About Riverskate
Our Story
Riverskate began as an experiment. After more than three decades paddling whitewater — kayaks, C1, open boat, squirtboat — founder David Miller set out to answer a question: could you perform progressive freestyle whitewater moves on a SUP?
In 2019, he built the first prototype, "the underwing" — an 80L board so challenging it took 30 days of practice just to stand and take a forward stroke. But persistence paid off. By 2020, he was performing the first-ever controlled SUP mystery moves, driving the board underwater in a kind of reverse ollie — less like traditional river SUP, more like river skating. The name stuck.
The Big Breakthrough: Grab Wings
The missing piece was stability. In 2020, after experimenting with foam rail additions, David made the design breakthrough that would define Riverskate: Grab Wings (patent pending). Radically improving stability, the wings unlocked cartwheels in the standing position for the first time ever on a SUP.
From DIY foam-composite prototypes to a collaboration with French Broad River Academy students, to manufacturing partnerships in 2024 and the first inflatable Hovercraft production run in late 2025 — every iteration has been driven by a quest for higher and higher performance.
"It's the closest feeling to actually surfing and skating on the river that I've come to."
— Brent McCoy
hovercraft: riverskate #15
Our first production model, the Hovercraft, is a downriver freestyle SUP designed for surfing, cartwheeling in eddylines, and running technical features with precision. Available in two volume sizes.
Who it's for:
- SUP paddlers seeking an alternative craft for whitewater freestyle, dedicated park and play / surf, or just a fun little board you can pack in places and get creative
- Veteran paddlers and squirtboaters exploring new styles of training and play
- Surfers, skaters, and snowboarders bringing their flow to the river
- First-time paddlers looking to have immediate fun on the river without having to start with the roll
Riverskate is the first SUP capable of linked vertical maneuvers like cartwheels, traditionally performed in a playboat or squirtboat.
Born in Asheville, NC
We're based in the mountains of Western North Carolina, home to some of the best whitewater in the East. We're proud to be part of this community, and we remain committed to the rivers and people that inspired this craft. #WNCSTRONG