Longboarding, unlike street or park skateboarding, does not have many designated areas for people to do the sport. The majority of downhill longboarders use open roads, which can be dangerous or even fatal if you are not careful and properly protected.
Longboards have a broader and wider deck, allowing you to put your feet in a wider stance, which provides more balance than a regular skateboard. Although longboards are safer to ride, there are several measures you should take, especially if you're going downhill.
Helmets
source: thrillspire.com
In practically every area of downhill skateboarding, there is a surprising level of personalization and 'personal choice.' From the board, you choose to ride to the style of concave you want, to the grip tape you choose, to the footstep that is most comfortable for you, and so on. From the wheels, you select based on roll speed, durometer, colour, and so on, through the trucks and hanger width you select. In some ways, all of these alternatives and choices might make deciding on anything difficult... On the other hand, they provide the pleasant experience of picking what you want and the possibility to construct something that works best for you and your needs.
Half Face Helmets: Classic Half-shell and Full-cut Half Shell Helmets
The classic half-shell helmets are the most prevalent types of helmets. They are quite conventional and straightforward. They do not cover your whole face, instead, they sit on your head, concealing your whole head up until the hairline. They have a strap and buckles beneath your chin to hold the helmet in place. Riders choose these helmets because they are lightweight and unobtrusive. They may even forget they are wearing them after you put them on. They are often lightweight, and their open design makes them ideal for wearing on hot Australian days.
The full-cut helmets are the most appropriate helmet to wear if you're going at speeds of up to 50kph. You'll probably see riders wearing them during freeride competitions, slide jams, or simply hanging out on their local hill. Most races and most roads with speeds over 40-50kph will not have them. The full-cut half-shell helmets have included ear coverings, providing additional protection. They offer no actual performance advantage over their counterparts, but they look very snazzy. Thanks to the non-intrusive straps and buckles and their lightweight nature, the half-face longboard helmets are the perfect investment for all longboarders that keep their speeds under 50kmph.
Full Face Helmets
source: blog.magnetoboards.com
A full-face helmet is simply the one that covers your complete face and head. In contrast to the half-shell above, it has a chin bar and a visor for additional protection. When you start frequently exceeding 70kph when going downhill, you'll require one of these helmets. This is because it is difficult to control what occurs when you fall so fast, typically, riders may glide out of a fall on their gloves, shoes, and knee pads. However, at speeds more than 50kmph, things might happen too rapidly for you to respond effectively. You just want your face to be protected in the event of an accident. The helmets also include extra EPS foam to deal with the larger impact forces that can be expected if you fall at that speed.
The visors are also a nice touch. They protect the wind, dust, cold, and other elements from blinding you and bugs from slapping you in the face while you skate, this has occurred to me far too many times. It's unimaginable how unpleasant and infuriating it is to be bitch-slapped by a fly while driving at 50 kph. The visors are normally detachable, however, this varies by model.
Slide Gloves
source: stauffersafety.com
Slide gloves are essential, yet frequently underestimated piece of equipment for every skater. Gloves are the finest method to master the skill of sliding, and sliding serves as your brake in downhill boarding. This all makes slide gloves the second most vital element of your equipment after your helmet. The ability to balance on your hand is the ideal way to learn about losing traction without risking high-siding or going splat while bailing mid-stand-up slide. Falling into your gloves means no ripped up hands from the incredibly hard pucks sliding over the road, if you fall into a push-up posture, the only portions of your body contacting the road will be the pucks and your shoes.
Slide gloves provide two functions. They protect the rider's hands while also allowing them to do specific stunts. On hot days, slide gloves are comprised of a lightweight cloth with a breathable mesh layer to wick moisture away from the hands. While having lightweight pair of gloves is crucial, you need also to make sure that the gloves you buy are robust enough to endure the type of riding you do.
Double-stitched gloves and gloves made of Kevlar or other composite materials are two things to search for. Make certain that the gloves you choose allow you to grip your longboard while sliding. Your gloves should provide you with a solid, secure grip on the board. Riders that ride aggressively can benefit from leather gloves with cushioned inside.
Palm pucks are required for every pair of sliding gloves. Many will feature detachable palm pucks that are Velcro attached to the gloves. Palm pucks protect your hands and will take the most punishment. Palm pucks of the greatest grade must be used. Pucks made of UHMW plastic offer the best degree of protection and provide enough resistance to allow you to manage your slide.
Your fingertips are protected by slide gloves. Some people utilize Kevlar fingertips, while others use finger pucks. The ideal sort of gloves for you will be determined by your riding style. When using sliding gloves, proper form and technique are essential. Maintain your fingers up and your palm pucks towards the heel of your hand. This will allow you to apply pressure toward the bottom of the puck without jamming your fingertips.
Protective Pads
source: snowboardjones.com
Knee pads aren't as important as longboard helmets, but if you injure your knees, you won't be able to ride your longboard for a while, which isn't what you are trying to do. Knee protective pads cushion your fall and absorb a lot of the pressure, so investing in knee pads can alleviate a lot of your worry and make you more confident on the road.
Always check that your knee pads are the correct size. Knee pads that are too small will be painful, can cut off the circulation in your legs, and will make it difficult to move about, while knee pads that are too huge will simply slide off. Before purchasing a knee pad, you should measure your legs, either around the knee, at the top or bottom of the leg, and then double-check the exact measurements of any knee pad before purchasing it.
How to Longboard Downhill Safely
First and foremost, you must determine if you have goofy or regular-footed. If you've ever ridden a skateboard, you can probably skip this stage. In the context of skateboarding, goofy does not imply anything amusing. It simply implies that you like to ride ahead with your right foot in front and your left foot in the rear. If you're a regular, you're more at ease riding with your left foot in front of the board and your right foot pushing off the ground.
