There are many different types of longboard brands out there, some very good and others that are pretty bad. Buying a longboard can be a serious investment, seeing as how some of the models can be quite costly. The amount of money that is spent by beginners and experience riders is something will greatly differ from each person and in the end it’s about finding a board that you feel comfortable to ride.
The first thing you obviously want to start with is the brand of the deck and the quality. An excellent board for beginners and intermediate riders is a Sector 9. They are well made and a very tough and durable board for beginners to start to refine their skills on. Intermediate riders will also enjoy them for the consistency of quality they maintain, even when your skill out grows them (I have a Sector 9 and it’s a great board). Intermediate riders may also want to look at Gravity boards, as well as Arbor boards. Both of these are great boards, each with a distinct feel. Gravity boards are built well for cruising and Arbor boards have excellent mobility. For the more experienced riders you may want to consider Loaded, Landyachtz, and Rayne decks. Each of which, are known for superior board design and revolutionary board conception. These boards are also more expensive, but an investment well worth it if you’re looking for a superior ride.
The two other most important, and actually the only, aspects of the board are the trucks and wheels. Trucks as pretty straight forward. There are pretty straight forward, because there are some many out there it’s just a matter of trying a good pair, and getting the best set within your budget, because trucks are something that you cannot get away doing cheap. Now wheels are something that are more dependent on the terrain you will be riding on and what kind of riding you plan to do. Thicker wheels are usually used for debris filled terrain and big drops to build the optimal speed that you wish. However you sacrifice a great deal of control. Smaller trucks are used to reduce your speed but can greatly increase your mobility. They also have trouble overcome tiny obstacles in the roads, even the smallest pebbles can be a death dealer while using smaller wheels.
In the end however it all just comes down to a matter of what parts you like best in what combination. There’s no right or wrong choices, only the means to give you a more enjoyable time while riding.
Friday, March 26, 2010
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
Location, Inspection, Procedure
Longboarding is one of those sports were the difficulty never increases with the board or the rider, but with the geographical location of the event. Very similar in ways to snowboarding were the difficulty increases with the elevation on degree of the vertical drop and trail you plan to ride. It becomes obvious very early on when you begin longboarding that different environments can require a different set of skills to overcome. So the crucial aspect, around which everything revolves in the sport of longboarding, is your location. Don’t be afraid to be extremely particular to what you decide to ride, and what you decide that looks to be the death of you (believe me I know it all too well). Although as your skill progresses it becomes more and more fun picking and distinguishing between locations for variations in skill levels.
When picking a spot first inspect the path that you will take. See how the turns are, if there are any at all. Take a look at how steep the path drops and where it drops at. And most importantly take a good look at the quality of the road. While most poorly paved roads can be rode on, some are just beyond the capabilities of your board to handle. Especially if there is a lot of debris, because remember that even the smallest pebble can take you out of commission, so be careful. Next, after you have inspected the ride, prepare your board for it. If it’s a straight drop, make sure your trucks are as tight as you can get, otherwise you’ll just get the death wobbles. If the curvation of the road is more severe then you need to loosen your trucks in order to make the turns, otherwise you’re going to have a very short ride. And for your everyday street riding just keep your trucks at tightness you find comfortable, something that lets you keep your control, but also gives you plenty of movement.
Now when it comes to riding a steeper hill try and keep your feet wider apart down the length of the board, and stay lower to the ground in order to lower your center of gravity. A lower center of gravity means more control and more control means that you’re less likely to fall. When it comes to an area with a lot of turns, keep your spread out wider on the width of the board, in order to control your turns a little better. Start off small with these easy steps to improve your skills in no time.
When picking a spot first inspect the path that you will take. See how the turns are, if there are any at all. Take a look at how steep the path drops and where it drops at. And most importantly take a good look at the quality of the road. While most poorly paved roads can be rode on, some are just beyond the capabilities of your board to handle. Especially if there is a lot of debris, because remember that even the smallest pebble can take you out of commission, so be careful. Next, after you have inspected the ride, prepare your board for it. If it’s a straight drop, make sure your trucks are as tight as you can get, otherwise you’ll just get the death wobbles. If the curvation of the road is more severe then you need to loosen your trucks in order to make the turns, otherwise you’re going to have a very short ride. And for your everyday street riding just keep your trucks at tightness you find comfortable, something that lets you keep your control, but also gives you plenty of movement.
Now when it comes to riding a steeper hill try and keep your feet wider apart down the length of the board, and stay lower to the ground in order to lower your center of gravity. A lower center of gravity means more control and more control means that you’re less likely to fall. When it comes to an area with a lot of turns, keep your spread out wider on the width of the board, in order to control your turns a little better. Start off small with these easy steps to improve your skills in no time.
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
Starting on the right foot
Just because we live on the east coast shore, does not mean everyone follows the stereotypes of water sports, and coastal fun. In fact, if you’re a longboarder in this area consider yourself very lucky. The Monmouth county coast is home to the highest elevations on the entire east coast. A glorious mix and variety of hills are within short proximity and completely at your personal use. Whether you love those long winding pathways, where you’re never really sure how your trucks will hold up and whether you can make the turn, or better yet what lies beyond it. Or maybe you love the thrill of the straight shot big drop hills, where you pray your trucks and deck stay connected and don’t break from the shear velocity of the run, where it feels you’re trying to ride a roller coaster. Or perhaps a moderate mix of both to enjoy the best of both worlds, this area has everything you need. All it takes is a little geographic investigation. Drive to an area you know has hills, and you’re bound to find something to catch your interests. And if you ever have trouble finding a good hill (which seems impossible to me) try asking around, there’s always that secret spot that if you’re lucky enough people will let you in on, and don’t be afraid to reveal your discoveries to others as well, a charitable deed today is a friend tomorrow.
Beginners may find it useful to start on the smaller local hills to temper their skills in preparation for some of the bigger and more complex hills this area has to offer, I myself am still far from mastering and learning about them all. The key is to stay away from these hills because if you’re not ready for them, they can be an absolute hope ender. And also remember that if you fall, the only way you’re going to get better is by picking yourself up (unless of course something is broken, then stay still and wait for ems). Practice and a greater determination with each run will only make you better, and in the long run leads to more fun and enjoyment in your longboarding experience.
As far as equipment goes, start out with a relatively longer board, so that your capacity for stability is at its maximum. Test it out on smaller straight hills first with your trucks fairly tight. This will reduce your mobility but will also help avoid the dreaded death wobbles. In the event that you do get the death wobbles, don’t panic, just try and move yourself to the edge of the road, so as to try and land on a surface that is softer then the pavement (dirt, grass, water, etc.). If you are unable however to reach a flat surface it is imperative that you ball up in order to minimize any damage to your extremities. As you progress in skill you can get shorter more maneuverable boards and keep looser trucks. Eventually you’ll have the skills to master any hill you can find within the Monmouth country region, and move on to bigger and better things.
Beginners may find it useful to start on the smaller local hills to temper their skills in preparation for some of the bigger and more complex hills this area has to offer, I myself am still far from mastering and learning about them all. The key is to stay away from these hills because if you’re not ready for them, they can be an absolute hope ender. And also remember that if you fall, the only way you’re going to get better is by picking yourself up (unless of course something is broken, then stay still and wait for ems). Practice and a greater determination with each run will only make you better, and in the long run leads to more fun and enjoyment in your longboarding experience.
As far as equipment goes, start out with a relatively longer board, so that your capacity for stability is at its maximum. Test it out on smaller straight hills first with your trucks fairly tight. This will reduce your mobility but will also help avoid the dreaded death wobbles. In the event that you do get the death wobbles, don’t panic, just try and move yourself to the edge of the road, so as to try and land on a surface that is softer then the pavement (dirt, grass, water, etc.). If you are unable however to reach a flat surface it is imperative that you ball up in order to minimize any damage to your extremities. As you progress in skill you can get shorter more maneuverable boards and keep looser trucks. Eventually you’ll have the skills to master any hill you can find within the Monmouth country region, and move on to bigger and better things.
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