Longboard - what is it like to learn how to ride a longboard?

Street sports are constantly evolving, and equipment is changing and improving. The novelty can be considered a longboard, which looks like a skateboard, but has a number of important differences. There are different types of boards on which you can learn how to ride on your own.

What is a longboard?

A sub-type of skateboard designed for high-speed driving is called a longboard. It is believed that this type of board has a direct connection with the surfers. There are different types of longboards, but all of them are characterized by high driving speed, excellent stability and improved driving performance. It is worth noting that such boards are not used for making jumps with rotations. The design features include an elongated wheelbase and platform, as well as soft and enlarged wheels.

Longboard and skateboard - what's the difference?

There are a number of criteria for determining the main differences:

1. The skateboard and longboard, the differences of which are visible visually, have different length of the deck, so in the first variant it is short, which is important for ease and maneuverability, while for the second it is long and more elastic.
2. Longboards have a straight board (the cocktail has a raised tail), and skateboards have a tail and a nose for jumping.
3. Long decks have a wide suspension, and skateboards it is rigid and narrow, which is important for maneuverability.
4. Distinctive features also affect the wheels, so longboards have broad and soft ones, and skateboards have small and stiff ones.

How to choose a longboard?

Experts recommend that if possible try out a few boards or buy an inexpensive longboard, and after a couple of months, focusing on your own feelings to choose the right option for yourself or upgrade the existing board. The choice of longboard is based on the following criteria:

1. Length . You need to choose based on convenience, not stability, because this parameter depends on the rigidity and width of the suspension.
2. Width . Choose a size so that the feet are conveniently located and do not hang. The golden middle is the deck of 9 inches. Another important nuance - the width of the suspension with the wheels should be identical to the platform.
3. Fastening of suspensions . Longboards can have three mounting options: Top Mount, Drop Down and Drop Through. The first option is considered the best in order to evaluate all the possibilities of the board and feel the twists and turns.
4. Pendants . Experts recommend choosing a suspension with a reverse kingpin, which is directed outwards. The angle of the suspension should be 50 or 52 °. It is important to pay attention to the bushings (rubber bands) and check them when turning so that the stroke is smooth and deep.
5. Wheels . There is a wide range of different diameters, widths and stiffnesses. The most popular longboard has wheels with a diameter of 70 mm. It is better to choose rounded edges, because they do not stop. The standard hardness is 78A.

How much does a longboard cost?

The cost of such vehicles depends on many factors: appearance, quality of parts, brand and so on. For beginners it is better to buy inexpensive models, the price of which varies from $ 35 to $ 85. As for branded boards, their cost is much higher and it starts at $ 170. If you want to buy a longboard with an electric drive, then you have to say goodbye to a larger amount, from about $ 350.

Types of longboards

Existing models of longboards are divided into three main groups: classical pinteyly, drop-decks and universal cruisers. They are divided into subspecies, among which there are:

1. Surf-Style . There are different lengths from 1 m 40 cm to 3 m. This kind of boards is ideal for zigzag driving.
2. Cruise longboards . The length of such boards varies from 0.75 m to 1 m 30 cm. Large wheels for longboard make it maneuverable. This option is recommended for beginners.
3. Drop through . The boards of this group are characterized by stable movement during speed dialing due to low landing. Suspension can be adjusted, so you can change the nature and dynamics of driving.
4. A hybrid board . Such longboard is a medium variant between short and long decks. It is characterized by high speed and maneuverability. The length is 0.7-0.8 m.
5. Slalom . This board has a length of 0.6-0.7 m, and it has increased stiffness. Longboard is maneuverable and can gain high speed.
6. Hill-bombing . They use such longboards for fast descent from the mountain, and their length reaches about 1 m. The design uses special pendants that increase stability and reduce fluctuations.

Mini longboard

In the modern world, fingerboard is a popular - miniature copies of ordinary longboards, which are operated only with fingers. If outwardly it looks easy, then to do tricks you need skill and numerous workouts. Many may think that this is entertainment, but in fact it is already a specific sport . Finger longboard can be plastic or wooden, and the first option is more common.

Electric longboard

If we consider the design of this vehicle, it is similar to the usual longboard, but in addition has an electric motor and battery. In most cases, the control is carried out by a special console, which sets the movement forward / backward, but the turns and maneuverability is due to the inclination of the deck. Electro longboard can move at a speed of about 30-40 km / h. The average weight of the structure is approximately 10 kg. Charging the batteries is carried out from the network and one charge is enough for 20-30 km.

How to ride a longboard?

First you need to buy equipment to protect yourself from getting injured. There are several tips for learning how to ride a longboard:

1. Determine with the directing leg, this one, which is convenient first to become on the board. During the movement you need to understand whether the center of gravity is correctly distributed or not.
2. To accept the basic posture, it is necessary to stand so that the legs are on the width of the shoulders between the bolts that fasten the suspension. One leg should be perpendicular to the direction of movement, and the other (guide) should stand along the board and be slightly bent.
3. Balancing is carried out with the help of hands and feet. After it is already possible to go in a straight line, you can proceed to study the turns and different tricks.

How to slow down a longboard?

There are several ways of inhibition and the choice should be made from your own feelings:

1. The simplest, but insecure way is to jump off the board while driving. Such a decision leads to a complete loss of control, which can lead to injury.
2. Longboarding can be stopped if you stop with one foot. To stop the movement, the hind leg should be lowered to the asphalt, and observe the transition from the toe to the entire foot. It is important that the front leg is stable on the board and it is better to slightly bend it in the knee. Use this method only at low speeds.
3. If the maximum speed of the longboard is reached, then the best way to reset the speed is to execute the slide. Still it is used for sudden and safe braking.

Longbord tricks

There are many different tricks that you can learn while skating on the board. Let's pay attention to the most popular of them:

1. Manual . You can learn carving or other styles of riding on a longboard and for this it is important to learn the trick "manual". It means tilting the board while driving. Stand in the usual rack and move the hind leg closer to the center of the platform while the front leg is placed on the platform's nose. Transfer the weight to the front limb, bending it slightly at the knee. In this case, the tail of the board will come off the ground. It is important to determine the balance so as not to fall.
2. Pivot . The most popular 180 ° turn is performed on the front suspension. Put the front leg closer to the platform's nose, and the back one is approximately in the middle. Lead the limb slightly bend and transfer the weight to it so that the tail slightly lifts. Carry out a turn by pulling aside the shoulders first, then the body. The legs must end the turn.

Dancing on the longboard

A special way of driving, implying performing dance moves, is called Board Dancing. Dancing requires the purchase of a suitable board, so the necessary length of the longboard starts from 120 cm. The key skill means riding on two racks, when both feet are on the platform. To learn how to dance, study the change of the rack:

1. The movement begins in the usual rack, placing stops perpendicular to the movement.
2. Place the hind foot approximately in the middle of the platform, pointing the toe toward the movement.
3. In this case, the rear leg is moved forward and placed perpendicular to the movement. The sock should be pointed in the opposite direction to the original position.
4. The leg, whose sock is directed towards the movement, is shifted back perpendicular to the movement.
5. After doing all the manipulations, the athlete must turn the body in the direction that is opposite to the original posture. Change racks - the base on which to base other tricks dansinga.