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History of the Longboard

The first type of skateboards were actually more like scooters. These contraptions, which date back to the early 1900's featured roller skate wheels attached to a two by four. Often the wood had a milk crate nailed to it with handles sticking out for control. Over the next five decades kids changed the look of the scooter and took off the crate and started cruising on two by fours with steel wheels. Tens of thousands of rollerskates were dismantled and joyfully hammered on to planks of wood.

In the 1950's modifications were made to the trucks (the device that hold the wheels) and kids started to maneuver more easily. Towards the late 1950's, surfing became increasingly popular and people began to tie surfing together with cruising on a board. By 1959, the first Roller Derby Skateboard was for sale. Clay wheels entered the picture and sidewalk surfing began to take root.


How's the Ride?

Because longboards are longer and have wider wheels, they go much faster and are more stable. Longboards are great for those of you looking for an easy mode of transportation to school or your friend's place. Some longboards are designed specifically for speed or carving, while some companies have even Two Styles of Longboard designed longboards with graphics and shapes for girls.


Shape and Design

Longboard skateboards were developed by skaters who wanted to ride on pavement with the same feeling a surfer gets when riding a wave or a snowboarder gets from cruising through powder. Longboards are designed for carving on the pavement but can still be used for riding in a bowl or doing aggressive street tricks. You could still do things like ollies or railslides on a longboard, but it's not going to be as easy as it is on the shorter boards. Longboards are usually between 40 and 55 inches long, while shortboards are between 30 and 35 inches. Besides being longer, longboards also have bigger wheels which are designed to make them easier to turn sharp corners.


Longboard Safety

Longboards are a more stable ride than a shortboard, but you still need to be careful. Always wear a helmet and watch where you ride. Because longboards are designed for speed, you can really get moving. Make sure you don't ride in busy traffic and make sure you figure out how to stop!



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