You’re driving down a gently sloped street when you come upon a group of skateboarders who seem to glide down the hill on their longboards with very little effort. You think to yourself, “I can do that, too!” Before you know it, you are searching online for your very first longboard. Might we suggest that you take a class or two before you hit the hills?

Longboarding classes are obviously not required in order to enjoy the sport. Plenty of people have learned the nuances of this fantastic sport without any training whatsoever. But classes can make the sport more fun, entertaining and safer for you as a beginner. Classes might also keep you motivated where going it alone, and falling a few times, might lead you to give up any hope of being a successful longboarder.

What You Learn in Class

There is a lot more to the sport than simply jumping on your longboard and propelling yourself down a hill at unimaginable speeds. In fact, such an approach is one way to scare yourself so badly that you’ll never do it again. It is also an excellent way to break multiple bones should you spill on the way down. Learning proper technique will help you get down the hill safely while maximizing enjoyment.

Longboarding classes teach essential techniques, including:

• maintaining proper balance
• using the hands for cornering
• controlling speed
• dealing with potential hazards

A good example of something you might learn in class is the art of using the slalom effect to keep your speed manageable. Just like a skier on a slalom course, the longboarder may weave back-and-forth to prevent the unhindered runaway of his/her board. This technique is best learned through instruction and practice.

Using the Longboard as Transportation

New longboarders looking to tackle their favorite inclines are not the only ones to take classes. There are plenty of other students who only intend to use their boards as modes of transportation rather than sports equipment. That’s fine too. Longboards make great transportation around college campuses, in city environments, and even getting around your typical residential neighborhood.

It should seem obvious that the techniques for this kind of riding are different than those utilized to get safely down an incline. Furthermore, using a longboard as a primary mode of transportation requires less technical skill than downhill. But classes are still a good idea to learn the basics before embarking on a longboard for the first time.

What many new skateboarders do not realize is that the deck of the longboard is longer and narrower than a straight skateboard. Longboards also feature softer decks and wheels for added suspension. Therefore, they can feel a bit cumbersome as transportation if riders do not know how to effectively manipulate them. Taking a class or two addresses this.

Enjoying a Sense of Community

One of the things the skateboarding community is well-known for is how well it welcomes new riders. In that sense, taking a few longboarding classes is a good idea, if for no other reason than to connect the new longboarder with others who can offer encouragement and tips. Classes expose riders to the skateboarding community where they can make friends, go on rides together, and just generally benefit from being involved with others who share the same interest.

You would never think of strapping on a pair of skis and hitting a downhill course without instruction. Longboarding is similar. A few classes go a long way toward helping you learn how to longboard safely and enjoyably.