How to Turn on a Longboard | 3 Easy Ways for Turning on a Longboard

We have come across numerous riding styles throughout our longboarding career. We did not see any riding style that could be done without turning the board. From cruising to downhill longboarding, you must learn how to turn on a longboard. That is to say, a simple riding style like cruising and a riding technique for advanced riders like downhill riding all require turns during the rides. Compared to other longboarding steps to follow, it is easier to learn to turn your longboard.

We all know there are several riding styles that you have to master if you want to longboard, such as stopping on a longboard, sliding on a longboard, etc. After analyzing these procedures, we learned that turning on a longboard is equally essential but more straightforward to implement during the rides. Most importantly, you don’t have to spend too much time finding the best longboard for turning, as any board is acceptable for this goal. Here’s our little guidance on what you should look for in your turning longboard.


Longboard for Proper Turns

Longboards mostly come within a length of 34 inches to 46 inches. These dimensions are suitable enough for an instant and perfect turn every time. In the longboarding era, the trucks on the longboard are more responsible for flawless arches than the length of the deck. Longboard trucks have different tightnesses on different boards. Therefore, you should get a skate tool and try out different stiffnesses to analyze the turns deeply.

The second most important accessory in turning cases is longboard wheels. Every longboard rider has his wish and way of riding. Some like to ride at higher speeds, while others love to perform tricks on their longboards. As per our best understanding, you should go for soft wheels that grasp the surface very well, even when turning the board. We are done here now. Let’s see how to turn on a longboard.


How to turn on a longboard

How to turn on  a longboard

There are three to four easy ways that you’ll have to learn for sharp and easy turns. Our discussed methods support all level longboarders. So, define what’s your experience and select the most useful one for yourself. Most importantly, none of the methods is achievable without practice. Make sure to practice the steps regularly at the surface we’d recommend you.


Developing the Turn

This is our first way of how to turn on a longboard for beginners. Initiating the turn is dependent on the trucks in your longboard. Yes, the alignment and tightness of your boards’ trucks will decide how good and slight your turn will be. There can be three possibilities, either the trucks under the deck are fully tightened, entirely loosened, or assembled with an average tightness.

We suggest loose settings to those who want to freestyle or perform tricks on their board. Secondly, if you have a fear of falling off the board, make sure to keep your trucks tight as it will prevent instant turns. In the end, I like to have medium tightness in my trucks as I can manage it easily. With the settings according to your experience, you’ll have to carve yourself a little in the direction you want to turn.

Suitable Place for Practice:

For beginners, we recommend trying different alignments and the setting of trucks. Also, find an empty or flat place where you can practice the steps easily.


180-Degree Switch for Turning Longboard

This technique is all about weight shifting and feet placement. The rider’s goal in the 180-Degree switch is to lift the back wheels of your longboard to turn it properly. So, your front foot goes on the nose side of your board, and your back foot will be placed in the middle. After getting some pace in the ride, you will shift most of your weight on your front foot through your shoulders. It will lift the board from the back and allow you to turn your longboard in your desired direction.

This technique is also considered a good freestyle technique. The steps that require practice for an 18-Degree switch are putting your weight on the front foot and your foot positioning. A reasonable control over these two techniques will let you know how to turn on a longboard. In the end, BoardsOnTop recommends this method to experienced longboarders.


Longboard Kick-Turning

If you can stay balanced during the longboard rides, you should try kick-turning. Speed and momentum skills would be the cherry on top. I want to clarify that this technique was applied on skateboards first but is evenly beneficial with the longboards. Here are a few critical points for kick-turning.

Steps to Apply for Kick-Turning:

First, you have to begin the ride with your natural stance and gain some pace. Also, your momentum should be at the top before applying kick-turning.

The next step is placing the feet at an exact position on the longboard’s deck. So, your back foot goes at the edge of your deck ( tail side or backside ). The front one will be placed near the front trucks.

Now is the time to begin the rotation of your board. Most importantly, this technique is popular because the master of this technique can rotate their deck in both directions even when the longboard or skateboard is not moving. 

Rotating the deck in both directions means you will have to do this with your back foot. So, put more pressure on your back foot to lift the deck from the front and then give it a direction with your feet. 

The suggestion here is to practice the steps when your board isn’t moving. First, it will prevent injuries and second, you’ll be able to learn how to turn on a longboard intensely.


Is it hard to turn on a longboard?

You must learn how to turn on a longboard because it is foremost. It depends on your longboarding experience. We can say that it is difficult for beginners but not impossible. Moreover, different ways of turning a longboard are advantageous for different level skaters. So, select any manner of longboard turning that you think is easier for you.


Final Words

Turns on the longboard appear in all riding styles, such as cruising, carving, and downhill riding. As a longboarder, you need to learn how to turn on a longboard with different methods and techniques. We have shed light on three other friendly ways for beginners, intermediate, and advanced skaters. Therefore, specify your longboarding experience and go with the technique that suits you the most.

Written by: Andrew Norris

Hello, I am Andrew, and I am an experienced longboard rider since my early boyhood days. I have had multiple longboards throughout my life and has gained an invaluable experience about the build quality, structure, and performance.

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