A couple of years ago my friend David Thornton and I started a longboarding podcast called Frontside 360. The podcast is still there at frontside360.libsyn.com.
We both had a lot of fun with it, but eventually we felt kind of constrained by the world “longboarding” in the tagline. Then we both got busy, and a pandemic hit, and I have lots of other projects, etc, etc.
Well, I just got a comment on the previous post from a reader who enjoyed that podcast. He is not the first who has contacted me. I’m not sure, but it seems like that podcast was filling a niche with some listeners.
We started that show because both of us missed the days when people rode boards in the 40″+ length range all over — skateparks, ramps, ditches, etc. These days it is hard to find, for example, a board that is 42″ long but shaped like a normal board — just stretched out.
These days, longboarding has become synonymous to some extent with two forms: the so-called “longboard dancing” and downhill. Now, downhill skateboarding is really its own monster. The boards maybe be longer than a typical board, but I would consider those to be downhill boards first and foremost, and longboards second. The Dancing style and the boards associated with it came about in the early 2000s, when Adam Colton made a series of influential videos on homemade longboards, and coined the term “dancing.” Soon Longboard Larry started making a board called the Oldschool Dancer for Adam, and then Adam hooked up with Loaded Boards and put the on the map, and the dancing thing took off. It has evolved to include staggeringly good cross-step footwork and whatnot. Essentially freestyle on a longboard, but including some ghastly step off your board and twirl the board in your hands and jump back on stuff. Obviously that stuff is not my thing. My point, however, is that longboarding is, in general, not the kind of thing you saw in the old Gravity or Sector 9 videos anymore. Not to the great unwashed hoards, anyway.
I was looking at longboard stuff on the interwebs last night. Checking out the “team” from Paris Trucks. No doubt they are all really good, but also they are just a different kind of skater than those from 2001. I am getting older, and they are young, and I have to admit between the age gap and general stylistic differences, I have a hard time relating.
Anyway, for what it’s worth, David and I are recording tonight. New episode on the way.
Oh happiness abounds and stoke level is in warp 10 at least for me. Been noticing call it the next level or phase in downhill is boards under 40″ and trucks running 165mm and under size. Easier to control as you tuck at 50mph into a turn? Who knows for sure unless you are doing that. On other longboard business is the pushing for miles on mostly flat terrain on boards from 42″ down to zip along 34″ but long wheel bases. Seeing a few more board makers doing longer skateboards lately like Hooligan out west. Not sure what is up with Gravity since Andrecht took over? They seem to be lower quality made, same with Landyathz. Got a Rayne 39″ Demonseed which makes a good push, carver. Really wish Pool Kings would start making their 39″ decks again. Very glad to hear of a new podcast on teh way.
Thanks for the input, Eric. I have a few ideas on this, and maybe we’ll talk about them on the podcast tonight.
New one is up.
I’ve come to appreciate the longboard dance no-comply and hand tricks. When done well, that is quick, smooth, and with flow, I think they can add to a dance line. They make sense to me now as alternative to an ollie that can still get a rider and their big heavy board up in the air. While most no-comply tricks are easier than their ollie equivalent, they can still be very hard to learn and do well.
I actually find the clips of skaters doing straight up triple kickflips and 360-flips on longboards more awkward to watch. I appreciate the skill it takes but it just seems like the wrong tool for the job.
Looking forward to the new episode!
OK, it is up.
Really enjoyed the episode and the unexpected call out, thanks for that!
In regards to your questions, I think I found your podcast from a Google search. Market research would probably say I’m your exact target demographic. Over 40, been skating off and on for 30 years. After a fairly long hiatus from street skating, I picked up a longboard a couple years ago and it’s reignited my passion for the sport. Longboarding opened my eyes to all the other sub-disciplines, like freestyle, LDP, etc which has been exciting. I’ve met a few other older skaters, but between work and family, I mostly skate alone. Your podcasts give me a sense of community and it’s nice to listen to other people that care about the sport.
The only other podcast I’ve found is called the Studio Longboard Podcast. It’s produced in Germany, so mostly focused on Europe, but also worth a listen.
What is a Christie, the first trick you learned? I’m guessing it’s a one legged squat, ice skater type stance, but couldn’t find any videos online.
What tricks do you know? All of them… 🙂
Agree. Ollie bases tricks on longboards are hideous. I think they miss the point.