Protect Your Hands and Slide with Style

Longboarding is not just a fun way of transportation, it’s also an art form where riders test their limits and push the boundaries of what’s possible on four wheels. One of the most exciting aspects of longboarding is sliding, which involves intentionally losing traction while going down a hill to control your speed and direction.

However, sliding can be risky if you’re not wearing the right equipment, like sliding gloves. Sliding gloves are specialized gloves designed for longboarders who want to slide without tearing up their hands and risking serious injuries.

The gloves feature plastic or leather pucks attached to the palms that let you slide smoothly while protecting your knuckles and fingers from scrapes and impact. Sliding gloves come in different styles, colors, and materials to suit every rider’s preference.

In this article, we’ll go over everything you need to know about using sliding gloves on a longboard: how to choose the right pair for your needs, how to use them properly techniques for beginner and advanced riders, safety tips to protect yourself from accidents, maintenance tips to keep your gloves in top shape, and more!

So grab your board and let’s get started!

Getting Started

Choose the right pair of sliding gloves for your needs

Choosing the right pair of sliding gloves is crucial to having a great longboarding experience. The first thing to consider is the type of sliding you’ll be doing.

Different styles require different types of gloves. For instance, if you plan on doing stand-up slides, then gloves with removable pucks are best suited for this style.

On the other hand, if you prefer pendulum slides, then gloves with built-in pucks are recommended. It’s important to do some research and find a glove that suits your style and provides maximum protection.

Adjust the fit of the gloves to ensure maximum control and comfort

Once you’ve chosen your ideal pair of gloves, it’s crucial that they fit properly. Gloves that are too loose can cause a loss of control and decrease responsiveness while sliding, while too-tight gloves can cause discomfort and reduce mobility in your fingers. A good way to test if your gloves fit well is by putting them on and gripping your board as you would during a slide.

If they feel comfortable and secure without restricting movement in any way, then they’re a good fit! Make sure to also adjust any straps or velcro closures for added security before hitting the hills.

Basic TechniquesGet ready to learn some easy but essential

longboarding techniques!

Proper hand placement on the board

The first step to initiate any slide is to ensure that your hands are placed correctly on the board. This will help you maintain balance and prevent any accidents. When riding, your front hand should be positioned towards the front of the board, while your backhand should be at a distance towards the tail.

How to initiate a slide

To initiate a slide, move your leading foot slightly forward and push down with your back foot. As this happens, twist slightly in the direction you want to slide and transfer weight onto your back leg.

Now press down on one side of the board with your sliding glove while lifting up the other side simultaneously. The combination of these actions will induce a controlled drift or slide.

Maintaining balance while sliding

The key to maintaining balance while sliding is keeping your body over your board and avoiding leaning too far in any direction. During a slide, there will be moments where you might feel off-balance, but it’s essential not to panic or overcompensate by shifting weight too much.

Instead, try adjusting gradually by moving your arms or adjusting foot positions. With these basic techniques under control, it’s time for some advanced maneuvers!

Advanced Techniques

Different types of slides

Once you have mastered the basics of sliding, it’s time to explore different types of slides. The most popular types are stand-up slides and pendulum slides.

Stand-up slides involve keeping your body upright while performing the slide, whereas pendulum slides require you to swing your body through the turn. Both types require a lot of practice and patience to perfect, but don’t be afraid to experiment with different styles and find what works best for you.

Combining slides with other tricks

Once you have mastered different types of sliding, it’s time to start incorporating them into other tricks! One popular combination is combining a slide with a 180 or 360-degree spin.

This not only adds an extra level of difficulty but also looks impressive to onlookers. Start by practicing these combinations on flat ground before attempting them at higher speeds or on hills.

Remember to always wear protective gear and avoid pushing yourself beyond your limits. With enough practice and patience, you’ll be able to create unique combinations that showcase your skills as a longboarder!

Safety Tips

Always Wear a Helmet and Other Protective Gear

When it comes to longboarding, safety should always be your number one priority. Accidents can happen at any time, and you don’t want to risk serious injury by not wearing proper protective gear.

Make sure you invest in a high-quality helmet that fits well and covers your entire head. Additionally, wear other protective gear like knee pads, elbow pads, wrist guards, and gloves with slide pucks.

Start with Small Hills Before Attempting Steeper Ones

One of the most important things to keep in mind when using sliding gloves for longboarding is to start slow. You don’t want to attempt steep hills right away before you have mastered the basics of sliding.

Start with smaller hills where you can practice your technique and build up your skills gradually. As you become more comfortable with sliding on small hills, gradually increase the difficulty level by tackling steeper terrain.

Know Your Limits and Don’t Push Yourself Too Hard

It’s important to know your limits when it comes to longboarding. Don’t try anything too challenging or dangerous if you’re not ready for it yet.

If something feels too difficult or scary, listen to your instincts and take a step back until you’re ready to tackle it again later on down the road. Remember, safety should always come first when longboarding – no trick or hill is worth risking injury over!

Maintenance and Care

Cleaning your gloves after use

Cleaning your sliding gloves is an important part of their maintenance. After all, you don’t want to be sliding with dirty or smelly gloves!

The first step is to remove the pucks from the gloves. Most gloves have Velcro tabs that allow you to easily remove the pucks.

Once the pucks are off, gently hand wash the gloves using a mild soap and warm water. Be sure to pay special attention to any areas that may have come into contact with dirt or sweat, like the wrist area or between fingers.

Replacing worn out parts (ex: pucks)

Sliding can be tough on your gear, especially your slide pucks. Over time, your slide pucks will start to wear down and lose their effectiveness.

When this happens, it’s time to replace them! Luckily, most sliding glove brands sell replacement pucks so you don’t need to buy a whole new pair of gloves.

To replace the worn-out pucks simply remove the old ones from their Velcro tab and attach new ones in their place. In addition to replacing your slide pucks when they wear out, it’s also important to regularly inspect all parts of your sliding gloves for any wear and tear.

If you notice any holes or damage in the fabric of your gloves, it may be time for a replacement pair.

Remember: safety should always come first when longboarding!

Conclusion

The Importance of Using Sliding Gloves for Longboarding Safety and Fun

Sliding gloves are an essential piece of equipment for any longboarder who wants to push their skills to the next level. By providing extra control and stability during slides, these gloves can help riders explore new techniques and achieve greater speeds without sacrificing safety.

They also offer a fun way to express creativity and add style to your longboarding. However, it’s important to remember that sliding gloves are not a substitute for proper safety gear, including helmets, knee pads, and elbow pads.

While using gloves can prevent injuries to your hands and wrists during falls or slides, they cannot protect other parts of your body from harm. As with any extreme sport, it is always important to practice responsible longboarding techniques and be aware of your own limits.

Start small with hills you feel comfortable on before attempting more challenging terrain. Always wear protective gear when riding whether you’re wearing sliding gloves or not.

So let’s get out there on the streets or hills with our boards! Use this knowledge about sliding gloves wisely to improve your skills while staying safe and having fun doing so!