Riding a longboard can be the most fun you’ll ever have. Speeding downhill, the wind in your hair, just zoning out. For many, it can even be more fun than skating since there isn’t any pressure to perform kicks. But when you’re starting, you’re not concerned about speeding down a hill, you just want to learn how to ride a longboard. Considering that to enjoy riding you need to know the correct procedures and stance for your – and others safety – you must follow these tips before you take your board out.
Longboarding Tip #1: Choose The Right Board For Your Purpose
The type of longboard you purchase will depend on what you want to use your board for. Long rides to work, for example, require a board that rides low with shock-absorbing wheels, for this purpose a drop-through board will be ideal.
But, if you’re city cruising, and your commute involves more short turns, then a lighter board like a kicktail will do, because of its medium length and lighter weight.
If you want to carve or pump on your board – which allows you to gain speed without pushing – you’ll need a carver with mid flex.
Every board has a purpose so it’s a good idea to first determine what you want to do on your board and then get a board that meets those needs.
Longboarding Tip #2: Determine Your Stance
In board sports, riders have a natural stance, similar to being left or right-handed. This stance is your dominant position that determines how you’ll conduct tricks but can also be crucial to feeling confident on your board. Finding a stance isn’t as simple as getting on a board and kicking to see which leg you use. Instead, you can find your dominant stance without even owning a board. You’ll do this by placing your feet together on the ground and then getting someone to push you from the back. The foot you naturally lean toward to stop the fall is your dominant foot and will likely be your front foot.
So, do you ride regular or goofy? In regular stance, your left foot is in the front and right foot behind in goofy it’s the opposite.
Longboarding Tip #3: Be Comfortable With Your Balance
Boarding is all about balance. Therefore, if you’ve never boarded before, you need to improve your balance, especially if you’re not a naturally balanced individual. To do this, get onto grass or another surface that ensures the board won’t roll, like carpet. Once you’re on this sort of surface hop on your board and get into your stance with your feet shoulder-width apart. You should be able to maintain a good posture and stance on the board without having to step down.
Longboarding Tip #4: Practice Your Braking and Turning Stance
Before you take your board beyond the grass or testing ground, you should first practice turning and braking. Because once you start to get moving, these elements will be crucial for both yourself and others around you. Because if you don’t know how to brake or turn, it can lead to injury.
To learn to turn, practice rolling your ankles side to side to make your deck lean on each edge.
You can also keep your ankles firm and with bended knees shift your body weight lean forward and back (or heels and toes).
Once you feel comfortable in your turning stance, move on, practice your pushing and braking stance. Remain on the grass for this practice session.
When you’re pushing or braking you’re doing it with one leg on the board, one leg on the ground which means you’re going to need to perfect your balancing act.
Rotate your front foot so your toe is facing toward the nose of your board simultaneously rotate your posture so you’re facing forward. Now shift your weight to your front leg and bend your knee, so your back leg touches the ground. It’s important to do this without moving your hips. Stay in this position – with your back foot on the ground and your front leg having bended knee – for a few seconds. After a few seconds raise the leg on the ground so that it’s back on the board and you’re in your original stance.
This manoeuvre may seem easy, but because the board keeps shifting from side to side it does require some practice to feel comfortable.
Longboarding Tip #5: Start Moving
Now the “fun” begins. It’s time to get off the grass and onto the sidewalk or parking lot with a slight incline.
Letting gravity do the work to get your board moving, help it along by giving a slight push. Once you’re moving, practice the manoeuvres in tip #4 before taking your board to the open road. Focus on braking by putting your foot to the ground and instead of pushing, brushing the ground with the sole of your foot.
You can spend an afternoon practising, as the most important aspect of longboarding is maintaining your balance in different stances. Therefore, consider lifting your back leg and riding on your front leg for a few seconds at a time. Remember, balance is all in your core.
Longboarding Tip #6: Practice Going Downhill and Uphill
This is where things get exhilarating and far more dangerous. But longboarders are known for riding downhill.
To complete this practice session avoid steep inclines, instead find a mild hill with not much distance.
You can then practice going downhill, developing your braking and gaining control of your board. For this process, it’s good to invest in good skate shoes and have a helmet in case you do lose control. You can also bring someone along to ensure you’re staying safe and to warn you about possible obstructions.
Longboarding Tip #7: Practice Falling In The Correct Way
There isn’t a rider on earth that hasn’t fallen at some stage or another, and while battle scars can be exciting in theory, falling incorrectly can be catastrophic. Instead of waiting for the day when you’ll fall or riding so cautiously you never fall, practising falling on a cushioned surface.
It’s also good to remember to wear safety gear when you’re on your board because even falling correctly, when you’re going at excessive speeds is not a pretty picture.
To fall correctly, cross your arms across your torso, tucking them in slightly, then use your forearm to brace yourself and help guide the process so you’re able to roll on your shoulder. This manoeuvre is known as a shoulder roll in case you want to watch a video tutorial to get a visual representation of how to do it.
Longboarding Tip #8: Be Courteous and Vigilant
There are several unspoken rules for longboarders. Although skateboarding is often seen as an antisocial sport with uncourteous riders, longboarders are trying to change that reputation. Possibly, because beyond being a sport for tricks, longboarding is also a sport for commuters. Besides, if you don’t want your neighbours to have a vendetta against you, you should always try to be courteous.
Start by giving pedestrians the right of way. If there’s a designated lane for cyclists, choose to ride in that lane, especially if you’re going at excessive speeds.
When you are approaching pedestrians signal to them that you’re passing them on a specific side.
Secondly, and most important, always keep a lookout for cars, especially when you’re approaching a turning point. Drivers are known for not signalling and taking sharp turns and will leave you worse off than both the driver and their car.
Longboarding Tip #9: Have Fun While You’re Learning
Don’t be embarrassed while you’re learning. Rather embrace your journey as a beginner because you only get to be one once. This is also the time to get an entry-level board and shoes, so you’re able to perfect your boarding before deciding what board is going to be your ride-or-die.
Remember, that once, you’ve perfected your skill customizing your board with wheels, trunks, and decks becomes more personal because you know what you’re looking for in a board.
These are all the tips for longboarding your need to be aware of as a newbie. Once you start developing your skill and becoming more confident in riding, it’s easy to find a group of more experienced longboarders who will help you hone your skills.
Leave a Reply