Guide to Longboards

Find top-of-the-line longboards for your skateboard shop

By Margaret Haerens

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Longboards are longer and usually wider than traditional skateboards. Too large and heavy for skateboard tricks, longboard skateboards are most commonly used for either downhill racing or transportation. Longboard decks are usually made of wood, bamboo, or other composite materials and measure between 90 and 150 centimeters.

If you are looking to open a skateboard shop, you should strive to provide top-of-the-line longboard equipment for beginning and advanced skaters. You will need to find manufacturers and distributors that will allow you to address your customer’s needs—top-rated, innovative longboards and skateboarding gear.

For your business to be successful, you will have to:

Know the top brands, most popular styles and advanced longboard skate technology.
Offer a wide range of longboarding gear, including decks, wheels, trucks and hardware.
Update your inventory with the newest and most innovative products to generate long-term patronage from devoted skateboarders.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Offer a wide range of durable, innovative and flexible longboards

Skaters want a longboard that balances the properties of weight, stiffness, flex and twist. They also want the top brands, advanced and innovative technology, eco-friendly materials and newest styles.

I recommend: Barfoot Designs manufactures a line of longboard skateboards, including hardwood longboards that you can purchase complete or by deck only. Arbor produces a selection of flexible longboards that are made of natural materials such as maple and bamboo. Another premier longboard manufacturer, Sector9, carries a colorful line of longboards as well as longboard wheels, hardware, accessories, and apparel for men and women. Landy Achtz also builds a popular selection of longboards, trucks, wheels, hardware and accessories.

Provide instructions and materials for skaters to build their own decks for longboard skateboards

Some of your more experienced customers will want to build their own decks for their longboards, or design a custom deck from a longboard manufacturer. Building a longboard is a complicated process, and you will need to provide the materials and instruction needed for the job.

I recommend: Roarockit Skateboard Company sells a kit that shows skaters how to build their own custom street deck or longboard skateboard using a vacuum press and woodworking tools. wikiHow provides a comprehensive tutorial on how to build your own longboard.

Be sure to carry a variety of longboard wheels, bearings and trucks

If customers are building their own board--or just customizing or repairing their old one--they will need wheels, bearings, trucks and other hardware.

I recommend: Rayne produces longboard wheels, trucks, decks, risers, grip tape and other hardware. They also design and build complete longboards. Randal Truck Company specializes in longboard trucks and truck parts. Seismic Skate Systems offers a great selection of longboard wheels, trucks, parts, decks and complete longboards. Tracker Skateboard Trucks is one of the top manufacturers of longboard trucks and also sells wheels, hardware, skateboard gear and apparel.

Longboard accessories and safety equipment ensure a safe skating experience

Longboarding is a dangerous sport. Encourage skaters to use longboard skate safety equipment, particularly helmets, pads and gloves.

I recommend: Pro-tec produces a variety of durable and colorful skate helmets and pads. Loaded Boards, Inc. sells high-performance longboarding gloves as well as a popular line of decks and complete longboards.

Tips & Tactics
Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

Ascertain the needs of your customer to determine what kind of board they will need. Are they looking for a board to cruise on around town, or to rip down big hills? Street surfing usually requires a wider deck; for downhill speed, you should recommend a narrower one. The actual shape of the board also affects speed and function. Be knowledgeable about top brands, new styles, and innovative technology.
Although you'll want to provide a range of price points, avoid cheap longboards from discount manufacturers unless you are very confident of their quality. Many of these boards are not meant for high speeds and can result in injury.
Provide a chance for prospective customers to take the longboard on a test run. A brief spin around the block will help your customer to decide if they like the shape, style, maneuverability and feel of the deck.

The official source of Longboards is the Longboards page at Business.com