Freestyle Longboarding involves kicks, jumps, flips, grabs and even grinding, a range of impressive technical stunts often performed on flatland, street obstacles and skateparks.
Freestyle is very similar to regular skateboarding. The only real difference is the tricks are performed on longer decks with bigger wheels and allows Longboarding styles to be incorporated such as freeride sliding, dancing, carving, cruising and even downhill.
There’s great satisfaction in cruising urban areas performing tricks on the way such as kickflips, ollies and shove-its, hopping up and down curbs and steps or maybe even sliding along them, and performing slides when encountering a hill.
Freestyle Longboarding works for park skaters who want to explore their urban environment or practised Longboarders who wish to add some tricks to their repertoire.
Freestyling involves a lot of jumping and landings, which can be tough on the joints. That’s why it’s the fit and carefree young who mainly undertake Freestyle.
However, there’s no reason why older riders who are fit with a sense of adventure can also take part. All you need to start is a Freestyle Longboard.
Free Style Longboard Characteristics
When choosing a Longboard for Freestyling, it’s vital to look for these characteristics.
Freestyle Longboards are longer than skateboards but shorter than cruiser/dancing Longboards, usually between 36″-42″. The decks may have some rocker (downward curve) and kicktails to perform jumps and flips.
The kicktails can be uniform (same at each end) or different sizes (more prominent at the tail-end). Freestyle decks need to have a reasonable degree of flex which makes cruising and pumping easier and, most importantly, are less prone to snapping when landing.
Too much flex, however, can make the execution of tricks harder.
Conversely, a lower flex makes for a more responsive deck and efficient trick execution. Experienced riders generally know how much flex they like.
Some top-end boards have different flex options to cater for rider weight or style. If you’re new to freestyling and unsure of what flex to go for, buy a medium flex board, preferably with a ply or two of bamboo.
Freestyle Trucks should always be top-mounted, which allows for tighter turns and the best possible deck strength. Top-mounted decks only have drill holes for the trucks.
Drop-through mounted trucks involve cutting a section of the board out, a weak area that can break the deck on hard landings.
Standard Kingpin Trucks are the best option for most Freestyle Longboards.
The screw fits inside the truck and is kept out of harm’s way when grinds are performed.
They are also very responsive. If you like larger wheels, you may need a deck with wheel wells to prevent bit or attach ‘risers’ riser pads fitted to the trucks to make the deck sit higher, eliminating wheel bite.
Freestyle wheels are larger than standard skateboard wheels to provide a smoother ride when cruising and softer landing when jumping or flipping. 60mm-70mm wheels are the best choice for freestyle.
However, if your riding involves more tricks than cruising, go for smaller wheels, while if you want to ride around town smoothly with a few tricks here and there, a larger wheel will serve you better.
For freestyle wheels, mid-range hardness works well, 80A-85A.
However, if your freestyle involves rough terrain, you may want to go lower (softer 75A ), whereas if a lot of your skating involves downhill and speed, you may want to go higher (harder 90A).
Freestyle wheels should have ’round’ edges instead of square as these wheels are easier to perform tricks with.
Five Of The Best Freestyle Longboards
Here is are five Freestyle Longboards that include the essential features mentioned above.
Moonshine Elixr
The Moonshine Elixr is a highly versatile Freestyle deck with the option of 4 wheelbases with 23.5″, 24.25″, 25″ or 25.75″ available.
The symmetrical deck measures 41″ x 9.6″ and includes wheel flares, double kicks and a rockered radial concave. Fit your trucks and wheels to suit your individual preferences.
Landyactz Hatchet
The Landyactz Hatchet has a bamboo core that provides excellent ‘snap’ for performing flat land freestyle tricks.
The deck’s symmetrical and measures 40.5″ x 9.75″ with a wheelbase of 24.5″ includes rocker, medium concave wheel wells and the all-important double kicks.
The Hatchet’s fitted with 155mm Polar Bear trucks with 90a bushings and 60mm Chubby Hawgs wheels. The Hatchet is more suited to the freestyler who leans more towards tricks than riding.
Landyachtz Hollowtech
The Hollowtech has a longer deck than the Hatchet with subtler ‘kicks’ perfect for riders who want to combine Freestyle and Dancing, measuring 45.5″ x 9.25 inches.
The deck’s constructed from Canadian maple and fibreglass, a light but robust construction with a snappy pop for performing tricks.
The deck has a mellow concave and includes multiple wheelbase options.
Griptape’s included in the essential areas, around the kick area, the centre area left clear.
The Hollowtech’s fitted with wider 180mm Bear Gen 6 50 degree trucks with 90a bushings and 63mm Fatty Hawg wheels.
Loaded Overland
The Overland is a shorter Freestyle Longboard that looks like a larger skateboard complete with a double kicktail but with a mild concave for comfortable foot placement and wheel wells to prevent wheel bite.
The rockered deck is constructed from bamboo and fibreglass. The more compact length of 37″ x 9.5″ provides a slight flex, a good option for freestylers who want a more responsive board that’s up to the rigours of harder landings.
The Overland includes multiple wheelbases and is Fitted with Paris V2 Trucks and Orangatang Kilmer 69 mm wheels with ABEC7 bearings.
Loaded Poke
The Loaded Poke is the smallest of Freestyle Longboards, measuring at 34″ x 9.125″, ideal for riders who want the next size up from a traditional skateboard.
The lightweight 1.3kg and small dimensions make The Poke an easy Longboard to carry.
The Poke’s constructed from fibreglass and bamboo, providing a subtle flex that makes the deck highly responsive.
The Poke has double kicktails with the tail more prominent than the nose.
Wheel flares are built in to avoid wheel bite. Includes Paris V2 150mm, 50-degree trucks, Mindless 70mm Maji Wheels and Revolver bearings.