Skateboarding Basics: Tricks, Longboarding, and Safety

Choosing between a skateboard and a longboard depends on whether you want to perform tricks or commute long distances. Learn the first 10 tricks every skater should know, how to safely stop on downhills, and which muscles are targeted during longboarding.

A skateboard

Spacers vs. No Spacers for a Skateboard

Spacers, often referred to as bearing spacers, are sometimes installed in skateboard bearing setups to increase the life and performance of your bearings. A spacer's primary purpose is to stabilize the bearing, reducing excess movement on sharp turns and curves.

Read more →
Young man skating on longboard, side view (blurred motion)

What Are the Health Benefits of Longboarding?

Longboarding is the sport of riding a longboard, a skateboard variant related to a surfboard or snowboard. Longboard skaters use their boards for cruising, racing, transportation and stunts. Some skaters would say it is addictive.

Read more →
Teenage girl practicing riding long board.

Running vs. Longboarding

Whether on a college campus or in a city park, runners and skateboarders abound on a warm summer day. While runners still use the same basic equipment -- running shoes, shorts and headphones -- the sidewalk surfer's skateboard has evolved into the longboard.

Read more →
Skateboarder Midair

Exercises That Help You With Skateboarding

Exercises that help you with skateboarding strengthen the muscles necessary to increase your performance and advance in the sport. Skateboarding primarily works the lower body to manipulate the board as you ride and do tricks, while balance requires a strong core.

Read more →
Teenage boy (16-17) skateboarding at skate park

What Muscles Does Skateboarding Work?

Skateboarding requires a high level of balance and coordination, which works muscles throughout your body. You can get a good workout by just skateboarding in one direction. Performing skateboarding tricks increases the demands on your muscles because they require multiple joint movements in rapid succession.

Read more →
Stepping forward

How to Choose the Right Size Longboard

As opposed to the difficult flip tricks and aerial maneuvers of extreme skateboarding, longboarders prefer to navigate steep hills with a surf inspired style. While the skateboard commonly measures 30 inches in length, the longboard can reach a size of 5 feet or more.

Read more →
Low angle view of a teenage girl holding a skateboard

The Best Grip Tape for Skateboards

A skateboard without grip tape is not a complete skateboard. Although it doesn't get the same amount of attention as the deck, the bearings and the wheels, grip tape is one of the most crucial elements of any skateboard.

Read more →
skateboarder skateboarding at  city

How to Make a Skateboard Faster

Making a skateboard faster requires only a few tips and tricks and is not nearly as difficult as one would think. With some regular maintenance and a little bit of know-how, just a few adjustments can promote your board’s longevity as well as making it more streamlined and fast.

Read more →

The First 10 Tricks You Should Learn on a Skateboard

The first ten skateboarding tricks you should learn include both flip tricks and grinds. A flip trick occurs when the skateboard leaves the skater's feet and performs a flip and/or rotation. Skaters also use the two aluminum trucks on the bottom of the skateboard to execute grinds across ledges and rails.

Read more →
Skateboard and longboard side by side on concrete floor, elevated view

Skateboard Vs. Longboard

A longboard is a particular type of skateboard. Manufacturers design skateboards in many styles for different purposes. Some are tailored to a specific type of trick. Others are designed for different riding experiences.

Read more →