Surfing the Pavement on a Longboard

As I was sitting around this past Memorial Day weekend enjoying a Longboard Lager from the Kona Brewing Company (my favorite Hawaiian brewer), I was reminded of what a great off-season training tool a longboard can be for snowboarders. Granted, the Hawaiian version of a longboard is actually a surfboard, but hey, my mind works in strange ways sometimes - especially when it's snow-deprived!

Essentially, a longboard skateboard is a stretched skateboard. Riding a longboard is about as close as one can get to carving turns on a snowboard without actually being on snow! The longer wheelbase adds stability to the ride, while turns are initiated using the same muscles and movements as on a snowboard. As with any sport, the proper precautions should be taken, including wearing safety gear (helmet, knee and elbow pads, and wrist guards), and beginners should always start out slowly. Once you get the hang of longboarding, however, you'll be tickled pink by the sensation of once again carving turns on a board!

To learn more about longboarding, check out the content that About.com's Skateboard Guide, Steve Cave, has written on his site!

P.S. My associating Kona's Longboard Lager with skateboarding is in no way encouraging anyone to drink and ride. Safety first!