Longboarding Techniques

Many skaters enjoy longboarding, which means they prefer to use a skateboard that is longer and wider than the average board. Most skaters consider any board measuring 42 inches long or longer to be a longboard. These are more stable than regular boards so they are used mainly by skaters who prefer speed and racing down hills instead of doing tricks.

Here are five longboarding techniques that will help you slow down or stop when skateboarding on a longboard:

1. Foot Braking- This is a very simple technique. You balance with one foot on the board and use the other one to slow down or stop. This technique is not recommended when skating at high speeds, so you'll need to slow down before you try to stop completely.


2. Slide Braking- This is the best technique to use when skating downhill. When using this method, you quickly turn the skateboard sideways and slide into a stop. You can perform the slide from the front side or backside of the board. Most skaters wear gloves so you can place one hand on the ground as you're sliding sideways to help you maintain control and for balance. If you're not traveling very fast, you may be able to stop without touching the ground with your hand, but it's best to be prepared just in case you need to.


3. Air Braking- This technique is used to slow down when longboarding at high speeds. You will not be able to stop completely using this method but you'll be able to slow down enough to use one of the other braking techniques. With this technique, you stand upright on your board and stretch out your arms so you can use your body as resistance to the wind and this slows you down.


4. Craving- Carving is a technique used to help control your speed when you're skating down a hill. You need to lean your body to the right and then to the left to create an "S" shape as you're traveling and this will help you control your speed.


5. Drifting- This is a controlled move in which the skateboard loses traction when you're going around a turn. It's used to reduce your speed so you can make it safely around curves. Sometimes, a skater may start to drift accidentally when they're carving.

Once you learn how to slow down and stop, here are five more longboarding techniques that you can use when skateboarding:

1. Slalom- When you're in a race with other riders in which you're trying to dodge all types of obstacles, its called slalom.


2. Skogging- This is something that skaters do mostly for fun and it's when you use your right leg to push the board in a forward method and then your left leg, alternating between the two.


3. Pumping- You use this method when you're trying to gain momentum without pushing off and you turn left, then right using a quick motion to get the board moving.


4. Land Paddling- This is when skaters use a stick to move forward instead of their body.


5. Boardwaking- This technique involves cross stepping and it takes some practice to master. You'll move your feet around on the board in a variety of different ways such as jumping, hopping and twisting while you're skating.

If you want to show off what a great skateboarder you are, try dancing on the board instead of just boardwalking. It's a lot of fun but it does take some skill and lots of practice.