Until now, the media spotlight has focused solely on the “31 inch” world of shortboards, a well defined catalog of rail and flip tricks, and highly visible personalities sporting the latest apparel.
Most shortboards are made from maple and while there are some slight variations in shape or dimensions, the Popsicle shape rules the day. Also, the shortboard regimen is so refined that while increasing skateboarding’s overall popularity, it has imperceptibly pushed many skaters into the longboard world.
You might have spotted fellow skaters out there riding what looked liked HUGE skateboards. They’re sort of like regular skateboards on steroids, and if you’ve ridden longboards, you know the addiction.
Longboards are perfect for cruising or bombing hills or taking to skateparks. Generally, longboards are classified as being 39” and up. They feature much softer wheels with highly responsive trucks.
Longboards cost a little bit more than shortboards, but it’s worth the extra cash, since in most cases, a longboard will last you years. Once you get hooked on the speed and carving sensation of longboarding, you’ll start to understand why having a quiver of boards makes so much sense.
Longboards come in dozens of shapes and sizes. Longboard companies don’t limit themselves to laminated wood, either. You can get boards with a multitude of compositions including fiberglass, bamboo and carbon fiber. A lot of folks tend to enjoy the 48” size, but there is a growing contingent of skaters looking for larger boards. The 60” barrier has just been broken with the introduction of 80” boards.
Some longboards feature wheel wells that are grooves of the deck that allow for maximum wheel clearance. This is helpful to ensure you avoid the dreaded “wheel bite.” Variety doesn’t just limit itself to boards however. Longboard wheels run the gamut of sizes and shapes too. Most street wheels have a durometer (hardness) of 98 to 100. You can get a longboard wheel with a durometer of 72. Most fall in the 78 to 82 range. The softer the wheel, the easier it rolls over things, like rocks and small animals! Longboard wheels tend to be larger in diameter than street wheels. While most street wheels clock in at around 55 mm, longboard wheels start at 60 mm. A lot of longboarders enjoy a 70 mm wheel and one manufacturer is selling a 97 mm wheel. That’s almost 4” in diameter!
Longboard trucks tend to be wider, allowing for more stability. Also, their bushings can be a little softer to allow for more responsive turning.
Longboards are all about choice and enable a wide variety of riding styles. Just feel like cruising to the local mall or beach? A flat board with some flex is perfect. Prefer to take a longboard to the local park? No problem, get yourself a longboard with a kicktail. Want to bomb down hill and hit 40 mph? No problem, pick up a speedboard – just make sure you’ve got safety gear when you bomb hills! Want to emulate the carving sensation found in surfing or snowboarding? Get yourself a superflexy board that bends heavily when you step on it. Want to keep your cross-stepping, nose-riding and freestyle surfing skills sharp? Easy, select a longboard that will allow you to pull off these moves.
The best place to start exploring the world of skateboarding and longboarding is in the pages of Concrete Wave Magazine. More than any other magazine, every issue of Concrete Wave embraces all aspects of the sport and ensures that stoke permeates throughout.
Visit www.concretewavemagazine.com and pick up a copy or subscription.
You can find a handful of companies producing excellent longboards. Probably the most radical longboards currently being produced are from an east coast company called JAM. Four of their models range from 60 inches to an incredible 80 inches. You can get right to the edge of longboarding with a JAM 80” Silverback or 80” Python, both available online at www.longboard.net.
Whatever your choice, adding a longboard to your skate quiver is something that will enhance your enjoyment of skateboarding. Go for it! |
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