History

• The 1950s, surfers from all over went to California to practice their sport. Surfers who made their home there, especially in places such as Los Angeles or Huntington Beach, developed skateboarding, which is essentially surfing on concrete. The longboard skateboard, first designed in the 50s, best mimics the movement of a surfboard. Over the years, these boards have not changed much in basic design, though the variety in size has increased.
  
  

Identification

• The longboard resembles a surfboard made entirely of wood or a similar material. It is long with tight curves at both ends, though certain models may have flat ends. The underside of the boards is home to two pairs of wheels, one at either end of the board. They are connected to metal trucks that allows them to maneuver smoothly. Each longboard skateboard has a different color scheme and design, though most of these custom choices do not affect the way the board moves.
  
  

Features

• The parts of a longboard vary depending on the board and how the owner chooses to upgrade depending on his riding style. The largest feature of a longboard is the deck, which is the part of the board that riders stand on and was traditionally made of wood, though today it can be built from fiberglass, carbon fiber, bamboo and a number of other materials. The trucks are made of metal and offer various turning angles depending on the design. The trucks act as axles for the wheels, which are shock absorbent and typically larger than regular skateboard wheels. A longboard's bearings are usually made of steel, though they can also be made of ceramic, and are found in the wheels. They allow for a smooth ride and protect the wheels.
  
  

Types

• There are a few different types of longboards that basically refer to the shape, which directly influences the way the board moves and how easy it is to operate. The average longboard is between 90 and 150 cm and shaped like a surfboard. Other types are pintails, which have larger wheels and a looser turning radius, and flat nose riders, which are not curved at the front.
  
  

Considerations

• There are both pros and cons to owning and using a longboard instead of a short skateboard. The longboard is a little easier to ride for everyday purposes, moves more fluidly and allows for smooth, long turns as well as tight turns that are still easy to make. But they are larger and therefore weigh more, which makes them less than ideal for performing tricks. Most skateboarders own both a longboard and a short skateboard so they can ride different styles at different times.