Setting up a carve correctly is fundamental for longboard sliding. A proper setup carve is the initial move that allows you to initiate a smooth, controlled slide. Without it, your attempts may fall flat or, worse, lead to injury. This guide will break down what a setup carve is, why it’s essential, and how to execute it effectively, setting you on the path to becoming a confident longboard slider.
What is a Setup Carve in Longboarding?
A setup carve is an exaggerated carve performed before initiating a slide. It involves carving in the opposite direction of your intended slide. This motion allows you to swing the board out, making it much easier to break traction and initiate a controlled slide. Mastering this technique is crucial for any rider looking to progress their sliding skills.
Think of it like this: the setup carve preloads the board, making it easier to initiate a controlled drift.
Why is the Setup Carve so Crucial?
The setup carve is a cornerstone of controlled sliding for several key reasons:
- Easier Slide Initiation: It makes it significantly easier to break the wheels’ traction, initiating the slide.
- Optimal Body Positioning: The setup carve puts your body weight in the ideal position to maintain control throughout the slide. The swing before the slide allows you to load your weight onto the board and lean into the slide for maximum leverage and control.
- Smoother Transitions: It facilitates a more gradual transition into the slide, avoiding sudden, jerky movements and enhancing overall control. The setup carve helps bring your wheels to the edge of traction, making it easier to initiate a drift.
What Happens Without a Setup Carve?
Attempting to slide without a proper setup carve can lead to several issues:
- Difficulty Initiating Slides: You’ll struggle to get the board to break traction, leading to frustrating and unsuccessful slide attempts.
- Jittery Slides: Without the setup carve, you’re likely to experience a less smooth slide with the wheels chattering or not breaking traction.
- Incorrect Weight Distribution: You’ll struggle to position your weight correctly, affecting your ability to control the board and the slide itself. Incorrect weight placement will make it difficult to get the leverage you need.
- Unstable Body Positioning: This can make it difficult to stay on the board and control it effectively.
- Loss of Control: You’ll have a hard time controlling the slide and potentially resulting in a highside (falling forward) or a lowside (falling backward).
Advanced Riders and Setup Carves
While a setup carve is essential for beginners, it’s worth noting that some advanced riders may not always use it, depending on their style, equipment, and the riding conditions. For example, certain types of trucks, like the Rogue slalom trucks, perform best when loaded directly into a slide without a setup carve.
Harry Clarke riding Rogue slalom trucks
Similarly, riders using Ronin trucks may prefer to load the trucks and wheels directly without a setup carve for optimal slides.
Harry Clarke riding Rogue slalom trucks
However, these are niche cases and shouldn’t concern beginners. When starting, it’s crucial to master the setup carve before experimenting with more advanced techniques. It’s essential not to copy advanced riders’ techniques without understanding why they may be doing things differently.
Step-by-Step Guide to Executing a Setup Carve
Here’s how to execute a setup carve effectively:
Step 1: The Initial Deep Carve
Begin by performing a deep carve in the direction opposite to where you want to slide.
- Heelside Slide: If you plan to slide heelside, perform a deep toeside carve.
- Toeside Slide: If you plan to slide toeside, perform a deep heelside carve.
This initial carve can be more aggressive or curved, depending on your preference.
setup carve step 1
Step 2: Weight Shift and Swing
Simultaneously shift your weight and swing towards the direction in which you want to slide, setting up the board for the slide. This motion should create a “half-S” shape on the ground.
how to set up carve step 2
Step 3: Initiate the Slide
Just before reaching the top of the “S” shape, initiate the slide by kicking the board out. By this point, your weight and body positioning should be primed to initiate the slide smoothly.
set upc arve for longboard sliding
Step 4: Maintaining the Slide
You should be in a full slide when you reach the zenith or the top of the “S” shape. From this point, you will need to have a good understanding of the different sliding techniques which we will go into in-depth in future guides.
how to set up carve step 4
The setup carve is the fundamental technique that underlies all other sliding maneuvers. Mastering it will address many issues that longboarders face when trying to slide, maintain control and staying on the board.
Conclusion: The Foundation for Sliding Success
The setup carve is a vital skill for any longboarder who wants to learn how to slide. By understanding the importance of a setup carve and practicing it correctly, you’ll gain the ability to slide with control and confidence. This fundamental technique will set the stage for you to learn more advanced skills in the future, allowing you to progress further into the world of longboard sliding.
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