There are all sorts of benefits you get from having a longboard. Like fitness—you can get your steps in while riding. Then there are the gains in foot flexibility from all that cross-stepping and nose riding. But the real benefit of longboarding is something deeper – it's a connection to surfing's roots and a different way of experiencing waves.
The Art of Longboarding
Longboarding isn't just surfing on a bigger board – it's a completely different art form. Where shortboarding is about radical maneuvers and high-performance surfing, longboarding is about style, grace, and flow. It's about working with the wave rather than attacking it.
The best longboard surfers make it look effortless. They glide across the face of waves with a fluidity that seems almost supernatural. Cross-stepping to the nose, hanging ten, dropping back to the tail – these aren't just tricks, they're expressions of a deeper understanding of how waves work.
Physical Benefits
Let's talk about those fitness benefits. Longboarding is a full-body workout that doesn't feel like exercise. The paddling builds upper body strength and cardiovascular endurance. The cross-stepping and nose riding improve balance, coordination, and leg strength.
But perhaps most importantly, longboarding is easier on your body than high-performance shortboarding. There's less stress on joints, fewer wipeouts, and more time spent actually riding waves rather than just trying to catch them.
The Mental Game
Longboarding changes how you think about waves. Instead of looking for the steepest, most powerful sections, you start seeing the subtle connections between different parts of a wave. You learn to read the wave's energy and use it to your advantage.
There's a meditative quality to longboarding that's hard to find in other forms of surfing. The longer rides, the smooth movements, the focus on style over aggression – it all adds up to a more peaceful, contemplative experience in the water.
Equipment Considerations
Not all longboards are created equal. Traditional logs (9+ feet) are great for classic longboarding style, but they can be unwieldy for beginners. Mid-length boards (7-8 feet) offer a good compromise between longboard soul and modern performance.
At Mañana, we've spent years perfecting our longboard designs. Our boards are built to be stable enough for beginners but responsive enough for advanced surfers. The key is finding the right balance of length, width, and thickness for your skill level and local waves.
Wave Selection
Longboards shine in smaller, less powerful waves that might be considered unsurf-able on a shortboard. Those lazy summer rollers that shortboarders curse? They're perfect for longboarding. The key is learning to generate your own speed and use the wave's energy efficiently.
But don't think longboards are just for small waves. In the right hands, a longboard can handle surprisingly large surf. The extra length provides stability in bigger waves, and the paddle power makes it easier to get into waves early.
Style and Tradition
Longboarding connects us to surfing's roots in a way that shortboarding simply can't. This is how surfing was done for most of its history. When you're cross-stepping to the nose, you're part of a tradition that goes back to ancient Hawaii.
But longboarding isn't stuck in the past. Modern longboard design incorporates decades of innovation while maintaining the soul of traditional surfing. The result is boards that perform better than ever while honoring the sport's heritage.
Getting Started
If you're interested in trying longboarding, start with a stable, forgiving board. Don't worry about style points at first – focus on catching waves and enjoying the ride. The grace and flow will come naturally as you spend more time on the board.
Take some time to watch classic longboard footage. Study how the masters move, how they read waves, how they make it all look so effortless. There's a lifetime of learning in longboarding, and every session teaches you something new.
Most importantly, remember that longboarding is about joy. It's about slowing down, appreciating the ocean, and finding your own style. In a world that's always rushing, longboarding offers a chance to take your time and enjoy the ride.
