Longboarding
What Is Longboarding?
Longboarding is an action sport that offers a more surf-like experience compared to skateboarding. It involves using boards that are longer and wider than skateboards. Additionally, longboards have larger and softer wheels, which provide superior cruising and carving abilities compared to skateboards.
In general, longboarding is excellent for speed and covering distances, and it also serves as a quick and convenient transportation option for daily use. Many longboarding competitions focus on achieving high speeds while riding downhill. However, longboarding also includes more trick-oriented styles of riding, making it a versatile board sport.
Different Styles of Longboarding
Longboarding can be categorized into five main riding styles: cruising, freestyle, freeride, downhill, and dancing.
The most common style is cruising. This type of longboarding is relatively easy to learn and provides a fun, surf-like feeling when commuting or riding on various surfaces. Carving is similar to cruising but involves deeper turns and more pumping.
Longboard dancing involves performing various boardwalk tricks on your longboard, allowing you to showcase your creativity and artistic side. Freestyle longboarding is another discipline that enables you to perform different tricks, such as hand spins and jumps, with your board.
Downhill longboarding is for experienced riders. This style focuses on achieving high speeds while riding downhill and requires good control of your body and board, as well as knowledge of riding techniques. Freeride longboarding is similar to downhill but, instead of focusing solely on speed, the rider aims to perform slides and tricks.
Why Longboarding Is Good for You
Like other board sports, longboarding offers numerous health benefits. It provides good aerobic exercise and helps improve your balance. Longboarding is also a fun and beginner-friendly sport that doesn't require a significant investment to start.
Longboarding is typically done outdoors, making it an excellent way to increase your time spent in the fresh air. The large wheels ensure smooth rides even on rough surfaces, allowing you to ride your longboard in various places—from cities to countryside roads. Longboarding can also help reduce stress by keeping you focused and providing enjoyable riding experiences.
To maximize your longboarding sessions, remember to stay protected. You can find suitable protection gear in our category Longboard & Skateboard Protection.