Longboard Flip Tricks

Longboards and skateboards started out as a way for surfers to cross-train when waves in Hawaii were mild. Surfers would adapt their surfing maneuvers to their street boards, originally calling skateboarding "sidewalk surfing." With the advent of the polyurethane wheel, skateboarding and longboarding have evolved into sports of their own. Boarders now compete in downhill racing and in freestyle competitions, where their tricks are judged in front of large crowds. Whenever riding a longboard, be sure to wear appropriate safety equipment, including a helmet, knee and elbow pads.

  1. Longboard Briflip

    • The Briflip is best done on a flat surface and starts with popping the board up into your hands to be caught by the front two wheels. Practice catching the board by the front two wheels and master this maneuver. From that point, you will flip the board forward by using the wheels as the axis for the spin. When the board loops around to parallel with the ground, catch it with your outside hand. Lower the board to about waist-high and then drop it. As the board falls, jump and land on the board as it hits the pavement.

    Varial Flip

    • The varial flip requires proper foot position to start. Position your feet so that your front foot hangs off the board at an angle with the heel pressed to the board. Your back foot is across the board. The ball of the front foot hook under the board, enabling the flip action. When you jump, flip the board moving front foot forward and kick the other foot back. This scissor motion helps rotate the board in the air as you hover above it.

    Front Side Pressure Flip

    • To do the front side pressure flip, you will kick the board into the air by removing your front foot and leveraging the board up with your back foot. So, the board flips out in front of you and you take a step or two. When you kick the board up with the back foot, the front foot drops off the board. Practice this maneuver a few times until you have your technique down pat and you can flip the board into the air, jump and land on it without skipping a beat.

    Shovit Twist Flip

    • The shovit twist flip begins with with the front foot on the very end of the board, tipping the board and pulling the board from the back to front, ending in a crossed leg stance. Then your back foot flips the board up as the front foot releases pressure. Your board will flip up, so catch it in your hand, turn the board in your hand and release it to the ground with wheels down.