Before discussing the main topic, let’s know about a longboard. Because people may don’t know what is a longboard. So, let’s start!
What is a Longboard?
A longboard is a bigger version of a skateboard. But longboard is safer for beginners because of its wider deck, stability, and balance. It is more stable and easy to ride than a skateboard. It comes in a lot of shapes. It is faster and requires more speed than a skateboard. These boards are used for downhill racing, cruising, freeriding, and even dancing. These boards have designed trucks, larger and softer wheels. You will need some additional equipment like gloves, knee caps, etc before riding on a longboard. Riding on a longboard is known as longboarding.
Is Longboarding Dangerous?
A longboard is a fantastic means of transport and great fun and enjoying the sport. If you’re planning to buy a longboard, you might be worried about safety. A longboard is safer than a skateboard. Because it has a wider deck. However, longboarding is not that much of a risky sport. But you have to take proper precautions to make it safe. You have to learn how to control the speed. You have to use safety gear to prevent the risk of accident and injury. Longboarding can be dangerous if you’re not careful enough. We’ve discussed in this article that how can you ensure your safety while longboarding. Let’s start!
Safety Precautions to Take:
- Wear a helmet that will provide you safety. You should buy a helmet that is specially designed for longboarders and skateboarders.
- Make sure the hardware and wheels are in good condition and secure before riding your longboard
- Wear knee and elbow pads, wrist gears, gloves, and flat shoes
- Some cities have specific places only where you can ride your longboards and skateboards. Make sure you know about those local laws. You should never ride in places where the light is very low and is very quiet.
- Be careful about the holes, rocks, and bumps on the roads
- Never ride longboard when you are on drugs or alcohol.
- Don’t practice longboarding on homemade ramps.
- Practice on smooth surfaces or roads first.
- If possible, go to a community skateboard park. The ramps of those places are constantly monitored for safety.
- Don’t ride your longboard in crowded streets.
- Crouch and ride straight and forward on the board.
- Use shoes that are designed for riding on longboards. These shoes can give you a great grip on your longboard.
- Don’t increase your speed until you’re an expert.
- Children under 5 years should not ride on a longboard or skateboard. And those who are between 5-10 years should be supervised by adults while riding.
Do’s While Longboarding:
- Skate on the roads. Because it is illegal in many cities to skate on the sidewalks
- Control your skateboard because it will provide you safety
- Follow traffic rules. Stop skating when there is a red light or stop sign
- Take care of your skateboard’s wheels and trucks. Carry tools with you to fix them when needed
- Ride in groups to increase safety and assistance
- Wear shoes and tie shoelaces properly
- Use protective gears
- Ride in open spaces rather than on busy streets
Don’ts While Longboarding:
- Don’t ride while it’s raining or after the rain. Because the road is wet and slippery then. You might fall and cause an injury.
- Don’t use earphones or headphones while riding. Because you must pay attention while riding a longboard.
- Don’t buy cheap types of equipment that are not certified and tested properly
Common Injuries While Longboarding:
- Serious head injury
- Intracranial hemorrhage
- Traumatic brain injury
- Head fracture
- Is Cruising on a Longboard Dangerous?
Cruising is the safest way to ride on a longboard. Because the speed is not that high while cruising. Also, you are riding on a flat and smooth surface. You might face some minor bruises or scrapes if you fall from your board or trip over by a stone. To prevent this, you may wear protective gear, a helmet, wrist guards, and knee/ elbow pads.
- Is Dancing on a Longboard Dangerous?
Dancing on a longboard is an artistic way of longboarding. This involves walking, crossing feet, flip kicks, and many more tricks. People dance on a longboard on a flat surface. The speed is slightly higher than cruising. Thus, this is more dangerous than cruising. You may face sprains around your feet/lower legs/ankles, muscle, or ligament injuries by falling off from your board. Helmets and knee pads will keep you safe from these
- Is Long-Distance Longboarding Dangerous?
Long-distance means commuting. This means you’re riding on open roads. You should learn how to control your longboard and quickly stop it before you use it as a transportation system. Ride on a specific lane. Don’t break the traffic rules. Use LED or torch lights so that people can see you at the night and you don’t get hit by a car.
- Is Downhill Longboarding Dangerous?
Downhill longboarding is the speediest and riskiest way of longboarding. It can cause you a serious injury. To prevent this, you must wear a full-face helmet, gloves for hand sliding. If you use these safety pieces of equipment, you can reduce the chance of injuries and hazards.
- Is Freeriding Dangerous?
Freeriding is a challenging way of longboarding. This involves much speed, drifting, and turning. It is not as fast as downhill racing but still can cause you severe injuries. You must learn how to control your speed so you don’t move too fast. While sliding, if you push your board too hard, miss your mark, you can easily fly off your board at high speed. You should wear a good helmet, solid side gloves for sliding and drifting, knee and elbow pads. A skill you can learn is to roll into and out of a fall. It will decrease the risk of injuries.
- Is Longboarding Safer Than Skateboarding?
Longboards are more likely to cause severe injuries than skateboards. Longboarders suffer more from head fractures, Internal bleeding in the skull, traumatic brain injury, etc. Skateboarders mostly ride at skate parks, open spaces, and parking lots. But longboarders prefer to ride on open roads which is riskier. Because, on the road, there is a risk of getting hit by a car, fall off from your longboard, and losing control of speed. Moreover, longboarders like to perform many kinds of stunts, show various skills, do tricks, and try to achieve the highest and fastest speed. These make them more vulnerable to injury.
People quickly feel comfortable and safe riding on a longboard. They don’t realize their speed and don’t know how to stop properly. Longboarders don’t even like to wear helmets. Which makes it worse in an injury.
But longboards have broader and wider decks which makes it easy to place your feet and balance your board. Moreover, longboards are designed for beginners who feel it is hard to control a small skateboard. Longboards are more stable and firm than skateboards.
Conclusion:
After reading our article, you must have got knowledge and understanding about how dangerous longboarding is. But there is a risk of injury in every kind of sport. Isn’t there?
Longboarding is a great and interesting sport. You should take proper precautions before you ride on your longboard. You shouldn’t be worried if you follow the rules we’ve discussed in this article.
Make sure your longboard is great in quality. Buy your longboard according to the style you’re going to ride. Always wear safety gears that are appropriate for your riding style. If you ride on the road follow the traffic rules and stop where needed.
Lastly, ride safely and responsibly!