Although some people viewed longboards as uncool and geeky, they are now soaring in popularity with kids and adults alike. You can find longboard skate enthusiasts racing, exhibition riding or simply cruising down the streets from coast to coast on any given day.

Whether you're looking to get in on the action of the longboard revolution or you want to open your own longboard store, it's important to consider the following basic information:

1. Longboards have a short yet interesting history and are becoming more popular by the day.

2. Longboards have four primary components with countless options and combinations for each to fit any rider's style.

3. Longboarders can cruise the streets in simple forward motion, but there are a number of tricks, moves and styles associated with longboarding.

Action Steps
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Get a grip on the terminology, tricks, moves and riding styles for longboards

For those who prefer a more extreme ride than simply cruising down the street, there are a number of tricks, moves and styles that you can master on longboard skateboards. It's important to learn the terminology behind the sport, as well.

I recommend: Learn to ride a longboard at Uptown Skate School in New York or Colorado Skate University in Denver. To familiarize yourself with the different things that you can do on a longboard skate, check out the reference list of tricks, moves and styles at Surface Motion Skate. For an A to Z directory of longboarding terms, head over to Silverfish Longboarding.com.

Know the components of longboard skateboards and the importance of each

Hardwood longboards have a deck, longboard trucks, bearings and soft longboard wheels. Most any longboard manufacturer offers literally thousands of options for combining those components to create the ideal longboard for each individual rider. Although most people purchase their longboards from one of the many longboard manufacturers, others opt to make their own.

I recommend: Naphte has a digital interactive longboarding magazine that you can either read online or download to your computer. The magazine profiles major longboard manufacturers and includes links, audio and video. For a comprehensive listing of longboard manufacturers around the world, check out LongboardDirectory.com. Thinking of making your own longboard decks? Consider the pros and cons at Lush Longboards or get hands-on training to make a longboard at Roarockit School in Toronto.

Brief yourself on the past, present and future of longboards

It's important to understand how longboards have evolved over the years, the whats and whys of today's immense popularity and where those in the know think the sport is headed.

I recommend: The Los Angeles Times published a great article that gives a short history of longboard skateboards and tells how they have gained such popularity over the years. Collegian Travel and Adventure Magazine has informational article on the longboard revolution, emerging trends and the lowdown on how it has become a sport unto itself. USA Today has an informative guide for people new to longboarding.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Because of the inherent dangers associated with longboarding, it's important to avoid the questionable quality and durability of cheap longboards.
• •  The longboarding community at large enjoys a culture and language all its own. Doing some research so you can 'walk the walk' and 'talk the talk' will go a long way toward understanding and connecting with longboard enthusiasts.

Longboards are longer and usually wider than traditional skateboards. Too large and heavy for skateboard tricks, longboard skateboards are most commonly used for either downhill racing or transportation. Longboard decks are usually made of wood, bamboo, or other composite materials and measure between 90 and 150 centimeters.

If you are looking to open a skateboard shop, you should strive to provide top-of-the-line longboard equipment for beginning and advanced skaters. You will need to find manufacturers and distributors that will allow you to address your customer’s needs—top-rated, innovative longboards and skateboarding gear.

For your business to be successful, you will have to:

1. Know the top brands, most popular styles and advanced longboard skate technology.
2. Offer a wide range of longboarding gear, including decks, wheels, trucks and hardware.
3. Update your inventory with the newest and most innovative products to generate long-term patronage from devoted skateboarders.

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Offer a wide range of durable, innovative and flexible longboards

Skaters want a longboard that balances the properties of weight, stiffness, flex and twist. They also want the top brands, advanced and innovative technology, eco-friendly materials and newest styles.

I recommend: Barfoot Designs manufactures a line of longboard skateboards, including hardwood longboards that you can purchase complete or by deck only. Arbor produces a selection of flexible longboards that are made of natural materials such as maple and bamboo. Another premier longboard manufacturer, Sector9, carries a colorful line of longboards as well as longboard wheels, hardware, accessories, and apparel for men and women. Landy Achtz also builds a popular selection of longboards, trucks, wheels, hardware and accessories.

Provide instructions and materials for skaters to build their own decks for longboard skateboards

Some of your more experienced customers will want to build their own decks for their longboards, or design a custom deck from a longboard manufacturer. Building a longboard is a complicated process, and you will need to provide the materials and instruction needed for the job.

I recommend: Roarockit Skateboard Company sells a kit that shows skaters how to build their own custom street deck or longboard skateboard using a vacuum press and woodworking tools. wikiHow provides a comprehensive tutorial on how to build your own longboard.

Be sure to carry a variety of longboard wheels, bearings and trucks

If customers are building their own board--or just customizing or repairing their old one--they will need wheels, bearings, trucks and other hardware.

I recommend: Rayne produces longboard wheels, trucks, decks, risers, grip tape and other hardware. They also design and build complete longboards. Randal Truck Company specializes in longboard trucks and truck parts. Seismic Skate Systems offers a great selection of longboard wheels, trucks, parts, decks and complete longboards. Tracker Skateboard Trucks is one of the top manufacturers of longboard trucks and also sells wheels, hardware, skateboard gear and apparel.

Longboard accessories and safety equipment ensure a safe skating experience

Longboarding is a dangerous sport. Encourage skaters to use longboard skate safety equipment, particularly helmets, pads and gloves.

I recommend: Pro-tec produces a variety of durable and colorful skate helmets and pads. Loaded Boards, Inc. sells high-performance longboarding gloves as well as a popular line of decks and complete longboards.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Ascertain the needs of your customer to determine what kind of board they will need. Are they looking for a board to cruise on around town, or to rip down big hills? Street surfing usually requires a wider deck; for downhill speed, you should recommend a narrower one. The actual shape of the board also affects speed and function. Be knowledgeable about top brands, new styles, and innovative technology.
• •  Although you'll want to provide a range of price points, avoid cheap longboards from discount manufacturers unless you are very confident of their quality. Many of these boards are not meant for high speeds and can result in injury.
• •  Provide a chance for prospective customers to take the longboard on a test run. A brief spin around the block will help your customer to decide if they like the shape, style, maneuverability and feel of the deck.

Longboard key terms are used to define those things unique—and not so unique—to their sport. Whether you plan to sell longboards, ride longboards or simply want to be able to talk the talk of longboard enthusiasts, it's a good idea to brief yourself on the four primary types of longboarding and some key terms that go along with the sport. Speedboarding: With the goal being speed, this type of longboard has a rigid deck for stability and generally is lower to the ground, with larger wheels and trucks. Cruising: As the name implies, the goal of cruising is a smooth, easy ride. The deck is somewhat flexible, with harder wheels. Carving: Longboards designed for carving are shorter than typical longboards and have kicktails on both the front and the back. Their wheels are small and hard. Sliding: longboards made for sliding tight and fast. They have a short wheelbase and a quick turn, with soft, wide wheels to maximize traction.

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Deck

The longboard deck is the surface on which a longboarder stands. It is typically made of wood and comes in a large variety of lengths, shapes and sizes.

I recommend: Soul Boards offers a nice rundown on the different longboard deck types and how each one is typically used.

Trucks

Trucks are mounts for attaching the wheels to the underside of the deck. They turn in the direction of the rider's lean, acting as the board's steering mechanism. A set of trucks contains the baseplate that screws to the deck and the hanger, which holds the axle (which holds the wheels).

I recommend: Take a look at Skates on Haight, which categorizes trucks by speed, quick turns and other important considerations.

Complete

The term 'complete' refers to a longboard that comes assembled with everything necessary to take it to the streets. You can purchase an off-the-shelf complete or create a custom complete, where you choose the trucks, bearings, wheels and other options based on your needs and/or wants.

I recommend: To see the elements that comprise a preassembled complete, check out the detailed description at The Longboard Store. To explore options for custom complete longboards, take a look at Daddies Board Shop.

Bearings

On a longboard, the bearings are housed inside of each wheel and spin on the truck axles. The bearings are typically made of steel, although many advanced longboarders use ceramic bearings.

I recommend: Silverfish Longboarding has a nice writeup on how to clean and maintain bearings for the best performance and longest life.

Wheels

The wheels are a critical part of the longboard, so it's important to have the right type for your board, your riding style and the type of terrain on which you ride. Size, width and hardness are three of the many considerations to take into account when deciding on the right longboard wheels.

I recommend: Learn everything you ever wanted to know about wheels for longboards in a comprehensive guide at Longboard Wheels.

Risers

Risers are small pieces of plastic placed between the longboard deck and the trucks to increase the distance between the wheels and the deck. They are typically used as pseudo shock absorbers to prevent stress cracks and to prevent the wheels from rubbing against the board during hard turns or tricks.

I recommend: Get a feel for what longboard risers look like, their cost and the variety available at Longboardskater.com.

Basic information on longboards for beginners will assist those interested in entering the longboard business. Longboard skateboards are several inches to feet longer than trick skateboards and are mostly used for transportation. Longboards are known to be easier to use than skateboards because of the stability provided by the larger size.

Because the boards resemble surfboards, many longboarders also surf and vice versa, so an ideal spot to open a longboard business is near the coast. Including a longboard section in a sports equipment store is a good way to incorporate the boards into sales in other areas of the country. A retailer should know:

1. The parts of a longboard and how the board works in opposition to shorter skateboard types.

2. The best longboard manufacturer selection in order to buy and supply an impressive selection.

3. How to take information on longboards and engage customers.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Master the look of shape and designs of hardwood longboards

The design starts with the shape of the board. After choosing the shape, determined by the intended use and preference, the exterior design is selected. Most paint jobs are used as a vehicle to say something about the rider. These designs can be custom drawn and painted.

I recommend: Bennett Surfboards gently coaches beginners through the differences in board shape and style. Start a relationship with VK Sports Distribution to keep the latest longboard wholesale designs on store shelves.

Delve into information to become the most knowledgeable longboard store owner

Knowing the makeup of a longboard and how the board moves are bare minimum information a retailer should possess to be considered a reputable seller of longboards. It also helps if the retailer is an avid rider.

I recommend: Daddies Board Shop has a coaching section on longboards that includes basics and more in-depth board selection choices like the type of longboard trucks and the kind of longboard wheels to use. Check out LongboardDirectory for any information on longboards you are seeking. Its list of resources is very thorough.

Learn how to longboard skate with basic instructions

Whether you are just learning to ride or if you need help teaching other beginners to ride, information is available to make the process easy. Tips from experienced riders will help with the learning curve.

I recommend: Silverfish Longboarding has tutorials to help a beginner get started riding and it helps if you need to become familiar with board jargon. Go to PlaySportsTV for a series of videos that help you learn to skate or for information to refer to other riders on how to better their skills.