What's a Longboard?Many people have heard of longboards or know someone who rides one. However, many don't actually know what it is or they have their own presumption as to what it is.
Actual definition: A longboard is a skateboard like board that is meant for transportation, sliding, carvings, speed racing, board walking, and many other tricks. Longboards aren't necessarily longer than freestyle skateboards. There are some boards from 22 to 103 inches, and some even longer. However a typical longboard is 44 inches long, 9.5 wide with a 28 wheelbase. |
History of LongboardingLongboards first made an appearance in the 1970's. Some renowned long boarders like Tom Sims and Brad Stradlund were profiled in a 1978 SkateBoarder magazine article called Cult of Longboarding. They viewed longboarding as a form of self-expression, and were influenced by surfing. Although it made its appearance in the 70's it didn't reach popularity until later on.
Although longboarding is considered a skateboard, skate boarders are often prejudice toward people who longboard because they use it more to cruise instead of board tricks. Longboards can be used for tricks the biggest difference between a longboard and a skateboard is the wheels on the longboard are polyurethane wheels which roll a lot faster. |