If you’ve never tried skateboarding before, learning how to ride a longboard may feel intimidating at first. Fortunately, longboards are perfect for beginners thanks to their large deck size and low center of gravity. If you’re ready to give longboarding a try, here are a few ideas on how to get started safely and confidently, so you can focus on having fun.
1. Prepare with the right longboarding equipment
If you haven’t invested in a longboard yet, drop-through longboards and double-drop longboards tend to be the easiest for beginner longboarders to use.
Safety gear is vital for beginner longboarders. As you learn, you’re more prone to making mistakes, so protective gear like knee pads, elbow pads, wrist guards, and helmets are very important at this stage. A little forethought can save a lot of scrapes and bruises, and let you learn with confidence.
2. Practice standing on your longboard
Inexperienced skaters should first find their natural stance: left foot forward or right foot forward. To figure out what stance works best for you, put your longboard on an even, flat surface. Try standing with your left foot in front, then switch and try your right foot in front.
Does one stance feel more natural? If you prefer having your left foot as your front foot, then you’re considered a regular footer. If you prefer your right foot as your front foot, then you’re known as a “goofy” skateboarder.
If you’re still not sure which is your front foot, here’s an easy technique to try: stand flat on the ground and ask someone to push you from behind. Which foot did you use to catch yourself? That foot should be your front foot for longboarding.
3. Find your balance
Now that you’ve found your front foot and back foot, you can practice balancing on your longboard.
Position your longboard on a flat, textured surface that will keep your skateboard from rolling, like carpet or grass. Place your feet about shoulder width apart, between the longboard trucks, with your front foot on a 45-degree angle and your back foot perpendicular to the skateboard.
Bend your knees to lower your center of gravity and practice shifting your weight in all directions. As the skateboard deck leans, try to absorb its adjustments by moving your arms, or adjusting your weight between the front foot and back foot.
4. Try getting on and off your board
Stepping onto your board will be a bit more challenging when you’re on pavement, such as in a parking lot. Try stepping on with your front foot first. Now try stepping on with your back foot first. Which felt more natural?
Once you’re comfortable stepping onto your skateboard, you’re ready to try rolling!
5. Add an incline
Find a smooth surface with a slight incline and plenty of flat “runout” at the end. A handrail is helpful, but a friend can also help keep you stable as you learn. While holding the handrail or onto your friend, step onto your longboard and get comfortable. When you’re ready, let go, and your longboard will begin to roll downhill.
As you roll, try to keep your weight low, balanced evenly across your feet so you move in a straight line. At the bottom of the hill, step off your longboard. You’ve skated down a hill! As you grow more confident, try it without holding on, and put your hands out to the sides for balance.
6. Practice pushing off
While on a flat surface, turn your front foot to point in the same direction as your longboard, shift your body weight to your front foot and lower your back foot to the ground. Push off lightly with your back foot a couple of times to practice the movement. As you start rolling, bring your back foot back to the deck, and reposition your front foot at a 45-degree angle.
7. Practice turning
Once you’re moving, you can turn your skateboard by leaning slightly to one side or the other. Make sure to keep your knees bent to maintain a lower center of gravity and more control.
8. Try stopping
There are a few different ways to stop your longboard. One method is to step off the board while it’s moving. This only works if you’re not going very fast. Another is to balance on your front foot and lower your back foot to the ground, known as foot-braking. Instead of pushing off, let your back foot drag so the friction slowly stops you.
Getting the hang of it
Remember, it takes time to learn to longboard confidently. Practice each step until you feel ready to progress to the next. Before long, you’ll be enjoying high-speed downhill runs, and learning a few simple tricks.
