Westbound Boarder

Wow.  It’s hard to believe that it has been more than a year since we published our first post on Westbound Boarder.  My how time flies!  2009 was an extremely busy, but great year, and we’d like to thank all of you for stopping by our blog.  We hope you’ve enjoyed reading!

In case you’re new to our blog, or simply just want to refresh your memory, here is a list of our most popular posts from 2009:

• Spotlight Female: Kimi Werner, National Spearfishing Champion
• Skimboarding, The ‘Shore’ Kind of Fun
• Windells - The Funnest Place on Earth!
• Get Those Ladies Off Yo’ Board!
• Westbound’s Guide To Sk8board Tricks
• Surfing: Longboard vs. Shortboard
• Resort Review: Vail, CO
• Saturday Shop Review - Val Surf
• Featured Female: Chanel aka CC
• Snowboard Buyer’s Guide: First Things First
• Safety First!
• ‘SUP With Your Board?

We’re excited to bring you more in 2010 and beyond!

(Note: If you would like to be a guest blogger or contributor, we welcome any and all female voices in the action sports industry!  Contact us at westboundboarder@gmail.com)

Before I started surfing on a regular basis, I naively asked myself, “long board versus short board; what’s the difference?”  Obviously I knew they were different, but I didn’t know why.  There is, in fact, a world of difference, and in this post I’ll attempt to explain why.

As the name suggests, longboards are much longer than shortboards, often 8 feet in length or more, and are typically a bit wider.  The average longboard stands about 3 feet above its rider.  Given the greater surface area a longboard possesses, it tends to be a better board for beginners, with most beginning shortboard hopefuls gradually working their way down to a shortboard, inch by inch.  Long boards are more stable and easier to pop up on, and also easier to catch waves (especially smaller ones), which is why they are ideal for beginners.

Longboards were the first type of board created back in the 1500’s, and therefore they became and still remain a staple of surfing culture.  However, many surfers nowadays don’t actually ride longboards the way they are truly supposed to be ridden. - in fact, it is fairly rare that you see a person riding a longboard in true longboard style.  Most of the time you’ll see riders riding a longboard as if it were a shortboard, carving in and out of the wave.  Because longboards are easier to stand on and control, traditional longboard style involves intricate footwork, with the rider essentially walking around on the board.  One of the most famous and hard-to-master longboard tricks is called “hanging ten,” where the rider walks to the very front edge of the board and stands with his/her toes just over the edge.  Other longboard tricks include nose-riding and hanging 5.

Shortboards, on the other hand, are the modern rendition of the longboard.  They are much shorter in length - usually 5 to 7 feet or so - and though they are harder to get up on (they don’t catch the wave as easily so you have to paddle harder to get up) they are easier to maneuver.  Therefore, instead of just riding straight and playing around with fancy footwork, you can carve throughout the wave, making it more fun and active.

As I mentioned above, if you’re just starting out, I’d recommend going with a longboard and gradually working your way down to a shortboard (that is, if you even want to ride a shortboard at all).  My first time surfing several years ago was on a shortboard, and I was so discouraged that I didn’t surf again until just last year.  Once I tried longboarding, I was set.  A foamtop longboard is a great beginning board for first-year surfers, because they are even more buoyant than your typical surfboard, and they’re also a lot cheaper so they give you the opportunity to try the sport with less of a monetary investment.

Before I get into talkin’ about my experience with the Shred Sled, let me tell you a little bit about it. The Shred Sled is the next gen caster board and the first 4 wheel in-line, dual-deck board. You do not pump the ground like you do on a traditional skateboard. You use your hips, legs and arms to gain momentum to maneuver the shred sled - very similar to how you move yourself on a snowboard and surfboard. Don’t believe it? Check out this Shred Sled Demo Video on you tube here and the siiiick trick video here.

When I first heard from the Shred Sled experts, who described the shred sled as a skateboard that, ‘combines the movements of skateboarding, surfing and snowboarding,’ I could not believe what I was hearing. I thought if the Shred Sled really emulates snowboarding and surfing in one, then I am already sold. Obviously I had to try it out before I really jumped on board with the Shred Sled, so I impatiently waited its arrival.

My husband (Lance) and I took out the Shred Sled together and bravely attempted the unknown. My first ride on the Shred Sled was not exactly like a fairy tale. I quickly became discouraged as I had a difficult time keeping my balance and starting off on the Shred Sled. The narrow, 4 in-line wheels do make balancing on the Shred Sled, at first, a bit difficult. After about 10 minutes of failure and death gripping Lance’s arm for balance, I was able to start the Shred Sled without using something else for balance. After I was able to kick off to get my initial speed, the rest was really easy and comfortable. The carving turns you make by propelling your hips, legs and arms, are VERY similar to snowboarding and I really felt like I was making powder turns on the sidewalk. Unlike a normal skateboard or longboard, because the shred sled has the 4 in-line wheels, you are able to go any direction you want, make extra sharp turns, and even spin in full circles. Things you would never be able to do on a regular skate!

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Once Lance and I were both able to effortlessly maneuver the Shred Sled, we had a hard time sharing as we were both having so much fun. The Shred Sled really is like riding a bicycle. You may have a little bit of trouble balancing and squirming around at first, but guaranteed, you will get the hang of it sooner than later. And to top it all off? You don’t have to be a ‘boarder’ to learn how to Shred Sled. We have shown a number of our friends who don’t have any snowboarding or skateboarding ability, and they have been able to get the hang of the Shred Sled just as well.

Interested in getting a Shred Sled of your own? Check out the Shred Sled home page where you will find ordering information, testimonials and even tips for learning how to Shred Sled. You already part of the craze? Let us know what you thinkof the Shred Sled by leaving us a comment and be sure to check out our Shred Sled pictures on Flickr!