Longboards are an evolution of traditional skateboards. Actually, longboards have formed a subculture within the skateboarding culture - longboarding. When riding on a longboard, you are keeping one fact in mind - you are not interested in doing tricks as much as just cruising on the board alone. That’s right, longboards are more of a tool of getting around rather than a tool for doing flashy tricks. So, without further ado, let’s check out some reasons why should you buy a longboard.
In a rush? Don’t worry, here is a list of reasons that make longboards worth a buy:
- Longboards are great for learning the basics.
- It’s easier to learn balance on a longboard.
- You will do a better cardio exercise than on a normal skateboard.
- Longboards are great for daily commutes.
- They encourage exploration.
Longboards Are Great For Learning The Basics
As longboards are designed more ergonomically and longer than regular skateboards, they offer more stability which is valued by beginner skateboarders. Also, one of the basic, yet most essential skills for cruising and skating, in general, is braking - and longboards provide a robust training ground for that.
Mind you, it is challenging, borderline impossible to do even the most basic of tricks on a longboard. But, when it comes to basics in maneuvering, longboards are the king of the hill.
It’s Easier To Learn Balance On A Longboard
As longboards are primarily designed for cruising, they are an ideal type of skateboard to learn to balance. While cruising on the longboard, you will be much more focused on the things around you, as well as on how your body balances. By taking away the focus from performing tricks, longboards promote learning to balance, which is excellent for beginners.
You Will Do A Better Cardio Exercise Than On A Normal Skateboard
Longboards are made to tread longer distances with much more fluidity, maneuverability, and speed than with a regular skateboard. This design choice promotes longboarders to cruise much more. That inherently translates to more kicking on the ground, which will result in improved stamina and general cardiovascular health.
Longboards Are Great For Daily Commutes
This point applies especially for those who live in large cities. During the rush hour, the streets tend to be overcrowded in such cities, making getting around a chore and a big time-waster.
But what if you packed your longboard with you on a daily commute? You can even go as far as starting your daily commute in your vehicle of choice. When you run into a traffic jam, you can park your car at a safe place, and take your longboard for a cruise.
Longboards are great for such transportation as they feature softer wheels, which results in more speed and stability.
Longboards Encourage Exploration
Well, longboards are the type of board that you won’t carry around to skate parks - you will use them to explore your city and surroundings from a brand-new perspective. As they are designed mainly for cruising, with wheels that won’t break down under the first bump in the road, they are great to inspire your curiosity and exploratory spirit.
A Brief Background On Longboards
Longboards and longboarding are inherently tied to surfboards and surfing in general. The idea of longboards traces its roots to the passionate Hawaiian surfers of the 1950s, who wanted to take the surfing to the surface, especially when the waves were too small. So, the first longboards were actually surfboards with screwed trucks and wheels. It would take until the 1990s until the longboards became mainstream as we know them today.
What Style Longboard Should You Get?
You can snatch a longboard depending on your riding style that includes:
- Cruising
- Downhill
- Freeride
- Freestyle
Cruising mainly refers to riding on flat surfaces with a longboard. For this style, a 28” - 46” board is suitable. Smaller longboards will help you turn better, while longer ones will offer higher speed and stability.
Downhill style is a competitive aspect of longboarding, with speeds getting around 50 mph when going down the slope. For this style, you will need a longer board that offers a suitable level of control. Something between 36” and 40” of width should be enough.
Freeriding will require a higher level of skill just like downhill style requires. It involves riding down slopes at higher speeds, along with some curves that will require you to slide often. For this style, you will definitely need high stability and a degree of control. That’s why a longboard between 38” and 42” of width is the best for this.
Freestyle is the most open-ended of all longboard styles as it accompanies all the previously mentioned styles. So, it is all about creativity and your ability to adapt. The best longboard for freestyle is the one that offers the right balance of stability and speed.
Keep in mind that it is almost impossible to do tricks like ollie and kickflip on the longboard, even if you are getting air from a ramp! Longboards are designed to make you feel like surfing on any kind of surface. If you want to do tricks, a double-kick skateboard may be an ideal choice for you.
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These were just a few of the many reasons why should you buy a longboard. Now that you are here, did you know that we can design a custom longboard for you free of charge?
For any further questions about longboards, feel free to contact us via email or live chat.