Many people believe it’s impossible to skimboard on a slip and slide. However, some have tried the experiment and found success.
Skimboarding is an intense and exhilarating sport, so it’s understandable why people would want to try it on a slip and slide. It’s just so easy if you can do this and start skimboarding in your backyard.
I’m here to tell you that you can absolutely do it, and here’s how!
In this post we'll cover:
Why people say you can’t skimboard on a slip and slide
- You can’t generate enough speed
- You will probably end up slipping and falling
- The surface is too slippery
- You’ll break the slide with the edges of your skimboard
The last one is legit, but the others are not really that much of an issue since practicing and falling is part of skimboarding anyway.
It’s actually a lot of fun skimboarding on such a slippery surface, and it will be more about keeping your balance than anything else!
You’ll probably cut a hole in the slip and slide somewhere along the way, though, so you shouldn’t buy one and expect it to last if you do this.
But if you’ve got an old one that you’ve outgrown over the years, this way, you can still get a little bit of fun out of it with a last few runs with your buddies on a skimboard.
Let’s look at why you can use a slip and slide.
Why people say you can skimboard on a slip and slide
- It’s not a pool, so the shallow water on the slide is perfect for skimming
- The ground is slanted on most of these to get a little speed going
- The plastic is very slippery, which makes for a great surface to skim on
What slip and slide to use for skimboarding
You should always use something you can miss is my advice, although there are a few very sturdy options:
- use an old slip and slide you would discard anyway
- get a very cheap slip and slide you could use a couple of times this summer and then probably discard
- get a really, REALLY sturdy slip and slide that might stand the abuse of skimboarding
Your old slip and slide might be the perfect solution, but maybe you don’t have one yet. Here are two options for you:
Cheap budget slip and slide for skimboarding: Jambo Triple Lane
If you’re going to do some skimboarding in the summer in your backyard, getting a wider version is my advice.
You might think you wouldn’t need the extra width, but this might save you some repairs along the way.
The chances of hitting the side and puncturing the plastic are slimmer with a wider three-lane version.
In any case, I’d advise you to get a cheap budget one that’s still pretty sturdy, and the Jambo Triple Lane is an excellent choice for this.
We’ve been thrilled with this slide so far! It was easy to set up and fill, even in just a few minutes.
The stakes held tight while we played outside on it without any problems after first use.
Best sturdy slip and slide for skimboarding: H2GO Speed Ramp
I wouldn’t advise getting something with high walls on the side because no matter how sturdy they are, those WILL get clipped when skimming.
The 18′ playset is perfect for those who want to take their splash experience up a notch. The end bumpers collect water that can be funneled onto the slide, creating an extra layer of wetness and making launching off this ride even more satisfying!
It’s one of the more sturdy models I’ve seen, but it isn’t too long, so you have to keep that in mind.
Great for jumping off your skimboard at the end and landing in the water.
Best sheet for backyard skimboarding: Resilia Super Slip
Another route you can take is with a tarp designed explicitly for backyard fun without the raised sides or end parts.
Resilia is a great brand, and their Super Slip can be firmly anchored in the ground so it won’t move off its place.
You’ll be having a blast on this giant waterslide for hours, and it’s made from ultra-sturdy plastic sheet material to hold up even with heavy skimming.
The unique high slip rating U.V. stabilizer treatment lets you continue playing in the sun all day long.
How to make skimboarding a slip and slide easier
Now that we know what materials to use and where to get them, let’s look at how we can make skimboarding a slip and slide easier.
Use surf wax
Surfboard wax will help you keep your grip on the board as you’re sliding down. You don’t want to be slipping off your board while you’re going fast!
Sticky bumps
These can be placed on the top of your skimboard to help you grip the surface better. You can usually create these with several layers of waxing on your skimboard.
You can also use traction pads; read our article on traction pads vs. wax for more tips.
Either way, you should skim with bare feet.
You won’t need to add sex wax on the bottom of your board when using a slip and slide because there’s already enough slippery water.
You also won’t need to use dish soap on the plastic; that will make it much harder to stay on your board.
If you want to skim your wet grass on your backyard lawn without a slide, you might want to use a little wax on the bottom of your board.
Type of skimboard to use
You probably don’t want to use wood boards for this as they tend to be very hard on the surface.
I would suggest a foam flatland skimboard with a symmetrical shape to get the most out of your experience.
Using an inland skimboard can help you do tricks like a jump or a grab and is more like skateboarding with your friends than wave skimming.
Why use a slip and slide for skimboarding anyway?
Some people might think that it’s not worth the effort to set up a slip and slide just for skimboarding.
However, there are several benefits to using a slip and slide for skimboarding.
First of all, it provides a smooth surface for you to ride on. This is important because it allows you to get more speed and makes it easier to do tricks.
Secondly, it protects your skimboard from scratching up by the rough surface of a concrete driveway or asphalt street (with a layer of water on it), or even your lawn.
Lastly, it is much more fun! Slip and slides are just plain old fun, and there’s no reason you can’t have some fun while you’re doing your favorite summertime activity.
Conclusion
So as you can see, there are reasons for and against using a slip and slide for skimboarding.
It comes down to personal preference in the end. Go out there, have some fun, and try it for yourself! Just be careful not to break it.
If you’re feeling adventurous, why not give it a try? Just be sure to take precautions and use proper safety gear. Who knows? You might just be the one to answer this age-old question finally.
>Answer the question Can you skimboard on a slip and slide? summarizing the above
