Hyrule’s heroes have a new passion: skateboarding. Players are transforming Tears of the Kingdom’s shield surfing into an extreme sport, crafting ramps, rails, and half-pipes that would make Tony Hawk proud.
Link can shield surf in both Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom. When he does, he rides his shield sort of like a snowboard and cruises down slopes. Now, with Link’s new Fuse ability in Tears of the Kingdom, players are creating new kinds of shields. The Fuse ability allows Link to combine two items together to create a new kind of shield using miscellaneous objects in the world.
For example, players have now discovered that you can combine your shield with a minecart in order to get a clunky-looking skateboard.
Additionally, the larger world contains new features in the landscape, like rails. Generally speaking, it’s probably easier to use the rails with a minecart or a contraption with a hook. However, players are now using their makeshift skateboards to grind rails, bringing Sonic-esque gameplay to Zelda.
How to shield surf in The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom
Shield surfing in Tears of the Kingdom lets players turn steep hills into thrilling runs. To do it, equip a shield, hold the block button, press jump, and then hit the action button to start surfing. The motion feels smooth and responsive, perfect for gliding down snowy slopes or grassy terrain. Each shield has its own durability, so using heavy or rare ones might not be the best choice for practice. Experimenting with different surfaces and shield types adds variety and helps you master this stylish way to travel.
If, like me, you immediately wanted to try skating for yourself, here is how to do it with the standard controls. First, you’ll want to go to the top of a hill or spot with a decent decline, because it’s easiest to do it downhill.
Hold ZL on your controller to wield your shield. While you continue to hold ZL, jump with X and then hit A while Link is still in the air. Link will then flip the shield under him and start to ride it. Note that this will degrade your shield significantly as you ride, so don’t do it if you have a shield you’re saving for other reasons.
From there, you can experiment with different shields to see what feels best. I can confirm that riding around using the Fused minecart and shield feels great. My co-workers confirmed that mid- to late-game Zonai items are also great to use as Fuse materials in this regard. The possibilities in Tears of the Kingdom feel endless. If you really wanted to, you could probably even build Link a skate park to try out his new ride – it only feels like a matter of time until someone actually tries.
Best places to grind rails in Tears of the Kingdom
Prime rail grinding spots in The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom leverage the shield-minecart fusion for smooth shield surfing grinds.
Jiukoum Shrine (Faron Grasslands)
This “Built for Rails” shrine east of Popla Foothills Skyview Tower (coords: 0867, -2276, 0141) features multiple rail setups perfect for practicing jumps and transitions. Use Ultrahand to bridge rails with metal sheets, then grind with fused shields for shrine completion and chest access. Rails here teach core mechanics like balancing platforms for extended rides.
Death Mountain Area
Fans highlight Death Mountain’s rocky edges and crater rims as ideal for long grinds, especially post-lava changes in TOTK. Pair with nearby rails in Gerudo Highlands views for scenic, high-speed runs mimicking pro skater lines. Accessible early via Thyphlo Ruins Skyview Tower glide.
Open-World Rails
Scattered rails near minecarts in depths, sky islands, and surface paths like Popla Foothills offer freestyle spots; fuse carts to shields for upward boosts on sloped tracks. Experiment on varied terrain such as snowfields or Badlands caves for tricks like spins and bomb jumps.
Best rails for long-distance grinding in Tears of the Kingdom
Long-distance rail grinding in The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom shines on extended tracks reachable via shield-minecart surfing, with players optimizing for speed and elevation via Zonai devices or natural paths.
Jiukoum Shrine Extended Tracks
The shrine’s final rail sequence, powered by fans on a multi-metal platform (two U-shapes with three fans), propels Link uphill across bridged gaps for the longest guided grind here. Players extend it further by chaining rails with Ultrahand for repeated laps, hitting high speeds before the exit.
Railjet Paths (Player Builds)
Advanced “Railjets” use stacked diagonal rails (O4/O5 designs) with fans aimed at rail rims for maximum thrust, covering vast Hyrule distances like Light Dragon circuits without speed limits. These self-propelled setups traverse flatlands or dives over 16 m/s, far outpacing basic surfing.
Death Mountain and Depths Rails
Death Mountain’s crater rims offer naturally long, winding rails post-lava flow, ideal for sustained grinds with elevation changes. Depths depots provide lightweight rails for custom long-haul vehicles crossing maps in minutes, lightweight for battery efficiency.
