The Square Life

FACT: The ice is melting and the sun shines before your eyes. If you couldn’t hear the beckoning call of the rolling hills here in Cougar town, then it’s time to listen up… We live in the ‘Mecca’ of long boarding, and it’s prime time to get your roll on.

FACT:
Long Boarding is DANGEROUS.

If you mention long boarding to almost anyone there is a good chance you will hear something like, “Oh yeah, check out this scar.”
It is important that you don’t push yourself too hard, or let gravity take control. Long boards are a fickle thing; you are always one crack or pebble a way from licking the asphalt. It is good practice to never go faster than you can comfortably bail. (Jump off and run to a stop). Never go steeper then you can control. Speed wobbles are a good indicator that you need to slow down and retain control. Rule of thumb; keep it wide, in other words, slow down by carving. Make sure you have ample room to do so without ticking off drivers.

MYTH: Pride is lost with pads.

This is to say that it’s not cool to add extra safety measures with safety equipment. Wearing pants, gloves, proper shoes, and especially a helmet is not only smart, but can be stylish. Pick up the Barbie pads at Wal-mart for a lot cheaper than the bike shop specials. My sources on this one is A) my mom, the coolest person around. B) My head which has had brutal contact with curbs… this advice comes to you 4 concussions after the fact.

MYTH: I have never crashed

This is only true for one group of people, those who say that they have been long boarding, but are really lying… we all know the type. Long boarding is one of those things where the better you get, the better you get at crashing.

MYTH: Long Boarding is illegal.

The fact of the matter is you have all the rights AND OBLIGATIONS associated with a bicycle or any other non-motor vehicle. Make sure you obey traffic laws because you’re allowed to skate the streets, as long as you’re not swerving in and out of traffic on 9th east. (That means you can stay in one lane and signal into the other, just like the rest of traffic). Put on reflective gear and don’t be afraid to wear your head lamp once dusk approaches.

FACT: It is among of the best of things.

No surf? No snow? No problem.