Top 20 most popular coastal towns for skimboarding in the world

Skimboarding, which involves riding a board along the shore and gliding across shallow water, is especially popular in coastal towns with favorable conditions like sloping beaches, consistent shore breaks, and a vibrant skimboarding community. Here are 20 of the most popular coastal towns for skimboarding in the world:

1. Laguna Beach, California, USA

• Known as the birthplace of modern skimboarding, Laguna Beach has several prime spots like Aliso Beach and Thalia Street Beach. The sloping shores create ideal conditions for both beginners and advanced riders.

2. Vilano Beach, Florida, USA

• Famous for its flat shorelines and small waves, Vilano Beach is perfect for flatland skimboarding, where riders perform tricks in shallow water.

3. Dewey Beach, Delaware, USA

• Dewey Beach is home to the East Coast Skimboarding Championships. Its shallow sandbars and shore breaks offer excellent skimboarding conditions.

4. Cabo San Lucas, Baja California, Mexico

• Known for strong shore breaks, Cabo San Lucas has become a skimboarding hotspot. Playa Costa Azul is particularly popular with riders.

5. Balboa Peninsula, Newport Beach, California, USA

• Newport Beach has a strong skimboarding community, and its beaches provide great waves for both beginners and experts.

6. Sununga Beach, São Paulo, Brazil

• This beach is famous for its shore break and is a host for international skimboarding competitions. The consistent wave action attracts top-tier skimboarders from around the world.

7. Playa Flamenca, Alicante, Spain

• With shallow shores and soft, fine sand, Playa Flamenca is a haven for skimboarders who enjoy flatland riding and practicing tricks.

8. Manly Beach, Sydney, Australia

• A popular destination for water sports, Manly Beach offers excellent skimboarding conditions, with long stretches of sand and perfect shore breaks.

9. Cottesloe Beach, Perth, Australia

• Cottesloe Beach’s sloping shore and consistent wave action make it ideal for skimboarding. It’s a vibrant spot for board sports enthusiasts.

10. Playa del Carmen, Quintana Roo, Mexico

• Playa del Carmen’s long, sandy shores provide ideal conditions for skimboarders, and the warm tropical waters attract riders year-round.

11. Pensacola Beach, Florida, USA

• Pensacola Beach is a popular spot for flatland skimboarding, offering long stretches of flat sand and small, manageable waves.

12. Seabright Beach, Santa Cruz, California, USA

• Known for its consistent shore breaks, Seabright Beach is a great spot for skimboarding, attracting locals and visitors alike.

13. Caparica, Almada, Portugal

• Caparica’s long beaches and good shore breaks have made it a favorite among skimboarders. It’s also close to Lisbon, adding to its popularity.

14. Golfo de Nicoya, Puntarenas, Costa Rica

• This beach on the Pacific coast offers smooth shorelines and shallow waters, perfect for flatland skimboarding and trick riding.

15. Sesimbra, Portugal

• Known for hosting skimboarding competitions, Sesimbra’s beaches are well-known among skimboarding professionals for their challenging and consistent conditions.

16. Folly Beach, South Carolina, USA

• Folly Beach is known for its consistent waves and sloping shores, making it a great spot for skimboarders of all levels.

17. Hossegor, Nouvelle-Aquitaine, France

• Hossegor is known for surfing, but its shore breaks also provide great conditions for skimboarding. The beach is long, sandy, and has a strong skimboarding culture.

18. Chiapas, Mexico

• Chiapas has some lesser-known but highly attractive beaches with great skimboarding conditions, particularly for riders seeking new and uncrowded spots.

19. Tahunanui Beach, Nelson, New Zealand

• This sandy beach is a popular spot for skimboarding, thanks to its shallow waters and gentle waves, ideal for beginners and experts alike.

20. Shonan Beach, Kanagawa, Japan

• Shonan Beach is famous for its strong local skimboarding community. The beach has a unique atmosphere, and its waves are perfect for a variety of skimboarding styles.

These towns are known for their unique skimboarding conditions, attracting both casual riders and professional skimboarders. Whether you’re into wave-riding skimboarding or flatland trick riding, these locations offer a variety of experiences.