The Longboard Store

First off, welcome to to the world of skating! Wether you're look looking to cruise across campus or become the next world champion, the skate culture has a place for everyone. It may not be easy in the beginning, but patience and practice will get you comfortable on a board in no time.You're going to get familiar with your set up the more you skate it. In the beginning, put your board in the grass or carpet and stand on the platform. Find where your feet are comfortable. Lean forward and back to feel the trucks move. Practice getting on and off your board. See what foot will be your dominate pushing foot and your plated foot. When you feel comfortable enough to try pavement, make sure you are in a safe area with little to no traffic. School parking lots on the weekend or quiet neighborhood streets are a good way to start. Balance is a major factor in any sport with wheels. Remember to flex your core and keep your knees bent. Your feet should be about shoulder width apart. Make sure you have straight posture and your shoulders open. Pushing: Keep your weight on your planted foot. This foot will control your balance while you push. Turn your foot so your toes are facing the nose of the board. Then use your other foot to push against the pavement. In the beginning, try to accomplish one push, then put your back foot onto the deck and adjust your front foot 90°. Carving / Turning: Distribute your weight on your heels to turn left and your toes to steer right. Keep your knees bent for balance and your shoulders pointing in the direction you want to go. Try not to look down at your wheels. Keep your chin up and your eyes ahead of you. Braking:Thankfully, most of foot breaking is similar to pushing. Keep your weight on the planted foot and drag your pushing foot along the ground until you come to a complete stop. Bending your knees will help you stay solid and balanced. Remember, practice makes perfect! The more you skate, the more you will learn. Tony Hawk didn't learn over night. It takes time and patience. Always wear a helmet and happy skating!

6 Combo Packs Protecting5 Bones Bearing Premium Tune Up Kit4 Wheels a Rollin' 3 Feet of Grip Tape2 Trucks a Trucking1 Deck Under The TreeIf you need help picking out the right gift, give us as call at 541-306-6829 or email us at [email protected].

12 Socks A-Warming 11 Abec 11 Wheels A-Spinning 10 Stickers Sticking 9 Hardware A-Tightening 8 Bronson Bearings Rolling7 Sets Of Bushings Catch Part Two in our Blog this Friday for more ideas!!

Choosing the right longboard revolves around the style of skating you want to do. Click on the style you like to see our recommended boards. Cruising - Very popular among commuters, students, and beginners. It is also a great way to learn the foundation of skating.Carving - Great cross training for snowboarding and surfing.Dancing / Freestyle - For creative personalities involving balance and precision. Freeriding - Also referred to as sliding or drifting. This style involves high speeds and quick reflexes.Downhill - High speed riding involving sliding and competitive racing. Want to know more? Check out our glossary.

To make holiday shopping easier for you this season, we've made a list of simple stocking stuffers for the skater in your life. Bearings:We love the feeling of fresh bearings. They're fast, smooth, and should to be replaced once a year. Bone Bearing Tune Up Kit:This tune up kit has bearing cleaner, bearing lube, grip tape cleaner, bearing tool, and a skate tool to elongate our gear's life span. It's reusable, easy to use, and comes with everything we need.Sunrisers: These risers are designed to brighten paths and make us more viable to drives. They're made with LED lights and are 100% waterproof. Skate Tool:These all-in-one skate tools have everything we need to tune up and tighten hardware. Stickers:We love stickers to customize our decks and rep our favorite brands. Bushings:Bushings get blown out as they get old and used. Cover all the bases with a Khiro Standard Bushing Kit. Toe Stops: When we go fast, we need a toe stop to keep our feet secure. A RipTide Toe Stop fits any deck, comes with hardware, and is a no brainer to assemble. Deck Display:The Sk8ology Deck Display is a great way to get our boards off the floor and show the graphic. It helps keep our rooms stay a bit more tidy too. Need more ideas? Email us at [email protected], call us at 541-306-6829, or chat via IM with us!

Ditch the stress, we've made a holiday gift guide to make your holiday shopping a breeze. You'll get the perfect gift for the skater in your family. The Beginner:Welcome to skating! The DB Anthem longboard is a carefree way to learn the basics of skating on one of the most popular deck shapes. Once you've mastered the first push, this board will grow with your skill level. -The DB 38" Anthem Pintail Longboard- The Triple 8 3-Pack Black Elbow Knee Wrist Pads - The Classic Bucky Lasek Glow In The Dark Helmet The Daredevil:The industry knows when you get a Landyachtz, you get quality. The Switchblade delivers speed, control, and style for the thrill seeker in your family. -The Landyachtz 36" Switchblade Jackalope Longboard -Bern Haight Black Slide Gloves -187 Pro Knee Pads -Bern Watts EPS Matte Grey Hatstyle Helmet The Student:Make sure they get to class on time with the Stella Beer Runner. It's easy to maneuver around corners, pedestrians, and bike paths. No need to fear about it being stolen. The compact size is great for stashing away in a desk, set in a locker, or strapped to their backpack. -The Stella 29" Beer Runner -Tripple 8 Black Brainsaver Helmet -Dakine Manual 20L Black BackpackNeed a card with your gift? Add a Green Bird Press Card to your order and skip the crowded shops. Need more suggestions? Contact us at - 541-306-6829 - [email protected] or instant chat with a real human in the box at the bottom right hand corner of your screen.

The Triple 8 Brainsaver Royal Blue Helmet The helmet is arguably the most important piece of gear you can wear. To make sure it fully protects your noggin, follow these easy fitting tips. You'll need:-string-marker -tape measure Wrap the string around your head, 2 finger widths above the eyebrows. Mark where the string overlaps. Measure the length of the string. This is your size measurement to compare with out fitting charts. After we speedily ship you your helmet, make sure it fits properly. The helmet should have full contact around your whole head. There should not be any gaps or spaces between the padding and your noggin. No loose movement. To test this, shake your head like you're at a rock concert. Make sure there isn't any wiggle room. It should be snug, but not so tight that it's uncomfortable. The Bern Lenox EPS Satin Black Hatstyle Women's Helmet When you look up you should be label to see front bill of the helmet. This will protect you forehead. The chin strap should fit snugly against the chin. If you open your mouth wide, you should feel the helmet pull down. You can also judge this by fitting no more that 2 fingers between the strap and your chin. Wearing the straps loose can cause the helmet to slip when you fall. The “V” of the chin strap should meet just below your ears. This can be fitted with the strap adjusters on your cheeks. Nod your head. If the helmet rocks forward, shorten the strap on the front of your chin. If it rocks back shorten, the strap behind your ear.Some helmets have dials for a range of fitting options. If your have this feature, adjust the dial to your comfort. That's it! Your helmet has been properly fitted. Shred hard and skate safe. If you have any questions about your helmet, call us at 541-306-6829.

When you skate, you sweat blood and tears into your protective gear. When was the last time you washed them?....ew.After a long skate session, protective gear is damp with sweat and, occasionally, blood. Tossing them into a skate bag, trunk, or other dark areas provides a breeding ground for bacteria. This includes doubling up your gear. Mold will build up over time and destroy the padding, turning it from protection into a hazard. Viruses can spread through shared padding from sneezing or coughing into your elbow pads. (You should never share your protective gear) Exposed road rash to these dirty conditions can cause staph infections and, if left untreated, can kill you. Checking and cleaning your gear regularly is just as important as tightening your hardware before skating. After your session, hang your padding in a dry and lit area. This will increase the chances of killing bacteria and reducing the foul smell. Wipe down any plastic parts with a soapy rag. If the shells are removable, take them off to clean them thoroughly. Even with consistent drying and spot cleaning, tiny crevasses can go unnoticed. Deep clean them frequently. Washing machines can break down your pads. Read the cleaning instructions before tossing them in. Washing Machine Safe:Removed the padding from your helmet. Wipe down the hard shell with soapy water, rinse, and let dry. If you can remove hard shells from your knee and elbow pads, do so. Tighten the velcro down as much as possible to prevent it from catching lint. Put the cloth pads in a mesh bag or pillow case to prevent damaging them. (Protect your protective gear!) Add jeans or other non lint producing items into the washer. Use the gentlest setting will the hottest water you can. If your padding smells like something died, pour a cup of white vinegar in with your detergent. If the smell is truly terrible, use the "Not Washing Machine Safe" method in addition to this. Not Washing Machine Safe:If your padding can not be put into a washing machine, fill a tub or bucket with the hottest water you can manage. Add a cup of white vinegar and soak your pads. Massage the pads to extract all unwanted bacteria, viruses, and mold. Swish and soak for 30 min. DO NOT USE A DYRER. Pat the gear with a towel and hang dry in a well lit and dry area with lots of air flow. Do not leave them on a hot radiator or heater, it will melt the padding. It takes time to dry (a day or so). Make sure to clean them when they are not needed.

Madrid Tailored Riot (Left) and the Madrid Elephant (Right)Longboards comes in two different mounting options: top mount and drop through. This is determined by how the truck is attached. Both options have pros and cons to their design. If a board is top mounted, the trucks are attached directly to the bottom of the deck. This gives the rider more turn capability for aggressive, sharper turns. Because top mount boards are higher off the ground, speed wobbles may become an issue. Riders can add more stability by using different bushings, trucks, and wheels.Drop through boards have the baseplate of the truck sit on the top of the deck while the hanger "drops through" the bottom. This lowers the board closer to the ground, increasing stability for speed and efficiency for pushing. However, this reduces carving ability. We want to know what you think. Send us a tweet @longboardstore and tell us why you prefer a top or drop through mount.

The two most common styles of truck are "reverse" and "standard". Both designs offer different characteristics that change the feel of a board. These are easily told apart by looking at the kingpin (the bolt that holds the bushings).The Sector 9 Static Reverse Kingpin:These trucks have the kingpin sitting though the hanger. They are used for longboarding, downhill, carving, cruising, freeride, and freestyle. Reverse kingpin trucks sit lower and are more stable than standard trucks. They can fit on drop through or top mount decks. The Rayne Catalyst Standard Kingpin:Standard trucks are for carving, cruising, tech sliding, and park. They are most commonly seen skateboarding, but have expanded into longboarding because of their agility. They sit higher and provide more control, but sacrifice stability. Because of their clearance and maneuverability, they fit top mount decks only. To learn more about truck length, click here. Need to find the right baseplate degree? Here you go!

The Sector 9 65mm 80a Butterballs Durometer is the measurement of how soft or hard a wheel or bushing is. All wheels are placed on a scale ranging from 75a to 101a. The lower the number, the softer the material. The higher the number, the harder it is.Softer wheels are 75a - 78a. These roll slower, but allow more grip, making them popular in cruising and carving. These durometers also reduce vibration from bumpy roads for smoother skating. The Riviera Prebuilt Dineh Drop Through Longboard Wheels rated between 80a to 83a are balanced between soft and hard, giving the rider the freedom of control, speed, and grip. These are popular for freeriding, downhill, sliding.The Arbor Sucrose Initiative Vice 69mm 80a White WheelsHarder wheels (84a to 88a) roll fast and break into slides quickly, making them ideal for technical sliding. These durometers do not absorb vibrations and are recommend for smooth pavement.To learn more science behind the wheel durometer, check out articles Part One and Part Two.

Trucks control the turn radius of your deck. Ideally, trucks should be the same width of your deck. Setting up a complete with trucks that are too small will feel unbalanced. Building with trucks that are too large will feel unresponsive. Generally, 150mm trucks are used for cruising, slalom and carving. 180mm trucks are used for downhill and freeriding.Trucks come in different measurement types. If it is listed in inches, it is showing the axle length. If it is in millimeters, it is describing the hanger length. The rule of thumb is as follows:If the deck is under 9" = 150mm or 9" trucks. Over 9" = 180mm or 10" and up.Want to know more? Read about truck baseplates here.

To remove the old grip tape, slip a flat edge or razor under the tape and pull#1 Use a piece of old grip tape or sand paper and scratch the top of your deck. This will help the grip tape sick. Brush off any dust or dirt.#2Check the length of the grip tape to make sure you have enough to cover the deck. #3Remove the back side of the new grip tape. Align the tape and apply it from one end to the other. Press the tape to the board with your hand to reduce the chance of air pockets.#4Use your wheels on your trucks to roll over the grip tape. This will pop any bubbles and help the tape fuse to the deck.#5Use the side of your skate tool or screwdriver and rub against the edge of the deck. The friction should cause a white mark should show and weaken the edge of the tape.#6Carefully, use a razor and cut along the edge of the board at a 45 degree angle. Try to do this in one motion. Stopping and starting will cause steps in the grip tape. #7Use a nail to poke holes for your hardware.Need to mount your trucks? Check out our article here for drop through boards and here for top mounts. Happy skating!

The dreaded wheel bite occurs when a wheel comes into contact with the deck during a turn, stopping the forward motion. This causes a rider to loose balance and/or fall off the board. Thankfully, this issue can be avoided. Adding risers will increase the space between the wheels and the deck, reducing the chance of contact. Tightening the kingpin nut will restrict the amount of movement the trucks have. This will increase stability and reduce wheel bite. Changing your bushings in the trucks to a high durometer will decrease the turn radius and avoid wheel bite. To learn more about bushings, read our article here.Switching out your wheels to a smaller set will allow more room between the board. For more information on wheel size, read our article here.Use a higher truck baseplate degree. 50° baseplates are the most common and great for avoiding wheel bite. 44° and below will bring the truck closer to the deck, increasing the change of contact. To learn more about baseplates, read the article here.Picking a different deck will also reduct the chance of wheel bite. Wheel cutouts, wheel wells, and flared wheel wells allow more space between the deck and the wheels. Wheel bite is nasty, but there are ways to prevent it. Have more questions? Send us an email at [email protected].

If your bearings start to feel rough, noisy, or are visibly dirty, it's time for a clean up! Bearings should also be cleaned when there is a noticeable slow in speed or been exposed to moisture. You will need:-bearing cleaner (99% rubbing alcohol, mineral spirits, citrus based cleaner)-rag or old t-shirt-a well ventilated area-safety glasses advised -gloves advised -if you are under 18, parental guidance is required Make sure you are in a well ventilated area. Wear safety glasses and gloves to avoid chemical contact with your skin. If you are under 18, parental guidance is required. #1 Remove the bearings from the wheels. Unscrew the axle nuts and washers. Put them aside for later use.With the bearing on the inside of the wheel, gently pull back. The wheel should release the bearing. Put the spacers aside with the axle nuts and spacers. Repeat for each wheel.#2Use your rag to wipe down each bearing.#3Remove one shield from each bearing with a straight edge. Be carful not to bend the shield at an extreme angle, it could break. Use caution to avoid cutting yourself. Repeat for each bearing. #4Place each bearing onto the cleaning bolt with a spacer in between each one. #5Fill container with bearing cleaner. Make sure you are in a well ventilated area. Swish the cleaner for 5 min, allowing cleaner to remove all dirt and grime. #6Remove the bearings from the cleaner and off the bolt. Put the spacers back onto bolt. Some bearings cleaners can be reused multiple times. Read the instructions from your bearing cleaner for disposal. #6Let the bearings dry on the rag or old tee shirt. Make sure they are completely dry before the next step. #7Lube bearings with 1 or 2 drops. To much lube will attract dirt, resulting the bearings needing to be cleaned again. Gently replace the shields on the bearings. #8Reassemble your wheels and bearings. If you are unsure how to do this, read the How Too article here.

The Summer is over and it's time to revamp your cold and wet gear for the winter. The change in temperature adds extra obstacles during skate sessions. Black ice, rain, and board durability used to leave skaters wishing for summer. This season, beat the winter with weather proof gear.Deck: Moonshine makes 100% waterproof boards. Urethane rails seal the deck while adding durability and vibration dampening. Don't worry about style; they make boards from downhill to cruising.The Moonshine 36" Firewater Ceramic Bearings: Rainy days become a skate session. These babies are faster, smoother, and water proof.The Bones Swiss Ceramic Bearings Slide Gloves: I add hand warmers in my slide gloves. Warm hands make me happy.Grippy wheels: Wet roads are great for huge stand up slides, but the speed devils can't keep their line. The HawgsBiggie have a massive contact patch with a 76a durometer. Translation: intensely grippy wheels for the tightest of lines. Hawgs Biggie 70mm 76a Grey WheelsGrip Tape: Don't loose your footing. Vicious grip tape is water resistant, heavy corse, and extra adhesive. Beanies: Keep your noggin warm and look hot with a beanie. No one likes a brain freeze. The Brixton Shutter Oatmeal Beanie