Types of Skateboards - Short and Longboards Explained

If you're into skateboarding, you're obviously familiar with the standard short skateboard, but have you ever seen someone ride a longboard? Other than the difference in length, I bet you wonder how these two types of boards are different. Keep reading to learn the similarities and differences of the skateboard and the longboard.

A longboard is just a skateboard that's much longer than usual, and used for longboarding (as opposed to skateboarding). Instead of street style skating using ramps and pipes, longboards are almost always used for downhill racing, getting from point a to point b, or cruising around town. Since longboards are heavier than a standard board, they are not ideal for doing any kind of tricks. Longboarding is compared to surfing, like "surfing on land" or "surfing on concrete". The design of the longboard allows big turns and quick carves just like the surfers do.

Beginner Trick Skateboard

Longboarding started becoming popular around the same time as surf culture back in the 1950's. People say that longboarding started in southern California where riders enjoyed rolling hills and streets, but some believe longboarding started in Hawaii. This is still arguable today.

Types of Skateboards - Short and Longboards Explained

The equipment used for longboarding is nearly the same that is used for skateboarding. You'll notice longboarders will wear gloves and a helmet at a minimum. Longboarders participating in downhill races will wear special gloves to protect their hands while maneuvering the board (this is done in a lying position). Of course wrist, knee, and elbow padding is always recommended, especially for a beginner.

Most longboards are 35-60 inches long. Shorter boards can still be called longboards if their main purpose is the same as longboarding (cruising, downhill racing, travel). Longboards come in all kinds of shapes such as: pintails, flat nose, and boards shaped like a longer shortboard. Pintails allow looser trucks and larger wheels to be installed for more of a smooth surfing feel.

Longboard wheels can be much larger than regular skateboard wheels. The size difference is because smaller wheels have to spin faster to maintain the same speed, so larger wheels create less friction for a faster and smoother ride. Smaller wheels sometimes have problems with sticks, rocks, and cracks in the street or sidewalk. The larger the wheel size, the less likely it will stop rolling, and more likely to just roll over the obstruction.

Other hardware such as trucks and bearings are exactly the same on a skateboard and a longboard. There are a few types of trucks specific to longboards, which make the boards easier to use for downhill racing. Two of these are called Randal R-I Downhill style trucks and Torsion trucks.

Many Longboarders as well as skateboarders like to build their own decks in order to get the exact board they want. Board builders have a variety of materials like fiberglass, bamboo, and even a foam core. If you're thinking of building your own skateboard or longboard, everything can be purchased on the internet or local skateshop, including board building instructions.

Types of Skateboards - Short and Longboards Explained

While Toti Sleeps - Bustin Boombox & EQ - Bustin Longboards NYC

While Toti Sleeps - Bustin Boombox & EQ - Bustin Longboards NYC Video Clips. Duration : 3.85 Mins.

A brand new, super steezy cut from Bustin's own Perropro. Follow one our newest team riders, Toti as he and fellow Bustin shredder, Bruno, make mince meat of the spanish streets. This video features two of the newest boards in the Bustin lineup, the Boombox (www.bustinboards.com and EQ (www.bustinboards.com Both limited edition boards are available in stores around the world and customizable on www.bustinboards.com. Skateboarding is a dangerous sport. The tricks in these videos are performed by professional riders and should not be attempted beginner or intermediate riders. Please ALWAYS wear helmet. Skate for fun. One Love from Bustin Brooklyn

Keywords:

Longboards - Before You Start Practicing

Extreme sports consist of several items like roller skating, skate boarding, bungee jumping, etc. and these have become a craze among the youngsters of today. While they differ in the amount of risk they contain, skateboards are items that have comparatively less risk and therefore could be practiced by skaters of all age groups. Skateboards have come a long way forward from the basic board with four wheels attached to it. Today there are different kinds of skateboards, and long boards are one of the common types of skateboards available in the market.

Longboards became a trend during the year 2011 and they differ from the regular skateboards in the design of the board. The deck of longboards is longer and wider than the skateboards, offering the skater more ground space to fix his or her feet. The wheels are also bigger which makes it easier for the skater of any levels of expertise to learn and practice. Besides using as a means of entertainment and fun, you can also use longboards as a way of transport from one locality to the other within your neighbourhood.

Beginner Trick Skateboard

Longboards are the best way to begin skateboarding. The flat surface of the longboard lets you keep your feet comfortably over it and start rolling the wheels. To position yourself on the board, to start moving the board and getting into the groove and finally stopping the motion without the risk of falling require a good amount of practice and training. Longboards can be used to practice several tricks and techniques once you learn to balance yourself on the board and skate without falling. There are plenty of videos in the internet in websites like YouTube to check out and get tips from. Though it is not necessary to join a coaching class to learn the art of longboarding, it is always better to receive the supervision of an expert for your initial lessons.

Longboards - Before You Start Practicing

If you are a beginner practicing longboard skateboarding, better wear some protective gear like helmet, elbow caps and knee caps. They might seem hefty and bothersome in the beginning, yet it is safer to have them at least till you learn to balance yourself on the boards. Once you become an expert, perhaps you could remove them. However, wearing the helmet is always better even after you pass the initial lessons.

In residential areas you might often come across youngsters commuting on longboards and other types of skateboards. They often use it to go to schools, playgrounds, friends' houses and so on. In fact, this is one of the benefits of skateboarding. But as a beginner, it is much better if you practice it indoors before taking it on the road. If you are taking classes to learn skate boarding you'll have plenty of indoor space to practice. Once you are sure that you can manage on your own and that you can make swift movements on the board you can start using the boards outdoors.

Longboards are somewhat more expensive than regular skateboards because of their additional features that we discussed above. But you could also find them cheaper if you know where to look. The many numbers of online stores, for example, provide various promotional offers and discounts that you could avail. This way you could find the exact kind of skateboards you need and start your practice immediately.

Longboards - Before You Start Practicing

Longboards - A Look Into the Different Kinds of Longboards

A longboard is just like a skateboard, only longer. It is mostly used for transportation and for downhill racing among others because its form allows the user to easily maneuver through sharp street turns. Its longer and wider base offers more stability so riding it is relatively safer and, in most cases, more comfortable as compared to a shortboard.

Because longboards tend to be on the heavier side, they are unsuitable for performing tricks that are typical of skateboards. Many beginners also find it difficult to ride them at high speeds when going downhill. But on the upside, because of their weight, they also have allow for a more fluid motion through increased momentum.

Beginner Trick Skateboard

There are many different kinds of longboards available these days. Your choice is mostly dependent on your intended use. If you're new at longboarding, it's only normal to feel overwhelmed by the variety of decks that you can choose from.

Longboards - A Look Into the Different Kinds of Longboards

Transportation - Those that are used for commuting or for transportation are the most common among the different kinds of longboards. These boards are 100-130 cm long and they don't have a short nose as is typical with other skateboards. They are more flexible and are known to offer a more comfortable ride. This type of longboard is also usually shaped like surfboards with trucks that are designed to allow the user to navigate through narrow turns.
Slalom - these longboards are mostly used for racing and navigating through small cones. They are 63-89 cm in length and are made of carbon fiber and other high tech materials. Shorter varieties are used for tighter courses while the longer ones are for faster and steeper courses.
Downhill - among the different types of longboards, this one is the most suitable for riding downhill at high speeds. This type is 95-110 cm long and has trucks that are attached to its ends. It can also come with a lowered platform.

Longboards - A Look Into the Different Kinds of Longboards

Types of Skateboards - Short and Longboards Explained

If you're into skateboarding, you're obviously familiar with the standard short skateboard, but have you ever seen someone ride a longboard? Other than the difference in length, I bet you wonder how these two types of boards are different. Keep reading to learn the similarities and differences of the skateboard and the longboard.

A longboard is just a skateboard that's much longer than usual, and used for longboarding (as opposed to skateboarding). Instead of street style skating using ramps and pipes, longboards are almost always used for downhill racing, getting from point a to point b, or cruising around town. Since longboards are heavier than a standard board, they are not ideal for doing any kind of tricks. Longboarding is compared to surfing, like "surfing on land" or "surfing on concrete". The design of the longboard allows big turns and quick carves just like the surfers do.

Beginner Trick Skateboard

Longboarding started becoming popular around the same time as surf culture back in the 1950's. People say that longboarding started in southern California where riders enjoyed rolling hills and streets, but some believe longboarding started in Hawaii. This is still arguable today.

Types of Skateboards - Short and Longboards Explained

The equipment used for longboarding is nearly the same that is used for skateboarding. You'll notice longboarders will wear gloves and a helmet at a minimum. Longboarders participating in downhill races will wear special gloves to protect their hands while maneuvering the board (this is done in a lying position). Of course wrist, knee, and elbow padding is always recommended, especially for a beginner.

Most longboards are 35-60 inches long. Shorter boards can still be called longboards if their main purpose is the same as longboarding (cruising, downhill racing, travel). Longboards come in all kinds of shapes such as: pintails, flat nose, and boards shaped like a longer shortboard. Pintails allow looser trucks and larger wheels to be installed for more of a smooth surfing feel.

Longboard wheels can be much larger than regular skateboard wheels. The size difference is because smaller wheels have to spin faster to maintain the same speed, so larger wheels create less friction for a faster and smoother ride. Smaller wheels sometimes have problems with sticks, rocks, and cracks in the street or sidewalk. The larger the wheel size, the less likely it will stop rolling, and more likely to just roll over the obstruction.

Other hardware such as trucks and bearings are exactly the same on a skateboard and a longboard. There are a few types of trucks specific to longboards, which make the boards easier to use for downhill racing. Two of these are called Randal R-I Downhill style trucks and Torsion trucks.

Many Longboarders as well as skateboarders like to build their own decks in order to get the exact board they want. Board builders have a variety of materials like fiberglass, bamboo, and even a foam core. If you're thinking of building your own skateboard or longboard, everything can be purchased on the internet or local skateshop, including board building instructions.

Types of Skateboards - Short and Longboards Explained