FAQs on the HI Longboard Skateboard

Skateboarding began with a group of Southern California surfers in the early 1950s. The surfers took to the streets on their homemade skateboards on the days the waves were too low to surf. HI longboards and shortyboards continues the skate/surf tradition by creating retro skateboards that look like they were made in the heyday of the 1950's sidewalk surfing craze. However, HI incorporates some of the newest technology in the skateboarding industry.

  1. What are the dimensions of HI longboards/shortyboards and what are they used for?

    • Hillman Industries in Washingon makes both HI longboards and shortyboards. Skaters use the longboard for cruising on the sidewalk or down to the beach. HI builds its patented shortyboards to catch speed down steep hills and to perform spins. The HI longboard has a standard length of 39 inches. The HI shortyboard measures in with a standard 29 inches. Both the HI longboards and shortyboards are wider than conventional street skating boards. All HI skateboards are created with hardwood which has a vertical lamination. The HI longboard has reinforcing steel rods through the length of the board.

    How are HI trucks and wheels different from street skateboarding trucks and wheels?

    • The trucks on the longboard hold the wheels and permit the board to turn. Longboard trucks must have a wider width than the conventional street skateboarding trucks. The wider trucks of the longboard compensate for the longer length and heavier weight that go hand in hand with a larger board. All of the signature HI longboard and shortyboard trucks, created with a mixture of aluminum, have a strong yet light construction. The HI trucks measure in at a width of 8 inches. Standard trucks for street skateboarding are about 6 inches wide The wheels of the longboard need a larger diameter than conventional skateboarding wheels to help the longboard not slide out during turns. HI wheels have a standard diameter measuring 84 mm. The HI longboard wheels dwarf the street skateboarding wheels which measure about 55 mm.

    Where does the ABEC rating come from?

    • Both street skateboarding bearings and HI longboard bearings come with an ABEC rating. The Annular Bearing Engineering Committee is responsible for rating ball bearings based on speed. The ABEC incorporates a rating system consisting of a 1,3,5 and 7. HI long-board bearings receive the top rating of a 7 due to the top speed they can produce. The bearings, located inside the wheels, come in sets of 8.