Dance On Longboard (Can You Dance On Any Longboard)

Are you looking forward to adding variation to your skateboarding?

If yes, you might want to consider skateboard dancing, a highly creative and fun way to take skating to a new level.

In short, skateboard dancing is the artistic version of regular skating. That being said, what about longboards? Can you dance on any longboard too?

Let’s find out.

Can you dance on all types of longboards?

Before we proceed, let’s have a look at the longboard types available out there. So, dancing is skating is specifically done only with longboards. Specific characteristics like the deck’s shape and weight distribution make a particular longboard an ideal choice for dancing.

Below I have shortly discussed all the common types of longboards and whether you can dance on them or not.

• Downhill longboard
• Cruiser longboards
• Carver longboards
• Dance longboards
• Commuter longboards
• Freeride longboards
• Freestyle longboards
• Pintail Longboards

These are all the common longboard types available on the market. As their name suggests, each of them is good for different purposes. Speed, carving, transportation, and each of the longboards are great from various aspects.

You might have noticed something called a dancer longboard on the list, and that’s what you need for dancing.

So, what types of longboards are considered dancing longboards? There are certain qualities you need to look for. These qualities are crucial for dancing on that particular longboard.

So, you first need to ensure that the longboard has a large deck to provide room for your feet while they move around. The longboard types I mentioned above usually come between 36 to 40 inches, while a dancing longboard can easily be as long as 48″.

The continuous movement on the deck also puts extra pressure. The deck has to be sturdy enough with a bit of flex to withstand that pressure. The flex also reduces the load from the truck. There are different flex levels, so you must choose one according to your weight.

After the deck, you need a broad set of trucks of 180mm with an angled baseplate of around 50 degrees. Trucks like that should provide the lively feeling necessary for dancing.

Last but not least, you’ll need the proper set of wheels to complete your dancing longboards. The wheels need to be big to generate speed and maintain momentum. This way, you don’t have to push the skateboard every few seconds to keep going.

 A wheel diameter between 65 mm to 70 mm should be ideal. Also, ensure that the wheels are high-quality urethane for consistent speed. All the parts, as mentioned earlier, can build the perfect dancing longboard if put together correctly.

How to dance on a longboard

Now that you know what longboard will be suitable for dancing let me show you how to do it. Longboard dancing was invented in the early 2000s, so the culture is still developing. Depending on where you live, you might find it difficult to find another dancer to help you.

Like any other form of longboarding, whether freestyling, cruising, or tricks, dancing might seem challenging. But luckily for you, choosing the right longboard should already ease up the steep learning curve.

Now, I’ll show you the most straightforward step-by-step guide on how to dance on a longboard. You’ll eventually learn to dance on a longboard with time and effort.

• Step 1: The first thing you need to do is get comfortable with the dancing movement. In regular longboarding, you get used to that conventional locked position, so the constant dancing movement feels weird.
• Step 2: Now that you are comfortable switching positions, it’s time to learn carving. This rhythmic carving separates longboard dancing from regular longboarding.
• Step 3: Carving is crucial, but what’s the point if you cannot maintain the balance on the skateboard? Dancing balance is entirely different than maintaining a balance on a trick, such as a manual. You can quickly learn dancing balance if you are familiar with cruising balance.
• Step 4: Now that you have balance and carving, it’s time to trial and error. In this step, you try multiple steps and see what you can pull off. Whether trying an established step or innovating new ones, trial and error will help you get used to the step.
• Step 5: In the last step, I suggest you break down the dancing steps into different parts. Learning longboard dancing steps is a complicated process. But if you break it down into separate pieces and proceed one piece at a time, you can quickly learn longboard dancing.

Can you dance on the cruiser board?

Cruiser longboards are one of the most common longboard types riders use.

So, if you are one of those riders wondering whether it’s possible to dance on cruiser board, the answer is YES. Though it’s not the ideal choice, the bigger wheels can help dancing.

Moreover, you have to be expert enough to dance in the congested space on the deck.

Can you dance on the drop-through longboard?

Generally, a drop-through longboard should be a decent platform to dance on. The most significant advantage of drop-through longboards is that they offer excellent stability, which makes it easy to maintain balance in advanced dance steps.

However, one drawback you should remember is that drop-through decks are not good at withstanding the pressure of dancing. If you plan to dance on a drop-through longboard, make sure it’s durable.

Can you dance on a 40-inch longboard?

A 40-inch longboard deck size falls in the range of cruising and downhill longboarding.

So, the size might not be the most ideal for longboard dancing. But again, the size preference is subjective and depends on several factors.

If you have smaller feet or prefer the lightweight and maneuverability of smaller longboards, you can dance on a 40-inch longboard comfortably.

Also Check

• Can you dance on pintail

Last Words

That’s a wrap for today. If you own a longboard now, you can quickly start your journey into longboard dancing. No matter your age and skill, dancing can be practiced by anyone.

You can start with essential steps like cross-stepping; once you get the grip, you can invent innovative tricks.