I Learned to Longboard Comfortably in One Afternoon
The Bend in the Knees
I stepped on a longboard for the first time, and I was a wobbly, terrified mess. I was standing up straight and stiff. An experienced rider gave me the one, simple piece of advice that changed everything: “Bend your knees.” The moment I got into a low, athletic crouch, my center of gravity was lower, and I was suddenly incredibly stable. All the wobbles disappeared. The secret to longboarding is not about “balance”; it’s about a low, relaxed, and athletic stance.
The Secret to “Carving” on a Longboard for a Surf-Like Feel
The Shoulder is the Steering Wheel
I wanted to do those beautiful, flowing, S-shaped “carves” that I saw longboarders doing. I was trying to steer with my ankles. The secret, I learned, is that you steer with your shoulders. Your body will naturally follow where your shoulders are pointing. To initiate a turn, you just gently turn your shoulders in the direction you want to go. The rest of your body—your hips, your legs, your ankles—will follow naturally, and the board will lean into a beautiful, smooth, surf-like carve.
How to Stop on a Longboard Without “Foot-Braking”
The Art of the Slide
Dragging my foot on the ground to stop was tearing up my shoes and was not very effective at high speeds. I learned how to do a simple “Coleman slide” to stop. You crouch down low, put one hand on the ground, and you kick the board out into a 90-degree slide. It’s the same principle as a powerslide on a skateboard, but the lower stance makes it much easier and more stable to learn. It’s a safe, effective, and incredibly cool-looking way to control your speed.
I Built My Own “Cruiser” Board from an Old Skateboard Deck
The Riser Pad and the Soft Wheel
I had an old, “popsicle” shaped skateboard deck that I wasn’t using. I decided to turn it into a “cruiser” board for smooth, comfortable transportation. The two secret ingredients were “riser pads” and soft wheels. I added a set of riser pads under the trucks to prevent “wheel bite,” and I put on a set of large, soft, longboard-style wheels. The result was a compact, nimble, and incredibly smooth ride that was perfect for cruising around my neighborhood. I had given my old deck a new, more relaxed life.
The Best “Wheels” for a Smooth Ride on Rough Pavement
The Softer, the Better
My longboard was chattering and vibrating on the rough pavement in my neighborhood. It was an unpleasant ride. I learned that the most important factor for a smooth ride is the “durometer,” or hardness, of your wheels. I switched from a harder wheel to a very soft, gummy wheel (around 78a durometer). The difference was incredible. The soft wheels absorbed the vibrations and rolled over cracks and pebbles with ease. It felt like I was riding on a cloud.
The Difference Between a Longboard, a Cruiser, and a Skateboard
The Ride, The Roll, and The Trick
The difference is simple: it’s all about the board’s purpose. A “skateboard” is the classic, popsicle-shaped board with hard wheels, designed for doing tricks. A “longboard” is a long, often flexible board with soft wheels, designed for “carving,” downhill racing, and long-distance travel. A “cruiser” is a hybrid; it’s often the shape of an old-school skateboard but with the soft wheels of a longboard. It’s designed for the simple, joyful act of cruising around town.
The Most Relaxing Hobby You Can Have on Wheels
The Land-Locked Surf Session
The feeling of carving on a longboard on a smooth, empty street is one of the most purely joyful and meditative experiences you can have. It’s the closest thing you can get to surfing on land. The gentle “whoosh” of the wheels on the pavement, the feeling of leaning into a deep, flowing turn, the wind in your face—it’s a simple, accessible, and incredibly beautiful way to clear your head and to connect with the simple, physical joy of movement.
How to Choose Your First Longboard (And Not Waste Money)
The Drop-Through Deck
I was overwhelmed by all the different shapes and styles of longboards. The best, most versatile, and most beginner-friendly style I found is the “drop-through.” This is a board where the trucks are mounted through the deck, which makes the board sit much lower to the ground. This lower center of gravity makes the board incredibly stable, and it makes it much, much easier to push, which is perfect for a beginner who is just learning the ropes.
The Easiest “Dancing” Move on a Longboard
The Cross-Step
I was mesmerized by the elegant, dance-like “boardwalking” that some longboarders do. The easiest and most foundational “dancing” move to learn is the “cross-step.” You just take a step with your back foot and cross it over your front foot, and then you uncross. It’s a simple, stylish, and flowing move that is the first step into the beautiful and creative world of longboard dancing. It feels incredibly cool and graceful when you do it for the first time.
I Commuted to Work on My Longboard for a Week: Here’s What Happened
The Joyful Journey
I decided to ditch my car and commute to work on my longboard for a week. The experience was a revelation. My commute was transformed from a stressful, traffic-filled chore into the best part of my day. It was a fun, relaxing, and meditative way to start and end my workday. I got some good, low-impact exercise, I saved money on gas, and I arrived at work and at home with a clear head and a smile on my face. It’s the most joyful form of urban transportation there is.