Skateboarding has a steeper learning curve because you have a smaller surface to keep your balance. Longboards have larger surface area so its easier to keep your balance. When riding at faster speeds, you’re also less likely to experience wobbling sense you can choose larger wheels, wider trucks, and a bigger deck.
Longboards are wider and longer. You can include softer wheels to make it easier to keep your balance. Skateboards use harder and smaller wheels. The boards are also smaller allowing for less room for your feet.
Differences Between Skateboarding and Longboarding
The differences are obvious when looking at them but they still have a few key parts that set them apart.
Longboards are great for smooth rides and easy turning. They accommodate larger wheels and trucks. Longboards do take longer to get up to speed. On the flip side it’s easier to go for long smoother rides.
Skateboards use harder smaller wheels and are made for tricks and accelerate much faster. The boards are generally smaller and not as wide.
What They Have in Common
Skateboarding and longboarding get there roots from surfing. Back in the day, surfers needed a way to practice moves when no waves where around to ride. After some time this evolved into pool skating thus creating a new type of board.
Obviously, both include a board, 8 bearings, 4 bushings, 2 trucks, 4 wheels, etc. And both sometimes have issues with gravity.
Regular Skateboards and Styles
Some skateboarders like to shred streets while others only skate bowls, verts, and mini ramps.
Riding is something everyone can learn. Once you want to move on to tricks it becomes much harder. If your basically just commuting and occasionally feel like you want to hop some curbs, stick with a regular skateboard.
Here are a few skateboard styles:
- Street
- Vert
- Park
- Bowl/pool
- Min ramp
- Freestyle
Longboarding and Styles
Cruising on flat roads is relaxing where downhill riding is for the more experienced. (seriously, take caution). Longboarding requires skill and technique. Fluid movement while maintaining your balance is a must.
Downhill is for the experienced longboarders that enjoy an adrenaline rush. This is not for beginners especially if you dont know how to slow down before you get yourself into a world of trouble.
Here are a few longboard styles:
- Cruising
- Downhill (bombing the hills)
- Dancing
- Carving/slalom
- Freeride
What Is a Good Longboard for Beginners?
First you need to purchase a reliable setup with decent quality parts. Then the best thing to do is start with the basics. Some riding and a bit of carving well build up confidence.
Something in the Middle, a Small Cruiser
Need just a board for commuting? Cruising on campus, small commutes to work or anywhere. requires something portable, lightweight and reliable. Mini cruisers are excellent for this purpose but are harder for beginners that are still working on balance. It’s harder to keep your balance because of their small size.
What Is a Good Skateboard for Beginners?
Your options are to assemble one or buy a complete. Assembling a skateboard yourself allows you to choose the trucks, bearings, wheels, grip, bushing, nuts n bolts, and board.
Assembling can be more expensive though and it requires some knowledge of wheel specifications, decks and trucks.
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