Fond of sliding? Don't know how to slide on a longboard? Don't worry buddy. Sliding on a longboard is a piece of cake if you follow some strategy.
Today in this article, I will be talking everything about sliding on a longboard. So, if you are very much interested in sliding on a longboard, then have a glance at my article. I hope you will be able to do the job after going through my article.
I have also reviewed different longboards and skateboards of different purposes. Read these reviews if you ever plan to buy one.
How to Slide on a Longboard
Start With Selecting a Longboard
The first step towards getting started with sliding should be picking up a longboard. You should go for a longboard that suits you and make you feel comfortable.
If you are a newbie, then you should go for a quality longboard, it will make your secured positioning over it. Without it, a quality longboard will ensure your comfortable jam at the ending. Try to select a longboard with a suitable deck length parallel with your shoe size. Moreover, for extra stability find the longboard that stays lower to the ground.
Apart from this, wheel size and durometer also play a vital role in a satisfying longboard sliding. That's why you should be careful about selecting the perfect combination. For the best performance, the longboard wheel size should be between 60 and 65mm and the durometer should be between 80A and 100A.
Remember that the good sliding wheels are much quicker to wear down. It's a tradeoff thing. From that point, I will suggest going for two wheelsets. Among them, one is for regular skating and the rest one is for sliding.
Make Yourself Secured
Well, while before starting sliding you must equip yourself with some safety equipment. You should arrange a quality helmet, hand gloves and knee pads.
The helmets that are available for sliding come with two types: the half-face and the full face. Both types have individual strengths and weaknesses. The half-face helmet is light-weight, more breathable and cost less money. But, it offers less protection, especially for your face and chin. The half-face helmet can be used for riding on a flat surface, carving and cruising.
On the other hand, the full-face helmet is pricey and heavy. It does not offer the breathing flexibility like the half-face helmet. The full-face helmet offers complete protection to your face and head. It can be used for downhill riding.
Going for hand gloves and knee pad is always recommended. You should not leave any safety concerns, especially when you are a newbie. Although the gloves are a bit pricey, it will pay the value. The hand gloves will help you to keep control of your motion while sliding.
Like the hand gloves, the knee pads also an important part that you can't leave. The knee pads will keep your knee safe. However, if you find the knee pads pricey, then you can make it at home by yourself. Making knee pads are not a big deal.
Start Sliding
After going through the above-mentioned point, now you are ready for the sliding. But, before going to the main part of sliding you need to check the speed. To check the speed, make a simple slide using the rear two wheels as a starter and letting go of the pavement you will be making the slide. This trick is used for burning the speed sometimes.
For this purpose, find a flat surface or parking plot. However, if you don't feel comfortable with the mentioned process, you can go for the motion performance. The process is:
1) Get started in a flat area. Make three or four pushes.
2) You must keep your maximum weight on the onward foot while you are learning forward.
3) You need to keep about 45 or 90-degree angle from the board while opening the shoulder. However, while larger speed checking, make your shoulders open widely.
4) You have to use your back foot and leg while forcing the swift force on your board's external back end.
5) Well, now you need to close your shoulders and balance out your weight. Try to repeat this step four or five times. Also, go for the minimal speed checking and for this you need to force on your back-foot weight talking. You need to pitting less weight so that the force on two back wheels is easier.
After going through the speed checking, now you are ready for a sliding. You can start sliding by making a kick on a flat surface. Try not to push yourself while riding and go on a speed that makes you feel comfortable.
While riding, in order to get a better gripping, bend your knees when you bend down on the board. For sliding, don't forget to switch to the heel side.
After that, keep your one hand on the longboard and the rest one is on the ground. Your one hand should be positioned between the legs and the rest one should be reaching the back directly opposite of the way in which toes are pointing.
Now the difficult step, you need to carve the heel side. For this step, you need to look backward in a way as you are looking at your butt. Your body should follow the motion and also hips should be committed to the motion.
Riding in one direction is ok but lots of people like to make a jump to the other toe side Coleman slide. You can go both ways by changing the direction. Just keep practicing and learning to slide.
You may also like to read our guide on longboard pumping.
Video: How To Slide On A Longboard
