Slide longboards
The term "sliding" is often associated with the downhill and freeride riding styles, but can be seen as a discipline in its own right. The idea is that the wheels of your board lose grip on the ground and you "slide" across the direction of travel. In this way, your board brakes in a controlled manner. You can find our selection of slide longboards here. ###
Sliding: glide smoothly down the slopes
A certain speed is required to make sliding possible. For this reason, sliders feel most comfortable on sloping asphalt tracks. However, the corresponding longboards must also have a few special characteristics to enable perfect slides.
Sliding prerequisite #1: You absolutely need a little longboard experience first.
The combination of speed and riding technique requires a lot of skill and a bit of courage. Only those who have their board completely under control will be able to slide. However, once you've got the hang of it, you can look forward to maximum riding fun.
Sliding basically means gliding down the slopes smoothly and looking damn cool at the same time. You can control your speed precisely by riding sideways. Downhill riders, for example, slide into bends to slow down a little without coming to a standstill.
There are different ways of sliding:
- Heelside > your face points in the direction of travel
- Toeside > your face is facing backwards.
- 180° Colemanslide > the beginner's method, which you will probably learn first.
The perfect slide longboard
It goes without saying that to become a really good slider, you also need a really good longboard. It should have various features to support you in your endeavor. The following things are important:
- The wheels are of crucial importance when sliding. Your wheels should be very hard so that you lose grip as quickly as possible. Rounded edges are also a must, as this is the only way you can "slide away" really well in turns.
- A concave deck curve ensures that you can exert better pressure on the trucks. This makes the board easier to steer and control.
- Opinions differ when it comes to length. Short longboards are of course more agile and can also be used for sliding. The advantage of long decks is that they allow for more controlled slides. This can be particularly advantageous if you are just learning to slide.
- As far as the center distance is concerned, every slider has different preferences. Generally speaking, boards with a wide center distance are harder to slide. However, the slides are more controlled and safer. Ultimately, it comes down to your personal preferences and experience.
The features of a slide longboard at a glance
- Hard wheels (min. 84 a) with rounded edges
- Concave
- Recesses on the wheels
- Variable wheelbase (depending on your needs and preferences)
Because you can't avoid leaning down low when sliding, gloves and a helmet are very important in addition to the longboard itself. Falls are not uncommon, which is why you need to take your protection very seriously.
Sliding is the perfect technique to take the speed out of your board on a descent. It also looks impressive and just plain cool when you manage a smooth slide. However, to make it happen, you need a good slide board and a few practice sessions.
