Have you ever considered taking up longboarding as an adult? Perhaps your kids are learning, and you see it as a fun way to connect with them, or maybe you’re looking to reignite a passion from your younger days. It’s never too late to start, and this guide will show you how.
I (the author) got back into skateboarding at 37. I’d dabbled in it from age 10 to 25, never fully committing, not learning many tricks, and lacking skate buddies or skateparks. I loved the feeling of pushing around and the satisfaction of mastering maneuvers.
Adult man longboarding at a skatepark, showcasing a smooth ride
When I moved to a town with a brand-new skatepark at 37, I made a conscious decision to learn to skate properly and start learning tricks. Despite the challenges, the sense of achievement and the feeling of freedom I got from longboarding was unmatched. It instantly hooked me.
Essential Gear for Adult Longboarders
Starting longboarding requires the right equipment. A longboard and a helmet are the bare minimum, but I highly recommend investing in skate shoes, knee and elbow pads for better performance and safety. Having the right gear makes learning much easier. I personally wear a helmet, skate shoes, and full pads.
Adult wearing full protective longboarding gear, including helmet, elbow, and knee pads
Be Prepared to Fall: Remember that falls are part of the learning process and adults can be more prone to injuries. Protect your head with a proper skateboarding helmet and use pads to prevent injuries to knees and elbows. While you might initially feel awkward wearing them, it’s far less awkward than limping around with an injury. It’s crucial to get skateboarding-specific safety gear. A hockey or bike helmet won’t offer sufficient protection. Like most things, spending a bit more on good quality safety gear will mean better comfort and safety. Your health is worth the investment.
Where to Start Your Longboarding Journey
The best place to practice is a quiet location with smooth, flat concrete or asphalt. Empty parking lots or tennis courts are perfect for learning the basics without distractions. Skateparks, while often having great surfaces, can be intimidating for beginners due to their busy nature. If you decide to go to a skatepark, visit in the early morning, when it’s less crowded. Get comfortable with the basic techniques before venturing into skateparks, and always follow proper skatepark etiquette.
Mastering the Fundamentals
If you have previous longboarding experience, relearning the basics will come quickly. However, if you’re starting from scratch, it’s crucial to master the following fundamentals:
Stance
Your stance is the most comfortable way you position your feet on the longboard. Some people prefer their left foot forward (Regular Stance), while others prefer their right foot forward (Goofy Stance). Determine your stance preference for a more comfortable ride.
Visual explanation of goofy versus regular stance on a longboard
Balance
Once you know your stance, step onto the board and balance yourself with your feet over the bolts. Bend your knees and keep your center of gravity over the longboard. This helps maintain stability while riding.
Pushing
Begin with slow pushes until you can confidently push and cruise at speed. Many advanced maneuvers are easier when done with some speed, so a good push is essential. Mastering pushing is the key to being comfortable on the longboard.
Falling Techniques
Learning how to fall properly can prevent serious injuries. Since falls can happen in various directions, aim to keep your body moving in the direction of the fall. For ramps, pools, and transitions, learning how to knee slide is helpful.
Building Muscle Memory
Longboarding, like most physical activities, relies heavily on muscle memory. This is when you repeat an action so many times that you perform it without conscious thought. Walking is a good example. By consistently practicing the basics, you’ll develop the necessary muscle memory to smoothly execute the maneuvers. This sets the stage for learning advanced tricks.
Learning Longboarding Tricks
Everyone is eager to learn tricks. However, start slowly with tricks that minimize the risk of a hard fall. Your joints and muscles will thank you for it.
Longboarding is a progression-based activity where you meet new benchmarks and milestones along the way. Every trick you learn, no matter how basic, helps with the next. Aim to learn something new every time you skate. Even simple or stationary maneuvers boost your board control. I’ve found it more rewarding to master a simple trick than to continuously fail at a difficult one.
When I started longboarding again, these were the first tricks I learned. They build the foundation for more advanced skills:
Manual
This is a great way to enhance balance and it’s easy to recover from without wiping out. Manuals are also used by advanced longboarders to link tricks. Start with a basic manual by lifting the front wheels slightly off the ground while cruising.
Rolling Fakie
This technique is necessary for transition skating and rotation tricks, like 180s. Start by rolling up a bank until you stop and then rolling back down in the opposite direction.
Pivot
The pivot is an easy way to get out of rolling fakie. This move will help you adjust to turning your head and shoulders during rotation tricks. Learn both front-side and back-side pivots, as well as nose pivots.
Kick Turn
Another important trick to learn before hitting transitions, kick turns can be done while stationary or on a mellow bank. Master both frontside and backside kick turns.
Powerslide
A fun trick to learn for stopping, traversing banks, and sliding down inclines. Powerslides will help you find your balance when your board is sliding horizontally, an important skill for board and lip slides.
Layback Carve
This is a low impact trick that’s easy to learn slowly by breaking it down into its components. Practice this on a mellow bank.
Pumping
Pumping is more of a skill than a trick. This will help you navigate skateparks and maintain speed while going up and down transitions. Pumping is essential to skating ramps and parks effectively.
Roll-on 50-50 Grind
For those eager to start grinding but aren’t able to Ollie into a grind, roll-on 50-50’s are a great place to start. Practice this on any available surface such as curbs or edges of quarter pipes. This skill is helpful for learning to balance 50-50s on ledges.
These tricks are straightforward and confidence-boosting. Learn them to lay the foundation for more advanced tricks. When you feel ready, explore more complex tricks.
Structuring Your Practice
As adults, most of us have work, family, and other obligations, limiting time for longboarding. When you have just a few hours per week, it’s important to maximize your sessions.
I usually plan my sessions before I start. I often meet with other skaters at the skatepark, or just do some curb skating. I also have a mini ramp where I can practice. My general routine is consistent across these different skating styles:
Stretch
Stretching is vital before each session, to avoid muscle cramps. Focus on stretching your legs, especially calves, ankles, and groin muscles. Five minutes of stretching can make a significant difference.
Warm-up
Since I may have days without longboarding, I need time to get comfortable on the board again. My warm-up consists of gradual acceleration, regaining balance, and getting limber. I also repeat this warm up routine several times during the session.
Practice Existing Tricks
After warming up, I will practice tricks I’m confident with. I focus on the most essential tricks, making sure I maintain my proficiency in them.
Work On Other Tricks
Next, I spend some time on the tricks I have previously tried but not mastered or ones I want to improve. I dedicate as much time to this as needed. If I am on the verge of landing a trick, I’ll spend considerable time on it. If not, I’ll do a bit of practice to help build the required muscle memory.
Try New Tricks
I try to learn something new every session. I select tricks that are within my current skill level or variations of familiar tricks.
Final Thoughts
If you want to start longboarding as an adult, go for it! The challenges you will encounter are negligible compared to the pure joy and freedom that longboarding provides. When I’m longboarding, my mind is only focused on skating, and I forget my daily stress. It’s the perfect escape for my adult life.
By: William K
I’m a Canadian in my early 40s, 5’10”, 170 lb, who loves video games, movies, hanging out with my cats Steve and Gary, and making things with my hands. Most of all, I love to longboard.
