It’s like you’re asking us, “Clementines or oranges?” Skateboarding or longboarding has quite a few differences yet seems not to have any, which is why we had to dig up this article for you.
Some say that with the right wheels beneath the boards, you could take your skateboard to the hills or your longboard to the skating park.
But that’s some advanced experiments and calls for injuries that we don’t want the beginners to tax themselves with. In this simple one, we will assume you just started on the cruise to boarding, and we’ll treat you so, to give you the basics of it.
Skateboarding Vs. longboarding for Beginners
So, should I get a skateboard or a longboard? As beginners, we like to have more space, don’t we? More comfort, more breathing area until we get used to what’s ahead of us.
From here, you may have guessed why learners take their time to get used to skateboarding. The availability of less surface area to maintain your balance on makes it harder if you are just starting out.
That way, longboarding may seem more appealing. Longboarding will also seem more attractive if you think of the wobbly feet you’ll be getting when post speed-bumps or when you go downhill at a higher speed.
But tell us this. Is it easier to handle a sizeable moving item or a small one? Isn’t the small one likely to give you a better grip? (Hint: skateboarding!)
Don’t frown at us; we won’t be confusing you!
Here, we will mention the plus and minuses of each of them and break it down further as to which is easier, skateboard or longboard, for a beginner.
Is skateboarding or longboarding easier?
Skateboards
A regular skateboard measures 28-36 inches and has curvy ends to let you do tricks or simply “flex,” as the millennials call it. You can find it at any sports-item selling store.
You may hear “shortboard” instead of skateboards, and they’re just the same. The board itself called the deck is rightly made of Bamboo or Maple. The advanced boarders like their decks made of aluminum or fiberglass, but that’s the story for another day.
There are metal “trucks’ ‘ that link the wheels to the board, the wheels preferably made of urethane, not plastic or rubber.
The bearings which allow the wheels to spin should be rated a seven or a five for being capable enough for a good ride.
To know more about skateboard measurement, read our guide on Standard Size Skateboard.
Read: How many calories can you burn longboarding?
Longboards
A longboard is a skateboard too, but undeniably never a shortboard, as true as the sun that rises in the East.
In theory and practice, it can be as long as you would like. But they are most as much as 30-59 inches, and being more prolonged than that would lead to a clumsy thing to handle.
Surprisingly sometimes, a longboard is shorter than a skateboard, which can happen if you buy large skateboards.
Anyway, the nose and tail of longboards are no longer curved here but are rather flat. But there are customizations here. For example, a Pintail has a pin-like, pointy tail but a flat nose.
Again, a Topmount has pointy ends on both sides. The same goes for a speed board. The opposite goes for Cruisers, where both parties are blunt.
The difference between skateboard and longboard
Other than visual differences, they do have other dissimilarities. Tricks, commute, cruise or race, longboards, and skateboards allow you to do it all. But if you are thinking of taking smooth turns and attempting smoother long rides, longboards are yours, whereas, for smooth tricks and faster acceleration, the smaller and harder wheels of skateboards give you better results.
For those with bigger feet and those who prefer more space, longboards let you be balanced as you move. Inevitably, they weigh more and are bulky. Also, you need to spend more if you are buying longboards.
On the other hand, unless you are purchasing large skateboards, you won’t have much space: only a limited amount. Also, they are much easier to carry. These are even more affordable when it comes to spending your first bucks on learning.
Again, if you are thinking of getting skate-apt shoes, they are likely to get torn and trampled much worse on skateboards than longboards.
The Similarities
They are both born of surfing enthusiasts. The fact that you won’t always find the ocean or answer the calls of the waves as you are running after the city life, you could almost carve out the fun on the streets from these babies. Longboarding/skateboarding is an excellent skill to learn.
And for introverts like us who just don’t know how to make more friends, this is a great way to start! Another similarity lies in the names of the parts used to construct the boards. Trucks, decks, bearings, and wheels, and you know which is which.
The Styles
With skateboarding or longboarding, you have to first start with regular riding. After that, with skateboarding, you could advance to skills such as mini ramps, skate bowls or skate pools, verts, parks, or even freestyle your own method of riding with tricks of your own.
With longboarding, cruising is again what is considered healthy and safe for beginners. But if you want yourself a hard time, going downhill and the adrenaline kick can be an adventure! Dancing, carving, and freeriding are also other styles that come with longboarding.
Final Verdict…
With skateboarding or longboarding, you have to first start with regular riding. After that, with skateboarding, you could advance to skills such as mini ramps, skate bowls or skate pools, verts, parks, or even freestyle your own method of riding with tricks of your own.
With longboarding, cruising is again what is considered healthy and safe for beginners. But if you want yourself a hard time, going downhill and the adrenaline kick can be an adventure! Dancing, carving, and freeriding are also other styles that come with longboarding.
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