Going through life doing the same old things you do every day can be tedious. Taking on a new hobby can bring some joy into your life. Longboarding is one such pastime that’s fun and exhilarating to do. Before jumping on a board, learn about the quick history of the origins of the longboard.
The Start
The origin story of longboarding begins in 1950s Hawaii. For people who enjoyed skateboarding and surfing, the longboard came into the world as a hybrid. This innovation allowed surfers to master their craft on land if the water wasn’t cooperative that day. Sidewalk-surfing is another name for longboarding based on its surfing roots.
The Rise & Fall
Longboards eventually made their way to the Lower 48 in the late 1950s, becoming quite popular among Californians in the 1970s. Longboards gained more traction once polyurethane wheels came into the picture. The new wheels gave users greater control of their boards while increasing their speed.
As time went along, however, skateboarding surpassed longboarding in popularity. The shorter decks enabled thrill-seekers to experiment with new tricks that weren’t possible on a longboard.
The Comeback
In the 1990s, skateboarding became more mainstream due to the rising popularity of some household names. Furthermore, snowboarding was becoming the norm over traditional winter sports such as skiing. With the popularity of these two sports reaching their pinnacle, the longboard was ready for its resurgence.
Skateboarding—which was once a fun, relaxing, chill activity—turned into more of a competitive endeavor. Longboarding became new again, and many people even began using it as a transportation method around city sidewalks and streets. Plus, longboards became valuable tools for snowboarders who wanted to hone their skills away from the snow.
The Styles
Cruising and Carving
Once the late 1990s rolled along, reverse kingpins came about, making carving and turning simpler. Better control of the longboard led many people to try out this style. Thus, cruising and carving became the most popular forms of longboarding because they were the easiest to grasp.
Slalom
Like the slalom competition in the Olympics, this style involves bobbing and weaving between obstacles on a course. However, if you want to live your life on the edge, you can also do this on sidewalks between civilians. You should have no problem with cones if you can cut through crowds with relative ease.
Downhill
The most adventurous form of the longboard is downhill. It’s called speed-boarding for a reason, so only the most accomplished riders should attempt it. Going over hills and curbs as fast as possible is an excellent way to get your heart pumping, but wear the appropriate safety gear as a precaution.
That’s the quick history of the origins of the longboard. If you want to jump on a longboard skateboard for sale yourself, check out The Longboard Store to find a board that tickles your fancy. Before you know it, you’ll be ditching your car or bike and getting around town on your new longboard.