How to Stop on a Longboard

- added 08.11.2005 - (author: “RustyBurrito”)

Stopping a longboard can be one of the most difficult things to learn for a new longboarder. Here are some ways that are necessary to know:

1. Jumping off (v)- The act of jumping off of your skateboard.

Jumping off is the first thing that comes to mind if you feel like you are traveling at an uncomfortable speed or getting wobbles. You may experience routine faceplants if you practice this method at high speed. This method is only to be used as a LAST RESORT or if you are just pushing around and something gets in your way.

2. Wind Braking (v)- Standing erect with arms out to increase wind resistence, therefore reducing speed.

Wind braking is an obvious technique often used by racers to reduce speed before corners or to avoid collision. This method works best if you are traveling at a high velocity. If you perform this technique correctly, your speed can be reduced to approximately 25mph (40kmph). Using this technique can also prevent you from going any faster.

3. Carving (v)- The act of making turns across the road to slow/control speed. This method is very popular in skiing and snowboarding.

Carving is often the first thing people learn when they start longboarding. However controlling your speed from carving takes longer to master. The tighter and wider the carves, the more speed you will lose.

4. Rolling off the road (v)- The act of rolling off the road onto another surface that will often cause more friction/drag and will reduce speed.

Rolling off the road is similar to jumping off but is a little less risky. This method works best when rolling into grass. There is a good chance your board could get caught up on something so this method is not recommended.

5. Footbraking (v)- When one removes a foot from their skateboard and drags it on the ground to create drag.

Footbraking is one of the easiest and most commonly used methods of stopping. All you have to do is take you back foot (some prefer front) and place it on the ground starting with the front half of your foot and slowly put the rest of the shoe down and apply more pressure.. Remember to apply pressure slowly or else you may find yourself eating pavement.

6. Sliding (v)- A Slide is when a rider pulls his board out and gets it so the wheels are not gripping the pavement and can be moved freely.

While the hardest method to learn, is generally thought of as the most effective and safest way to stop. The most common type of slide is called the pendulum or coleman slide. To see more on sliding visit this article.

7. Rolling it out (v)- Staying on your skateboard until the hill flattens out and then using one of the methods above or letting natural drag bring you to a stop.

Rolling out is best method to use for stopping. If you do not need to stop quickly this is the method to use.

8. Brakes (n)- A device for slowing or stopping motion especially by contact friction.