Waterborne Skateboards

What Waterborne Skateboards does

Waterborne Skateboards is a privately held surfskate equipment company headquartered in Costa Mesa, California, founded by a Southern California surfer who developed a bushing-based surf adapter in a garage workshop. The company's core technology is a urethane-bushing pivot mechanism that converts any standard skateboard, longboard, or electric skateboard into a surf-style carving board, differentiating it from competitors such as Carver, YOW, and Smoothstar that use metal springs. Its product portfolio spans modular hardware (Surf Adapter, Rail Adapter, and the patented FIN System with three pivot angle settings), premium trucks (DREAM Surf Truck), complete surfskates in carbon fiber (ARIES, SCORPIO, GEMINI) and black bamboo (TAURUS, LEO, PISCES), electric products (JETBOARD, JET-X, E-Board Conversion Kits), a 2024 limited-edition Artist Series, and accessories such as wheels, bearings, bushings, and risers.

The business operates a direct-to-consumer e-commerce model through a Shopify storefront at waterborneskateboards.com, supplemented by five regional warehouses (USA, France, Asia, UK, Australia) that enable VAT-efficient international shipping, and a network of 60+ specialty retail partners across North America, Europe, Asia, and Australia. Pricing ranges from $0.99 bushings to a $35,000 JET-X halo product, with core completes between $222 and $499. The company markets through content (Waterborne Cinema, Board Reviews catalog of 150+ compatible boards, Surfskate Selector tool), social media, an affiliate program, a customer rewards program, and earned media on outlets such as Braille Skateboarding and The Inertia. Customer segments are diversified across surfers seeking land-based training, skateboarders wanting surf-style carving, longboarders pursuing pump and rail-to-rail performance, and electric skateboard owners converting e-boards for surf feel. The company is small (1-10 employees), founder-owned with no disclosed institutional investors or funding rounds.

Name

Waterborne Skateboards

Legal name

Waterborne Skateboards

Website

https://waterborneskateboards.com

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Waterborne Skateboards is a Costa Mesa-based surfskate equipment company that sells patented bushing-based Surf Adapters, Rail Adapters, FIN Systems, complete boards, and electric surfskates direct-to-consumer and through 60+ global retail partners, serving surfers, skateboarders, longboarders, and e-skate owners.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Surfskate Equipment

SIC

Motorcycles, Bicycles & Parts (3751)

akta.pro primary industry

Electric Skateboards & Longboards (CRACASAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Surf & Beach Sports Retail (Surfboards, Bodyboards, Skimboards) (CRAMAIAE), Surf, Kitesurf & Wind Sports Adventures (THAJABAK)

Keywords

• Surfskate adapters
• Surf-style skateboards
• Skateboard truck hardware
• Electric surfskate boards
• Longboard carving components

Headquarters

HQ city

Costa Mesa

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices6 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Personnel, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Surfskate Hardware Sales: Core revenue from selling surf adapter kits, rail adapters, and FIN systems as add-on components for existing skateboards. One-time hardware purchases with various price points from $39.99 to $179.99.
2. Complete Surfskate Sales: Sale of complete surfskate boards including carbon completes (ARIES, SCORPIO, GEMINI), bamboo surfskates (TAURUS, LEO, PISCES), and specialty lines (Artist Series). Prices range from $222 to $499 for standard completes, $320 for Artist Series.
3. Electric Skateboard Products: JETBOARD ($1,500) and JET-X ($35,000) electric surfskate products, plus E-Board Surf Conversion Kits ($150) for converting electric skateboards. Extender brackets and accessories for e-board applications.
4. Accessories and Components: Wheels, bearings, bushings, risers, tools, hardware, and replacement parts. Prices from $0.99 to $69.99. Ongoing revenue from customization and replacement needs.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

Waterborne Skateboards designs, manufactures, and sells modular surfskate adapter systems — primarily the Surf Adapter, Rail Adapter, and patented FIN System — that convert any existing skateboard, longboard, or electric skateboard into a surf-style carving board using a proprietary urethane-bushing pivot mechanism. The company also offers complete carbon and bamboo surfskates, electric surfskates (JETBOARD, JET-X) and conversion kits, plus a full range of wheels, bearings, trucks, hardware, and apparel sold direct-to-consumer and through 60+ global retail partners.

Product overview

Waterborne Skateboards is a surfskate equipment company offering a modular surf-style skateboarding system. The core product line centers on the patented Surf Adapter and Rail Adapter technology, which convert any standard skateboard into a surf-like carving experience. The product portfolio includes: (1) Core adapter systems - Surf Adapter, Rail Adapter, and FIN System for adjusting pivot angles; (2) Premium DREAM Surf Truck - their highest-performance surf truck; (3) Complete surfskates - Carbon Completes (ARIES, SCORPIO, GEMINI) and Black Bamboo models (TAURUS, LEO, PISCES); (4) Electric skate products - E-Board Conversion Kits, JETBOARD, and JET-X; (5) Artist Series - limited edition collaborations with international artists; (6) Accessories - trucks, wheels, bearings, risers, hardware, tools, and bushings. The company pioneered using skateboard bushings (instead of metal springs) for a more reliable and smoother surf feel, and their products work with any skateboard regardless of brand.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Surf Adapter A patented surf truck adapter that converts any standard skateboard into a surf-style carving board using a proprietary urethane bushing pivot mechanism (instead of metal springs). Features aircraft-grade aluminum construction stress-tested to 1,500 lbs and allows deep carves and rail-to-rail turns. Targeted at skateboarders, longboarders, and surfers seeking surf feel on pavement.
• Rail Adapter A lightweight rear truck coupling that pairs with the Surf Adapter to add up to 30 degrees of additional deck lean, enabling deeper rail-to-rail carving and a more fluid surf-style flow. Compatible with any standard skateboard.
• Surf and Rail Adapter FIN System A patented modular upgrade that snaps into the Surf Adapter's pivot arm to change the pivot angle and riding feel. Offers three ride modes — Super Carve (145°), Standard (150°), and Mega Pump (155°) — letting riders tune their board for carving, general riding, or pumping speed.
• DREAM Surf Truck Waterborne's premium surf truck and highest-performance adapter. 0.20 lbs lighter than the FIN-equipped Surf Adapter, with the axle positioned 0.75 inches further back for greater caster effect and a cleaner turn. Includes FIN System and is compatible with 150mm Paris or Caliber hangers. Designed for riders seeking the best surf-style ride feel.
• DREAM TAURUS Widebody Black Bamboo Surfskate Complete premium surfskate with a 10.5-inch wide 5-layer black bamboo deck, kicktail, DREAM Surf Truck with FIN System, and Rail Adapter. 32-inch length and 19-inch wheelbase with ergonomic concave for progressive surf maneuvers. Built for high-performance cruising and surf training.
• ARIES Carbon Surfskate Feather-light carbon fiber surfskate complete with Surf Adapter on the front truck. 31-inch length and 19.5-inch wheelbase with a spring-like feel, turning on a dime for transitions and flat-ground riding.
• SCORPIO Carbon Performance Surfskate Carbon performance surfskate with an integrated Rail Adapter on the rear truck. 32-inch length and 22-inch (55 cm) wheelbase, with a flexible tail that loads like a spring in turns. Described as Waterborne's most immersive board.
• GEMINI Carbon Drop Through Longboard Carbon fiber drop-through longboard featuring NerveFlex carbon weave technology. 39-inch length and 26-inch wheelbase, designed for fast pumping over long distances and downhill riding while maintaining surf-like carving feel. Priced at $499.
• JETBOARD Electric Surfskate Electric surfskate combining Waterborne's surf truck technology with electric propulsion. Premium electric board for riders seeking powered surf-style carving. Priced at $1,500.
• JET-X Ultra-Premium Electric Surfskate Ultra-premium electric surfskate with advanced electric propulsion and surf technology. Waterborne's flagship high-end electric surf product, priced at $35,000.
• E-Board Surf Conversion Kit Complete conversion kit for adding surf-style carving to electric skateboards. Includes a FIN Surf Adapter for the front truck, Rail Adapter for the rear truck, and a carbon fiber wheelbase extender. Compatible with Boosted, Meepo, Backfire, Evolve, and Ownboard electric skateboards.
• WATERBORNE Artist Series Surfskates Limited edition collaborative surfskates featuring five unique artistic designs by international artists. 32-inch deck with 19-inch wheelbase, equipped with DREAM Surf Truck and FIN System. Priced at $320 complete.
• Penny High-Line Surfskate (Co-Branded) Co-branded surfskate developed through partnership with Penny Skateboards, combining Waterborne's patented surf adapter technology with Penny Skateboards' quality components in a collaborative product.
• Surfskate Accessories and Replacement Parts Complete range of surfskate accessories and replacement parts, including 150mm TKP and RKP trucks, Living Water Surfskate Wheels (2022 formula), ABEC 7 black chrome bearings, CNC-machined bamboo block risers, stainless steel hardware in multiple sizes, bushings, a multi-function T-tool, FIN System Limiter inserts, and Extra FIN Sets. Priced from $0.99 to $69.99.

Quantifiable outcome

• Stress tested to 1,500 lbs (680kg)
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature6 records

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

• Penny SkateboardsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerWaterborne Skateboards partnered with Penny Skateboards to develop the High-Line Surfskate. This board utilizes Waterborne patented technology combined with Penny Skateboards' quality components in a collaborative product offering.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Carver Skateboards: Pioneering surfskate brand and Waterborne's primary direct competitor. Uses the CX/C7 truck systems with metal-spring pivot mechanisms that Waterborne's bushing-based system is explicitly differentiated against. Same target customer (skaters wanting surf feel on land) and overlapping retail partners.
• Smoothstar: Australian surfskate brand using a Thruster spring-based front truck. Competes head-to-head with Waterborne in surfskate adapter technology and in surf training use cases — same customer segment (surfers training on land).
• Slide Surfskates: Surfskate specialist offering complete boards and trucks, competing with Waterborne's complete surfskate range (ARIES, SCORPIO, GEMINI). Overlapping customer base in skateboarders seeking surf-style carving.
• YOW Surf: Spanish surfskate brand with the Meraki truck system (spring-based). Direct competitor in the universal surfskate adapter space and competes in many of Waterborne's 60+ retail partner accounts globally.
• Swelltech: Premium surfskate truck maker with a unique spring-loaded pivot design. Competes at the high-performance end of the surfskate truck market against Waterborne's DREAM Surf Truck and FIN System.

Emerging players

• Meepo Board: Electric skateboard brand cited in customer reviews as a pairing target for Waterborne's E-Board Surf Conversion Kit. Comparable as an electric-skate end-platform that Waterborne's adapter product enhances.

Broad incumbents

• Boosted Boards: Premium electric skateboard brand explicitly listed as a compatible platform for Waterborne's E-Board Surf Conversion Kit. Overlap is in the e-skate category where Waterborne sells retrofit surf-truck kits.
• Landyachtz: Longboard and cruiser brand with deep retail presence. Waterborne adapters are documented on Landyachtz Dinghy and other models. Competitor at the complete-board level and partner at the adapter-on-existing-board level.
• Loaded Boards: Premium longboard and skateboard brand. Comparable as a target of Waterborne adapter installations (Waterborne has documented installs on Loaded Dervish) and as a fellow premium-positioned action-sports brand. Overlap is in longboard carving segment.
• Penny Skateboards: Established global plastic skateboard brand and Waterborne's existing co-development partner (High-Line Surfskate). Comparable in targeting entry-level skateboard commuters and recreational riders; partnership validates but also creates channel overlap risk.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/c/WATERBORNESKATEBOARDS
• Facebookfacebook.com/waterborneskateboards
• Instagraminstagram.com/waterborne_skateboards

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Waterborne Skateboards