A
longboard is a
skateboard with a longer and sometimes wider shape used for
longboarding. They are most commonly used for cruising, downhill racing, slalom racing, or
transportation. Longboards can be shaped in various different ways, depending on the type of riding intended.
[1] Their greater weight and bulk makes them less suitable for many
skateboarding tricks, but contributes to a fluid motion by providing more
momentum. Longboarding is often compared to
surfing on
concrete, and the design allows big turns or quick short carves similar to a surfboard.
Longboarding became popular alongside emerging surfing culture through the mid 1950s. Longboarding may have originated in California where the streets gave ground to many longboarders due to the rolling hills but some believe it is a product of Hawaiian origin. Although its origin is unknown, longboarding was first created as a land alternate for surfers.[
citation needed]
Longboard equipment is very similar to
skateboard equipment. It is most common for longboarders to wear gloves and a helmet. Wrist, elbow, and knee protection are always recommended. Also in the sliding and downhill disciplines, riders wear "slide gloves" which are a specialized glove made out of a strong material such as leather, and have "pucks" attached, which are usually made of
delrin,
ultra high molecular weight polyethylene (often shortened to UHMW), or
corian. Polyethylene cutting boards are also sometimes cut into pucks and used, but it is not recommended as they are less resistant to heat and will sometimes melt when used on rough pavement.
Most longboards measure between 90 and 150 cm (35.4-60 inches). Shorter boards may still be referred to as longboards when their main purpose is in line with that of longboarding (i.e. downhill & cruising). There are several different shapes of longboards including but not limited to: pintails, flat nose riders, and boards shaped like a longer shortboard. Pintails permit looser trucks and larger diameter wheels better suited for carving or a "surfy" feel. Mid-length boards, 94-127 cm (37-50 inches) are the most versatile.
If you found a lamp in the middle of a desert one day, would you rub it
just in case?