Bio

Welsh surfer Raife Gaskell, local to Freshwater West beach in Pembrokeshire, an accomplished short boarder discovered his love of longboarding at the age of 14.

Representing Skindog Surfboards Raife rapidly moved up through the longboard ranks on the British and European junior and men’s circuits, becoming Welsh Junior Champion 2014, and Welsh Open Champion 2015.

As a junior, Raife, placed 4th in The European Junior Championships in the Azores, 2015, 6th overall on the European Men’s Longboard Tour 2012, 2nd in the British junior rankings 2013-2014, and was part of Team GB at the ISA World Longboard Championships in Peru 2013 where they secured an overall 5th place above Australia and New Zealand, the highest team placing of any British surf team. His competition board of choice is a Skindog Eurostar, a responsive all round board capable of both traditional and progressive moves.

RIDES

EUROSTAR

THE BLENDER

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Raife, currently qualifying to be a Paramedic, is an experienced RNLI lifeguard, qualified open water jetski operator, and National Trust Surf Ambassador, promoting the care of our coastal environment.

An advocate of the progressive style, Raife pushes his longboarding to the limit, known for raw carves and big manoeuvres, he is often seen in the local line-ups as the sole longboarder willing to tackle anything that comes his way, favouring a Skindog Slabhunter in big conditions, and Skindog Saving Grace in smaller swells.