Longboarding
Understanding Longboarding
Longboarding is an action sport that shares more of a surfing vibe compared to skateboarding. This activity uses boards that are both longer and wider than skateboards. Additionally, longboards are equipped with larger and softer wheels, granting them superior cruising and carving capabilities over skateboards.
On the whole, longboarding excels in speed and covering distances and serves as an efficient and easy daily mode of transport. Many longboarding competitions emphasise high-speed downhill riding. Nevertheless, trick-oriented riding styles are also part of longboarding, rendering it a versatile board sport.
Varied Longboarding Styles
Generally, longboarding can be categorised into five main riding styles: cruising, freestyle, freeride, downhill, and dancing.
The most prevalent riding style is cruising. This longboarding type is fairly simple to master, offering a fun, surf-like sensation when commuting or riding across different surfaces. Carving resembles cruising but involves deeper turns and more dynamic movements.
Longboard dancing revolves around executing various boardwalk tricks on your longboard. This style allows you to showcase your creativity and artistic flair. Freestyle longboarding, another riding discipline, lets you perform diverse tricks, like hand spins and jumps, with your board.
Downhill longboarding suits seasoned riders. This style centres on achieving high speeds while riding downhill, demanding excellent board and body control, as well as an understanding of riding techniques. Freeride longboarding is akin to downhill, but instead of solely focusing on speed, the rider aims to perform slides and tricks.
The Benefits of Longboarding
Similar to other board sports, longboarding offers numerous health advantages. It serves as a good aerobic exercise and markedly progresses your balance. Longboarding is a delightful and beginner-friendly sport not requiring significant financial investment to get started.
Being an outdoor activity, longboarding is a fantastic way to increase your exposure to fresh air. The large wheels ensure smooth rides across various terrains, allowing you to ride your longboard in diverse locations—from urban settings to rural roads. Additionally, longboarding can alleviate stress by maintaining focus and delivering gratifying riding experiences.
To fully enjoy your longboarding adventures, remember to stay safe. You can discover appropriate protection equipment in our category Longboard & Skateboard Protection.