Imagine, you are surfing the streets and sidewalks, the land you ride on feels like a wave. Every pavement you are passing looks challenging. You are constantly changing your course and position, pushing, carving or pumping. The city seems a big playground for you.
Riding a longboard is always fun. Who knows this better than the one who rides it. You probably have seen it in the movies or Youtube videos how hipster boys in the streets ride the longboard like a pro.
Well, if you’re up for riding a longboard but you’re not getting the right knowledge, tips, and tricks on it, you’re in the right place, my friend. All of your longboarding dreams will meet its truth as I’ll tell you how to ride a longboard properly.
How to Longboard for Beginners? Step by Step Guide
Just after when you begin to ride and continue to ride a longboard it feels changes over time. As a beginner, you may feel unbalanced and uneasy moving your body parts in the way as a skateboard demand. But as you keep riding and practicing it, following appropriate guidelines, you will feel much more convenient to drive.
Can’t wait to take your first ride? Then Prepare yourself and follow the steps.
Step 1: Get ready for longboarding
Now let us get you ready for some fun. Remember that longboarding is full of adventure but quite risky. A rider needs to tackle bumps and obstacles while riding. In this case, you should wear essential protective gear like helmet, flat-bottomed shoes, elbow, and knee pads.
Step 2: Learn how to place your feet to the board
Locate your board on a smooth surface which is wider and not dangerous. The first step to learn how to ride a longboard is standing to the board without losing your body balance. In most cases, your feet need to remain between the trucks, the connectors that adjusted with the wheel to the board.
Usually, your front foot needs to be diagonal across the board, about 45 degrees and back foot usually about 90 degrees to the direction you are moving. All you have to do is carry on being a little wider feet keeper than shoulder width.
Step 3: Keep your best feet back
Try to know your balancing foot in which you will put all your weight. The other foot will do the work of turn or push the surface.
If you are keeping your right foot forward while riding, then you are goofy. Meanwhile, if you are skating with left foot forward, meaning you skate regular and your right foot will be doing the kicking.
Step 4: Know if you are a Goofy or Regular Rider
Still confused? Just ask someone to push you from behind and the first foot you step in front for balance is the same foot you want to ride with.
You can also try kicking a football, If you feel strong enough to force your foot harder against the football then choose it for best results.
Step 5: Learn to push-off
Allow all your body weight on your front foot and use the back foot pushing the ground. Try to get moving constantly.
Some people push the surface with the front foot which is a technique called “Pushing Mango” and some push off with the back foot.
Keep pushing your kicking foot against terrain again and again when the board is slowing down.
Step 6: Practice turning
By putting some pressure on one side of the board and lean while riding, you can turn easily. If you are comfortable moving forward then it’s high time you should try turning. Just lean your body in the direction you want to move.
You can also use your heel or toes to turn. Practice turning more you can and enjoy roaming around.
Step 7: Bend your knees slightly for balance
Move your body as you feel comfortable. Don’t hesitate to move it in the way your body demands. Bending your knees slightly will help you to balance your moves.
Step 8: Slowing down and stop riding
Sometimes you may need to stop or slow down. Move your pushing foot slowly on the ground. Keep in mind that applying too much pressure can make you fall off the longboard. At the time of pushing your feet to the ground, your weight will make some friction that will slow down the speed of your board.
You can also use the method of carving and air braking to take a break. If you let your all pressure of the body directly to the board and shoulder weight to the back of the board it will slow down. Air braking is a type of friction brake for vehicles that compressed air pressing on a piston. It gives pressure to the brake pads and the board starts running slow.
Longboard Tricks
When you will find riding more natural you can try some tricks. You will not learn any tricks overnight. But as you get along and keep practicing you will progress.
Slide away
At an initial stage, first, you need to learn how to slide away and balance your body through other hands. It’s going to help you from falling off. Just locate the board in the direction you want to move and lift it enough that the wheels are just off the ground.
Tuck trick
If you want to cover long distances in one push then you should learn these easy tricks. Simply push off with your back foot and get the push off the foot at the back of the board. Now kneel down as much as you can. Keep your arms behind as much as you can. To steer your board, use your weight.
Hang ten
Put all of your ten fingers on the front end of the board and raise it up in the air. Don’t try it when you are experienced enough. It is probably the trickiest tricks for a longboard.
Longboard Tips
- Once you get the basic learning, practice turning. If you are intending to ride uphill try the less task of turning.
- If you Practice the ways of stopping a board incorrectly it can make your injured. Coming to a halt correctly is very important. Foot braking, carving, rolling, sliding are some of the tricks to stop a longboard.
- For good riding, you will need good equipment. Sliding gloves, helmet, elbow and knee pads can be a good investment if you want to practice riding a longboard seriously.
- It is recommended for the beginner to start riding in the flat and smooth area at the initial stage. It will get you better familiar with turning and kicking.
- When you need to stop your board, let it stop naturally. Riding it out can do this work better. Expert says it is the easiest and effective way to stop board.
FAQ: Important Question & Answer
How fast can a longboard go?
It’s about your skill and board. The speed may range from 6 mph when cruising, to 50-65 mph when downhill riding.
Is longboarding easy for beginners?
It may feel hard when riding for the first time. But it becomes easier once you catch the tricks.
How can I get better on a longboard?
Get the basic stance down and Practice balancing your body.
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Wrap up
Riding a longboard is all about how you move your foot. Moving your foot perfectly can make you an awesome rider. The most important part is practicing it more and more. The more you practice the more you will meet the success. Fun is involved throughout the entire process. All sum up of words like exhilarating, exciting, enjoyable, fulfilling, and frustrating includes in a longboard riding journey.
