Longboard speed control for beginners
For the beginning longboarder, gaining speed can be very intimidating. If you’re going too fast and feel like you can’t control your speed, this can cause you to panic. When you panic, it usually goes away. Not knowing how to control your speed can be really frustrating. Let’s take a look at some basic ways you can control your speed on a longboard.
Run it
Running it is pretty self explanatory. This involves jumping off the board and running to slow down. This has its obvious risks, but it may be better than the high-speed wipeout alternative on your longboard.
Carving
Carving is one of the easiest ways to control speed on a longboard. When carving, it creates a wavy pattern while descending a hill. This involves going from the edge of the toe to the edge of the heel, from one side to the other. As you carve, slow down a bit and give yourself a sense of control. Instead of going down a hill in a straight line, which makes you accelerate faster, try carving.
Foot braking
The foot brake is another basic way to slow down on a longboard. Braking with the foot involves lowering one foot to the pavement and scraping the sole of your shoe to slow down. At first, you may feel uncomfortable trying this technique, but with a little practice, you will learn to slow down in no time. Just make sure you practice on a nice flat area first. Also, be aware that braking with your feet can cause significant wear and tear on the soles of your shoes.
Sliding
Gliding is a more advanced form of speed control. Gliding, also known as power gliding, involves turning the board in a controlled manner. This maneuver skids your wheels across the pavement and slows you down. Gliding can be performed by placing your hands on the ground and performing a toe glide or Coleman glide, or by standing up all the way to perform a standing glide. Toe slides and Coleman Slides are the easiest ways for a beginning longboarder to learn how to slide. Make sure you buy a good pair of slip-on gloves to protect your hands if you want to do these slides.
Air brake
Air braking is a fairly simple way to control speed. Downhill longboarders use this method to slow down at high speeds. Air braking involves using wind resistance to reduce speed. This can be done by spreading the arms and chest to give the wind a large surface area to slow down.
All of these methods require some time and practice to learn how to control your speed properly. There is no specific method of speed control for every situation. Always be sure to wear a helmet and practice these techniques before getting into a situation where you are gaining high speeds. Now that you are familiar with these methods, get out there and have fun!
