You can surf not only in the water but also on asphalt – this is known as concrete surfing or asphalt surfing. This is because the characteristics of the longboard allow the surfing feeling to be transferred to the road. In contrast to skateboards, the wheels of longboards are usually much larger and softer – that’s where the cruiser feeling on the board comes from! Of course, the deck, flex, trucks, bushings etc. also play an important role and can change the riding behavior. In a nutshell: any board with wheels underneath will get you from A to B. The challenge is to find the perfect board with the perfect characteristics.
The idea of longboarding actually originated as a variation on surfing. A few brilliant surfers simply built wheels under their surfboards and were thus able to cruise through the streets of California. This is also the reason why many longboards are relatively long compared to skateboards. We can’t say exactly when longboarding was “invented”, but it must have been around the 1960s in the USA =) After trying out and combining different trucks, wheels, decks etc., different types of longboarding were developed. From downhill (which was also once a discipline of the X-Games) to cruising and carving to freestyle – there were no more limits to longboarding!
The new surfing trend then made its way to Europe, with the new sport becoming increasingly popular in France and Switzerland in particular. As the predecessor of the skateboard, the longboard is between 90 and 150 cm long. However, there are now also a few longer longboards. The different riding techniques naturally also require different decks, wheels and trucks – there is constant optimization and further development in this area.
You can also improve your surfing skills on the road!
Whether longboard, skateboard, pennyboard or carver – all of these beautiful boards will help you to improve your surfing skills in the dry. As the streets are a little more predictable than the sea, you effectively have more time on the board. You can then work more specifically on your stance and balance during the turns. And once this has become second nature, it’s also great for surfing. This is because the more flexible trucks compared to a skateboard and the increased flex make cornering much easier.
If you venture into a ramp, you can work on the positioning of the steep take-off, and when downhill longboarding (if not at 100 km/h) you can slide for all you’re worth. With a cruiser longboard in a bowl, you get a real surf feeling – like riding the green wave sideways. Both balance and weight transfer are perfected here.
And if you’re like many of us – because all beginnings are difficult – then maybe a longboard or carver course with our pros Carl and Jordi is just the thing for you! Or simply drop by our office and rent a longboard to cruise around Fuerteventura =)
So let’s remember: a longboard is an essential piece of equipment for every surfer =)
