To make a longboard turn better, adjust your weight distribution and lean into the turn. This will improve your carving ability and control.
Longboarding is a fun, thrilling, and exciting activity that requires skill and technique. Being able to make sharp and smooth turns is a crucial aspect of longboarding that can take time to master. However, once you learn how to turn better, you can increase your speed, control, and overall enjoyment of the sport. There are several techniques that you can use to make a longboard turn better, such as adjusting your weight distribution, leaning into the turn, and using your body movements to carve. In this article, we will explore some tips and tricks that will help you improve your longboard turning abilities and take your skills to the next level.
Credit: thewaytoride.com
Understanding Your Longboard
Longboards are not just for sheer speed and cruising around town. They can also be used to make sharp turns and carve down hills. However, making these sharp turns is not as easy as it seems. If you want to make your longboard turn better, you must first understand the anatomy of your board, what factors to consider when choosing a board for turning, and how to choose the right trucks, wheels, and bearings for turning.
Factors To Consider When Choosing A Longboard For Turning
When it comes to choosing a longboard for turning, you must consider the following factors:
- Deck shape: a board with a concave shape is better for turning, as it allows for a better grip and control when leaning into turns.
- Deck flex: a more flexible board can help you make sharper turns, as it will allow you to carve and turn with less pressure.
- Length and width of the board: a shorter and narrower board is easier to maneuver and make quick turns, while a longer and wider board will be more stable but less responsive.
- Wheelbase: a shorter wheelbase also allows for sharper turns, while a longer wheelbase will provide more stability at higher speeds.
Anatomy Of A Longboard And How It Affects Turning
The following components of a longboard affect turning:
- Deck: the deck shape, flex and length affect your ability to turn.
- Trucks: the trucks hold the wheels and allow you to turn. They come in different sizes and shapes, affecting how tight you can turn your board.
- Wheels: the wheels’ diameter and durometer affect your speed, grip, and how easily you can slide. Softer wheels provide more grip and are better for turning, while harder wheels are better for speed.
- Bearings: bearings allow your wheels to spin freely. Choosing the right bearings will help reduce friction and improve your speed and control.
Tips For Choosing The Right Trucks, Wheels And Bearings For Turning
When choosing your trucks, wheels and bearings, consider the following tips:
- Trucks: choose trucks with a lower angle baseplate, as they allow for sharper turns. A narrower hanger and softer bushings will also allow for better turning.
- Wheels: choose wheels with a smaller diameter and a softer durometer for better grip and turning ability. The shape of the wheel can also affect turning, so choose a rounder wheel shape for better turning.
- Bearings: use bearings with a higher abec rating for better speed and precision. However, remember that higher abec rating does not always mean better bearings. Choose bearings that are suitable for the type of riding you will be doing.
By understanding your longboard and the factors that affect turning, you can make an informed decision when choosing your board and components. Choosing the right trucks, wheels, and bearings will help you turn better, making your longboarding experience more enjoyable and exhilarating.
Mastering The Techniques
Longboarding is a fun and exhilarating activity that many people enjoy. However, mastering the techniques can be challenging. One of the most essential skills to learn is how to make a longboard turn better. In this blog post, we will focus on mastering the techniques of longboard turning.
Read on to learn about the proper stance, body positioning, weight distribution, carving vs. Sliding techniques, and advanced turning techniques such as cross-stepping and pumping.
Proper Stance And Body Positioning For Turning
Before jumping into any technique, it’s essential to understand the proper stance for turning.
- The stance on a longboard should be shoulder-width apart with your feet perpendicular to the deck.
- The front foot should be placed around 45 degrees towards the nose of the board, and the back foot should be positioned closer to the tail of the board, perpendicular to the deck.
- Keep your knees slightly flexed and your weight over the centerline of the board.
- Your shoulders should be parallel to the board, facing the direction of travel.
- Always keep your eyes focused on where you want to go, not where you’re currently positioned.
How To Initiate A Turn Using Your Weight Distribution
Initiating a turn requires proper weight distribution.
- Shift your weight toward the front of the board to initiate a turn towards your heels.
- Shift your weight toward the back of the board to initiate a turn towards your toes.
- Lean your body in the direction of the turn.
- Keep your weight over the centerline of the board.
Carving Vs. Sliding: Which Technique Is Best For Turning?
When it comes to turning a longboard, there are two main techniques – carving and sliding.
- Carving is primarily done by leaning the board into the turn, using the wheels to carve a turn, and maintaining traction throughout the turn.
- Sliding is when the wheels lose traction, allowing the rider to slide through the turn.
- Carving is better for more significant and more gradual turns, while sliding is best for tighter and sharper turns.
- Sliding requires more practice and skill but is more useful for downhill riding.
Advanced Turning Techniques: Cross-Stepping And Pumping
Cross-stepping and pumping are advanced techniques used to generate more momentum and control during turns.
- Cross-stepping involves swapping positions on the board by stepping towards the nose or tail while moving forward.
- Pumping involves using your body weight to generate momentum by shifting it across the board, like a seesaw.
- These techniques require practice and skill, but they can significantly improve the flow and control of your turns.
Mastering the techniques of longboard turning requires practice, patience, and skill. Understanding the proper stance and body positioning, weight distribution, and the difference between carving and sliding techniques can help you improve your turning skills. Additionally, advanced techniques such as cross-stepping and pumping can take your turning to the next level.
Remember to always ride safely and use protective gear. Happy shredding!
#4 Turning With Your Longboard
Maintaining Your Longboard
Longboarding is a thrill-seeking sport that requires a perfect blend of balance, skills, and proper equipment. The correct choice of components can make a significant difference in overall performance, allowing you to ride faster, smoother, and have better control. When learning how to make a longboard turn better, it is crucial to understand the importance of maintaining your longboard in pristine condition.
In this section, we’ll discuss some tips on how to maintain your longboard and troubleshoot common turning problems.
Importance Of Keeping Your Longboard Clean And Well-Maintained
- Always keep your bearings clean and lubricated. Dirty bearings can slow you down and cause unwanted squeaks.
- Remove debris promptly, especially sand or grit. These can wear down components, leading to poor performance.
- Regularly inspect for cracks, dents, and other damage. These can affect your riding safety and cause malfunction.
- Wipe down your board after each ride to remove dirt and sweat. This helps prevent rust and corrosion over time.
- Proper storage is also important. Avoid exposing your longboard to extreme temperatures or moisture, which can lead to warping or deformation.
How To Identify And Fix Common Problems That Affect Turning
- Wheel bite: a common problem that happens when you lean too hard and your wheels rub against the board. You can solve it by tightening your trucks, adding riser pads, or choosing smaller wheels.
- Loose trucks: loose trucks can cause instability and make turning harder. Tighten your trucks to avoid this problem, but be careful not to overtighten, which can make the board harder to turn.
- Misaligned wheels: this problem can cause your board to drift or feel wobbly when turning. Use a skate tool to adjust the alignment of your wheels.
- Broken or worn-out components: over time, some parts of your longboard can fail or wear out, affecting your turning ability. Inspect for damage and replace any parts that are broken or worn out.
Tips For Maintaining And Replacing Your Longboard’S Components
- Regularly inspect your deck, trucks, wheels, bearings, and hardware for any damage or wear. Fix or replace any damaged parts to prevent further damage or injury.
- Lubricate your bearings regularly to keep them spinning smoothly. You can use specialized lubricants or even household oil.
- Experiment with different bushings for your trucks to find the perfect combination of flexibility and stability.
- Consider upgrading your wheels to a different size or hardness to improve your turning performance.
- When replacing parts, choose high-quality components from reputable brands to ensure durability and performance.
By following these tips, you can maintain and troubleshoot your longboard for optimal turning performance. Remember to always ride safely and wear protective gear. Happy shredding!
Taking Your Turning To The Next Level
Longboarding can be an exhilarating and exciting activity, but if you want to improve your skills, focusing on your turning techniques is crucial. In this blog post, we’ll guide you through some tips that will help you take your turning to the next level.
How To Push Your Turning Abilities To The Limit
To improve your turning abilities on a longboard, you need to push yourself beyond your limits gradually.
- Experiment with different turn styles and try to mimic professional longboarders.
- Try to turn faster than you usually do and gradually increase the speed as you become more confident.
- Use your upper body to influence your board’s direction and leverage your weight to adjust the angle of your turn.
- Keep your balance centered on your board while making turns and use your toes and heels to manipulate your movements.
How To Practice Turning Effectively And Safely
Longboarding can be dangerous, especially if you’re not practicing right.
- Wear appropriate safety gear such as helmets and knee pads.
- Find an open and safe space without any obstacles around.
- Start practicing slow turns before gradually increasing your speed.
- Focus on one aspect of your technique at a time. For instance, one day can be dedicated to perfecting your body movements while turning, and the next day, you can focus on your balance.
- Don’t push yourself too hard, and take breaks regularly to avoid fatigue and injury.
Tips For Expanding Your Longboarding Skills Beyond Just Turning
Longboarding is not just turning; it involves a variety of techniques.
- Practice downhill riding and sliding.
- Learn how to pump your board to gain speed without pushing.
- Learn to ride switch, which is riding the board with the opposite stance.
- Learn how to ride fakie, which is riding backward on your board.
- Experiment with different styles of longboarding such as dancing and freestyle.
By following these tips, you can take your longboarding skills to the next level, whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned rider. Remember, practice, practice, practice and don’t forget to have fun while doing it!
Conclusion
As a longboarder, you know how important it is to be able to turn smoothly and efficiently. Through this guide, we’ve covered some valuable techniques that you can use to upgrade your turning skills. From adjusting your stance and shifting your weight to carving and using pumps, you have plenty of tools at your disposal.
Don’t forget to start slow and gradually build up your confidence before attempting more advanced turns. With practice, patience, and determination, you can achieve better longboard turns and take your riding experience to the next level. Keep in mind that everyone is different, and there’s no one-size-fits-all approach to improving your turning abilities.
Keep experimenting with the various tips and tricks until you find the ones that work best for you. Happy riding!
