Longboarding is a lifestyle that involves constant practice and dedication to improve your skills and learn new tricks. One of the great things about longboarding is that there are many different ways to do it, like freestyling, dancing, and downhill longboarding.
Downhill longboarding is a fast-paced, adventurous activity that requires a higher skill level and attention to safety. These five tips will teach you the techniques, postures, and attachments you can use to make your longboard faster.
Lube Your Bearings
The wheels on your longboard will spin faster and have less friction if you lube them before every ride and clean them after using your board. Friction will cause a natural slowdown that you can overcome with products like Bones, Liberty Oil, or Ardent. Clean your bearings and dry them properly, then add one or two drops and let them sit for a couple of minutes.
Loosen the Axle Nuts
The axle nuts on your longboard are the little metallic pieces that attach the wheels to your trucks, keeping them securely in place. When they are too tight, the axles prevent the wheel from rolling freely, which you can fix with a wrench. Before getting on your longboard, ensure the axle nuts are securely attached.
Get the Right Wheels
There are different types of wheels for longboards depending on your main activity; for dancing, you want softer wheels that will minimize impact, which is different from downhill longboarding. Thin wheels will have less contact with the ground, improving your speed. Venom magnums are the best option for the performance and speed needed for downhill longboarding. With greater speed, you must also protect the nose and tail of your longboard to prevent damage.
Minimize Slowdown
Balance is essential for improved performance because it gives you better control of your longboard and minimizes slowing down. Learning how to fall and slow down while downhill riding is essential to improve safety, but the less contact you have with the ground, the faster you will go. Downhill longboarding involves turns, unexpected obstacles, and high speeds, which you must learn to manage effectively.
Improve Your Posture
Good posture, from your stance to shoulder control, is important to manipulate your board and prevent accidents. To go faster on your longboard, you must bend your knees slightly and hold that position. Safety equipment like gloves, a helmet, and knee pads are important to keep your body safe and give you the confidence to maintain the proper posture.