John Kuras There's definitely some technique involved but I'd say it's almost entirely a mental battle. I finally went for it on a 2' quarter after 100's of reps on banked surfaces and months of trying to build up the nerve. I think a coach to help you get through the first attempts is a good idea and wear all the pads.

I wasn't really factoring in speed generation, but I can see how that would be a little tricky. When I take the line I suggested, I have a seashell feature opposite to it that I can kick turn on and do a regular kick push if needed for speed going into the corner.

I learned to drop in on a regular skateboard, but I haven't tried it on a surfskate yet.

Have you tried different lines in the bowl? I think you could get more out of the corners if you approach it closer to this angle on backside turns for example. In your line in that clip you pass through the bottom of the corners. Think it would be easier to work on the lean and dipping your head if you're turning through the top of corner.

Nice, that's looking a lot smoother.

Not too far off, this is in Bradley Beach, NJ.

I only tried the C7s briefly at the skatepark, and think I'll stick to mainly using them on flatground. I was using CX and C5 trucks a lot at the skatepark, but past few months I've been riding Indy stage 4 trucks. I wanted to learn dropins on a traditional setup, and once I learned, I got side tracked with learning basic lip tricks on a mini ramp. I actually think the mini ramp tricks have helped with being more aware of where I am looking which has helped a little with my surfing.

I like the indy trucks a lot in the bowl as well.

I think the banked ramp would serve you better than the quarter pipe for the drill you are doing.

There's not much room on the quarter pipe before hitting the coping which is probably an added distraction. Bowl looked good.

After the first couple laps when you've built up some initial momentum, try thinking of getting most of your speed for the next wall by pumping down the wall you are on and projecting across the flat.

When you get to the next wall, I would focus on what Clay said about matching the angle of your hands and head to the angle of the ramp. Try a couple where you don't throw your hands up so high over your head on the way up.

Looking a lot more comfortable and smooth overall. Keep at it.

Nice progress. Looks like you just need more reps to get your confidence/comfort level up a little bit.

Hah, recently picked up a set of indy stage 4 trucks after going from CX to C5 in a similar pursuit of mixing in some more traditional bowl skating along with the surf specific training. I am not interested in rails or grinds apart from maybe a carve grind or slash grind in the bowl, but hoping the indy setup will help me build up the nerve to learn to drop in.

I am taking it easy and still feeling out the indy trucks and how loose/tight to make them, but I find it's a very different feel than the C5s. Obviously can't turn as tight, but also can't turn your way out of trouble as easily as the surfskate trucks. I find I need to be more precise with my lines in the bowl since it's harder to make small adjustments with the tighter trucks.

My ollies are pretty bad either way, so can't provide much insight there!