Longboards Education and Training

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.
Try:  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.
Try:  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.
Try:  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.

• 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.