Types+of+Longboarding

=Types of Longboarding = toc There are many types of longboarding. The most common ones include downhill speedboarding, free-riding, slalom, and cruising.

Downhill Speedboarding (Downhill)
Downhill skateboarding is one of the most dangerous but adrenaline rushing branch of longboarding. Longboarders would walk up a hill, and ride as fast as possible down the hill. There are many downhill races organizaed around the globe. The fastest officially recorded speed of a longboarder speedboarding was is 100.66 km/hr. Longboarders usually wear a full leather suit for a race, buthelmets and slide gloves are a must. Speedboarding requires a longboarder to know how to take a corner, staying away from speed wobbles, and respecting other racers.

Taking a Corner
There are several things a longboarder can do before going into a corner during a race. You could air-break, foot-break, predrift, or slide. Air-breaking is when you spread your body out, creating air-resistance, therefore slowing down. Foot-break is the method of putting your back foot down to create friction with the ground to slow down. If you plan on foot-breaking often though, you'd better be prepared to buy new shoes. Pre-drift is a technical slide meant for taking corners, it is difficult to learn, but when done properly, can win you a race. While slides such as coleman slides aren't specifically meant for taking corners, they can be just as effective as pre-drifts. What all these do is to shave off speed so you don't go flying off the road.

This is a Coleman slide going into a corner. http://24.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lu7ma65frK1r0phzxo1_500.gif

Speed Wobbles
Speed wobbles are exactly what they sound like. They are wobbles you get when you hit high speeds. These usually happen when your trucks are loose, when riding a flexy deck, when you are going extreme speeds, or when the rider is not confident. Speed wobbles often results in the rider gaining a couple road rashes. When the wobbles come, a longboarder's best bet is just to pray and hope to ride it out.

Respecting Other Racers
Usually when a longboarder falls in a race, he would loose all his speed and try as he might to get back into the lead, he won't likely catch up. With this piece of information in mind, some might think to push or pull a close by racer off their board. This is not allowed and will get the racer at fault disqualified. While there are not rules against sliding into others to knowck them off the board, racers usually stay away from that just because it is a common race etiquette.

Slalom
Slalom longboarding is where a longboarder carves in and out of obstacles, there are specific decks made for slalom. Slalom decks are generally shorter, and have a good amount of concave to keep the skater on the deck.

Here is an example of a slalom longboarder.

media type="youtube" key="X3PpPIBghio" height="360" width="480"

Free-riding
Free-riding is the most versatile type of longboarding. This is where longboarders can utilize their creativity and choose from countless slides, dances, grabs, and tricks. Free-riding can be done virtually anywhere; whether on a steep hill, or a flat street. You can also use everyday objects like ladders, stairs, shpping carts to spice up your free-ride tricks. Basically, free-riding is when a longboarder skates where ever he wants, however he wants; it is becasue of this, that many longboarders have their own style of free-riding. Free-riding brings out your personality, and really sets it free.

This just shows you a tiny aspect of what you can do while free-riding. http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lsgbvk1t0a1qegm8co1_400.gif

Cruise
Cruising around on a longboard does not only let you travel in style, but it really is an eye opener. It's just something about the wind going through your hair that makes you appreciate how beautiful the trees are, or how majestic the sun is. Carving around the forest especially lets you connect with the nature and relax.

Connecting with the nature. http://www.beenaproject.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/beena_longboarding.jpg