FSU SKATEBOARDS

A longboard is a skateboard with a longer and sometimes wider shape . They are most commonly used for cruising, downhill racing, slalom racing, or transportation . Longboards can be shaped in various different ways, depending on the type of riding intended. Their greater weight and bulk makes them less suitable for many skateboard tricks , but contributes to a fluid motion by providing more momentum . Longboarding is often compared to surfing  on concrete , and the design allows big turns or carves similar to a surfboard.

Longboarding became popular alongside emerging surfing culture through the mid 1950s. Longboarding may have originated in California where the streets gave ground to many longboarders due to the rolling hills but some believe it is a product of Hawaiian origin. Although it is unsure where it originated, longboarding was first created as a land alternate to surfers

Longboard equipment is very similar to skateboard equipment. It is most common for longboarders to wear gloves and a helmet. Wrist, elbow, and knee protection are always recommended. Also in the sliding discipline, riders wear "slide gloves" which are a specialized sliding glove made out of a strong material such as leather that has plastic pucks adhered to the palm.

Most longboards measure between 90 and 150 cm (35.4-60 inches). Shorter boards may still be referred to as longboards when their main purpose is in line with that of longboarding (i.e. downhill & cruising). There are several different shapes of longboards including but not limited to: pintails, flat nose riders, and boards shaped like a longer shortboard. Pintails permit looser trucks and larger diameter wheels better suited for carving or a "surfy" feel. Mid-length boards, 94-127 cm (37-50 inches) are the most versatile.

DECKS

Unlike normal skateboards, longboards are commercially available in a great array of shapes and sizes. Each type of deck has certain advantages and disadvantages, and there are many boards that fall in between the several most prominent categories. One such type is the Pintail, which is generally a longer (roughly 48"), teardrop-shape deck, typically flat and suitable for beginners. Another type is the Dropdeck design, where the middle of the deck is lower than where the trucks are mounted. This allows for greater stability at high speeds and easier pushing, as the other leg must bend less. However, this deck type is not well-suited for trucks which allow for a great deal of tilt (also known as "play"), because the lowered deck can potentially scrape the ground. Speed bumps can also create a potential hazard. Another deck shape is the classic Cruiser shape. These are often smaller than pintails, but have a somewhat similar shape to normal skateboards, in that they are typically not very long (more than 35"), and many have a rounded kick-tail on the back. Cruisers also often taper to a point in the front, though this is by no means a prerequisite. One other type that can be used to group longboards into is the downhill board. Normally, this type of board will have a rectangular center with protrusions on the front and back where the trucks are mounted. This type of board is quite common and was the predecessor of the dropdeck, which has a similar shape and length. Downhills, unlike dropdecks, will occasionally flange out behind the back trucks, which can facilitate more riding positions. Also to note, there are different types of flex and mounting of trucks for boards. Flex is the degree a board will bend under the user. Flexible boards tend to be more of a slack cruising board for people who want to enjoy a more comfortable ride while less flexible boards allow for quick response. Trucks nowadays can be mounted from the bottom or dropped through the top allowing for different feels and center of gravity. Neither is better it depends mostly on what the rider likes most.

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