What Are Sky Hooks for Longboards?

A longboard is a type of skateboard that is both longer and faster than a traditional skateboard. Longboards are used primarily as a means of transportation, as opposed to traditional skateboards that are used for tricks and stunts. Both longboards and regular skateboards are occasionally fitted with special devices called Sky Hooks as a way of enhancing the riders' experience on the board.

  1. Longboards

    • Longboards are typically between 40 and 45 inches long. This is somewhat longer than regular skateboards, which are usually between 30 and 35 inches. A longboard also has larger wheels, which allow it to travel far faster than a regular skateboard, allowing you to turn corners in a way that mimics how a snowboard "carves" the curves a hill. Longboards were initially developed to emulate the experience a surfer has when riding a wave, transferring that smooth, long ride from water to a board with wheels riding over concrete.

    Sky Hooks

    • Sky Hooks are brackets attached the top surface of a skateboard or longboard. The rider can slide his feet under these brackets when performing the kind of freestyle or aerial tricks, keeping his feet firmly planted on the board as the board leaves the ground. When not performing these types of maneuvers, the rider can easily remove his feet from beneath the brackets. The ability to keep the feet on the board when it leaves the ground increases the safety of skateboard, as many skateboarding injuries occur during stunts.

    Sky Hooks on Longboards

    • Sky Hooks are typically used on longboards and freeboards, which are even longer than longboards and are meant to simulate the experience of snowboarding on a concrete surface. When attached to a longboard or freeboard, Sky Hooks affix the rider's feet firmly in place, allowing him to go at faster speeds while lessening the chance he'll fall from the board. Sky Hooks are designed to keep your feet on the board in a situation when you lose control of the board, which increases the chances you can regain control without falling off. In longboard riding, Sky Hooks can assist the rider to make tight turns and perform a slalom maneuver.

    Benefits of Sky Hooks

    • Sky Hooks brackets are durable, made from high-density polyethylene that is shaped like a curved L-bracket with projecting base plates. The brackets are attached to the board on either end with mounting screws, set about two inches apart. There are many benefits to using Sky Hooks on a longboard, including: eliminating the need to grip the board by hand; allowing you to maintain an erect or semi-erect position; and allowing you to perform skateboard maneuvers on a longboard in a way that is both safer and easier than without Sky Hooks.