Longboards are a very popular and well loved kind of surfboard for a number of reasons. For one, they’re perhaps the best option for people who are just starting to surf because they’re easier to work with than shortboards. So, if you have ever stopped to watch casual surfers have fun on the waves, chances are you’ve seen quite a few of these boards being used.
Surfing is incredibly fun and thrilling, but did you know it’s also wonderful for your health? This exciting activity can help you improve both your physical and mental health while you hone your skills and connect with the water.
What Is A Longboard?
First, it’s important to understand what these boards are and how they differ from other surfboards. As their name implies, these boards are visually distinct from others because they are long and broad.
Non-surfers or people who are just starting out might wonder if their choice of board shape really matters that much, and inexperienced people might opt for what looks coolest. However, it’s essential to understand that surfboards come in different shapes and styles for a reason.
These longer boards are ideal for beginners because they offer excellent balance and buoyancy. Beginners may find it difficult to stay upright on their boards when they’re out in the water, so the stability offered by a longboard is a significant help.
Then, once a beginner is confident with their board and has mastered their balance on the waves, they can begin to consider changing to a medium-length board. Longer and broader boards aren’t as manoeuvrable as shorter boards, but they’re the best option for those still learning.
How Can I Benefit From This Sport?
The fun of surfing often overshadows the significant physical and mental health benefits the sport provides! Surfing is a wonderful way to stay in shape and calm your mind. If you are looking for an activity that’ll improve your life and health in a variety of ways, surfing may be a perfect choice.
A few notable health benefits are:
It’ll Improve Your Balance. As mentioned above, longboards are great for balance. These fantastic boards will help you learn to be better coordinated and balanced as you move.
Everyone knows that balance is key in surfing; you do have to stay upright as you ride the waves, after all.
Bettering your surfing skills and improving your mobility and balance won’t just help you when you surf - it’ll also help you move around more mindfully in every day life.
We could all benefit from being better balanced, whether you’re having fun on a longboard or taking care of your daily chores.
It’ll Help You Burn Fat And Tone Your Body. Sometimes, when you find a sport that you truly enjoy, it’s easy to forget that you’re exercising as well. Surfing involves an incredible amount of movement and activity. You’ll be moving around on the beach, carrying your equipment, paddling out into the water and, of course, managing your body and balancing on your board.
You’ll be using basically every muscle you have as you surf, meaning you’ll get a fantastic workout. As you keep training and improving your skills you will most likely also see a change in your body as you burn fat and build muscle.
It Reduces Stress And Anxiety. Something as simple as relaxing on your longboard and looking at the beautiful blue sky can have a profoundly calming effect and allow you to disconnect from everyday stresses. We all have things that give us stress and anxiety, and we all deserve time to focus on ourselves and prioritise our mental health.
Many people have found that surfing helps them reduce their stress and anxiety.
Being out in nature and connecting with the air and water could shift your perspective and remind you that life is beautiful, even if you’re currently struggling.
It’s easy to focus on the physical benefits of surfing, but your mental health is just as essential as your physical health. Taking time to have a fun surf session can genuinely help you live a better life.
Where Can I Get My Own Longboard And Other Surf Accessories?
Are you a beginner surfer who’s looking for some good gear to start with? Or, are you perhaps a pro who needs a new board? Either way, for all your surfing needs, come to our shop at Waterman Store! We help New Zealanders stay fit and happy with our high-quality boards and surf accessories that’ll help you maximise your progress and perfect your skills.
At Waterman Store, we have a wide range of premium longboards from top surf brands including Salt Gypsy, Modern and Echelon. Here are a few of our top picks:
Salt Gypsy dusty: Designed specially for women, this board is perfect for female surfers and enables them to get the most out of every wave! The Dusty is by no means a performance Longboard, this board is about getting onto waves really early, setting the line, and then feeling the trim as you cruise down the line.
The Hepcat has a nice wide nose ideal for dangling toes in the water and perfect for a long ride! Expertly hand-shaped in Australia by Simon Hunnybun who has been shaping boards for over 30 years, and you can see the quality of these boards is in every detail!
The Critical Slide Society Loggerhead
The Logger Head is a contemporary version of an old school longboard design. The long parallel rails create a huge stable platform to stand and walk the board, and the full rounded nose is ideal for riding the nose.
Check out our full selection of longboards here.
If you have any questions about what board you should get, you can easily reach us at 0800 909 999.
Find your new favourite board with us at Waterman Store! With our help, you can go from a hopeful beginner to a confident pro.