Learning how to powerslide on a longboard can be a great way to add an extra element of excitement to your riding. It’s also a useful skill to have in your toolkit, as it can help you safely negotiate tight turns or sudden stops. While it may seem daunting at first, anyone can learn how to do it with a little practice. In this blog post, we’ll walk you through the basics of how to do this! By the end, you’ll be ready to shred some serious pavement!
What Is Powerslide on A Longboard?
Powerslide is a type of slide that is typically performed on a longboard. It involves entering into a sideways stance and then rotating your body around the longboard’s central axis. This will cause your board to start sliding in the desired direction.
Safety Equipment
Always make sure you wear the proper safety gear before attempting any tricks or stunts. This includes a helmet, elbow and knee pads, and wrist guards. It’s also a good idea to wear a mouthguard to protect your teeth in case of a fall.
What You Need for Powersliding
A longboard. But more importantly, you need good trucks and wheels. So I would recommend opting for some quality bushings and bearings as well.
What Will You Need
1. Wheels
You’ll want a larger wheel in diameter and has a lower durometer rating. This will give you more grip and make it easier to initiate your slide. A good starting point is a 75mm or 80mm wheel.
2. Trucks
You’ll want a loose truck to allow for some lateral movement but not so loose that it will wobble excessively. I would recommend a truck with a lower hanger, such as the Paris V2 Truck or Orangatang 4President Trucks.
3. Bushings
Bushings are important for how your longboard turns. Different brands have different shapes and sizes, so it might take some trial and error to find the right bushings for you. When you’re powersliding, you want to make sure your bushings are loose so that they can spin easily.
4. Bearings
The bearings are what allow the board to move. They are located on the wheels and are responsible for how fast and easily the board moves. Finding a durable and high-quality set is important when looking for longboard bearings. Cheap bearings will often wear down quickly, making them poor for longboarding.
5. Deck
The deck is the part of the longboard that you stand on. It’s important to choose a deck that is stiff and stable. A good way to test this is to stand on the board and bounce up and down. If the board bounces a lot, it will not be very stable when you’re powersliding.
6. Terrain
It’s important to know your terrain before attempting a powerslide. Slides work best on surfaces that offer some resistance, like asphalt, concrete, or wood. Grass and loose dirt are more difficult to control and can easily wipe out. Keep reading for more information about how to powerslide on a longboard.
How to Powerslide on A Longboard – 9 Different Types of Power Slides
1. Heelside Slide:
A heelside slide is a power slide that happens when traveling in a straight line and turning your board while sliding on your heels. This type of slide is used to make sharp turns.
2. Toeside Slide:
This is the most basic slide and the easiest to learn. It is a great starting point for riders who are new to longboarding. To do a toeside slide, you will need to position your body to allow you to lean into the slide. It would help if you were crouching down with your weight on your front foot.
3. Stand-Up Slide:
The stand-up slide is a type of slide that is often used when you want to conserve your speed and momentum. To do this slide, you will need first to assume a standing position on your longboard. Next, lean slightly forward and then push off with your back foot to initiate the slide. Use your hands to maintain your balance and control your speed. You will want to continue leaning forward and use your hands to maintain your balance as you enter and exit the slide.
4. 180 Slide:
This is the most basic slide and the one you will use the most. To do a 180 slide, start in a neutral stance with your feet parallel. Next, lean into your front foot while keeping your back foot planted, and then spin your board around 180 degrees. Keep your body facing the same direction as your board as you do this. When you reach the end of your spin, plant your back foot and push off to return to a neutral stance.
5. Coleman Slide:
The Coleman slide is a very popular slide that longboarders use. To execute this slide, you will need to be in a crouched position. Next, you will need to place your hand on the ground before you and then spin around on your board while keeping your hand on the ground. Next, you will need to transfer your weight to your back foot and then lift your front foot off the board as you spin around. Finally, you will need to push off with your back foot and slide away.
6. Pendulum Slide:
This is a slide that can be used when you want to change your direction quickly. To do this slide, start by positioning your longboard perpendicular to the direction you want to go. Then, put your back foot on the tail of the board and your front foot in the middle of the board.
Next, lean in the direction you want to go and push off with your back foot. As you do this, swing your front foot in the opposite direction of the way you want to go. This will cause your longboard to start spinning quickly and help you change directions quickly.
7. Sit Downslide:
The sit downslide is a variation of the powerslide where you remain seated while sliding. To do this, position your longboard at the top of the hill and ensure that your feet are correct (knees bent, back slightly arched). Then, use your hands to push yourself off the ground and into a slide. Keep your arms straight and use your hands to balance yourself.
8. Speed Checks:
To make sure you’re going at the right speed, do a speed check before you start your slide. Place one foot on the ground and push down as hard as possible. You’re going too fast if you can easily push down for more than three seconds. Slow down until you can only push down for about one or two seconds.
9. Carve:
This is the final step in how to powerslide on a longboard. Carving is when you turn your board by leaning into the turn while still moving. To start, position your body to be perpendicular to the direction you want to go. Then, shift your weight towards the front of your board and push down with your front foot.
This will cause your board to start turning. To complete the turn, lean into it and keep your weight on your front foot. It would help if you now were facing the direction you originally wanted to go. Practice this a few times until you are comfortable with it.
Frequently Asked Question
What Are Some Good Tricks that I Can?
Powerslide on a longboard is a common question that many new longboarders ask. The powerslide is one of the most basic and important tricks that you can learn how to do on a longboard. It allows you to control your speed and make sharp turns without slowing down or stopping.
What are some good tricks that I can use?
Some good tricks to try are powerslides, 180s, and 360s. To perform a powerslide, lean your body weight into the direction you want to slide, and use your foot to push off the ground. It would help if you also tried to keep your arms close to your body. For a 180, spin your body around to face the other way, and use your arms to help you rotate.
Finally, for a 360, spin all the way around three times. But, again, be careful not to lose your balance! If you’re having trouble staying on your longboard, try practicing on a smaller one first.
Is It Possible to Do a Powerslide on The Stairs?
Yes, it is possible to do a powerslide on the stairs. You will need to approach the stairs at high speed and then lift your front foot off the longboard while keeping your back foot on the board. You should then turn your front foot towards the stairs and use your body weight to push down on the longboard. This will cause the board to slide down the stairs. Be sure to keep your arms and hands outstretched in front of you to help maintain your balance.
Conclusion
If you want to learn how to powerslide on a longboard, keep reading. In this article, we will teach you how to slide and powerslide on your longboard. We’ll also give you some tips for staying safe while sliding. So, if you want to start learning how to shred some pavement, read on!
