Can you longboard in the rain? Longboarding in the rain offers both thrills and danger.
In this blog, I will give you safety guidelines to follow before, during, and after longboarding in the rain and the advantages and consequences of longboarding in the rain.
Keep reading!
Yes, it is possible to longboard in the rain. But, to prevent harming yourself, you must first understand a few crucial aspects. It would help if you also took some precautions before riding in the rain to ensure it is not destroyed.
Can You Longboard in the Rain?
Longboarding in the rain is an entertaining experience for any longboarder.
However, before longboarding in the rain, several precautions must be considered.
In this section, I’ll provide you with helpful hints and pointers.
These tips and tricks can help you to ride more comfortably and correctly. Before, during, and after longboarding in the rain.
Before Your Ride:
1. Examine Your Deck for Scratches
If your deck has scratches or you have struck a curb hard with it, it will be more prone to warping than a completely new and unused deck.
So, if you’re using a scuffed but pricey deck and decide to go for a session in the rain, you’ll need to dry it afterward.
2. Top Mount in the Rain
If you have many boards or are selecting a board for wet days, opt for the top mount.
Alternatively, a board that covers at least a portion of the wheels. If you don’t, you’ll be coated in mud and wet.
3. Don’t Wear Expensive Clothes
Longboard in clothing you don’t mind getting dirty in. You’ll get wet and probably dirty.
So make sure you're wearing something reasonably priced.
4. Seal our Deck If it Has Scratches
It may seem pricey or complicated, but it’s neither.
Most water-resistant substances, including hairspray, paint, shoe water repellent, and floor sealer, may be employed.
Be careful you just spray the wood and not the grip tape.
5. Wear Rain Tires
Can you ride a longboard in the rain? Yes, but if you’ve tried biking in the rain and found it too slippery, consider purchasing a pair of rain tires.
When the road is wet, they give more constant traction.
You can DIY them if you don’t want to purchase them or have a spare pair of wheels.
Just don’t mess about with your costly wheels.
6. Wear Slipper Resistant Shoes
Because the longboard is controlled with your feet, wear shoes that are not slippery.
The deck’s grip tape will get moist, and when combined with slick shoes, this spells disaster, and we all know how that ends.
During:
1. Wear a Helmet and Safety Pads
The most crucial thing is to wear your helmet and safety pads. Make sure you have a helmet and safety pads before you begin riding.
Riding in the rain is riskier than normal, so please take precautions to ensure your safety.
2. Don’t Ride Through Puddles; Go Around Them
This is because of a few things. There are two ways to keep your board and bearings dry: avoid riding over puddles, and keep your feet dry.
The second problem is that you usually don’t know what’s in it.
So something that looks like a small puddle could be a big hole or a missing paving stone. And you’ll probably fall hard.
So, think about it.
3. Pay Attention to the Small Things
Even painted lines on the road could throw you off your board. So make sure you know where you are and the road ahead.
When it rains, everything is a little bit riskier.
4. Don’t Let Your Longboard Get Away from You
Do not allow it to get away from you. And struck what seemed to be a curb.
If this occurs and your deck “opens up” and allows water to enter, this is terrible news.
Water will seep into the wood and cause it to bow if you wait too long in the rain.
5. Put Your Weight in the Middle of the Board
The board will slide out from under your feet if you lean too far when turning.
So make sure your knees are bent and you steer more with your ankles than your weight.
After Your Ride:
1. Disassemble and Dry Your Board
Unscrew your wheels, remove your bearings, unscrew other pieces, and dry with a rug first.
Then, dry your deck and other areas by using a hair drier or another device that blasts warm air.
2. Unscrew the Kingpin
The kingpin is a cheap component to replace, but if it begins to rust and you don’t clean it, you won’t be able to unscrew it for a long time.
That means you can’t loosen or tighten your trucks afterward, which is a shame since new trucks are far more expensive than unscrewing the kingpin after your ride.
3. Maintain Your Deck’s Height above the Ground
After you’ve dismantled your board, dried it, and wished to let it dry completely, ensure your deck is elevated above the area it’s resting on.
Not directly on top of it. You may utilize your wheels, place them on the ground, and place the deck on top.
4. Take Proper Care of Your Bearings
Some individuals clean their bearings and then forget about them. This is a terrible concept.
You will ruin your bearings if you clean them and do not add any bearing lube.
So use acetone, mineral spirits, or other solvents to clean the bearings, let them dry for a day, and then apply bearing lubricant or speed cream.
5. Spin the Wheels
Suppose you’re lazy and didn’t do the instructions mentioned above after the ride; at the very least, spin the wheels.
After you’ve done your rainy season, repeat it every few hours.
When you rotate the wheels, at least some water will escape from the bearing, presumably reducing corrosion.
What Are the Benefits of Rain Longboarding?
More Riding Experience
Riding on wet pavement or road differs from riding on dry pavement or road.
When approaching greater speeds, you must be extra cautious when turning.
Riding in the rain will make you a more versatile and experienced rider.
Learning to Slide
While riding your longboard on a damp surface, there is less traction.
That means you can get into slides more quickly than on dry terrain. This is particularly beneficial for novice riders who have difficulty slipping.
Trying to slide in the rain is a frequent approach to learning to slide faster than practicing on dry surfaces alone.
If you've tried it, you'll understand what I mean. If you haven't, riding your board in the rain or shortly after is a different experience.
What Consequences of Riding a Longboard in the Rain?
Slippery Road
Riding on a wet surface differs because there is less grip between the wheel and the road.
That means you have to be more cautious, particularly while taking turns.
Because of the slick surface, if you make a turn too soon or too sharply, your board will easily slide from under your feet, and you will tumble.
Also, while reaching high speeds, you must exercise extreme caution since the wet surface makes it more probable that you will lose control than on a dry one.
Damage to Your Board
It will be destroyed if you do not take care of your board and do not repair it after riding in the rain, it may get ruined.
If you do not allow enough time for your board to air dry, it will get moist, causing the wood to become more brittle and more likely to warp.
Rusted Bearings
You can also harm your bearings just as you may destroy your board. Your bearings will rust if you do not clean them.
Most likely, you will not notice much change at first, but your board will slow down after a while.
To prevent this, you must clean your bearings, be It longboard or skateboard.
Read Next: Can You Roller Skate In The Rain?
Final Verdict
Can you longboard in the rain? Rain may be quite hazardous to you and your board, or it can be an exciting new experience.
And it all relies on you and how you address the situation.
I hope you will put at least part of the advice I have given you to good use.
It should make your rainy-day ride more enjoyable and safe and help you extend your board’s life.
