Types of Skateboard
Last Updated: November 22, 2021
Skateboarding goes all the way back to the late 1950s, when surfers in the South Bay area of Los Angeles began to experiment with sliding chairs with roller skate wheels attached to them. Skateboarding was used as a way for surfers to practice outside of the ocean and also as a means of getting around. The roots of modern skateboarding can be traced back to the 1950s and 60s when surfers wanted something to do on rainy days and created what we now know as skateboards. This eventually led to both board sports and skateboarding becoming an industry that is valued at over $6 billion dollars.
Skateboarding is a sport, a hobby, a lifestyle and a pastime. It is a great way to improve hand-eye coordination, develop dexterity and agility, and stay active. Many top pro skaters from the 1970s still skate every day. For example Tommy Guererro, Tony Hawk and Eric Koston who are still skating despite being well into their 50s. In fact there are thousands of people skateboarding around the world – several million – or even up to 50 million – this figure has been suggested although it is debatable – given that there I few formalities required to become a part of the worldwide community.
Skateboarding is a little different from most other sports because there’s no equipment, really. In most sports they’ve got their equipment and their uniforms and everything, but skateboarding is what you make it out of, and I think it’s great family entertainment. It’s the kind of thing we can do together as a family and I recommend it highly. You don’t need to learn how to play the drum or guitar or some instrument before you let your kids start doing this. Just get them out there with a board, some wheels and let them roll.
The Main Types of Skateboards
Skateboarding is a fun activity that can be enjoyed by children and adults alike. There are all different types of skateboards for different types of skating. Each type has its own advantages and disadvantages. The board will be different depending on how it’s being used.
Longboard
A longboard is a type of skateboard that measures 33 inches to 36 inches in length, on average. Longboards are also typically eight inches wide. The shape of a longboard is similar to that of a shortboard. The key difference between the two is that the longboard’s deck is typically 10 inches longer, and can be up to 36 inches wide.
Longboard features and construction might vary and the intention of each design differs from one another. But what people can expect from a longboard is performance-driven. Longboards are designed to make the ride easier, even on hills or when travelling with lots of speed.
The best longboards are usually made of wood or carbon fiber. Longboards are extremely flexible in terms of riders because they are used mostly for fun, commuting or in competitions in which riders usually use their feet to accelerate after pushing off the ground. Longboarding is usually done in a group called a «longboard crew» with one downhill longboarder leading the way and the others following closely behind, also known as car surfing.
Types of Longboards :
Carving Longboard — Carving longboards are designed to meet the requirements of someone who is looking for speed. They are billed by the manufacturers as boards that are fast, advanced, and efficient. If you love to whip around town and think the only best way to do it is on a skateboard, then get your hands on a carving longboard.
Cruiser Longboard — Cruisers are longboard that can be used for leisurely riding in the city streets or for mastering the basics in the yard. Speed is not the main thing here, but maneuverability. Cruisers have a mellow concave and have a wider footprint so it’s great for cruising around local parks or even making your commute a little more enjoyable.
Dance Longboard — The name of board comes from the style of ride which resembles to dance and it’s similar to sliding on a surfboard. The length of these boards varies from classic, modern that is also known as old school to short longboard that ranges up to 36 inches. These boards are made for sliding, dancing and just enjoying yourself on a flat surface.
Downhill Longboard — Downhill skateboards, also called gravity boards, are designed for experienced riders who like to ride steep and lingering mountain slopes. For beginners who have decided to learn how to ride this board, it is recommended to do it only with an instructor. This type of boarding is often referred to freeriding, since the term downhill implies that the route is pre-chosen before starting the descent. Downhill longboards are similar in design to their skate counterparts, with various sizes (27-50 inches) and widths (8-11 inches).
Surf Skates Longboard — They look like a longboard and they ride like a longboard, but they can be skated on two or even lying down. They’re the longest of the longboard line, and they’re called surf skates.
Downhill Longboard — Downhill Longboards are essentially racing bikes for the pavement. Professionals use them to ride down a mountain at speeds of up to 50 mph.
Freeride Longboard — Freeride longboards are the most stable due to the larger wheel size. They are harder to push to get started, but once you get the board moving, they hold steady. The main difference between freeride longboarding and downhill or cruising longboards is that freeride boards are slightly more stable at slower speeds. Sliding is also popular on this style of board compared to the smaller wheeled boards.
Penny Board
Penny board is a smaller version of a skateboard. According to some sources, the history of the penny board goes as far as from the early 1920s when young kids would attach roller skate wheels and small wooden planks and ride them on the sidewalks. This unusually shaped board became known as a “penny board” and survived through the years.
The Penny Board is a small size plastic skateboard. It is highly maneuverable and great for teaching children to skate, but can also be enjoyed by an adult skater. The deck of the Penny board is made from plastic which provide good traction for beginners. The trucks are also made of plastic, which helps it keeps price down, but they still perform well.
Types of Penny Boards :
Original — The smallest kind of board. This penny board can easily be put in a backpack and ride in the schoolyard. Ideal for beginner skaters to learn and improve.
Nickel — is a good introduction to the world of tricks and cruising. It’s a little bigger than the classic Penny board that makes your journey easier, and less risky. This Penny board is slightly longer and wider than the original. It has a wider deck to increase stability and a kicktail for those who want to learn tricks easily.
Shortboard
The Shortboard is a classic all-purpose skateboard that has been popular on the market for over a decade. The model is a natural choice for first-time riders, as well as for those skating in the city since it provides a lot of stability. It is also a great board to be used for learning tricks.
So, you have learned that there are loads of different skateboards out there, so what kind should you buy? The first thing I would recommend is to try a classic skateboard. It is known as the most simple design of them all, so you can start skating on this board, and learn some new tricks at the same time. Long skateboards are too heavy to do tricks on them. Penny boards are recommended for teenagers-schoolers, but they can also suit some adults with their small size.
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