Flying through the wind with high speed and constant jumping can be a terrific experience. Yet, when this amazing ride comes to an end, a key concern for many users lies in stopping the longboard. Many users are confronted by the question of how to stop on a longboard? Are you concerned about the safe landing from a longboard?
This can be dealt in a variety of ways considering the smooth to a rough ride, beginner to long-running professional, or the speed of the longboard. Still, the thumb rule lies with the introduction of friction and shedding the speed that can stop your longboard in different ways.
Thereby, this article offers a thorough guide on how to stop on a longboard with the possible methods to produce friction eliminating any chances of injuries. Following are some methods with which you can ensure safety while stopping the longboard.
How to Stop on a Longboard – Methods to Shed the Speed of the Longboard
1. Foot Braking
The foot braking is an appropriate and practical method of stopping the longboard but only when you are going at an intermediate speed. Also, it is a convenient and painless method yet works only in the case of a plain surface and not on steep hills. First and foremost, you must take the footwear in considerations that are in coherence with the process. Hence, don’t wear flip flops or soled shoes.
Now to start the process, you first have to put all the weight on the front of the longboard. In this step, use the regular foot to put the weight on the front. Never use a foot brake with the back foot because it can seriously lead to the dispersion of weight in the direction you are moving. Hence, for a shaky and somewhat bumpy surface, never use a back foot to foot brake. It can also increase the chances of a shaky back foot.
Now, after putting the weight on the front, you will have to glide your back foot above the surface. After this, drag the back foot rightly aligned with your board and put partial pressure on the ground. Carefully, in this step, do not lean on the backfoot because the chances of falling from the board are higher in this case. Make sure, you are wearing hard and large sole shoes because this can tear down the sole of your shoe while damaging your foot.
Now, keep putting a slight pressure from the front to the back with the constant movement with the ground. Likewise, while applying the pressure, you must have to maintain a balance between the speed and the weight on the front side of the longboard. The production of friction depends on the surface or terrain so the weight you are putting must be in accordance with the ground to get a favourable outcome.
2. Power Sliding
In this process, there are some serious factors you must look into to guarantee the generation of friction with the additional safety. First of all, it is significant to carve out a side toe for the purpose of setting up a slide. Also, it is a most natural power slide yet you have to keep an account of the traffic from both sides. It is an easy and efficient way for users who possess an intermediate skill set.
To start the process, keep the weight in the front and the heels. Distribute your weight evenly in the heels and shift about 65-70 % of your weight on the front section of your longboard. Now, turn your shoulders and back in the direction you are moving, opposite to the foot braking. Next, in the 180 degrees, kick your foot in the air in the same direction.
Similarly, while you are sliding, try to keep the shift of 180 degrees in the forward direction. This will help you prevent falling from the longboard. After performing all the steps correctly, you are most probably expected to achieve friction. This friction is an ideal way of stopping your longboard while maintaining the center of gravity.
3. Jumping off the Board
This method is appropriate and suitable when you are going at walking speed and you can just jump off the longboard according to your need. And while achieving a somewhat running speed of the longboard, try to run and get off the board when you want to ride safely. However, if the speed goes up to 200mph, try not to do this method because it can lead to injuries, and the chances of falling increase. Always remember that this technique is risky and involves serious injuries by rolling your body, causing an accident and interrupting the traffic level, etc.
4. Rolling onto the Surface
If you are going through a bumpy ride and looking for a chance to stop the longboard, what you need to do is roll down your longboard on the rough or bumpy surface. This technique will make the pace slower and eventually will stop the board effectively. If you are going on a road, what you must look for is a side grass area or the gravel on the side of the main road. Thereby, this can easily stop the longboard by producing friction between the board and the terrain. However, in this scenario, thick grass can be overwhelming and the user can fall off the board.
5. Coleman Sliding
In addition to the foot braking, the Coleman slide is one of the most user-friendly and easy-going stopping methods that can help you produce the perfect friction. It can also be beneficial for speed control and is used in downhill sliding. Many users appreciate and prefer this method over the foot brakes because of the very reason that it allows stopping of the board on any surface.
To perform this technique, first of all, carve out a toeside. Here, make sure that the heels are shifting the weight on the heelside of the board if you are using a narrow deck board. Quite opposite, while using the wide deck board, try to use your foot and align it parallel to the board in the air. Angle the knee to the front and shift all the weight on the front foot. Now, slowly return to the shoulder and move it in the direction of the front side. This will shut down the speed of the board and will create friction that will ultimately stop the board. Lastly, you can also learn how to ride a longboard easily.
High Speed and Stopping the Longboard
Foot braking is an ideal option while you are going for the 200 mph speed on a small slope. However, some longboards have the tendency to go as high as 300 mph speed. For this speed range, you need an extra skill set with high accuracy and precision to maintain the posture and shed the speed.
Likewise, you must go for rolling on the rough surface or the power slide that can be a little risky yet ensures favorable outcomes with the friction. With these techniques, you can maintain the center of gravity as you perform small kicks while bending your knee. At the same time, foot braking can be a little scary as a slight mistake in the weight shifting can lead to serious injuries by falling from the longboard.
Lastly, if you are a hoverboard fan then you should also know how to calibrate your hoverboard. You can also check out the best longboards for dancing if that’s something you are interested in.
FAQs
What is a shutdown slide?
Shutdown slide mainly refers to the slides of the longboard either to slow down the speed or the adjusting the speed before the drift also known as the pre-drift slide. While riding, you push the back wheels of the board while laying it perpendicular to the field. And dramatically, after attaining traction, the board loses speed and eventually stops.
What is carving and how can we do it?
Carving is another method to stop the longboard yet involves huge risk and special skills. It involves the back and forth turning of the board against the hill or a steep surface. Hence, while skidding, the wheels lose the traction and speed of the board. This will in turn stop the board yet with high precision and accuracy.
How do you stop on a high-speed longboard?
If you are going at a high speed, the beneficial and effective technique to stop the longboard is power sliding. It offers an easy-going process and a convenient method to produce friction. Yet, the process needs some consideration including the monitoring of traffic and having a strong grip on your board.
Final Thoughts
In the end, in order to stop the longboard, you will have to look for effective ways to slow down the speed. Thus, shedding the speed will consequently lead to stopping the longboard. Each skill set comes with its own technique for finishing the ride. So, after enjoying a fine and amazing ride, you must know how to stop the journey effectively.
Finally, enjoy the wholesome and pleasant experience of having a sound sense to control the speed of your longboard with great ease and these trouble-free techniques.
