One of the funniest activities we can do on the streets of our city, along the promenade of our holiday area or on limited sites is the longboard. It differs from the classic skateboard or skateboarding in that it is somewhat longer, more stable and, therefore, progress is easier. In addition, there are different modalities: You can make turns as if it were a snowboard, skids, and tricks, go down hills at high speed. What is yours?
If during your trip you plan to skate with longboard or practice other sports, do not forget to purchase sports insurance to be covered against possible accidents or problems with sports equipment, among other important setbacks.
What is necessary to do longboarding?
In addition to the table, we need to equip ourselves with protections to practice longboard safely: Knee, wrist, elbow, and helmet. In addition, it is useful to wear shoes with a flat sole with which we can have more sensitivity. Depending on the modality we want to try, we will need other accessories. For example, if you are going to skid, you should get special gloves (slide gloves), since one of the points of support on the floor will be the hands. For the downhill mode, go down at high speed, it is recommended to wear a jumpsuit and a helmet like the one used to ride a motorcycle.
First notions of longboard: Impulse, brake, and turns
To begin we must know and work three basic movements in the longboard: Impulse, braking, and turns.
Impulse:
When we get on board for the first time we need to know which leg is the one that we must carry before since it depends on each one. For this, we will ask someone to push us slightly from behind, and the leg that we will advance first will be the one that we will take in the first position. If it is the left you will be regular, while if it is the right you are goofy. Therefore, the foot in front of you will be the first to climb the table and the last to go down. The feet are placed near the axes and to push us we will leave the one on the ground, where we will have the weight of the body and we will change it to the front, raising the back leg.
Braking:
There are several types of braking but the basic one also called primitive braking. We put the back foot near the ground and let it skid as we approach slowly to the ground, holding the weight of our body on the front foot.
Turns:
To turn in longboard, carving, it is necessary to change the weight of our body from heels to toes while performing a hip turn. In the video below you will see how the carving technique is done.
Safety recommendations: Hazards during practice
Whenever you get on your longboard brand reviewed, be aware of your surroundings, weather, pedestrians and cars. Keep in mind your limits and your level, it is better that you progress as you control all the steps little by little to try to do something that requires knowing other techniques.
Start practicing in flat and quiet areas and do not give up if at first, you fall a lot, with time and perseverance you will improve. It is better to be accompanied by someone who can warn of traffic or assist you in case of an accident.
Also, if you are not sure which table to buy or where to start practicing, consult an expert? He can advise you better than anyone! And, of course, do not forget to use the protections, although you think that they do not favor you, well-being is the important thing.