What is the difference between a longboard and a skateboard?

A wide range of sports equipment for fans of extreme recreation sets the task of choosing: what to prefer - a skateboard or a longboard. Let's try to figure out what their main differences are, and which one is best suited.

Skateboarding as a sport originated in California. In the 50s of the twentieth century, it occurred to some of the surf lovers during the long periods of absence of waves that it was possible to ride a board on land. As a result, after some experiments to strengthen the wheels, a skateboard appeared on the board. Small-sized boards on wheels, allowing you to perform tricks and slide on land, like on ocean waves, soon won the love of local residents, and then spread throughout the world.

At first, the skateboard was used only as a means of transportation - to get to school, to the beach. This did not require any special skill, it only had to be balanced.

However, to improve maneuverability and glide over long distances, the boards had to be lengthened. This is how the longboard appeared - a kind of skateboard.

Since 1959, skateboards began to be produced on an industrial scale, and by the mid-60s, skateboards reached the pinnacle of popularity. Skateboard company Makaha has sold over 59 million boards in 3 years. Since the early 70s, skateboard designs and materials for wheels, decks and suspensions have been improved.Skateboarders-professionals appeared, magazines devoted to skateboarding began to be published, video products were released - teaching and advertising this sport.

Indoor skate parks began to appear, the first of which was opened in 1976 in Florida, so that skateboarding enthusiasts did not depend on the vagaries of the weather. Love for skateboards began to cover the countries of Europe - France, Germany, England. A wide range of skateboarding accessories appears on the sports goods market - shoes, gloves, baseball caps, protection. Clothing manufacturers produce entire lines dedicated to skateboarding. So, walking around the world, skateboarding from a teenage hobby has turned into a whole industry.

Skateboards for tricks came to Russia in 1989, when at the exhibition in Lenexpo in Leningrad (St. Petersburg) equipment for skateboarding was presented and demonstration performances of professional masters were held.

Since the beginning of the 90s, regular skateboarding competitions have been held in Russia, more and more young people are involved in the new sport, the Russian Federation of Skateboarding appears, in Moscow, St. Petersburg, Saratov and a number of other cities, skate parks equipped with special ramps are being set up.

Note that a longboard differs from a skateboard not only in size, but also in design.

A skateboard is glued from maple in 7-9 layers, and its strength depends on the number of layers. The width of the deck is 18-23 cm, the length is no more than 80 cm. The quality and weight of the board also depends on the quality of the wood and the manufacturing technology. The board must be flexible enough to perform tricks.

Trying to ride it around the city, you will feel every pebble and pothole on the road. In addition, he does not develop high speed.

The skateboard folds upward at the bow and tail. This is necessary for performing tricks such as flips.

Longboard looks more like its progenitor - a surfboard, his soundboard is long, made of a rather soft and elastic material. The composition of the material and the shape are such that they allow you to absorb the imperfections of the road, and also it is easier to pick up speed.

The skateboard is designed to be as light as possible. The longboard is designed in such a way as to provide maximum comfort during long trips on any surface. This is achieved by the length of the deck (up to 1-1.5 meters) and its structure, which gives the required elasticity, as well as its shape. The deck can be completely straight or have a slightly raised tail. This type of longboard is called a kicktail.

The wheels of a longboard are larger in diameter than a skateboard, they can be soft or hard, they can have both rounded edges and straight ones. The suspension is high and wider than a skateboard. The longboard deck itself is also not only longer, but also wider than that of a skateboard.

Thus, the main advantages of a longboard are the ability to develop high speed and good maneuverability. On descents, the longboard develops 30-35 km / h, and stability and excellent driving characteristics allow even beginners to achieve success in mastering this sport. Large wheels, complete with movable high suspension, ensure softness and comfort on the move, even on not too flat road. In addition, longboards are available not only for adolescents and people of athletic build, but also for those who like to ride, who are overweight, as they can withstand up to 100-110 kg.

For those looking for a sweet spot, a longboard / skateboard hybrid called a cruiser is suitable. Its suspension is stiffer than a longboard, but softer than a skateboard, allows for some tricks and also makes turns easier. Therefore, this board is optimal for city riding.

Cruisers feature large, wide wheels that are comfortable to ride on uneven road surfaces, allowing you to reach high speeds with maximum comfort. Well-made cruisers can carry weights up to 150 kg. The curved tail makes the cruiser fit for stunts.

Cruisers are made of hardwood or plastic. The plastic gives the board good flexibility, but at the same time it should be very durable. Plastic cruisers have their own name - plastboards. In addition to driving performance, plastic boards allow a variety of designs, as they are easily painted in various colors and are suitable for drawing. Plastboards are lighter and well suited for children.

The light weight and size of cruisers, especially plastic ones, make them the most convenient to carry - fastened to a backpack or just in a case.

The decisive point when deciding between skate and long is to decide what style of skating you prefer.

But it is not suitable for overcoming long distances, for walking and downhill skiing. For all these joys, you should choose a longboard. It will be comfortable to roll on asphalt roads, like a surfer in the ocean. It will provide a soft glide and ease of maneuvering, allowing you to overcome huge distances without difficulty. However, this is not the right tool for performing tricks. Although longboard lovers invent different interesting directions in the style of skiing.

But the skateboard in its classic form with a double-sided bend of the deck is best suited for various tricks, jumps and riding on the ramp!

Longboard with a straight long deck, sometimes slightly curved at the tail. The shape of the deck depends on the purpose - for descents from slides or trips on a flat road.

The cruiser differs from the skateboard by the one-way curvature of the deck and a slightly larger size. The main purpose of the cruiser is to ride on city streets, but small jumps can also be performed on it. Large wheels and not too stiff suspension allow you to achieve high speed, easily drive over obstacles and overcome uneven road surfaces.

Knowing your preferences, age and weight will help determine which board is best for you.

Longboard is good for beginnersand also if you like high speeds and descents from slides, if you intend to ride on rough terrain, and not on specially equipped areas.

For beginners, a cruiser, as a subspecies of longboard, can also be a good choice. It is not as heavy as the original version, and is perfect for those who like walking around the city. For a child, a cruiser is convenient as a means of transportation to and from school, which saves time, does not take up much space, and does not require parking.

Skateboarding with its lightness and jumping ability can be the next step in the development of skating skills. Having mastered simple jumps on a cruiser, when choosing the next board, you can stop on a skateboard and improve your skills, delighting yourself with the speed and other advantages of a skateboard.

Thus, if you prefer trick riding - on special grounds and on the ramp, opt for a skateboard; for skiing on slopes and long distances, as well as high-speed skiing, choose a longboard; Well, if you want to combine a long comfortable ride with simple stunts, then you should choose a cruiser.

You can learn about the difference between a longboard, a skateboard or a cruiser from the video.