These Kids won't be Board for Long
Evan Burley
Sports Editor  “I enjoy going fast and carving down hills.” These
are words spoken by a true action junkie. Senior Shane Dobies loves
the thrill he gets while long boarding. Barreling down the road at
excessive speeds, it seems a certain freedom comes to many boarders.
“Carving” from side to side, one might wonder: what
is this snowboard doing on asphalt?
A recent trend has begun around the area involving a board and
wheels; and, contrary to first glance, these wheeled planks are
not skateboards or snowboards with wheels; they’re exciting
pieces of equipment called longboards.
The contents of the “long boarding package” are very
similar to those of a skateboard. However, the differences add
to what makes this sport so unique.
The deck, or “board” part of the apparatus, is the
same material as a skateboard but is longer and does not curl up
at either end.
The trucks, which attach the deck to the wheels, are looser than
skateboards, allowing the rider to “carve” from side
to side.
Another difference is that the wheels on a longboard tend to be
much larger than a skateboard; this makes the board ride higher
than that of an everyday skateboard.
Finally, while the goal on a skateboard is to do tricks, the main
goal while longboarding is geared more at transportation and a
thrill.
The main way of riding is by carving from side to side. In order
to achieve this motion the rider moves from one side of the road
to the other by bending his knees and tilting the board to the
desired side. This is where the loose trucks come into action,
as the free range of motion allows for sharper turns.
Sharper turns means a steeper carve. Wider carves allow for more
control going down a hill.
The ability to carve allows the rider to travel down a hill safely
by controlling the speed at which he travels.
Over recent years, many young people, mostly boys, are seen cruising
down streets not doing flip tricks, grabs, or grinds, but simply
riding for the thrill.
It seems a sport such as this might be boring; however, according
to senior Shane Dobies, longboarding is an intense ride that he
can enjoy anywhere there is pavement.
Dobies, who has experience with snowboarding and skiing, recently
transferred his skills to the streets. Wherever there is open pavement
and dry surfaces you can find Dobies and many other boarders traveling
the road making their way across the city.
Many riders agree that traveling in groups makes the ride even
more enjoyable. Senior Allyn Wager agrees that “just hanging
out with your friends,” is one of the most enjoyable parts
of long boarding.
Riding down streets in groups makes for a fun and exciting way
to communicate and share stories with friends.
Wager says that “riding big hills” is one of the things
that makes longboarding so great. Popular sites around Canandaigua
include Butler Road (an expert course because of the hill), Lakeshore
Drive, and Gibson Street.
Most longboarders agree that there is little that needs changing.
However, some feel that there is one thing that might be worth
changing; and that is price. Longboards cost upwards of $180, and
that is only the cost to get started.
(Sores, pains, or scrapes one might obtain while riding are, of
course, an additional cost.)
Wager thinks that one modification to longboards could be “having
brakes for those big hills with intersections.”
Overall, once you are addicted to this hobby there is no turning
back. When asked what the greatest thing about long boarding is?
Dobies responded, “I can go as fast I want and it feels great.” Return
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