Skateboarding is a sport full of action and people might get affronted if you say it is easy, but in case of longboarding, people believe that with less effort and time one can get used to the feel of a longboard. Longboards consist of a long wheelbase and bigger deck which provides the rider more space to move around and adopt a comfortable posture. Many people ask whether longboarding is easier than skateboarding. The answer lies in the key differences between both activities which are stated below.
- Longboards are mainly designed for turning and smoothly crushing at high speeds over long distances. While skateboards are considered especially for performing niche activities like hanging in skate parks or performing tricks and doing some rail slides and kickflips.
- Longboards consist of bigger wheels and trucks and they are less agile. They take time to acquire high speed and that’s why they are preferred for long rides. On the other hand, skateboards are comparatively smaller and they have small wheels and trucks which are made of performing tricks and accelerate much faster in short distances.
- A longboard varies in length but is frequently as long as 51 inches while the standard length of a skateboard is 36 inches.
Both have emerged from surfing as surfers found a way to practice their moves when there were not any waves to ride. Both of the boards have the same basic structure and components but the purpose of the use is different. Nevertheless, if we consider longboards for beginners, those which are dropped down are preferable.
When compared to skateboards, longboards are easy to ride and if you choose the right deck type, it is very easy to start with. There will be multiple recommendations you will find while selecting the best board for beginners. Some of the skaters say that the best board to start with is the very common one which is the standard skateboard. But if you are more concerned about balance on board and you need something that can do lots of work for you, then the longboard will do best for you.
Another important factor most people are concerned about is safety. Longboards are safer than skateboards as they are not designed for doing tricks, so their size can provide more stability when going fast or going downhill.
After choosing what type of board you’re going to get, it is important to find the best skateboard decks suitable for your age. For young beginners, micro or mini skateboards with decks compatible with their shoe size are preferred. Similarly, for teens, a mid-size deck is recommended and for adults, full-size decks are more preferable. This will greatly improve your riding experience
In the end, while there are a lot of factors to consider when choosing your board, here are the basics. If you want to ride for long distances, use your board to commute or you want to gain some serious speed as you cruise then longboards will be the best option for you. On the other hand, if you want to perform tricks on ramps, rails, and skate park equipment and your desire to enhance your skills in balance, agility, and trick riding then you definitely need a skateboard.