Longboarding is an amazing way to get that exercise in while having a lot of fun going around places. It strengthens your heart and helps increase your stamina. On top of that, it is also a social sport that allows you to meet lots of fun people that enjoy longboarding as much as you do.
What Is a Longboard Used for?
Simply put, a longboard is a type of skateboard that is meant to be used for going from one place to another. You can use a longboard for going on short-distance trips such as picking up something from the store or for long-distance traveling. They are slightly more expensive than skateboards but it is much easier to learn how to ride them.
There are other several ways to use a longboard. You can use them if you want to learn and try new tricks. You can also use them if you want to go cruising beside the beach or if you want to race downhill. What you use a longboard for usually depends on your needs and wants.
What Does Longboarding Mean?
Longboarding is the fun activity of riding on a longboard typically with the intention of traveling from one place to another. Longboards are more stable than skateboards. It is easier to learn longboarding than skateboarding because it allows you to maintain your balance with less difficulty.
Nowadays, it isn’t unusual to see people using longboards as a means of transportation. Longboarding is quite similar to skateboarding but longboards are particularly made with traveling in mind. You can ride a longboard to cover long distances on any smooth surface.
What Defines a Longboard?
A longboard is a type of skateboard. They are usually composed of a deck, wheels, trucks, bearings, and grip tape. There is a huge variety of longboards to choose from in the market so everything comes down to your own taste.
Longboards are usually longer and wider than your regular skateboard. This makes it easier to learn to ride because they are more stable. Additionally, longboards are also faster than skateboards because they have larger and softer wheels than skateboards which allows them to go at higher speeds.
What Is the Point of a Longboard?
The point of a longboard is to get you around places. Longboards are great for going around town because they don’t need you to exert too much effort to get it moving fast enough. Moreover, if you plan on cruising for long periods of time and cover long distances, then longboards are great for you.
As mentioned earlier, longboards are made with traveling in mind. Since they provide a quiet and smooth riding experience, they are an incredible means of transportation. Longboarding is also popular among the surfer community and longboards are commonly seen and used in beach areas.
Where Did Longboarding Originate?
Longboarding originated in Hawaii back in the 1950s. It was also commonly known as “sidewalk surfing” back in the day. It rapidly made its way to California, U.S.A in a short amount of time.
Longboarding then instantly became the new famous trend among the surfer community. Many surfers resorted to longboarding on the roads beside the beach when the waves were too weak or too strong.
When Was Longboarding Invented?
The idea of longboarding originated from the surfers in the streets of Hawaii. It was invented back in the 1950s. Longboarding allowed surfers to customize their skateboards by making their decks longer and their wheels larger to imitate the rolling motions of the waves.
As most of us know, Hawaii is well-known for its warm weather and consistent surf breaks which makes it an amazing place to surf all year round. There are particular days when the ocean does not make it possible to surf whether because the surf was not good or it was too dangerous to go into the ocean. On days like these, the surfers would make use of the road to ride their longboards which is the reason why longboarding is also called “sidewalk surfing”.
Who Invented Longboarding?
It is hard to say exactly who invented longboarding. However, the idea of longboarding started from the surfers in the streets of Hawaii as stated earlier. The surfers would continue to ride on the roads beside the beach when the waves were not surfable.
The very first longboards were constructed by the surfers. They came up with the idea of building a model version by attaching random screws to a wooden deck. Afterward, longboards were eventually made available in the market in around 1958.
When Did Longboarding Become Popular?
As mentioned earlier, longboarding started in Hawaii back in the 1950s but it gained popularity in the 1970s especially in California. In the 1980s, longboarding became less known because of several reasons but it became popular again in the 1990s. During this time, the reverse kingpin truck was also invented which made longboards carve and turn easily.
Longboards have been around for quite a while now, but its popularity increased enormously in the recent decades. One of the many reasons why longboards became popular is because it is much easier learning how to ride it than a skateboard. Apart from this, longboards are also more stable, smoother, and quicker compared to skateboards which enables you to go from one place to another with ease.
Is Longboarding a Good Way to Get Around?
Despite the fact that not everyone can ride a longboard, it is definitely a good way to get around. Longboarding is a very fast form of transportation and it can easily get you through areas that are overly crowded without too much trouble. It is a good way to get where you need to be on time.
In addition to being a fast form of transportation, longboarding is also an enjoyable and amazing workout. Longboarding is also a good exercise because it keeps you physically active and fit. You can also bring your longboard almost anywhere you want and it saves you the risk of it being stolen because you’re always carrying it with you most of the time.
How Far Can You Go on a Longboard?
You can go as far as 50 miles in just one day. Covering 50 miles in just one day is considered a high level of longboarding and it is usually achieved by experienced longboarders that travel long distances. This is a remarkable feat given that longboarding is extremely tiring physically.
Going on long distances while riding on a longboard can be done by anyone as long as you have the motivation and discipline to do so. You can start going as far as 1 mile (1.6 km) and then slowly work your way up from there to go on even longer distances. You can easily do this by riding as often as possible and going even farther each time you longboard.
How Long Does It Take to Longboard 1 Mile?
The time it takes to longboard 1 mile usually ranges from 2-8 minutes or quicker than that. The time it takes to longboard 1 mile (1.6 km) also highly depends on how fast you’re going. If you’re going downhill, you are clearly going much faster than when you’re just cruising.
Furthermore, this also depends on a few factors such as your riding style, the type of board you’re riding, the condition of the road you’re going over, and of course your physical capabilities. With this in mind, the only way to know is to get out there and ride your longboard to know exactly how long it will take you to longboard 1 mile.
How Long Does It Take to Longboard 5 Miles?
On average, it usually ranges from 34-40 minutes, give or take. Then again, the time it takes to cover 5 miles (8 km) while riding on a longboard greatly depends on several factors like the kind of board you’re riding, the condition of the road you’re riding on, the way you ride, and of course your physical capabilities.
As previously mentioned, the time it takes to longboard 5 miles (8 km) also greatly depends on how fast you’re going. You will definitely reach 5 miles faster when downhill riding as compared to just cruising.
How Can I Make My Longboard Go Further?
Longboarders often look for ways to make their longboard go further. Listed down below are some of the many ways to make your longboard go further.
- Changing your wheels: Smaller wheels gain momentum quicker so they have better acceleration. However, larger wheels are capable of moving faster than smaller wheels because they cover a bigger distance as you go. Determining the best wheels for your board can get pretty tricky so make sure to choose the ones that suit your board the best to get maximum results.
- Upgrading your bearings: To increase the speed of your longboard, you can upgrade your bearings. There are multiple bearings to choose from that are available on the market. Choose the ones that suit your board the best to make your longboard go further.
- Being more aerodynamic: Being more aerodynamic makes a huge difference when it comes to how fast you can go when longboarding. Longboarders usually bend over to reduce their surface area and help themselves cut through the air simpler. This position is called “tuck” and it enables them to increase their speed considerably.
- Loosening your axle nuts: Having tight axle nuts can prevent your wheels from spinning fully. You can loosen your axle nuts a little bit to enable your wheels to spin faster and make your longboard go further. Whatever happens, do not loosen your nuts too much because they might completely detach from the axle.
- Cleaning and lubricating your bearings: Dirt can build up in your bearings quite rapidly. This creates friction which slows your longboard down eventually. You will have greater rolling speed when you clean and lubricate your bearings.
- Getting better at riding your longboard: Improving your longboard riding skills plays a big role in making your longboard go further. You can do this by longboarding as often as you can and trying out new riding styles each time.
Is Longboarding Better Than Walking?
Some people find longboarding better than walking while some do not. The only person who can answer this question is yourself. At the end of the day, it all comes down to your own preference.
It is clear that longboarding is faster than walking and it can get you to where you need to be in a short amount of time. Aside from being a very fun activity, longboarding is also a good exercise that comes with a good deal of great health and fitness benefits than walking. Longboarding is good for the health of your heart and it also improves your balance, coordination, and flexibility.
Can a Longboard Keep Up With a Bike?
Whether a longboard can keep up with a bike or not depends on the circumstances. A longboard can most definitely keep up with a bike when going downhill. On the other hand, a longboard will find it hard to keep up with a bike when going uphill because it requires more work.
A bike is better for going up a steep hill because it is significantly easier and faster as you can just switch to low gear and work your way up with less difficulty. While this may be the case, you can still longboard when going up on hills but most of the time, walking will be much faster and less tiring.
Can You Ride a Longboard on the Road?
Some countries do not consider longboards a vehicle which is the reason why they do not allow people to ride their longboards on the road. If your country does not consider longboards as vehicles, you will not be subject to the same legal rules cars, motorcycles, and bikes are subject to.
On the bright side, you can definitely ride your longboard on the road if the country you’re in allows you to do so as long as you follow the rules for longboarding on the road. It is also important to note that some countries prohibit riding a longboard on the sidewalk while some do not. If the country you’re in allows you to ride your longboard on the sidewalk, make sure that you give way to other pedestrians.
Is It Ok to Longboard on Wet Roads?
It is completely fine to longboard on wet roads. However, you must be aware that riding your longboard on wet surfaces is a little different from riding your longboard on dry surfaces. There is less traction when you longboard on wet surfaces given that the road is slippery which means that you need to be extra careful.
Do not go too fast when longboarding in the rain and learn how to slow down to prevent yourself from falling or any other kind of accident. Apart from seriously damaging your longboard, you might also cost yourself an injury. Have lots of fun but always remember to put your safety first among all other things.
Can You Ride Longboards in the Rain?
You can ride your longboard in the rain. Riding your longboard under light rain will not damage your board greatly. However, you must be aware that riding your longboard under heavy rain comes with several pros and cons.
Pros:
- Experience: You will gain more experience as a longboarder because as mentioned before, longboarding on a wet road is slightly different from longboarding on a dry road.
- Technique: Aside from having so much fun, longboarding in the rain is one of the greatest ways to learn new techniques. You are riding on a wet surface when longboarding in the rain which means that there is less traction. This is extremely helpful for newbies to learn the technique of sliding because it is much easier to learn this technique on wet surfaces than on dry surfaces.
- Fun: Longboarding in the rain is just a completely different experience. If you are someone who loves the rain, then this experience will be a very pleasant one for you. Given the fact that it is plenty of fun, make sure that you are aware of the consequences that can result from it if you want to try longboarding in the rain.
Cons:
- Slippery road: You must be extra cautious when longboarding on a wet road because as mentioned earlier, it is somewhat different from longboarding on a dry road in the sense that there is less traction.
- Deck: The deck will become waterlogged. Most longboards are made out of plywood and it can become soft and delaminate over time if it gets wet.
- Bearings: The bearings will lose lubrication and start to fall apart from the inside out especially if they are not made of ceramic. They will still be of use if they begin to rust but it will surely slow down your longboard and your riding will not be as smooth before your longboard got wet.
- Trucks: The trucks hold out against water and they can last for a long time but they will also start to rust if they get wet often.
- Griptape: The grip tape will eventually lose grip if it gets wet frequently.
- Screws and bolts: The screws and bolts will rust and can result in a slow process of breakage.
Is It Ok if My Longboard Gets Wet?
Getting your longboard wet can do some serious damage most especially if it is not a waterproof one so you must do everything you can to avoid this from happening. As mentioned above, a longboard that has been wet will never be the same again and its performance will decrease significantly. If your nonwaterproof longboard gets slightly wet from light rain, then you have nothing to worry about.
If you left your nonwaterproof longboard outside in heavy rain for a long time then it will almost definitely be waterlogged and you should consider getting a new one. If ever your longboard does get wet, there are several things that you can do to lessen the resulting damages. The first and most important thing you need to do is take it away from the water source and let it dry under the sun if possible.
Is Water Bad for Longboards?
Water can do your longboard some harm but there are some simple things you can do to prevent damaging your longboard. The most basic thing you can do is to prevent water from penetrating the inside of your board when riding your longboard in the rain. This can result in your longboard being waterlogged and it can also begin to delaminate.
Particular boards are more likely to be vulnerable to water damage than others. If your board is not painted or coated, it can let water in easier compared to other boards because the sides and the bottom are not well-protected. You must also keep in mind that longboard bearings can be easily ruined by water so it is very important to protect them when you are longboarding in the rain.
Can Longboards Go Over Curbs?
Longboards have no problem going over curbs as long as your longboard has a tail. You need to manual off the curb and land with all four wheels on the ground. Manual is a very popular longboard trick that can be performed by shifting your body weight on one side to lift one set of wheels off the ground while maintaining your balance.
You will need speed to perform this trick or else you will get stuck halfway down the curb. It’s better if you go faster because going too slow makes it much harder. Experiment and practice by trying to do it multiple times and you will know what works best for you over time.
Can You Longboard on Gravel?
To a certain extent, there is no problem at all if you want to ride your longboard on gravel as long as your wheels can still roll freely but there are of course some consequences. You are at risk of getting into an accident and longboarding on gravel will surely do severe damage to your board. Dirt will get into your bearing and this will greatly slow down your longboard even though they can be cleaned afterward.
Longboarding on rough surfaces will slow you down significantly compared to riding your longboard on smooth surfaces. You can choose wheels that will make it easier for you to longboard on gravel. While this may be the case, riding your longboard on gravel will be much harder because it takes way more effort.
Can Longboards Go Over Rocks?
As previously mentioned, as long as your wheels can still roll freely, then longboarding over rocks will be possible. Just like with longboarding on gravel, going over rocks when riding your longboard is very difficult to do because it requires much more work and it will also do some serious damage to your board.
Determine how rough the surface is and choose the best wheels for your longboard that will help you get through the terrain with less difficulty. Getting softer wheels for your longboard will make a huge difference in your riding. These wheels will absorb most of the shock that the rough surface is causing which will give you a quieter and smoother experience.
Are Longboards Good for College?
Longboards are good for college if your school allows them but make sure to be aware of campus rules with regards to longboarding and follow them. The majority of the students walk from one building to another to get to their class and longboarding will get you to your destination much faster than walking. Riding a longboard in college is a lot of fun and you can also get a workout in almost every day to help yourself stay active and physically fit.
Longboards are easier to learn to ride than skateboards. They can get you to where you need to be without costing you lots of money on transportation. Although longboards are good for long-distance traveling, it is not a good idea to ride them to school if you live extremely far away from campus.
Can a Longboard Fit in a Locker?
Whether your longboard can fit in a locker or not depends on the size of your longboard and the size of your locker. If your longboard is bigger than your locker then it will obviously not fit. Measure your locker and get a board that can easily fit in it if you want to be able to store your longboard inside your locker.
If your longboard does not fit in your locker, there is nothing to worry about because there are other options that you can choose from. You can always carry it around with you if it’s allowed on your campus so you can save yourself from worrying about having it stolen. You can also try asking your teacher if you can leave it in his/her room or ask your school’s office if you can leave it there during the day.
Is Longboarding a Good Hobby?
Longboarding is a good hobby because it is very entertaining and relaxing at the same time. Although they are a little bit more expensive than skateboards, they are definitely way cheaper than bikes and it’s easier to learn how to ride them. In addition to this, longboards are also environmentally friendly because they do not emit greenhouse gases that pollute our environment.
Longboarding is a very fun activity and it does not matter if you want to do tricks, cruise by the beach or go through the city streets because you’re always getting that cardio and core workout in. Another good reason why longboarding is a good hobby is because it’s also an amazing way to socialize. You will eventually meet other people who enjoy longboarding too.
Should I Try Longboarding?
If you are someone who is interested in longboarding, then you should definitely try it out. Both longboards and skateboards are great for newbies, but then again, it is much easier to learn how to ride longboards. The main reason is that they have wider and longer boards and softer wheels which makes them a lot easier to ride.
Apart from being an extremely fun and relaxing hobby, longboarding is also a healthy hobby. As previously stated, you’re getting that cardio and core workout every time you ride your longboard. All in all, longboarding is certainly worth a try.
