Are you wondering whether to choose skateboarding or longboarding as your entryway into the world of boarding and are confused about which one is easier? Both sports have many similarities and differences, and offer an amazing way to get around, explore nature, and get fit.
Both require a good amount of skill to control a moving board on wheels, one may be a better option for you than the other – depending on your needs and preferences.
Generally, longboards are easier to control than skateboards for beginners because they are longer and wider, and have larger trucks and wheels for stability.
Before deciding which form of boarding is easier, we need to understand the differences between longboarding and skateboarding.
Longboarding vs Skateboarding – Which Is Best For Beginners?
Longboarding and skateboarding are two popular forms of recreation. Both activities have many similarities requiring skill, balance, and practice to become proficient, but also some key differences.
Let’s take a look at the main differences between skateboarding and longboarding to help you decide which one is right for you.
One of the most obvious differences between skateboarding and longboarding is the gear.
Skateboard decks are typically smaller and lightweight, making them easy to maneuver. They are usually 7-9 inches wide and 28-32 inches long.
Longboard decks also tend to be longer and wider than skateboard decks, allowing riders to stand more comfortably, and making them more stable and easier to ride, especially for beginners. They are usually 8-10 inches wide and 33-50 inches long.
Skateboards have much harder wheels that grip the street better but can be uncomfortable on rougher terrain. On the other hand, longboard has thicker, softer wheels that work well on roads and paved surfaces, allowing for faster speeds and smoother rides.
Additionally, longboard trucks are designed for stability which makes them great for cruising around town or taking on hills; whereas skateboard trucks are designed for tricks which makes them better suited for ramps or pools.
b. The Ride
Another key difference between skateboarding and longboarding is the ride itself.
Skateboards are usually used for street style moves and trickssuch as Ollies, flips, grinds, kickflips, 360s, etc., whereas longboards are generally used for cruising around town or downhill racing.
Because of their stability and durability, longboards can handle tougher terrain than traditional skateboards can. This makes them ideal for exploring off-road trails or tackling steep hills without worrying about your board breaking on your mid-ride.
c. The Style
There’s the style factor: how each sport looks when being performed by its practitioners.
Skateboarders tend to favor bright colors with bold graphics while longboarders often go with more classic designs like wood grain patterns or muted earth tones.
Of course, this isn’t always true but it is generally what we see when we compare the two styles side by side. It all comes down to personal preference!
So Which Is Easier?
Longboarding is generally considered to be easier for beginners than skateboarding.
Longboards are more stable and require less effort when pushing, making it easier to learn the basics of balance and control. The bigger wheels also help make the ride smoother, giving riders an easier transition from learning how to stand on a board to actually maneuver around.
Skateboarding is much more technical, requiring more precise balance and a greater degree of agility to perform tricks and jumps.
Ultimately, both longboarding and skateboarding come with risks, so safety should always be a priority.
For beginners, longboards are generally considered to be safer because of their stability and lower speeds. Skateboards can reach higher speeds more quickly which can lead to dangerous falls if you’re not careful.
Which Is More Durable?
Longboards are generally more durable and last longer than skateboards due to the construction of their decks and trucks.
Skateboards tend to wear down quicker because they’re lighter and used for tricks which put a lot of strain on the board.
Which Is Faster?
Longboards are typically faster because of the larger wheels and more stable trucks. Skateboards are designed for tricks and jumps, so their wheels are much harder which makes them less efficient on the pavement.
Furthermore, longboards are especially designed for downhill speed racing. The fastest longboard has been recorded at 89.41 mph (143.89 kph) on a downhill race.
Which Is Women Friendly?
Women commonly ride boards for fun and short commuting and we mostly see them cruising around on longboards because of their stability and lower speeds. The larger boards offer more foot space to stand on, making it easier to maintain balance.
However, now women are tending towards skateboarding tricks after seeing some good performances by female skateboarders in the Tokyo 2020 Olympic event.
Longboarding vs Skateboarding- Deciding What’s Best For You
When it comes to deciding which type of board is best suited to your needs, consider your purpose in using it (Are you looking to do tricks or just cruise around?) as well as your size (A larger person might prefer a longer board).
If you are looking to do tricks then a skateboard is likely the better option due to its smaller size allowing for greater agility; however, if you are looking for something more geared towards cruising and commuting then a longboard might be the way to go due to its size allowing for greater stability at higher speeds or when going downhill.
Safety Considerations
No matter which type of board you choose, it’s important to wear safety gear such as helmets, knee pads, elbow pads, wrist guards, etc., especially if you plan on doing any tricks or going down hills at high speeds.
Both types of boards can reach speeds up to 30mph so it’s essential that proper safety precautions are taken before heading out on either type of board!
Conclusion
Speaking of the experience and after gathering information from new skaters, we concluded that longboarding is considered to be easier to learn than skateboarding due to its stability and lower speeds.
However, both types of boards come with risks, so it’s important to wear safety gear when riding either type.
Ultimately, the best board for you is dependent on your individual needs and preferences. If tricks are your main focus then a skateboard might be better suited towards that whereas if cruising is what you are going to do then maybe a longboard would be better suited towards that purpose instead.
No matter which type of board is chosen make sure that you have fun and stay safe while doing it!
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I learn to skateboard or longboard first?
It depends on your individual needs and preferences. Longboards are generally easier for beginners due to their stability, but skateboarding is more suited for tricks and jumps. If you are looking to learn both then it is recommended to start with the longboard since that will help build your balance and agility before taking on the more challenging skateboard.
Is a longboard good for beginners?
Yes, longboards are generally considered to be good for beginners due to their stability and lower speeds. They also offer more foot space which makes it easier for beginners to maintain balance. However, remember to wear safety gear when riding either type of board.
Is longboarding hard to learn?
No, longboarding is not hard to learn. The larger boards offer more foot space which makes it easier for beginners to maintain balance and the lower speeds make it easier to get a feel for the board.
Is skateboarding better than longboarding?
It depends on what type of riding you are looking for. Skateboarding is better suited for tricks and jumps, whereas longboarding is better for cruising and commuting. Ultimately, the best board for you is dependent on your individual needs and preferences.
I got inspired by my father after watching him performing heroic tricks on a skateboard. Started at the age of 8 and performed in multiple competitions, now I coach professionals for tournaments. It's not just a sport for me - more like a passion and meditation! After years of experience with different skateboarding products, here are my reviews about Best Skateboard Brands and Best Skateboard for Beginners. It's an era of technology, you can also check unbiased reviews of Best Electric Skateboards. You can also read Benefits of Skateboarding.
