My longboarder friend invited me to skate with him this weekend. The best from our local skate shop would be there. I showed up as fast as I could.
The group of us met in a parking lot on a hill on UF campus. Everyone but me was practicing their slides. These guys wear gloves with hockey pucks velcroed to their palms. They can then slide on their hands, and incorporate that into their skating.
With a remote control in one hand, I can’t even attempt to do what they do. (hint hint electric board makers -- we need a controller we can use while wearing slide gloves)
I watched as they did maneuvers to slow or stop themselves as they rolled downhill. In addition to all sorts of tricks. Balance and flipping, these guys would do more to their boards with their feet, than you or I could do with our hands. It was incredible to watch.
All I could do was roll down, and use my brakes. Or use the motor to skate back up to the top of the hill, passing everyone else who had to walk.
The inevitable question came when I asked, “Can you slide on *my* board?”
The best of the group considered it. He kicked my board with his foot, pushed it around to test the weight.
“No, it’s too heavy, I wouldn’t even try,” was his answer.
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