Learn to skate: All tips to start in Longboard and/or Cruiser
Sport similar to skateboarding, the practice of longboard or cruiser is just as fun and typically much easier when you start. Discover all our tips to learn to ride, turn, brake ... Short cruiser! Follow the guide.
Longboard or Cruiser: Choose your camp!
The choice of a longboard and a cruiser must be guided by the desired preference.
Rather fast and dynamic, the cruisers have the advantage of being light, very maneuverable and dynamic because of their small size. They will be ideal for urban travel and short distances.
For the ballad with beautiful curves, we advise you rather longboards which have the advantage of being very stable even at good speed. Their large size allows for large curves. They will be well adapted to the ballad and to longer distances.
Do not forget to equip you with skateboard protections and helmets. In addition to protecting you effectively, they will make you feel more comfortable in your learning and therefore freer in the way of approaching the figure.
Find the ideal posture to ride easy on your board
Except that the ideal posture to stand properly on a board does not exist! The most important thing is to find the most comfortable position for you.
To know which position to adopt, you have to put your board on the ground, preferably a stable surface to avoid slipping at the slightest movement. Great terrains to start on would be a carpet, grass or on the sand of any beach.
Oxelo Pro Tip: Your feet should be positioned parallel to the board and your shoulders perpendicular.
Regular, Goofy, Mongo: Which foot to use to push your board?
You are REGULAR if your left foot is positioned in front of the right foot that will push the skateboard.
You are GOOFY when your right foot is positioned in front of the left foot that will push your board.
You are MONGO when you use your front foot to push your board. This posture is typically not as comfortable, but if you feel more comfortable with it then ride it out!
The simple gesture to well-push your board
Before tackling a big and beautiful descent, train first on a flat surface, preferably a paved road where you can much better control the speed of your longboard or your cruiser.
Stand on your board, your front foot on parallel screws. Your other foot will allow you to move forward.
Oxelo Pro Tip: Your gesture must be ample and regular in order to have the best momentum possible.
Let yourself slide on your longboard
By remembering the most comfortable static position on your longboard and / or cruiser, reposition your feet perpendicular to the skateboard, your shoulders always parallel and then, put your foot motor (the foot that helps you to push) on the end of the board.
Oxelo Pro Tip: Keep your back straight and your knees bent to help you find your balance. You can also take a distant point to keep your body in control and balance.
Press down on the sides of your board to turn
Depending on the direction you want to go, just move all your weight on the front toes or back on your heels, similar to surfing and snowboarding.
If you're a Regular rider, here is the technique:
- To turn to the left, the bend will be done with the heels: press your heels towards the inside of the skateboard
- To turn to the right, the turn will be done with the toes: push your toes out of the skateboard
Oxelo Pro Tip: the way the trucks are fixed plays a lot on the pressure you exert on the board. The less tight the skateboard trucks are, the easier it is to exert pressure on the board. If the skate trucks are tight to the max, then lift the nose (the nose of the longboard and cruiser) to move the board to the left or right.
Best practices to slow down or stop your board
Several ways to slow down in longboard and / or cruiser are possible, but most of them are reserved for the experts (which you will soon become with practice!). Meanwhile, the best technique to brake with your board is to put your foot motor (foot pushing the board) to the ground gradually slowing down.
Oxelo Pro Tip: If you're not cold, you can also try to brake with a tail stop. This technique involves sending most of your weight to the back of the skateboard and rubbing the end of the deck on the floor.
Do not forget that longboards and cruisers are very different from skateboards. Where skateboarding is aimed at an experienced public mastering skatepark figures, boards dedicated to cruising are used during urban travel or ballad. Take pleasure, have fun, but remain cautious.
