Tips on Going Downhill on a Longboard

Longboarding is a relatively new addition to the list of extreme sports. Longboards are much like skateboards, but are not designed for performing tricks. They are much faster than skateboards and are often used as a mode of transportation. Riding a longboard downhill can be very dangerous if you don't know what you are doing.

  1. Protection

    • Proper protection should be worn at all times to assure your safety. A helmet, knee pads and elbow pads will keep you safe from injury. You may also consider wearing leather gloves in case you need to break a fall with your hands. If you try to break a fall at high speeds without wearing leather gloves, you may suffer scuffs and cuts on the palms of your hands.

    Longboard Types

    • All types of longboards have the ability to go downhill, but your best option is to use a speedboard. Speedboards are designed specifically for high speeds, and therefore will suffer much less damage while going downhill. Speedboards are also more comfortable to ride at fast speeds, because they are larger than regular longboards.

    Position

    • You should start off with a smaller hill, then work your way up to steeper hills when you are more comfortable will faster speeds. Your feet should be placed two feet apart on the longboard, and you should use the foot that is near the back of the board to kick off the ground to gain speed. To achieve the highest speed, you should crouch down while you are riding downhill, allowing your arms to glide behind you with the wind.

    Stopping

    • Stopping while going downhill on a longboard is similar to stopping on a snowboard. When you are on level ground, swivel your board sharply so it is at a 90-degree angle to the course and slide to a stop. This will stop the longboard safely. Be sure only to stop when you are on level ground. Stopping while you are still on a downward slope may launch you over your board and onto the ground. Use your hands to stop in an emergency.