Go Long!

Longboarding can add some excitement to your daily commute

COURTNEY BARBOUR, THE MUSE (MEMORIAL UNIVERSITY OF NEWFOUNDLAND)

ST. JOHN'S (CUP) — If you’re looking for a sweet ride to class this summer that will have heads turning your way, look no further. This mode of transportation is relatively cheap, easy on the environment, and gives your legs a pretty good workout.

The longboard, a close relative of your standard skateboard, is a great way to get around, especially in Winnipeg with the dearth of hills and, especially, of skateboard-friendly topography. While the basic construction is similar — a deck, pair of trucks, and four wheels — the ride is completely different.

The deck on a longboard is longer and often wider than a normal skateboard. Think of the longboard almost as a surfboard on wheels. Unlike the standard skateboard with its Band-Aid like symmetrical shape, many longboards have a distinct looking nose and tail. The wheels are usually wider than boards used for trick skating.

Its size and shape means that you won’t be able to do most of the flips or grinds done with a normal board. Thrill-seekers get their kicks from slalom (zig-zagging) and downhill racing. Nothing beats the adrenaline rush of throttling down a steep hill at the same speed as, or faster than, a car.

If you’re not quite ready to take on traffic, you can still have a great time riding some of the gentle slopes across the city. The length of the deck on a longboard allows a rider to make smooth, fluid curves, unlike the ride you get from the much smaller standard skateboard.

Longboarding is easy to get into. In fact, skateboarding newbies will probably find it easier to get used to than a normal-sized board. The construction makes for a stable, more comfortable ride for those who are inexperienced with having wheels under their feet.

Beginners love longboards because they can go out for a push and have a great time without getting caught up in trying to learn crazy new jumps or tricks. It’s a fun, practical way of getting yourself to class or to work, or perfect for just heading out on an afternoon cruise.

It’s also pretty versatile, depending on how you stand on the board. For cruising over longer distances, you’ll want to keep a relaxed stance with your feet sideways, shoulder-width apart, and knees bent. New boarders will probably feel the burn in their quads until they get used this.

If you’re riding down a hill with tight turns and sharp bends, you can make quick and short carves with the board by dropping lower, almost like you’re squatting over the board.

Novice boarders also like the fact that bailing from your board usually won’t end in disaster. Because you can ride much lower, you’ve got a much shorter distance to fall if you take a spill.

Once you’ve got more experience under your belt, you can start using longboarding gloves. Sliding gloves are usually outfitted with a hard plastic palm that’s used to slide across the asphalt. You can make your own pair of gloves by gluing a piece of plastic from an old cutting board to a pair of leather work gloves.

With one hand gripping the deck near the top, you can extend a gloved hand out on to the pavement to help you make quick carves, especially if you’re traveling down a speedy hill. It’s always a good idea to throw on a helmet and a pair of elbow pads, just in case your board slips out from underneath you.

Don’t let gender stereotypes get you down. Women shouldn’t shy away from longboarding. Because women have a lower centre of gravity than men, they’re physiologically better suited to handle the lower stance required when making quick, hair-pin turns on a parking lot, or sailing down the pavement on a winding hill. All it takes is a slight shift of your body’s weight to one side to steer the board in the direction you’re headed.

The bigger size of the board and trucks means added weight — giving you more momentum with each push of the foot. You can cruise comfortably over a good distance, making the longboard superior to a shorter board in terms of getting you where you need to go. After a few quick push-offs, you’re up to prime cruising speed with little effort.

Even though you’ll pick up speed quickly on a longboard, slowing down is easy. Use the air brake method instead of sticking your back foot out on the ground as a break. Air-braking just requires you to stand upright on your board with arms stretched out at your sides. You’ll feel your body picking up the wind-resistance, slowing you to a halt in no time.

If you find yourself picking up too much speed heading down a hill, your board might start to wobble unsafely. You can kill the speed by making long, drawn-out curves as you make your descent.

If you’re looking for some adventure this summer, try switching to a longboard as your mode of transportation. You’ll quickly fall in love with it, and you’ll look way cooler than peddling to class on that old 10-speed bike.