Longboard Dancing
Start dancing on a longboard.
Skateboarding is not just about going down, walking, or turning, and the street; in the 1970s, there were “weird” disciplines such as the high jump (but without a board), long jump, slalom (which still exists today), and dancing:
These acts are now ordinary and are still practiced by some dedicated fans. If you have a cruiser or longboard, why not try dancing?
What exactly is longboard dancing?
Longboard dancing is a subgenre of skateboarding that combines dance moves, footwork, rhythm, and freestyle skateboarding. It is done while moving the board and can be a very creative spectacle.
Skateboarders such as Hans Wouters, Abou Seck, and Lotfi Lamaali have helped popularize this subgenre through YouTube and social media. Dock sessions have spread the sport around the world as a way for complete beginners to get on a board for the first time.
LongBoard dancing is a very intuitive and creative activity. It combines the technical aspects of freestyle with dance’s aesthetics, rhythms, and movement repertoire. In other words, longboard dance elevates skateboarding to the realm of performing arts.
It combines longboarding and good old skateboarding and can be enjoyed by all ages and skill levels. All you need is a skateboard with a long longboard you can start expressing yourself on concrete.
@h.zzzzz_in Sunset longboarding 🌤 다들 행복하신가요 ? #롱보드 #틱톡스포츠 #longboarddancing #longboardgirl #fyp ♬ i love you baby - Emilee
Who is the founder of longboard dancing?
It is hard to say who created Longboard Dancing since, in the 80s, people were doing tricks and movements that today are considered dancing moves. It is also hard to tell if we talk about the new era because we do not have as much footage as we have today. But, we can say that the two people that set the bases for modern longboarding dancing are Adam Colton and Adam Stokowski.
This is probably one of the firsts, if not the first, longboard dancing video ever created; as you can see, the discipline was still in shambles, dancing boards, not flowing on the board. It is crazy to see how far dancing has come coming from a few cross-steps and old-school tricks.
How is longboard dancing different from other Longboarding disciplines?
Why not just get a board and ride? A Dancing Longboard allows you to move your feet on the board while riding it. It can be fun and beautiful with a bit of practice, art, and skill. This why it is called longboard dancing. This discipline is sometimes called pavement surfing. Inspired by surfing, this practitioner performs steps, spins, and sequences while moving.
No special equipment is necessarily required. Longer (1m-1m50) and wider longboards are easier to start with as they allow for more cross-steps (more steps), but cruisers or thinner boards will suffice. As we always said, getting the right board will probably help you learn faster and get less frustrated, but if you are focused, skillful, or skate a lot, you will able to learn them too.
How to start longboard dancing?
Basic skills to start longboard dancing.
Before a skater can attempt to dance on a longboard, they must have the basic skills of maintaining balance, being able to push off and turn, managing speed, and being comfortable on the board. Once these prerequisites are in place, it is time to try dancing.
If these actions are complex for you, don´t feel discouraged or feel bad about it. Practice makes the master. Remember that even the best skater fell the first time he tried longboarding.
Basic Longboard Dancing Movements
Some tricks are technical, but the most important is that the schemes are well executed: harmonious, smooth, and in smooth sequence between tricks.
- Cross-stepping crosses your legs as you move forward/backward on your skateboard. When you reach the front of the skateboard, move your feet back.
- Cross-step backward: feet crossed back (not forward as in a cross-step).
- Character Change: To change position on the board with a small 180-degree jump.
- Swap 180 step: Same as the crossover step, only the body rotates. Both the foot and the body rotate while moving to the other foot.
- Reverse 180 Step: Very similar to the previous figure, except that the body constantly rotates in the same direction. The rotation is always done with the same foot—backward process.
- Wood splitting: the left foot is bent over the skateboard while the back foot is lifted and thrown out to the side (as if kicking an obstacle with the foot).
There are dozens of other tricks, such as rubbing your feet on the ground, leaning on the floor, and combining spins and foot placement. Next up is something closer to a classic plank spin combination (track kick and plank spin). But first…
Expert Longboard Dancing Movements
Talking about basic tricks can be easy because they feel natural since you reach a certain level of skating and have been skating for more than ten years. But, since none of us is a professional Longboard Dancer here in the office, we bring you the best video we could find. Axel Massin created it and taught you all the steps you must follow to be a great longboarding dancer. I hope you enjoy it as much as we did!
What is the best longboard for dancing?
After reading all that, you probably are thinking right now that you want to get started and are wondering:
Best Longboard decks for Dancing
Dancing is flowing and letting your body be free while on a longboard. To achieve this, it is always recommended to have a longer board to help you walk over it; here are the best options in the market!
SPECIFICATIONS
- Truck Mounting: Top Mount
- Length: 44.5” (113 cm)
- Width: 9.25” (23.4 cm)
- Wheelbase: 27.25″ / 28.25″ / 29.25″ (69.2 / 71.8 / 74.3cm)
- Nose / Tail: Yes / Yes
- Rocker / Camber: Rocker
- Construction: Fiberglass and bamboo
- Weight: 4.6lbs (2.1KG)
- Flex: One flex fits all
Construction: Fiberglass and bamboo
Concave: Rocker
Price: 213$
SPECIFICATIONS:
- Truck Mounting – Top Mount
- Length – 47” (119 cm)
- Width – 9.5” (24 cm)
- Wheelbase – 31.25″ – 32.25” (79.4 – 81.9 cm)
- Weight – Flex 1: 5.3 lbs (2.4 kg) | Flex 2: 5 lbs (2.3 kg)
Comes in 2 Flex Patterns:
- Flex 1: 140 – 270+ lbs | 63 – 123+ kg
- Flex 2: 80 – 190+ lbs | 36 – 86+ kg
Construction: Vertically Laminated Bamboo | Cork Topsheet | Basalt Core | UHMW Urethane Kicktails | UHMWPE Rails
Concave: Radial | Wheel Flares | Big Kicktails | Concaved Kicktails
Price: 299$
SPECIFICATIONS:
- Truck Mounting – Top Mount
- Length – 45.5” (115.5 cm)
- Width – 9.25” (23.5 cm)
- Wheelbase – 27.5 – 29.5” (70 – 75 cm)
- Weight: 4Lbs
Construction: Maple | Fiberglass | Epoxy
Concave: Radial | Wheel Flares | Big Kicktails | Concaved Kicktails
Grip: Design may be different than pictured. Landyachtz ships assorted grip designs.
Price: 299,95$
SPECIFICATIONS:
- Truck Mounting – Top Mount
- Length – 48” | 122 cm
- Width – 9.5” | 24 cm
- Wheelbase – 32” – 33″ | 81 cm – 84 cm
Comes in 2 Flex Patterns:
Soft: Under 180 lbs (41 – 82 kg)
Medium: 150 – 220+ lbs (68 – 120+ kg)
Construction: Vertically Laminated Bamboo, Fiberglass, and Polyurethane Rails
Concave: Flat | Slight Rocker | GIANT Kicktails
Price: 238,95$