Finding the Perfect Board for Your Freestyle Longboarding Needs
Longboarding is a great way to cruise around town, commute to work or school, and even compete in races. However, freestyle longboarding is a whole different sport that requires a specific type of board.
Unlike other longboards that are designed for speed and distance, freestyle longboards are designed for doing tricks and maneuvers. In order to be successful in freestyle longboarding, it’s essential to choose the right board.
What is Freestyle Longboarding?
Freestyle longboarding is all about expressing yourself through creative maneuvers on your board. Some common tricks include manuals (balancing on two wheels), shuvits (spinning the board underneath your feet), and slides (using the wheels to break traction and slide sideways). Additionally, riders often incorporate dance moves into their routine.
The Importance of Choosing the Right Board
The right longboard can make all the difference when it comes to freestyle riding. A good board will allow you to perform tricks more easily and fluidly, while also providing stability and control during transitions between moves. The wrong board can make it difficult or even impossible to execute certain maneuvers.
When choosing a freestyle longboard, several factors should be considered such as deck shape and size, wheelbase length, flexibility and stiffness, concave depth among others. With the right board in hand paired with practice dedication and proper foot placement – you will be able to take your freestyling game to new heights!
Types of Longboards for Freestyle
Drop-Through Longboards: Cruising and Carving
Drop-through longboards are a popular choice for freestylers who like to cruise or carve. The trucks are mounted through the deck, lowering your center of gravity and making it easier to push off the ground.
This design also allows you to make smoother turns with less effort. A drop-through longboard is great for beginners who are just getting into longboarding, as well as seasoned riders who want to have some laid-back fun on their board.
Top-Mount Longboards: Technical Tricks and Speed
Top-mount longboards are the most traditional style of longboard. The trucks are mounted directly onto the bottom of the deck, which raises your center of gravity and gives you more leverage over your turns.
This makes top-mount boards more responsive, allowing you to make sharper turns with greater control. Top-mount boards also offer a more stable ride at high speeds, which is perfect for freestylers who like to go fast or tackle technical tricks.
Double-Kick Longboards: 360 Flips and More
Double-kick longboards have kicks on both ends of the board, giving you more freedom to perform tricks in any direction. With a double-kick board, you can do 360 flips, ollies, manuals, and other advanced tricks that require a lot of pop and control.
This style of board is perfect for riders who want to focus on freestyle tricks rather than cruising or speed. Each type has its own advantages and disadvantages depending on what type of riding you prefer.
As discussed earlier in this article about how each type affects riding experience due their unique features such as mounting style (top-mount vs drop-through), kicktails (single vs double), stiffness (flexible vs rigid), concave depth (shallow vs deep), wheelbase, and deck length. In the next section, we’ll be discussing these features in more detail to help you choose the right freestyle longboard for you.
Features to Consider when Choosing a Freestyle Longboard
Deck shape and size
The shape and size of the deck are crucial for freestyling. A freestyle longboard should have a symmetrical shape with a kicktail on both ends.
This design allows riders to perform tricks easily in either direction. The deck’s length should be between 38 and 42 inches as it provides the perfect balance between stability, maneuverability, and agility, ideal for executing complex tricks.
Wheelbase length
Wheelbase length refers to the distance between the trucks’ mounting holes on the deck. The wheelbase length directly affects how easy it is to turn or spin your board. Freestyle longboards typically have shorter wheelbases ranging from 24-28 inches, which create a tighter turning radius and increase stability while spinning.
Flexibility and stiffness
The flex of a longboard is determined by its construction material; usually bamboo or fiberglass. A more flexible board absorbs shocks better and offers more energy return while jumping or executing tricks but feels unstable at high speeds. Stiffer boards offer more control at high speeds but can be painful during hard landings.
Concave depth
Concave depth refers to the curvature of the board’s edges from top to bottom, where your feet rest on either side of the board. More concave depth gives your feet more grip, making flicking easier and providing better control for spinning tricks like kickflips or heelflips. However, too much concave can be uncomfortable for extended periods because it puts pressure on your feet’ arches.
Choosing the right freestyle longboard involves considering factors such as deck shape and size, wheelbase length, flexibility and stiffness as well as concave depth that align with personal preferences. It is essential to have the right equipment to execute tricks and maneuvers successfully, but in the end, it comes down to practice and dedication.
Top 5 Best Longboards for Freestyle
Longboarding is an incredible activity that combines skating, surfing, and snowboarding. Freestyle longboarding takes it to the next level by adding tricks and flips to the mix.
To perform such moves, you need a good freestyle longboard that can keep up with your skills. Here are five of the best freestyle longboards available on the market:
Loaded Boards Vanguard – best overall freestyle board
The Loaded Vanguard is designed for riders who want to experience a smooth ride while performing tricks. Made from bamboo and fiberglass materials, this board is flexible yet durable which makes it perfect for dancing and freestyling. Its drop-through design also makes it easier to push and control.
Landyachtz Switchblade – best drop-through option for freestyle
The Landyachtz Switchblade is a top choice for riders who prefer drop-through decks as they provide more stability and reduce fatigue on longer rides. It has a symmetrical shape that allows you to perform tricks comfortably from either end of the board. The deck is made of eight-ply maple which provides excellent durability.
Arbor Axis – best top-mount option for freestyle
The Arbor Axis is designed for those who prefer top-mount decks as they provide better turning capabilities than drop-through boards. It has an arched shape that provides excellent control while cruising or performing tricks. The deck is made from seven-ply maple wood which gives it great flex while still being sturdy.
Rayne Demonseed – best double-kick option for freestyle
The Rayne Demonseed is one of the most popular double-kick longboards in the market today. Its symmetrical shape makes it great for riding switch or regular stance when performing various flip tricks such as kickflips or heelflips. Made from bamboo and fiberglass materials, this board is lightweight but still provides excellent durability.
Atom Drop Through Longboard – best budget option for freestyle
If you’re on a budget but still want a good freestyle longboard, the Atom Drop Through Longboard is an excellent pick. It has a drop-through design that makes it easier to push and control while still having enough flex for freestyling. The deck is made from maple wood which provides decent durability at an affordable price.
Overall, these five longboards are great options for riders who are into freestyling. Whether you’re looking for flexibility or stability, these boards have got you covered at different price ranges.
Additional Tips and Tricks for Freestyling on a Longboard
Proper Stance and Foot Placement
A proper stance and foot placement are crucial for freestyling on a longboard. First, determine your stance – regular or goofy.
Regular means you have your left foot at the front of the board, while goofy means you have your right foot at the front. Once you’ve determined your stance, position your feet so that they’re shoulder-width apart with toes pointing forward or slightly outward.
Your front foot should be placed near the middle of the board while your back foot should be angled towards the tail. Finding a comfortable and stable stance will help set a strong foundation to perform tricks.
Basic Tricks to Start with (Manuals, Shuvits, etc.)
There are plenty of basic freestyle tricks that beginners can learn to get started. One such trick is called manuals – this involves balancing on two wheels as you ride straight without pushing or pedaling for an extended period of time.
Another popular trick is called shuvits – this involves kicking the board so that it spins 180 degrees underneath you while keeping both feet on the board throughout the entire motion. Other basic tricks include kickflips, heelflips, and ollies.
Importance of Practice and Dedication
Freestyling on a longboard takes time and practice to master. It’s important to dedicate time to practicing various maneuvers over and over again until they become second nature. Don’t be discouraged if you don’t get things right away – even experienced riders continue learning new techniques all the time!
Consistent practice paired with dedication can lead to improvement in speed control, balance, coordination, technique execution and creativity when performing tricks. By incorporating these tips into your freestyle longboarding routine along with the techniques mentioned in the previous sections, you’ll be well on your way to becoming a skilled freestyle longboarder.
With practice and dedication, you may even be able to create your own unique tricks and style that sets you apart from others in the community. So get out there and start shredding!
Conclusion
Choosing the Right Longboard for Freestyling
Choosing the right longboard for freestyling can make all the difference in your experience as a rider. It’s important to consider factors such as deck shape and size, wheelbase length, flexibility and stiffness, and concave depth when making your choice. Whether you opt for a drop-through, top-mount or double-kick board will depend on your personal preferences.
Encouragement to Try Different Boards and Techniques
Once you’ve chosen your perfect freestyle board, it’s time to start practicing! Don’t be discouraged if you don’t get the hang of things right away – freestyling takes dedication and practice. Start with basic tricks like manuals and shuvits before moving on to more advanced techniques.
Remember to experiment with different boards and setups as well – you never know what might work best for you until you try it! The possibilities are endless when it comes to freestyle longboarding.
Saying Goodbye (for Now)
We hope this guide has helped shed some light on the world of freestyle longboarding and shown you just how much fun it can be. With the right board and enough practice, anyone can become a skilled freestyler.
So go out there and hit the streets with confidence! And remember – no matter how many falls or fails happen along the way, always keep pushing forward with optimism because success comes from continuous efforts without losing enthusiasm!
