How to Slow Down in Longboarding

Slowing down on a longboard can prove a challenge even for veteran skateboarders. Whether you're headed downhill at a high speed or cruising across a parking lot full of cars, at some point you will find yourself having to slow down -- and fast. Main techniques for slowing down on a longboard include carving and using your arms and feet. Carving allows you to slow down fast by making a very wide turn. You can also use your arms to slow down gradually and add one of your feet if you want to lose momentum more quickly.

Instructions

  1. Carving

    • 1

      Lean in direction opposite of that in which you are headed. For example, if you are on the right side of the road and want to slow down, lean left. If you are on the left, lean right.

    • 2

      Kick rapidly in the direction in which you are now leaning. Use the foot opposite of the direction. For example, if you are leaning right, kick with your left foot. If you are leaning left, kick with your right foot.

    • 3

      Turn your board as fast as you can in the direction toward which you are leaning and kicking.

    • 4

      Hold out your arms to stabilize yourself as you turn rapidly. Hold the arm opposite the direction you are turning higher than the other. If you are turning right, hold up your left arm. If you are going left, hold up your right arm.

    Arms and Feet

    • 5

      Straighten yourself out so that you are heading forward rather than left or right.

    • 6

      Thrust out your arms at either side. Hold them evenly in the air, neither one higher than the other. You should begin to lose speed.

    • 7

      Place one foot on the side of the surface you are riding on. Use whichever foot you are most comfortable with. (This usually means using your right foot if you are right-handed and your left foot if you are left-handed.) Press down firmly on your board with your other foot. This should slow you down immediately if your arms fail to get the job done.