Thank you! I have in my possession a Smoothstar borrowed from @surfskatelove - I have 3 other boards I am riding to review in the meantime, wanted to save it for last. So soon there will be a comparison, put I haven't assembled it just yet!
As for the dislike, hey, you can't please everyone. Though sometimes I suspect people just get a thrill out of being the first to do something different!
Thnx heaps Mark!! That was really helpful! About the grinding. Did you try waxing the trucks (or is this altogether a stupid suggestion?).
Do you plan on doing a review of a smoothstar in the future? You don't have one in your quiver right? But you mention in a few videos that you have riden them.
Keep on riding and inspiring us😉. Cheers
I looked in to that, some people do it, but I don’t think it would last more than one grind, and even when I managed to grind the flat bar with oodles of wax I was a bit worried about wax getting in and gumming up the bearings on either the wheels or the articulated arm. Also, I just filmed that flat bar part last minute and it got me thinking since: I think part of the issue is that on the coping with the board coming in on an angle causes the truck to turn and the inside of the wheel hits the coping or the concrete, dragging sideways and literally acting like a roller skate style brake pad.
I’ve never ridden or seen a smoothstar, but I have ridden the knockoff, which I understand to be pretty close in feel. If I could get one I’d do a review, but even if willing to spend the money I think they are even harder to get here.
@@MarktheLandlockedSurfer hi Mark, that could be it. I ride a smoothstar and was curious about your opinion (I am way more beginner than you are) but the few grinds I have done were no problem whatsoever. The wheels on the smoothstar are 84A though. Thanks for all the info!
Nice review Mark, for ride in street I prefer the Slide truck, but I love Cx, I don't know why, but I can generate more speed with Cx trucks, that I can't with Mehaki or Slide. And estability Cx are more than the anothers I talk. My soon love ride Cx, but for me Slide 3.0 it is allround. Downside from Cx it is start from zero, but after it is a lot of fun. The Yow it is the easy to start from zero but for bigenners like me it is not very good.
CX are great, but also have the annoying kingpin issue for grinds so I give C5 the edge for the skatepark. Never tried the slide yet!
Interesting your YOW stoops in the rails I think if you keep with it you’ll get it or maybe the coping I’m my local parks is nice and waxed. But I get longer 50/50s in the bowl on my YOW S5 then my carver C7.
I sorted it out later. C7s are more forgiving if you have your weight forward or centered. Really have to have your weight over the back trucks on the YOW.
Did you try putting some slick plastic on the trucks to help with the carve grinds?
If the aluminum hangers are too soft, you could have them anodized.
Dear Mark, Now i guess you've tested Yow Meraki trucks on different decks and wheelbases, for your bowl riding expert practice, what is your favorite wheelbase with those trucks ? Thanks for the great content.
For me, I like 17". Larger ones like the 18.5" Pipe my wife uses still work well for finding lines in the bowl, but I find it harder to get the weight shift right for snaps.
@@MarktheLandlockedSurfer Thanks Mark, curious to test it from 17 to 19 WB (on a Soulboardiy Meda with 17-18-19 options) and looks forward Yow Snappers for the high concave (17 WB only). I'm not skilled enough to snap on a surfskate in a bowl, so as first approach i would be certainly more about 18 WB mini (i like Slide V3 trucks in 18 or 19 on the Meda), but i guess as far the level increases in bowl, the tentation to shorter the WB could come. I've quickly tested a Yow Pipe 32 (WB 18,5) in pumptrack and it was surprisingly easy to go on. Always a pleasure to follow your videos.
By chance, have you tried the YOW lakey peak board before? If so, how would you compare the feel of the lakey peak to actual surfing? And how would you compare those trucks to the Meraki?
Hey Chris, sorry I missed this earlier. I haven't tried it, but the Lakey Peaks are available with the Meraki trucks, so it would carve somewhat similar. If I recall correctly it has a flatter profile and longer wheelbase so it might feel more flowy and less snappy than the Meraki.
@@MarktheLandlockedSurfer No worries, thanks for the info!
Mark,
Unfortunately, not so much a yow system related topic, but how much have to experimented with different durometers (ie. softer, a la 85a) on your CX system? I've only ever ridden a CX set up, but found adjusting the bushings to a softer setting (85a front, 87a rear) have really given me the carvy surf/smooth feeling I was looking for, but still being able to ride aggressively with confidence. You probably have toyed around with bushing adjustments and still thinking yow meraki's are superior feel in this department. What say you?
A custom CX set up still gives me vibes of best of both worlds, especially with a 1 board "quiver"...p.s. eyeing a Soulboardiy Carbonyx as a future purchase... interesting to see the yow deck with as much torsional flex as we saw here. How'd you enjoy the torsional flex? Did it add value to your ride experience? And if so, how would you best describe that feeling?
Keep ripping! Thanks.
I'm starting to test out different CX bushings and plan to experiment a little more this season. As for the torsional flex, I didn't love it but I think that is a personal thing with a skate background. That kind of flex was a sign of a soggy board that lost its pop in my street skating days.
I had to get a shot Vodka and Red Bull before I pressed play for this one.
And Wow...Respect!!!!
You didn't hold back on the abuse being its new and it took 6 week to arive. I really didn't expect the madness to be this early but you did it anyways. I can only imagine If that Giraffe could talk!! Other then that you made it look good in the bowl aside from not being able to grind with it.
Your flow seems to be smoother with the Yow in the bowl but you did say you had to dial it down a bit.The boards concave seems to not affect your riding style. Do you think the metal material they use can withstand that style of skating? Also the spring system how did that do?
Mark, this was awesome review on the Yow and I hope you can review the durability Meraki in the future. Love all your Video's my friend!!!
Thanks for the kind words Noel, I always appreciate your enthusiasm when I get a new video posted!
I did feel great in the bowl on this aside from not being able to grind. I didn’t get a chance to use it on the big vert wall at the indoor skatepark where I really need the concave at full stretch on a vertical wall - it was closed to to Covid lockdowns. But the times I tried in the big outdoor bowl (not on film) it was definitely harder to stay in control of the board, but otherwise it was fine without the mellow concave, though I felt a little lost with my footing, I always have to look rather than feel, maybe because it is still relatively new.
No issues with the springs, and I do wonder how the trucks will hold up long term with my style of riding. I messaged YOW and some of their pro riders who also do airs to see how long theirs last under that kind of use, but no responses received.
@@MarktheLandlockedSurfer Hey mark, that was an excellent review and I really want a Meraki (and looking hard at the yow x pukas rvsh). The only thing I'm concerned about is the degree of concave in the Yow boards. I will mostly ride small bowls, without grinding, but coming from a standard street skateboard I really do like some concave to feel where I am on the board. Do you think maybe some other Yow is better, or should I go with a different surfskate altogether? Aside from the grinds, and ollies, it would be my dream to carve around like you are doing in this vid, and it's really selling the Meraki to me. Sick stuff! Any other recommendations I should look at?
@@dash9655 Tough call Dash. If you aren't going to be doing grinds or airs, I would absolutely recommend the YOW for all around performance. I 100% agree with you about being able to feel where you are on the board, and the reason I like a lot of concave is specifically when I am doing airs, grinds, and slides. Aside from that your feet are going to stay planted where you set them at the start of your run for the most part. For bowl riding, I don't find that the Meraki trucks offer a huge advantage over C7s, or CX for just carving, but when you take them to flat land that is where you'll get a better experience in my view. So maybe worth buying the Pukas x Yow and if you don't like the deck, I'm sure you will like the trucks and could swap the deck for something different.
@@MarktheLandlockedSurfer Awesome, thanks a lot. I've placed my order now :) My local park has a few nice bowls, and quite a lot of flat, so I am optimistic its the right board for me :)
@@MarktheLandlockedSurfer yey, my yow arrived today :) good shipping here in sweden :p Too bad I rolled my ankle yesterday and need a few days to recover first!
Great review! Would you say the Meraki or the Carvers are more similar to snowboarding?
Hmm that is a good question. I feel like the deep lean of the YOW is more extreme than you’d usually get on the snow on a typical hill. But if you are a master slalom carver or ride a lot of powder maybe you’d favour the YOW and the feeling of getting right on edge.
Hey great review! Fellow landlocked surfer here based on London UK. Not sure if you mentioned it in the review maybe I missed it, just wondering how these new design trucks compare to the old yow trucks, are they much improved? is the different worth me shelling out for a new setup? Awesome channel, thanks man!
I haven't tried them, but my understanding was that the S4 trucks are a bit heavier and that the spring is softer so there is less rebound back to center. They still sell them, but they are marketed as "grom series" for kids and lighter riders. Again this is only what I have read though.
Mark, I'd love for you to get your hands on a Swelltech and give your opinion on it
Nudge nudge to the link in the description😁
Perfect review
Really Great review.
Hi! Could you please do a review about the top 3 surfskates for skateparks and the top 3 surfskates allaroud? Thank you!
I had an idea along those lines as a project to work on.
Hey Mark
Really nice video again. I m ridding a Yow christenson hole shot with a deck much more skate park friendly, but i found all what you said to be really accurate
If you were not overseas I d love to have a ride with you !
If you end up in Canada someday shoot me a line!
as a guitarist we never have one
guitar, we have mentality buy as many as u can afford each has its
own flavor...Boards r no different!
buy as many as u can
I have been looking at the Yow for a surf trainer/ cruiser. But a couple of hours before seeing your review I bought a Slide Gussie Avalanche 31. But from seeing your review I not sure if I got the right board. Have you ridden a Slide? Cheers Martyn from UK.
I have a Slide Diamond. I don't love the deck but the trucks are really good and surfy feeling, great for flatland riding.
@@MarktheLandlockedSurfer thanks for reply, I wont be doing much skate park bowls etc,mainly flat surf training. Should be ideal ,thanks again.
What camera is that or how did you do that 8:05 and on?
It is the Insta360 One R
That is a review.
Let me fly see if there are others !.
One question if I may.
You never mention smoothstar surfskate.
How does it compare to them ?
Cheers and thanks.
I am in the process of putting one through the testing now. Review likely coming in the next few weeks.
Hi Mark, thanks for the informative video :)
Could you give a yow surf skate recommendation, please? I have only theory to go by in my decision.
I plan to buy as first surf skate a YOW and try to decide between: YOW Teahupoo (34/10/19), X Pyzel Ghost (33,5/10/20), possibly other like Pukas or smaller. I am open for other recommendations. I look for some concave, so medium at least. The Amatriain is also in this size range, but is advertised as lower than medium concave (performance).
I am 1,78m (5'1) tall and 95 kg (heavy), 44 yrs., stance short of 17, not very sporty/flexible :)
Wanting to use the board mostly for short - medium distance cruising, for fun, and playful flowy surfing on the flat pathways and yard around our house. No bowls or pipes, possibly at some point concrete wave park.
Having almost no boarding (surf/skate) experience, it seems logic that I initially feel more comfortable on a long stable board, but I want to think also ahead, for when I am used to surf skating and not buy a second board after a year.
Alternative boards I looked at: Pukas (34,5/9,858/20) which is the only one I could try, found it great (!), but for my size possibly a bit long so not ideal (?) I had no praxis comparison. Medina or Artiz shorter boards with 19 WB.
Love! the shape, wide tail and front of the FANNING FALCON, but it's a lot shorter (32,5/10/18,5) or the old ARICA with 34/10,5/19,5, but it has only performance concave (besides if I could still find it in a shop).
Tough call. Most people who try it fall in love with surfskating, so your first board usually isn't your last. For just pumping on flat ground, I do enjoy longer wheelbases, and if you have no prior skate experience, I think the ones you identified should be a good fit. Little things like the shape and concave are more important as you become more experienced and feel what you like. I learned on 3 of the worst boards possible on paper, so you will adapt with any of the models you've cited. I would stay over 18" wb as the main thing given your size, experience, and riding goals. Have fun!
YOW Meraki's axis is 2 inches more than other brands, if your stance width is 17, you should go for a YOW of 19. The range that is worth for you in YOW to not have wheelbite would be between 18-20. 18 for tighter and more aggressive turns, 20 for flow and cruising. I would go for a 19, virtue is in the middle ground. A YOW of 19 is equivalent to a Carver's 17. Greetings.
Hi, Mark and thanks so much for your videos. They are really helpful. I own a craver super surfer with CX which I love for bowl and pumptrack but which is also a bit too long for me (I m 163 cm talk, 54 kg). I also wanted to get a surfier system, like the smoothstar and yow meraki for more flat land carving. Given I’m in Spain I’m kinda inclined to opt for a yow meraki, which one would you recommend? Many thanks in advance
I haven’t tried the new smoothstar thruster d system, and it addresses one of the main issues of the old one, which is how far back it offsets the front axle meaning you need a longer deck to get the same wheelbase. But I do think that both YOW and Smoothstar make excellent trucks with a surfy flow and you would be happy with either. In Spain I think there are some shops where you can try demo boards and I think finding the right deck would be the most important deciding factor. YOW have a lot more options with differences in wheelbase and concave and shape than smoothstar does. Check out the surfskate selector tool on surfskate.love/surfskate-selector to get an idea as a starting point of some ideal choices for your size and riding style aspirations.
Thanks for this review!
I was about to get the Medina camo, but it's now out of stock... I am tempted to get a La Santa 33 instead. Any chance you know how that compares? it would be mainly to learn riding bowls
From the specs it looks very similar, maybe just half an inch trimmed off the nose, so this would probably be a good choice, but I have only ridden the Medina Camo from the YOW series.
Hi Mark. Awesome review. Question for you. I am just interested in intermediate bowl riding for the flow. Currently riding an old school hosoi hammerhead double kick with modern concave and cx trucks - but am interested in this board for more flow and maybe some sharper turns. I don’t really do any tricks as over 50. What do you think? Thank you.
It has a different feel than CX trucks in the bowl, and I think it does flow well and let you turn sharper without kickturning, but if primarily interested in getting it for riding bowls, I don't know if it has a huge edge aside from if you just want to try something with a looser feel, and honestly nothing wrong with wanting that. Pumping and Carving on flatland is where it really outperforms CX in my view or if you have a skatepark layout where you need to pump to keep your speed between features.
Nice video, well done ,what camera u use to get that fish eye in the bowl ?
thanks
Insta360 One R - It is a 360 camera that offers a way to get a full line if you done have a filmer
@@MarktheLandlockedSurfer thanks dude
@@MarktheLandlockedSurfer Dude this is perfect , thanks for the info & I cant wait to surf with this camera !! thanks & great videos dude keep surfskaiting to surf .
Great review
Thanks!
Hej Mark,
Thanks so much for a great review. I really like your attention to details .
I am planning on buying a Yow Snappers and would like to know what the axle distance is on the Medina is since it is listed as having the same 17 in. as the Snappers wheelbase. The axle distance is more accurate because wheelbase for skateboards is measured from bolt to bolt which doesn't really help me because wheelbase for skateboards and axle distance don't match up from company to company. Could you please help me with this. I also hope that you will one day do a review on aftermarket bushings for Carver CX type trucks as these are very popular here in Europe. These are what I am using at the time. Thanks so much for your help. Keep coming out with the great reviews.
Best regards,
Hayward from Denmark
So, unfortunately I broke my Medina deck and took the trucks off just this past weekend!
I will say the Snappers feels the same for wheelbase but the deck feels a bit more compact
Which YOW would you recommend for a 6’3 lean build guy?
I am new to surfskate coming from longboarding and would love to just go for a fast pump and carve session. Not really near bowls that often though.
Thanks!
@surfskatelove over to you on this one! I’ve only used this YOW but he is 6’2” and Has tried several.
I’ve tried the yow pipe from a friend and I loved it. It’s on the heavy side bit it’s awesome. I want to buy a yow (im in France pretty cheap). But I can’t get to know which one I want to buy… which one would you tell me to go one for? I’m looking for a around 32 ´´ good for on flat and in the park. The Medina looks awesome but I wonder if it’s not too long. (I’m 6feet and about 150 pounds). Thanks !
Length of the board itself isn’t a huge factor, I have surfskates between 29” and 44” in length. How the wheelbase works with your stance is the biggest factor. SurfSkate Love put together a really good tool that can help find the options that would suit your stance and riding style from all the major companies, I think it is like $10 but he let me sample it and it seems very useful if you are starting out and deciding on your first purchase. They Yow pipe is a really fun board on flatland, but in the park it isn’t as good as the Medina or Snappers because of the very flat profile, swallowtail, and lack of concave.
@@MarktheLandlockedSurfer i bought the medina camo ;) ! 250€ in France
Really good review. Got the YOW Mundaka and really like it although a little small for me. Curious to see if this deck would go well with the Carver CX or C7s on it! What would you say?
I think it depends on your stance, I do tend to like smaller wheelbases, and this works well because the meraki sets back the axel to axel distance. If you like a longer wheelbase this deck paired with Carver could be okay.
Which surfskate trucks do you think would be better for a heavier rider? C7 or Yow? I’m 6’7, 240lbs. Have intermediate surfing background, beginner skate background.
I can only give you my best estimate, but while I think that YOW offers a closer to surfing feel, their trucks are not "tunable". They have one spring tension level for the s5 series. Carver C7 and CX can be tightened to accommodate taller heavier riders who might be putting more force into the same carves. If it were me, I might start with a Carver and target a YOW once I have gotten a bit better and more light footed in my abilities.
@@MarktheLandlockedSurfer Thanks, I think I’m going to start with the craver greenroom c7 and see how things go from there.
Maybe wax the truck for carve grinds?
Hey Mark, always appreciate your videos. I'm wondering, do you still feel the same way about the YOW trucks ? reason I ask, I've had a C7 for a few years but finding it less suitable for what I like to do, carve, rail to rail, technical turns and surfing moves. I am about 69Kgs and 5ft, 9inch. so I've been watching endless videos on Smoothstar and YOW, as they seem to have a better turning and truck system for this style of riding and my weight (C7 constantly comes loose(bolt becomes disengaged) as I like it loose). The new 32.5 Felipe Smoothstar seems to be perfect but before I make the plunge I thought I'd ask an expert... Yours In Surfskating -Ricky
I think you would be happy with either YOW or Smoothstar if looking for that surfy rail to raill flow, but I would also consider Swelltech. I think Carver are great all-around surfskate trucks but these 3 have more of a deep lean carve.
Do a video of swelltech vs yow vs smoothstar
thank you for your great reviews...
I own a yow with the traditional V4 S5 truck system ( with indy 149). Feels great in bowl and mini ramp. It's good to know, that you have to lean back for grinding the coping, I only 5-0 the coping, never tried a 50-50... I am just learning to skate and feel somehow more safe on a surfskate than on a skateboard.
one question, what skatedeck are you using in this video for the Carver C5 truck-set? I am just searching a deck for my C5 but dont know wich one to choose. My wheels are bones spf 84b 58mm that I want to use with it.
Thank's in advance.
Happy surf-skating
It is a Sector 9 sessions deck - It is the board that fuelled my progression, but I recently upgraded to a board that is similar in shape but a little wider and love that even more, it is the one I am using in some of the recent vlogs. The deck is a darkroom 9.38 balled up which works like a dream.
thank you for your reply. 9.38 feels like to wide for regular hard wheels on a 8.5 truck. I am searching something in the 8.5 to 8.75 range an I think I have to redrill the deck for the front truck to bring it about to the wheelbase of a regular front truck.
Hi Mark! Here's a specific carve grind question. I finally bought the C5 trucks and I really like them but..... To my surprise the kingpin on the front truck sticks so far out that it's more or less level with the hanger. If I do a carve grind (or simulate this by picking up the board and sliding it over the coping) I can see the kingpin making contact with the coping. Have you noticed this as well? And do you have a solution? Because in this vid you carve grind them like a boss😉
Mine are old, and I saw some of the newer models look like a different design, but I didn't realize the kingpin issue was that bad, kind of defeats the whole purpose! But good news... @surfskatelove do you still have the videos of you reversing your C5 kingpins?
@@MarktheLandlockedSurfer hi Mark thnx for the great answer. I it's just like you said; I was flabbergasted when I found out because the C5 is promoted for hybrid skating. @surfskatelove being able to reverse the kingpin would be a lifesaver
@@SunriseSessions Alright, I have been doing some digging to figure this out... And it has completely changed my perception of reality. I bought my Bureo boards second hand and they were sold to me as having C5 trucks, the seller even posted a link to the website that listed the boards as coming with C5's. But I have found out that for a brief time, Bureo's came stock with and extremely uncommon proto-C5 truck called the CX5 mini!!!! That is what I have on two of my boards. And now I am freaked out that I will never be able to find replacements for these trucks I love!
@@MarktheLandlockedSurfer no way that is really unexpected. And I really see why you like them. Just going around a bowl they create so much speed but why oh why would they design it with the kingpin like that. I was thinking of doing it like @john bishop when he reviewed them but it seems like such a shame to have to that
@@SunriseSessions I am still shook... Do I take down my other video? Edit it? What happens if I ruin these ones and can't get replacements? I'll need to try the proper new C5's sometime soon and then decide if it is different enough to warrant drastic measures.
Hi, really nice review.Im pretty new on this and Im looking for a new board, what brand and trucks do you recomend? C7, cx, miraki?
Thanks and regards.
There is a time and place for all of those, but right now, this would be my favourite all-around board so if it is a while before getting into grinds and big air, I think you'd be happy with Meraki.
@Mark the Landlocked Surfer What's your height? I'm considering buying a Yow Arica as my first surfskate and curious how height relates to the wheelbase and comfort. You seem to be super comfy on that thing and look about the same height as me. I've also been torn between a Yow with Meraki trucks or a Carver with C7, which would you say is best for surf training? I'll mostly be riding in the street and doing flatland/small hills carving and maneuvers on days I'm not able to surf (hopefully find a bowl to ride occasionally too).
I am 6ft. I like Meraki and C7 but the deep lean and snappy rebound of the meraki feels closer to surfing for me. C7 better for grinding on coping or riding fakie.
@@MarktheLandlockedSurfer Thanks for the response, it's very helpful to have your opinion! I'm curious, have you had experience with the Arica or Snappers? They're both on sale this weekend and having a hard time deciding between the two, would love your opinion, thanks!
Tried both, prefer the Snappers
How does it compare to a smoothstar ?
Unfortunately I don’t know, I’ve only tried a knockoff thruster on a non-ideal deck
This is like mine... what is your opinion about bowl or ramp drop ins?
It works just fine as long as you keep your front foot behind the bolts. I’ve dropped in up to 9 foot tall bowls on it and it works great. When I was first learning on small ramps I had one jackknife incident because my foot was too far forward and I was off balance.
@@MarktheLandlockedSurfer Thank you, I am a newbie and had a couple of injures already :/
Do you find it hard to do slides or snaps with the yow medina boars?
No, I actually find this one of the best boards for it. Because the wheelbase is shorter and the front trucks are set further back from the nose of the deck, it makes it really easy to take your weight off the back wheels when you initiate your snaps. I find it takes a lot more effort on boards with a longer wheelbase where the front trucks are pushed right to the front of the deck.
How do the trucks compare to water born adapter and rail?
Better in every way except long term durability in my opinion
@@MarktheLandlockedSurfer thanks man just saved me 💰
Hello I hope you don’t mind me asking but how tall are you? I am looking at the YOW Kontiki 34 which looks almost the same but a 34. Same WB of 17. I am 6‘1“ and could shed a few pounds lol. I currently ride a Yow Malibu 36 WB23. Would you say this is ok for an intermediate rider of my high? I am looking for a smaller board for learning ramps, bowls and carving shaper. Thanks
Hey, no problem, I am 6 foot and the Kontiki looks like a great choice in my opinion. I am going to be getting a new one soon and was torn between the Kontiki and the Christensen Skalle.
@@MarktheLandlockedSurfer Thank you that’s great i was also looking at the J bay 33 WB19. But was unsure if a WB of 17 would be to twitchy for me. There are a few in the sale in the Uk at the moment, so a good time to pick one up.
Please let me know if the yow skateboards squeek!?!?
They can like any others. A little wax in the pivot cup should sort it out though.
Have you put the trucks on a different deck? Sounds like you do not like the deck,
I didn’t mind it, even though I would have preferred more concave, but I did snap it in half on a pretty small 3 stair Ollie! They are on my qwik truks now so I can use them on my Whitetail Tigershark deck.
I’m actually an old guy 54, my son started skating two years ago and I couldn’t help but join in. I’m very comfortable in the skate park now in the bowls and absolutely love it. Lots of fear initially but I made it. Now I’m looking for some Carver trucks to do parking lot stuff and out in front of the house so I can get my fix when I don’t have time to go to the skate park. I’m kind of between these yow trucks and the carvers probably the C7 I like wider boards and 215 trucks to the skate park. The yows are almost $100 more than the carvers. They look really nice and better than their C sevens. What do you think?
you using a go pro max or insta 360 ?
Insta One R
I've just ordered mine! I've been learning surfskating on a cheap board (charger-x) and it's been really hard to get moving and it's a really short board so my stance is too wide for it, but I can pump with it now and I love it now I can actually get going. Kind of intimidated by the Yow because it's probably going to be so much looser but everyone seems to love them so I'm pretty sure this is the right decision. Also good note on the bolt placement because I totally use those for foot placement guide.
Have someone record the look on your face when you first try it out. Enjoy!
@@MarktheLandlockedSurfer yo I thought I'd update you, I went out on my yow for the first time yesterday and wow, I was so happy just cruising around on the flat. Easier to pump, can go from a standstill, can pump up hills, trucks are looser, can pump over bad surfaces, only negative is my front foot doesn't stay in place so well. 100% worth it, I'm already comfortable using my board to get around. Been watching some of your tutorials so I can start playing in the skate park too 💪
May I ask how tall are you and weight? I think to buy but
Height and weight are only part of the equation, I am 6 foot roughly but I have boards that range from 29" to 36" and they just have a different feel, kind of the way that I can ride a surfboard between 5'9 and 10 feet. Here is a useful resource that has some detail: www.surfskatewaves.com/how-to-choose-the-right-surfskate/
@@MarktheLandlockedSurfer many thanks I about 168-170cm n light weight 60kg and just order this one. So might be ok hahaha u reckon Thanks
@@sarahaconn1 That is similar to my wife and she can ride this board with no trouble, although she does find it a bit wide for her foot size.
@@MarktheLandlockedSurfer what about waterborne Z-Flex compare yow this one , which one good for do bowl transition?
@@sarahaconn1 I haven't tried the Zflex but I have tried some setups with waterborne and I like them on flat ground but find them a bit heavy and cumbersome in the skatepark
the stops are from wheelbite
It isn't quite wheelbite but effectively the same thing when the truck turns so far to the side that the wheel drags along the wall like a brake - I made another video about how I corrected for this soon after. Wheelbite, jackknifing, side wheel brake thing... Whatever it is, the key is that I learned how to correct for it, though this does still happen from time to time!
I think just as you wouldn't use a box cutter to carve a turkey you wouldn't use a dedicated surfskate in a bowl. After all, pumping in a bowl isn't the same as pumping in a carpark.
I am just going to guess you haven’t tried riding a surfskate in a bowl if this is how you feel. It is the ULTIMATE use of a surfskate, it is euphoric, and I highly highly recommend you check out my bowl riding on a surfskate tutorial and go try it! The sponsored skateboarders here watch me in the bowl on my surfskate and ask how I can ride so elegantly around the bowl. If a surfskate is the box cutter in your analogy, a regular skateboard is like carving a turkey with a spoon! I am serious, you need to try it!
@@MarktheLandlockedSurfer
Ok, I will. The box cutter wasn't meant to be derogatory just vastly different to a carving knife.
I'm currently a bit frustrated because I'm on crutches with a torn achilles tendon. I'll look forward to the experience in a few weeks/months depending on the recovery.
@@Hotwire_RCTrix No worries man, hope you heal up soon, Achilles injuries are really annoying and lengthy. Surfskates just hug the curves of the bowl so perfectly, it makes it feel like I am riding a brick when I try going back to a standard skateboard. Once you are healed up, give it a shot, you won’t regret it!
Great review, wouldn't you like to test our board as well?
S5 or S4?
Is there a Meraki s4? I am 99% sure this was sold as s5.
@@MarktheLandlockedSurfer yes, sir, there is an S4 option. Designed for lighter weight riders, but some rad riders, like yourself, might in theory find it a worthy ride. I'm taller and heavier (6'5" 200lbs), so it would be S5 for me... nevertheless, trying to gather as much info as I can before committing to a $$$ purchase like a YOW set up.
Thanks for what you do, Mark. It's been quite informative getting to learn from you and the others out there like you.
Mark lets chat on facetime or something about the yows got 3 of them.If you can it would be great .thanks for the video.
Love the enthusiasm you have for my content and greatly appreciate your support! But between making RUclips content, teaching surfskate lessons, doing my 9-5 day job, and being a father of two amazing kids, I don't know if I am ready to open the door to global facetime conversations at this point. I am still trying to find that work-life balance! Thanks again for your support Andrei.
No worries i thought u are very busy ,it was just about some bushing tips and so
thanks for replying and I understand.
Still love your channel .
i was so happy with my Yow, till one day the fucking Spring broke inside the bowl, fuck it man, after watching the comparing the smooothstar spring and Yows, i decide to go fro safty. Smoothstar won't break the spring, the decks are much nicer for Yow, that's all
I rode my YOW exceptionally hard for 5 months as you will see in my upcoming movie “Unconventional” and it recently did start to encounter some issues. In my case I ripped the threads right out of the body of the adapter so my hardware wouldn’t screw in. I contacted them and showed them video of the issue and they are sending a replacement. Given that I was riding on rocky outcrops and doing bertslides on unfinished granite bedrock, ollies down staircases, enormous full speed slides in the skatepark, I was impressed with how long it lasted before encountering this issue. I am riding a Smoothstar now, but it is borrowed so I am treating it a little more gingerly and it may not be a fair comparison.
YOW complete and trucks only are now available at Rollin Boutique in Montreal!
shop.boutiquerollin.com/collections/surf-skate/products/yow-meraki-s5-system-pack-surf-skate-trucks
Great news for Canadians!