There’s nothing quite like the freedom of a longboard. With the wind in your hair and the sun on your face, there’s no better way to experience a sunny day than riding a longboard.
But if you’re new to this exciting hobby, you may not know where to start. In this blog post, we’ll show you how to turn a longboard and get started cruising down the street. So please put on your sunscreen, and let’s get started!
What Is a Longboard?
A longboard is a type of skateboard characterized by its long length and wider deck. While traditional skateboards measure between 28 and 32 inches in length, longboards can range from 33 to 60 inches. Longboards also tend to have lower centers of gravity than traditional skateboards, making them more stable and easier to balance.
In addition, longboards typically have softer wheels, which makes them better suited for cruising and carving than for tricks and jumps. For these reasons, longboards are often used for transportation and recreation. Whether commuting to work or hitting the streets for a leisurely cruise, a longboard can provide an enjoyable and efficient ride.
Why Should You Need to Turn on A Longboard?
While cruising around on a longboard, there will be times when you need to make a tight turn to avoid obstacles or navigate around other skateboarders. While it may seem like a simple task, turning on a longboard is quite complex and requires much practice to master.
The key to making a successful turn is to keep your weight evenly balanced between your feet as you lean into the turn. If you shift your weight too far to one side, you will lose your balance and fall off the board.
Similarly, if you lean too far in the other direction, you will veer off course and be unable to make the turn. However, with a little practice, you will be able to make turns with ease and enjoy the ride.
How to Turn a Longboard Step by Step Guide
Step 1: Stand on Your Longboard
Before you can turn your longboard, you need to be standing on it. Place your feet on the board in a comfortable position and make sure that your weight is evenly distributed.
Step 2: Push off with Your Back Foot
Once you’re standing on your longboard, it’s time to push off. To do this, shift your weight onto your back foot and push off the ground with your heel. As you push, transfer your weight onto your front foot while keeping your back foot on the board.
Step 3: Picking up Speed
Now that you know how to stand and push, it’s time to start picking up some speed. The key to turning is having enough speed to make the turn but not too much speed to lose control. As you’re practicing, pay attention to how your longboard responds at different speeds and adjust accordingly.
Step 4: Shift Your Weight
You turn a longboard by shifting your weight. The most important thing to remember is that you turn your board by transferring your weight from your toes to your heels or heels to your toes. If you want to turn left, you need to shift your weight to your right foot.
Step 5: Pivot Your Feet
Once you’ve shifted your weight, it’s time to pivot your feet. This is what will make the turn happen. To pivot your feet, twist them in the direction you want to go.
So, if you’re shifting your weight to your right foot to turn left, you would twist your left foot clockwise and your right foot counterclockwise. It may help think of it as “screwing” your feet into the ground.
Step 6: Initiate the Turn
Now that you’ve shifted your weight and pivoted your feet, it’s time to initiate the turn. To do this, lean into the turn by bending your knees and leaning your body in the direction you want to go.
As you lean into the turn, your longboard will begin to follow. Continue leaning until you reach the desired turn radius.
Step 7: Exit the Turn
Once you’ve made it through the turn, it’s time to exit. Reverse the steps you took to enter the turn to do this. This means that you’ll need to shift your weight back to your original stance and pivot your feet in the opposite direction. After shifting your weight and pivoting your feet, you can stand up and continue cruising.
Now that you know how to turn a longboard, it’s time to start practicing. Make sure to focus on keeping your weight evenly balanced between your feet, and remember to shift your weight from toes to heels to initiate the turn. With a little practice, you’ll turn like a pro in no time!
Tips for Turning Your Longboard
Keep Your Weight Balanced
The key to making a successful turn is to keep your weight evenly balanced between your feet as you lean into the turn. If you shift your weight too far to one side, you will lose your balance and fall off the board.
Bend Your Knees
As you lean into the turn, bend your knees slightly. This will help you keep your balance and maintain control of the longboard as you make the turn.
Lean Into The Turn
The most important part of turning is to lean into the turn. This means that you should shift your weight to the inside of the turn. This will help you keep your balance and maintain control of the board as you make the turn.
Keep Your Eyes Up
It is important to keep your eyes up when you are turning. This will help you see where you are going and avoid obstacles.
Practice
The best way to learn how to turn is to practice. So first, find a safe place to practice and take your time. With practice, you will be able to make turns more confidently and with more control.
How Do You Make It Easier to Turn on A Longboard?
You can do a few things to make it easier to turn on a longboard. First, you can loosen the trucks, so they’re not as tight. This will make the board less stable, but it will also make turning much easier.
Second, you can try using a smaller deck. A smaller deck is more maneuverable and will make turning much easier. Finally, you can practice turning in small increments.
This will help you get a feel for how the board responds to your input and make it easier to turn in larger arcs when you’re ready. By following these tips, you’ll be able to turn on a longboard with ease! Keep reading for more information about how to turn a longboard.
Why Is My Longboard so Slow?
Longboarding is a fun and fast way to get around, but sometimes your board can feel slow and sluggish. There are a few possible explanations for this. First, it could be that your bearings need to be cleaned or lubricated. Dirty bearings can cause friction, which can make your board slower.
Another possibility is that your wheels are too hard. Softer wheels grip the pavement better and provide more traction, making your board faster. Finally, it could be that your trucks are too tight. Looser trucks turn more easily, which can also make your longboard faster.
If you’re not sure what’s causing your longboard to be slow, take it to a local skate shop and ask for help. With a few simple adjustments, you’ll be shredding down the street in no time!
Frequently Asked Question
Is It Easier to Ride a Skateboard or Longboard?
There is no definitive answer to this question as it depends on personal preference. However, some people find it easier to turn a longboard than a skateboard. This is because longboards have a larger deck and trucks, making them more stable and easier to control.
Can You Kick Turn on A Longboard?
In order to kick turn on a longboard, you’ll need to build up some speed first. Try riding down a small hill or on a straightaway. Once you’re going fast enough, lift your back foot and kick the board’s tail around so that it faces the other direction. You should then be able to ride away in a new direction.
Is It Hard to Learn Longboarding?
No, it’s not hard to learn longboarding. On the contrary, it can be a lot of fun. You need to know a few basic things to start, but after that, it’s all up to you how far you want to take your skills. Some people never really progress beyond the basics, while others become experts who can do tricks and maneuvers.
Can You Ollie a Longboard?
A longboard can be turned by using the same techniques as a skateboard. For example, to do an ollie on a longboard, you’ll need to jump up and flick the board with your back foot.
Conclusion
Turning a longboard is not as difficult as it seems. With the right technique and practice, you will be able to make smooth turns in no time. Remember to use your body weight and keep your arms close to your sides. We hope this guide has helped you learn how to turn a longboard like a pro!
