Downhill skateboarding is an exhilarating sport, but mastering it takes dedication and the right approach. Whether you’re a complete beginner or an experienced rider looking to refine your skills, this guide provides actionable tips to help you improve quickly. Let’s dive into how you can elevate your downhill longboarding game.
Quick Adjustments for Immediate Progress
Focus Downhill, Not Directly Ahead
One common mistake is fixating on immediate obstacles like cracks or pebbles. This causes tension, making you more susceptible to minor road imperfections. Instead, look further down the hill, which allows you to relax and roll over these obstacles with ease. Being loose and relaxed is key to achieving higher speeds safely.
Truck Twitch Doesn’t Mean Wobbles
Experiencing truck twitch after rolling over something is normal feedback, not a precursor to wobbles. Overreacting to this twitch can actually induce wobbles. Stay relaxed, maintain your tuck, and let your trucks self-correct. Often, the best response is no response at all.
Smooth Weight Management
Be gentle and deliberate when transitioning out of a tuck at high speeds. Sudden movements or abrupt weight shifts can lead to instability. When rising, do so gradually, placing your back leg flat, and keep most of your weight on your front foot for balance.
Film Your Runs
Recording your runs provides an objective, third-person perspective, revealing aspects of your riding that you might not be aware of. Reviewing your videos helps identify flaws in your lines, speed, or cornering techniques, allowing for more targeted improvements.
Fine-Tune Your Trucks
Tightening the back truck slightly more than the front can improve stability and slide control, especially with a symmetrical truck setup. A half to a full turn of the kingpin can make a significant difference. This allows you to load the back truck with more pressure for controlled slides. However, avoid over-tightening them.
Upgrade Bushings and Pivots
Investing in bushings designed for your weight can instantly enhance your ride by improving control and stability. Additionally, new pivots, particularly Riptide pivots, contribute to smoother leans and turns. Online resources, along with advice from experienced riders on forums like r/longboarding or Facebook groups like LongboardFamily can help guide your choices.
Longboard bushings
Experiment with Washers
Adjusting your washer configuration offers a subtle way to fine-tune your board’s lean or restriction, which can be tailored to your specific riding preferences and style.
Warm-Up Routine
Starting each session with a warm-up of slides and hand drag carving is crucial. Doing 5 heelside and 5 toeside slides, followed by pendulum slides can prime your body, improve flexibility, and help you assess your physical state.
Long-Term Strategies for Lasting Improvement
Invest in Quality Equipment
Using appropriate gear for your skill level is essential. For downhill, a stiff deck, trucks with a 45-degree baseplate, and wheels designed for your riding style are vital. High-quality gear ensures reliable performance, enhances confidence, and supports faster progression.
Don’t Copy Pro Setups Blindly
Pro setups are highly customized to their individual styles and skill levels. Copying them directly may not be suitable for beginners or intermediate riders. Focus on gear that suits your current skills and gradually personalize as you improve.
Downhill Skaters
Prioritize Stretching
Lower body flexibility is paramount for all levels of downhill skateboarding. Stretching, including dynamic stretches before sessions and static stretches afterward, reduces stiffness, promotes consistent performance and makes sliding positions easier to attain.
Find Your Community
Skating with others offers encouragement, provides second opinions on your riding, allows gear testing, and provides advice. The community aspect will keep you motivated and informed about the best downhill spots.
Longboarding Community
Embrace Solo Sessions
While skating with others is great, learn to ride alone. This allows you to skate at your own pace and develop courage for tackling new obstacles. Solo sessions ensure consistent practice, which is crucial for improvement.
Skate Frequently
Aim for at least three, two-hour sessions each week to see significant improvements. Consistent practice builds upon previous sessions, preventing you from relearning basics every time you skate.
Focus on One Corner
Mastering a single corner is an effective way to enhance your turning and sliding. By repeatedly practicing on a chosen spot, you quickly identify your weaknesses and measure progress. This experience will transfer to other roads as well.
Longboarding Session
Explore Various Roads
While mastering one corner is essential, skating different roads exposes you to diverse challenges. This broader experience can improve your overall riding and help you to approach familiar spots differently.
Use Protective Gear
Using protective gear like helmets, knee pads, slide gloves, and hip pads can prevent serious injuries. Being able to fall safely allows you to skate confidently without fear of being sidelined.
Downhill Skater with Protective Gear
Skate Within Your Limits
Avoid injuries by only skating roads and attempting tricks within your current skill level. Gradually push your limits in controlled environments where you can safely bail if necessary.
Attend Closed Road Events
Closed road events provide safe environments to push your limits. With road closures and marshals, these events are ideal for experimenting with new skills and techniques.
Learn About Race Lines
Understanding race lines is crucial for efficient and safe cornering. It allows you to choose optimal lines, identify when to slow down, and how to approach a corner effectively, even if you’re not racing.
Stay Within Your Lane
Learning to perform all necessary maneuvers within a single lane is critical. Whether it’s pre-drifting, sliding, or cornering, mastering these skills in a tight space improves control and technique.
Be Patient and Enjoy the Process
Improving at downhill skateboarding takes time. Embrace the learning curve, enjoy the process, and don’t rush. Avoid comparisons with others, as everyone’s journey is unique. Focus on your own progress and stay consistent.
Your Thoughts?
These tips should set you on a path toward faster downhill skateboarding improvement. If you have tips of your own or disagree with anything on this list, feel free to share them below. Remember, consistent practice, the right approach, and quality gear are key to reaching your goals. Get out there, skate often, stretch, and you will see improvement!
