Traveling around the city: How to choose a longboard and start skating
The first rollerboards appeared back in the fiftieswhen American surfers, who were bored during the calm on the ocean, attached wheels to the boards and began to cut the asphalt of urban roads. It was the longboard that became the first type of board with wheels; later, in the mid-seventies, jumps and skateboard tricks became fashionable. In the two thousand longbord again gained momentum - and every year become more popular, and ride them, regardless of age. We tried to understand the different types of boards and how to make skating safe and get benefit and pleasure from it.
Travel on the board
The most versatile option is a longboard, long board with large diameter wheels and a wide suspension. Longboard is softer, and easier to control than a skateboard. The materials from which such a board is made - maple, bamboo or carbon fiber - in combination with special bends of the deck allow it to pick up speed faster and absorb the roughness of the road. There are several types of longboards - and not all of them are actually longer than a skateboard. The most common - the so-called cruise, or carving length from 75 to 130 cm; They are well suited to beginners, they are easy to ride and perform simple tricks. Such boards are usually used to drive around the city as a vehicle - and this is a great opportunity to diversify the journey.
In addition to cruise, there are also unusual longboards: for example, the option that was invented by surfers is called surfboard-style longboard - these are boards up to three meters in length. Because of the large inertia, they can be rolled only along an arcuate trajectory, and this requires considerable space outside (however, at home, too — such a board needs to be stored somewhere). On the surfboard longboard you can lie, sit, ride together and even dance. For high-speed descents, downhill boards are made with a special design: about a meter long, powerful suspensions of special geometry, providing high stability at speeds up to 100 km / h, and soft wheels. Recently, quite small plastic longboards have appeared - Penny. They may resemble children's toys, but this is a deceptive impression: a short board requires enhanced coordination and balance. But it is very convenient to take with you.
Both pleasant and helpful
Longboard riding may well replace a full-fledged training - in a minute it burns from 3.5 to 7 kilocalories, which equates riding with aerobic exercise of moderate intensity. Not only the muscles of the hips and legs work, but also the back and the abs, which help to maintain balance. Of course, movement on an unstable surface develops coordination and control over your body - and also teaches how to overcome fear and develop patience. Like any sport, longboard skiing helps fight stress — some American psychologists even prescribe skiing as part of therapy.
When choosing a board, you need to start from your own goals - for example, riding around the city or fast descents; short boards are more maneuverable (that is, they turn easier and faster), but they are less stable. Long, on the contrary, less maneuverable, but much easier to cope with speed. Beginners are recommended to start with longer boards. It’s best not to hesitate to go to specialty stores and ask questions to sellers - but many good models can be found on eBay or Avito.
To start skating, you need to determine which foot you are leading. How to do it? Ask a friend to push you from the back when you do not expect it (only carefully, please). That leg that you push forward to maintain balance is the leading one. Those who push off with their left foot are called “goofy”, and their right leg is called “regular”. First, learn the basics of skating: control boards, turns and braking. To do this, you need to ride on a flat area and feel the movements of the longboard. At this stage, equilibrium is mastered and the ability to turn and brake is developed - and then comes carving (arcs), the main and most pleasant way of driving around the city. On the Internet, you can find instructions on YouTube and a lot of skiing courses, including for beginners, in English and Russian, and in the big cities of the longboarding schools, in the summer, they provide free lessons.
Skateboards
Skateboard is perhaps the most famous board on wheels; she has a short wooden deck, bent up front and back. Skateboards have a stiff and narrow suspension and small diameter wheels. These boards are also used to move around the city, but their main purpose is to perform tricks; spectacular and technically challenging jumps require serious physical fitness. If you decide to learn how to ride a skateboard, be prepared for falls and repetition - this is not easy, but you should not despair. Now you can find a lot of free courses online or sign up for a lesson with a trainer - the second option is suitable for those who do not dare to buy a board and want to first try to work out at the rental. Well, or to do, as it was done from time immemorial - go to the skate park and make friends with the local community, so that those who have been skating for a long time, help you.
Skating promotes equilibrium and is believed to help keep those engaged in snowboarding in the winter. According to skateboarders, including professional, now girls are getting more and more, and this is no surprise to anyone. It is important not to forget about safety: do not ride where the car can suddenly go, and protect yourself from the effects of falls with equipment, and do not care how it looks. If knees, elbows and palms are usually affected by "asphalt disease", then with serious jumps and tricks you can even get a concussion of the brain - so the helmet will not interfere. And, of course, for any activity in the fresh air, you should not forget to drink more and use sunscreen.
Other cool boards
Roller surf is a roller board on two wheels, which consists of two platforms connected to each other by means of a spring. A rider pushes off with one foot only at the start, begins to move his hips and transfer body weight from one foot to the other. Riding is very difficult and time-consuming, but it looks impressive, the whole wheel is only two. Those who do not want to limit themselves to riding on asphalt, choose mountainboard - a board on four large wheels for off-road driving. At mountainboard wheels are located on the sides of the deck and reach a diameter of 25 centimeters. In addition, this board has special mounts for the legs like a snowboard.
A snakeboard is a board that in motion resembles a snake, because it is made of several moving parts. The students from Johannesburg, who invented the snakeboard, did it by breaking the board into three parts, and then connecting them together. And although they stopped selling them for a while, the boards did enough so that you could get a snakeboard on the Internet. Finally, recently there were electric ribs, which require practically no effort - and they also improve every year; You’ve probably seen Botated Board riding a YouTube star Casey Neystad. Perhaps this is not the best option in terms of physical activity and it is better to walk for short distances — but it would be great if some motorists would switch to electric longs.
Photo: Penny, United Cycle, Dzha - stock.adobe.com, Ozon (1, 2)
