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

Skimboarders are picky, but there are good reasons for carefully selecting the right conditions and the ideal breaks. If you live on the coastline, there are certain variables to take into consideration: swell, the wind, tide, rocks, crowd factor and steepness of the beach.

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