Should I Buy an Electric Skateboard?
You've seen people ripping on an electric skateboard, and now you're wondering if you should get one. We're quite biased as we love anything that gives that adrenaline hit, so we interviewed some riders, and they’ve told us a little bit about their experience.
First, let's get back to basics! Electric skateboarding is a new sport that has been growing massively in the US in the last few years, and some people don't know exactly how it works.
How Does An Electric Skateboard Work?
As its name suggests, it is a motorized skateboard with a battery, motor and remote control. There are several different styles on the market, including bamboo or carbon decks and street or all-terrain wheels.
Because of its versatility, the electric skateboard opens a whole new world of possibilities. You can ride it off-road, something that you can’t do on a conventional skateboard. You can go uphill without sweating and, also experience the endless wave feeling.
How to Ride An Electric Skateboard?
It’s easier to learn how to ride an electric skateboard when compared to a conventional skate because you literally have control of the equipment in your hands. With the remote control, you can set up a speed limit, accelerate uphill, and brake smoothly when riding downhill. In addition, as you don't need to kick push, finding your balance on an electric skateboard is easier and more intuitive.
Stance and balance are essential when learning how to ride a motorized skateboard. When you're accelerating, you want to get your weight over the back of the board. When braking, transfer your weight forward over your front foot.
Your centre of gravity plays a massive part in how comfortable you feel and how stable you are. That said, it will be easier to ride an electric longboard when your knees are slightly bent, the back foot is parallel to the motors, and the front foot is on a diagonal angle to the deck, as illustrated below:
Ready to shred?🛹💨
It will take further and faster for longer
If you're already a skateboard enthusiast, you may be looking for a new challenge. Take your talents and take a ride on an electric skateboard. Remember having to walk up those hills so you could experience the thrill of going down the other side? With an electric skateboard, you no longer have to waste time and energy walking. Simply use your handheld remote and zip up and down those hills. If you are a surfer, you can experience the thrill of riding your board on land when the waves are non-existent!
Joe Socal Legend, a rider based in San Diego, once told us on a podcast interview that this was the main reason he got his first electric longboard. "I grew up skating and got tired of going up and down the hills by pushing. I just wanted something that would get me up the hill. When a friend decided to get one electric board back in 2015, I couldn't believe I had just found what I was looking for. It was so futuristic! Now, I have six boards, and the rest is history".
It's the snowboard/surf fix you're looking for
What I love about snowboarding is the fact that you can go down the mountain for minutes at a time. It's literally the endless carve session. The first time I ever saw an electric board was when I got out of a surf session one day, I saw this guy coming past me on a skateboard, but he wasn't pushing. When I saw that skateboard, I thought instantly, "That's my answer", explained Jeff Anning, the founder of Evolve Skateboards.
If you enjoy board sports, such as surfing or snowboarding, but don't want to wait for the perfect weather conditions to have fun, an electric skateboard is for you. With those boards, you can experience the endless wave and get the same adrenaline hit as you would if you were dropping a big wave or going down a slope.
"I couldn't believe it, not only how smooth it was, but how much it grips. It feels like carving in a perfect corduroy on a snowboard. Sometimes, after a long snowboard run, or a long cycling session, you get this euphoric feeling. I used to think it was from the endorphins, from the exercise. But I get the same exact feeling from skateboarding now," said Brett Gurewitz, rider and the founder of Bad Religion & Epitaph Records.
"Every time I get barreled, I feel like a kid again. With Evolve board, it's literally like an endless wave. Like when you're pumping down, you can just keep on doing turns until the legs are cooked" - Tyler James.
Say hi to a new hobby
For those who may be relatively new to skateboarding, this is a perfect introduction to the world of e-skating. You can learn without having to push off. With a handheld remote, you can easily control your board around town at slow speeds until you get the hang of it. As you improve your skills, you'll be able to increase your speed and attempt more advanced maneuvers such as carving or longboard dancing steps (yes, it's a thing!). All Evolve boards feature a remote that you can choose the speed mode, allowing you to ease into the wonderful world of electric skateboarding.
Almost nothing beats the feeling of the wind in your hair as you cruise down the street on your board. With an electric skateboard, you can do this effortlessly! Experience the thrill of taking on hills or carving your way through the town. With off-roading wheels, you can even explore rougher paths that you wouldn't even think of treading upon with non-motorized boards. Grass, dirt, gravel...you name it!
The versatility of using street or all-terrain wheels opens a whole new world of possibilities. "Being able to skate on dirt is so crazy. So cool to be able to say, 'let's go for a ride on all terrain' - it's a new form of skating", said Tyler James.
Big savings on fuel
Cars can be an expensive way to travel to work or run errands - especially with the current fuel prices breaking record highs. Paying insurance, registration, parking fees, and maintenance upkeep can really add up. With an electric skateboard, you can get to where you need to be quickly and affordably. While normal non-electric skateboards and longboards will make you sweaty, an electric skateboard will give you a nice relaxing ride without exerting too much effort.
