Longboards are the best present to give on Christmas or birthdays to your loved ones. But sometimes, longboarding can be scary for those who had never ridden it before. So are you thinking about learning to longboard? Absolutely yes! It can be daunting and fun at the same time.
You have bought the longboard, but not sure is it safe to ride? Well, you are in the right spot. All of us were once beginners. To master longboarding like a pro, we need constant practice. We will provide you with a complete guide about whether longboards are suitable for beginners or not. Let’s start!
Are Longboards Good for Beginners?
All in all, longboarding is not difficult at all. Like other activities, you need to practice a couple of times and learn the basic movements. And in a few days, you will be riding like a pro and doing fun tricks.
As a beginner, longboarding can be a challenging task. But as it is made of sturdy material, it gives you good balance and stability. Anybody can longboard regardless of age and size. Though you will fall a couple of times, you can quickly learn it with everyday practice.
Once you master it, you can use it for racing or as personal transportation. Overall, it is very beneficial. It is the best tool for exercise and workouts. Also, it is the best way to lose excessive weight. Likewise, a longboard needs pushing, turning, and kicking, so it is an excellent medium to strengthen your muscles. Further, it is fun support that gives you pleasure and enhances your balance coordination.
Furthermore, there are separate longboards designed for starters. For example, a deck is made of maple wood. This feature allows longboards to be durable. Also, as it is more extended and wider than conventional skateboards, it provides you the best balance. Its wheels give you a large amount of room to move around with ease. Don’t worry about its breakage!
What is a Longboard?
A longboard is a type of skateboard that is longer than a traditional skateboard. It is constructed with top-quality material that can withstand harsh environments. Likewise, we can’t forget about its solid wheels. These soft cutie wheels provide a comfortable ride against all kinds of terrain. In short, it is best for both cruising and long-distance transportation. Let’s see how you can learn and ride a longboard easily.
How to Longboard?
Step 1
First of all, figure out whether you are a pro or regular. An individual’s natural stance varies from sports to sports. If you are riding with your right foot in a forward position, this riding stance is called “goofy.” If you ride with your left foot in a forwarding stance, it is a “regular” riding position. Hence, getting the ride position is essentially essential.
Step 2
As a beginner, the first thing you need to learn is balancing yourself using a longboard made for beginners. You can do this either on a thick carpet of grass, so longboards do not roll easily. After you know how to balance yourself, try to practice longboarding on a flat surface. Make sure your knees are slightly bent and you are leaning in a forward position. The lower you keep your center of gravity, the more comfortable and stable you will have.
Step 3
Once you have learned to balance your position, the next thing is to start kicking and pushing your longboard with your foot. First of all, take one of your legs off the board. Keep one leg on the board and start moving with small steps with the foot touching the ground. Moreover, keep your face forward. Keep pushing on the pavement with your left foot while your front foot is on the board.
Step 4
After some practice, you will get the hang of it. Later, you can start to ride faster with harder kicks. To ride fastly and quickly, you need a good push. The most crucial step in longboarding is turning. With the help of a toe, put pressure on the side of the board or the edge to turn in the desired location. All you need is to lean in the required direction to make the longboard turn left or right.
Step 5
The next step is foot breaking. This is quite an easy step. Drag down your back foot to the ground to create friction. In this way, you can stop or slow down the longboard. You can generate friction by going into a tic-tac or with air breaking by putting your arms out in the air to slow down the longboard.
Step 6
As they say, Rome wasn’t built in a day. You can’t learn longboarding in a day. Keep practicing till you master longboarding. Likewise, get yourself the right board that meets your requirements. Once you get the hang of the basic steps, you can opt for the next level. With all that, have a blast with longboarding.
Beginners Guide for Longboarding
As a beginner, the following things should be kept in mind:
Protective Gears
The foremost tip for all young beginners is to wear a helmet. It is always recommended for all kinds of riding activities. Wearing a helmet acts as an additional protective layer on the head, and it protects from severe head injuries and heavy bumps.
Make sure to wear extra gears like elbow and knee pads. As a beginner, you will fall and trip over and over again. As a result, you are bound to get wounds. To avoid getting scratches and injuries, you need to wear these protective gears.
Get the Right Longboard
Longboards come in various sizes and shapes. It also varies depending on the individual’s age, height and weight. Hence, you need to get the right longboard that will provide you smooth and comfortable riding.
At the start, riders should get either a light or medium longboard. It should also be constructed with high-quality material that provides excellent durability and a stable ride. If you don’t want to get injured, again and again, opt for the right longboard.
Safe Location
Whenever you are going out for practice, choose a safe location. Select a place where there are no pedestrians, cyclists, or other riders. Never ride on footpaths or main rides. Because in that case, you will be safe from minor or major accidents.
Likewise, always select a flat path for practice. Once you master riding on a flat road, then you can opt for small slopes. It is okay if you fall initially. Learn at your own pace. Over time, you will be able to ride comfortably on steep or sloppy roads.
Essential Tools
Make sure to carry extra longboard tools with yourself. Because if there is any loose part, you can adjust it on the spot. If setting up your longboard is out of your reach, take help from the repair shop. Overall, if you are going out for a ride, make sure the longboard is appropriately adjusted.
Is a Longboard the Same as a Skateboard?
A longboard is a type of skateboard. But there are many differences between them. First of all, they vary from each other in terms of appearance. As the name suggests, longboards are longer and have flat noses as well as tails. At the same time, a skateboard has a curved appearance on both ends. Here are some key differences between longboard and cruiser board, in case you want to learn more about boards.
Likewise, the wheels of both the boards are also different from one another. Skateboards have harder wheels, making it easier for riders who try to perform grinding or other tricks based on their preferences. In contrast, longboards contain softer and larger wheels. For those who want to race downhill and want to go faster, longboards might suit their tastes.
Moreover, if you want to master new tricks, then first opt for a longboard suitable for doing tricks. Longboards are longer and broader, so it will be easier for you to balance yourself. While you have mastered balancing yourself, you can then go for a skateboard.
FAQs
Is longboarding hard to learn?
Nothing is impossible until you practice it. Longboards are longer and have softer wheels which provide you a stable and comfortable riding. You need to work on balance, learn to turn, lean and foot-break. Once you master it, you will be able to ride a longboard with ease. I’ve also answered the question whether longboarding is hard or not in detail as well.
Can you lose weight longboarding?
Longboarding is the best way to lose excessive fat. According to different reviews, daily riding for 1 hour can help you lose lots of calories. Moreover, it keeps you fit and healthy. Longboarding every day can help you lose lots of pounds.
Do I need a helmet for longboarding?
As a beginner, longboarding can be a challenging and dangerous activity for you. That’s why it is always recommended to wear a helmet. It can prevent getting bad head injuries. Because not wearing a helmet can be fatal for you.
Final Verdict
Overall, longboarding can be a daunting activity for an amateur. But once you learn the basic steps with everyday practice, it will become relatively easier to ride. Make sure to follow the safety tips. Longboarding can also provide you with lots of benefits.
All in all, it provides you a stable and comfortable ride. So what are you waiting for? Start riding a longboard with your friends and make your day more enjoyable! Happy longboarding!
