I returned in the first summer of this pandemic an old hobby: Skateboarding. It might sound like a strange activity to an old man like me, but the truth is, it's the best thing I've done in years. It has become my happy place in a time of intense stress, fear and insecurity.
And since I started this journey last year, I've been drawn even deeper into it. I made the transition to a real longboard and heard the siren call of freeride and downhill. One discipline is going down large hills and cornering as fast as possible. The other emphasizes style and ability as well as a healthy dose of downhill speed.
Top tips from the editors
Subscribe to CNET Now for the day's most engaging reviews, news, and videos.
I am not saying that I am good at anything. As a newbie, I'm as green as can be - but that's the point. I have just stepped into a world that I had no idea existed. I almost feel dizzy anticipating all of the new things I have yet to learn, and I have a lot of fun practicing along the way. It also gets me off the couch to get in some exercise and a little bit of vitamin D. Here's what I've learned so far on this trip - maybe you will be tempted to dive in too.
Longboards are different
As an old street skater from the late 80s and early 90s, longboards were a mystery to me. I grew up wearing classic fishtail decks with tons of concavity. Slowly they switched to dual kicktail shapes and eventually smaller popsicle pavement boards. In the mid-90s, when popsicles became the norm, I stopped skating altogether.
When I came back to this in 2020, I felt like Rip Van Winkle. Those little popsicle trickboards were still in place, but an entirely new category of skateboarding (longboards) had gained popularity. With their crazy long wheelbases, huge wheels and reverse kingpin trucks, they looked completely alien to me.
Many also lacked kicktails and they even had trucks that were mounted over their grip tape (foot side) and fell through the board. Other longboards came with flush mounts for traditional overhead trucks, as well as fiberglass and bamboo constructions. When I took it all in, I could only pinch myself. Obviously the world had changed a lot since I was last part of it.
These design differences are no coincidence either. Reverse Kingpin Trucks, each rotated 180 degrees compared to conventional skateboard trucks, help the boards stay stable at high speed. Drop-through-mounted trucks give the driver a low center of gravity and simulate the driving feeling of a snowboard. Fiberglass and bamboo materials add rigidity to the decks, which reduces vibrations when you are cruising at top speed.
What i'm driving
I switch between two longboards for my daily ride. One is the Landyachtz Switchblade 40 Night. It's a big, complete setup that's perfect for riders who are new to freeriding. The Switchblade is ridiculously sturdy and its drop-through design slips easily into slides.
The second is a longboard setup that I built myself. The deck is the Rayne Skyline from 2020. Due to its fiberglass exterior, it is extremely water-repellent and therefore my point of contact when the streets are wet. For the trucks, I used 165mm arsenals that were angled 44 degrees. In addition, it wears a kicktail for that classic feel. I completed it with 70mm Muirskate marker wheels and Zealous built-in bearings.
The need for some speed
I no longer feel the urge to pop big ollies, but I still crave them something Adventure. I quench that thirst by zooming down the hills of my neighborhood as fast as I can. That said, true downhill skating requires access to mountain roads with serious elevation changes, complete fearlessness, and an insatiable appetite for adrenaline. I'm not there (at least not yet?) - my top speed tends to be closer to 18-20 mph.
At the moment I'm happy with the gentler alternative, freeriding. Freeriding involves running downhill while doing various bike slides to keep your speed in check. Once perfected, they also have the added benefit of making you feel and look cool.
At least that's the idea. I'm walking at my own pace again - but I'm making progress. Most of the time, I can produce a Coleman slide if needed. I'm not bad at glove slide slides either. On more than one occasion, I've even managed to break an advance drift around a tight corner. A few months ago that would have been inconceivable.
The downside is all of the equipment that I destroyed during the process. So far I've chewed through two pairs of sliding gloves and my soft knee pads weren't protective enough either. The first set of hardshell knee pads I bought took barely a month.
The worst part, however, is the many pants I tore open. It makes two jeans plus a pair of work pants that I thought were indestructible. I honestly think about wearing motorcycle jeans, but that's crazy, isn't it?
Go on and get out of there
Despite all the mess in the dressing room, I'm having a great time. And if you add the physical and mental health benefits on the side, I'll be thrilled. I feel it in my stomach that I'll be riding some kind of longboard into my ripe old age, whether it's a pandemic or not. It's just too fun to stop now. Maybe one day you will come to me on the hill.
The information contained in this article is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as health or medical advice. Always consult a doctor or other qualified health care provider with any questions about a disease or health goals.
