How to choose a longboard to start with
Getting started with a longboard shouldn't be a daunting prospect, even for those who have never ridden a board before. In fact, it's the easiest way to learn to skate. Below, you'll find a few tips to help you get started safely.
Many new riders jump right off the slopes without even knowing the basics. Don't do that! Start small, and only when you've gained confidence and the right balance can you progress safely.
- Everyone has a natural riding position for boardsports. To find out yours, simply stand with your feet together and pretend someone is pushing you from behind. You'll naturally put one foot forward to avoid falling. If your left foot is regular, you're a goofy rider; if your right foot is goofy, you're a goofy rider. This is the first thing to figure out before getting on a board.
- A great way to practice safely and become familiar with balancing is to place your skateboard on grass or a thick carpet, so that the friction prevents the board from rolling. Step on it and position your feet correctly, then practice the basic moves you'll be doing on the street. For example, try pushing down on the edges of the board with your toes and heels to make the board turn left or right. This will help you better understand how to initiate turns.
- As a beginner, knowing how to brake is obviously essential for anything you'll do on a longboard. Braking with your foot is the first technique you need to master. The motion is similar to pushing, but instead of pushing with your foot, you brush the ground with the ball of your foot to slow down and create friction. This technique works well at low speeds but becomes more challenging as you go faster.
- Once you can brake on a flat surface, you're ready to hit a small hill. Find one that ends on a flat or uphill slope and doesn't cross any roads. At this stage, it's best to wear some protection. Wear a properly sized, comfortable helmet that's strapped under your chin, and perhaps even knee and elbow pads. Make sure you have skate shoes with sturdy soles for foot braking. Remember, don't ride your longboard up a hill until you know you can handle it. There's nothing worse than losing control on a downhill slope and crashing because you're not prepared.
- I know, it seems scary and strange, but sooner or later you're going to fall. Don't be scared, though. The important thing is not to fall on a stiff arm or hands, to avoid breaking your arm or wrist. When you fall, instead of stretching your hands and keeping your arm stiff, you need to learn to slide your arms along your torso, land on your forearm, and roll sideways onto your shoulder. This technique takes practice, so it's best to try it on a mat or a pile of pillows on the floor.
- Learning to slide isn't easy, but it's an important step in your longboarding progress because it will help you take your riding to the next level. The slide is primarily used to slow down your longboard, effectively putting the board sideways. There are many ways to slide, some easier than others, but you can do it standing on the board or with one hand on the ground. If you're not going too fast, doing it standing can be easier to learn with a little practice. At higher speeds, however, downward slides will likely be safer. For a ground slide, you really get low on the board and put your hand on the ground to take some of your weight off the wheels. Meanwhile, your other hand grabs the edge of the board and pulls it hard into a sharp turn to position the board perpendicular to the slope.
BEST LONGBOARD TO START WITH STYLE
You won't become a longboarding pro overnight. Don't get discouraged when you fall or can't slide. The more patient you are, the better your chances of becoming good. One of the most important things to start longboarding, as with everything in life, is perseverance. Keep practicing, maybe watch a video or two, talk to other longboarders, and soon you'll acquire the very skills you envy other riders. Whatever you do, make sure you enjoy this amazing sport and offer others who are watching or riding with you an enjoyable and positive experience.
The best cruisers to get started around the city
ON CAVEMAN-SHOP.IT YOU CAN FIND EVERYTHING YOU NEED FOR LONGBOARDING!
At our longboard shop, you can find longboards for cruising around town, longboards for cruising, downhill, or freeride longboards for having fun at the skatepark with your friends. We also offer single decks, wheels, and longboard trucks to help you create the perfect custom setup.
