Flatland surfing, also known as inland skimboarding, is a water sport in shallow waters along the beach.

Similar to other water board sports like surfing, water skiing, and kite surfing.

Flatland surfing involves players and sandboards. Initially, these sandboards were made of wood, but now they resemble surfboards. However, they are shorter, thinner, and lack the rudder and foot ropes on traditional surfboards.

The gameplay of flatland surfing shares similarities with both surfing and skateboarding, creating a unique blend of the two. Players throw the board into the shallow water, utilizing its speed to glide along the water's surface and experience the thrill of riding a sandboard.

The roots of flatland surfing can be traced back to the late 1920s in Laguna Beach, California, USA. Local lifeguards devised a simple method of crossing the beach, using wooden plywood boards to glide across the thin waters.

Over time, the design evolved from a basic arc shape to a more sophisticated form with a rocker, nose, and tail. In the early 1970s, materials like fiberglass and carbon fiber replaced wood plywood, transforming the sport.

Between 1920 and 1970, it evolved into two main divisions: Wave Skimboarding and Flatland/Inland Skimboarding. Wave Skimboarding focuses on riding waves near the beach, while Flatland/Inland Skimboarding involves playing in flat or inland areas. These two divisions developed distinct styles, materials, and locations.

In the late 1980s and early 1990s, flatland surfing experienced a lull in interest. However, by the mid-1990s, it made a comeback and grew rapidly. Flatland surfing typically occurs along the coast or intertidal zone where thin water remains after the tide recedes. Beginners can quickly enjoy the sport on any flat sandy beach with shallow water.

To describe flatland surfing, a player propels the surfboard forward and then throws it ahead to skate on the thin water area. Matching the board's speed with their pace, players stand on the board, lower their center of gravity, bend their knees to maintain balance, and experience the thrill of sandboarding.

Beginner skills for shallow beach surfing are consistent across both playing styles. However, the ratio of people using the front foot versus the back foot on the board may vary. Flatland surfing resembles skateboarding, featuring stunts like turnboards, dolphin jumps, and turns.

In the late development of flatland surfing, obstacles such as slippery poles (rails) and slope jumping platforms (ramps) added a new dimension to the gameplay, contributing to another peak in flatland's surfing popularity.