Are Longboards Easy To Ride For Beginners? Or Skateboard?

You are here! That means you are confused about buying your first skateboard, longboard, or pennyboard. You are trying to find out actually which one is easier to learn. Which board is the best for beginners? Are longboards easy to ride?

Yes, Longboards are generally easy to ride for beginners. Their stability and larger size make them user-friendly.

Take a moment, to read the article. Hope you will understand the reason for considering the longboards good for beginners. Both longboards and skateboards are the most popular options for their unique features and specialties. Longboards are typically longer and wider, offering a smoother ride.

On the other hand, skateboards are smaller and more maneuverable, making them ideal for tricks like cruising, and freestyle. Longboards will offer more controlling your balance, stability, and power of flow. That’s why longboarding is better for beginners. Let’s dive into the details.

Table of Contents

What Is Longboarding

Longboarding is a type of skateboarding that utilizes boards designed for stability and comfort at higher speeds. Compared to traditional skateboards, longboards have longer, wider, softer wheels. Longboards are usually ranging from 32 to 50 inches.

Longboarding offers a diverse range of riding experiences of individual preferences and terrain choices. Different types of longboards have different characteristics, purposes, and specialties.

How Longboard Supports Beginners

Stability and Balance

Longboards are designed in a way that their decks than skateboards. As a result, you will take more surface area to stand on. This makes balancing easier, especially for those who have never tried board sports before. The added stability helps new riders feel more secure while practicing the basic moves.

Smoother Ride

Longboards come with larger, softer wheels that absorb bumps and cracks on the road. It will give you a much smoother ride than smaller boards. This allows beginners to focus on balancing and riding smoothly. They don’t have to worry about rough terrain affecting their stability.

Easier Turning

Turning on a longboard is simple. By shifting your body weight and leaning in the direction you want to go, you can smoothly steer the board. Thanks to the longboard’s stability, mastering turns is easier compared to skateboards, even though it takes some practice.

Low Learning Curve

For beginners, longboards are easier to ride. Longboarding is less intimidating than other board sports With regular practice, most people can learn the basics in just a few days or weeks. Longboards are more forgiving, so even if you make mistakes, you’re less likely to fall compared to smaller boards.

Skateboards vs Longboards: Battle For Beginners

Truly speaking both longboarding and skateboarding have their own advantages. It totally depends on what are you looking for in skating.

Many beginners often take time and research before buying their first skateboards. They see many opinions or conflicts and get confused about what to do. They try to find the answer to whether are longboards easy to ride.
But in general, in most cases for beginners, longboards are easier to ride. Longboards win the battle. Before starting to learn skaters fix their mindset on what they want.

If you are interested in cruising around and getting comfortable on a board, longboards might be a better choice.

If you prefer to learn tricks and maneuvers, you might choose skateboards. You need to have more control for performing tricks like ollies, kickflips and grinds.

Are Longboards Easy To Ride? 6 Reasons Explained

Longboards have a lower profile, which makes pushing and turning easier. It also reduces the risk of tipping over.
As I mentioned above longboards are longer and wider. So they feel more stable under your feet, like riding a smooth wave.
The board size helps you balance better, so you feel more secure. It will also wobble less when you’re cruising.
Big, soft board wheels glide over bumps and cracks effortlessly. It will give you a smooth, easy ride.
There are different types of longboards for different styles. So you can find one that matches how you want to ride.
Boards sit lower. And this makes it easier to push and turn without feeling like you’re going to tip over.

Here’s A Quick Decision Flowchart For You:

Are you concerned about stability and smoothness? –> Go longboard!

Do you prefer tricks and maneuvers? –> Skateboard might be a better fit.

Not sure yet? –> Start with a longboard to develop balance and confidence. You can always transition to a skateboard later!

Overcoming Fear of Longboarding

For beginners, especially those with no prior board sport experience, the psychological fear is often the hardest part of longboarding. The fear of falling, losing control, or getting injured can hold many back from progressing.

How to Overcome Fear:

Start in a Safe Environment: Try to begin in flat, open spaces like a park or empty parking lot. Having ample room will reduce the fear of obstacles and falls.

Use Protective Gear: Helmets, knee pads, wrist guards, and elbow pads provide physical protection. But they also give you mental peace. When you’re confident you won’t get hurt, you’re more likely to practice more effectively

Gradual Progression: Take small steps. Start with balancing on the board, then move to pushing and turning. The more you practice, the more you’ll see that longboarding isn’t as dangerous as you initially feared.

Why Skateboarding Is Harder than Longboarding Initially

The challenges of skateboarding need time and more practice to overcome initially. From my experience, I can assure you that it seems skateboards not only accelerate faster but also slow down faster. It is not like longboarding. To get more speed you have to push more. While you will try to push often and harder, you will lose your leg position as well as the overall comfortable balance. Remember that proper stance and placing your feet are very important for skating.

Besides being skateboards are small in size it’s difficult to distribute weight uniformly. You will get less response time also because skateboards are more sensible. Many people also ask if are skateboards easy to ride or if are longboads easy to ride.

Hope you have got your answer. Come out from the debate about skateboard vs longboard. Think and make a plan for how to learn longboards. Hope your longboarding journey will be easier and more stable.

Why Skateboarding Is Harder than Longboarding Initially

Is a longboard good for beginners? And why?

Do you know why longboards are different from skateboards? I think these differences make longboards good for beginners. The longboard decks are larger and wider. The longboard wheels are also larger and softer. These characteristics provide more stability and make it easy to control. Also, they need a small push for more moves.

All skaters believe that skateboards are better for learning tricks and maneuvers. Usually, the decks of regular skateboards are smaller and more maneuverable. The skateboard wheels are harder compared to the longboards. These features make the boards suitable for performing tricks on smooth surfaces like skateparks and streets.

As a newbie or beginner, you need to learn how to take control of a regular skateboard or a longboard. That’s why longboards are good for beginners.

Can You Do Tricks On A Longboard?

Beginners are always curious. And I love this curiosity. Many beginners think that if I buy a longboard for easy to ride. But later Can I do tricks on a longboard?

The simple answer is “YES”. Obviously, you can do tricks on a longboard. Initially, longboards are made for cruising and transportation. You can do beginner-friendly tricks to finger flips easily on a longboard.

The beginner-friendly tricks can be Pivot (Fakie/Nollie), Shove-it (Fakie/Nollie), No-comply 180, Kickflip, and so on. For more visual aids you can visit the SkateboardEver YouTube channel.

I always tell you guys, that your safety is your responsibility. Don’t forget to wear protective gear like a helmet, wrist guards, and knee pads when attempting tricks. Start with easier tricks then go for the next. Practice on a smooth, flat surface.

Common Beginner Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Longboards are easy to learn and also can be fun. But beginners often make a few common mistakes. Here’s how to avoid them:

Not Choosing the Right Longboard: Beginners often don’t know details about different types of longboards and their purposes. They also have no idea about the criteria for choosing the right boards. For example, Taller riders should use longer boards for more space and better balance. Shorter riders need smaller, lighter boards that are easier to control.

Not Wearing Protective Gear: Always wear a helmet, knee pads, and wrist guards to protect yourself from injuries.

Leaning Too Far Forward or Backward: Keep your balance by standing straight and centered on the board.

Riding on Rough Terrain: Stick to smooth, flat surfaces until you feel more confident controlling the board.

Overcompensating on Turns: When turning, gently lean in the direction you want to go. Small movements make for smoother turns.

Not Maintaining For Longevity: To keep your longboard in good shape, clean it regularly, check and tighten the trucks, and clean the bearings. Rotate your wheels for even wear and replace them when needed. These steps will help your longboard last longer and ride smoothly.

Conclusion

Yes, longboarding is easy for beginners, but it’s more than just learning to push and balance. By overcoming fears, choosing the right gear, and realizing the fitness and environmental benefits, you’ll master it quickly. Whether you’re young or old, longboarding is fun, accessible, and eco-friendly. Remember to maintain your board and ride safely.

So, grab your helmet and enjoy the ride!