Longboarding – How The Sport Shapes Core, Courage, and Character

Niki Espina is a personal trainer who has surfed in Texas and does longboarding in NYC. Learn more about this outdoor sport and discover how you can shape your body and spirit on a longboard. Photos provided by Nikki Espina.

I moved in 2002 from my hometown of Corpus Christi, Texas, which was a decent place to go surfing on the gulf coast to Lubbock, Texas where the closest body of water was a manmade lake. For the next four years I was a student at Texas Tech University and it was there that I picked up the closest thing to surfing – longboarding. Not to be confused with longboard surfing, longboarding is skating on a longer skateboard which involves the same movements on land as surfing. Within just a few rides I suddenly realized how much more convenient and accessible longboarding was then surfing- all I needed was me, my board, and a smooth road. 

FEAR, COURAGE AND CHARACTER

Longboarding is not only a great physical activity but a tremendous mental activity too. Personally for me the sport has helped strengthen my faith, especially when I skate down roads or in traffic. When I skate God teaches me how to discern healthy fear from timid fear. An example of healthy fear is not trying to beat a red light or skating with a helmet. On the other hand, timid fear tries to convince me from choosing not to take risks or stepping out of a comfort zone such as trying a new trick or skating down an intimidating hill. What God teaches me when I skate has helped prepare me for other aspects in my life as well. If I feel fear I can better discern whether it is healthy or timid fear. Since “God does not give us a spirit of fear or timidity” as said in 2 Timothy 1:7, I am able to better understand and assess my limits, challenges, and comfort zones.

Skateboarding has also strengthened my character. Especially in an environment where pavements are shared, it is important to respect others and their space around you. Also skateboarding is typically seen as a sport for teenage boys and I once easily worried that others were thinking as I skated by them, “What’s that grown woman doing on a skateboard?” And whether or not people were actually thinking this, I’ve since learned to shut out any discouraging voices and have gained the confidence to choose the encouraging voices instead.

My character has been stretched to honor God first by cultivating the gifts He has given me the ability to do in both skating and other aspects of my life, whether people agree with it or not. Studying and memorizing Scripture always helps and encourages my way of thinking. One of my favorite verses is 1 Samuel 16:7 – “But the Lord said to Samuel, “Don’t judge by his appearance or height, for I have rejected him. The Lord doesn’t see things the way you see them. People judge by outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”

TRAINING = BALANCE

On the physical standpoint balance is key in longboarding as it is in most board sports. And to have good balance, core training is vital especially when maintaining balance on an object in motion. The core includes both abdominal and back muscles and one of the best ways to strengthen this area is to hold a plank.

Some other personal favorite core exercises of mine include push ups, squats, compound movements that train multiple muscles at once, and quality time on my Indo Board. My friend Hunter, a long time surfer, created the Indo Board in the 1975 as a way to have something on which to train when he wasn’t in the water or if the waves were flat. I began training on my Indo Board since I began longboarding which tremendously helped improve my skating techniques. 

Since I’ve become a Personal Trainer in New York City, I’ve also discovered what a great fitness tool my skateboard makes. Here are some exercises I have my clients do using my skateboard:

• Elevated High Plank (Variation 1: Hands on board; Variation 2: Feed on board)
• Push Ups (Variation 1: Hands on board; Variation 2: Feet on Board)
• Plank Pendulum (With tips of toes on board and hands on floor, hold a high plank while purposely rolling board side to side -or have your trainer roll the board for you.)
• Ab Pike (Hold a high plank with toes on board -vertical position- and hike hips up into the air, forming a V with your body. Roll board back to starting position and repeat consecutively.)
• Floor Crawl (Both feet on board, crawl your way across the room and be sure that hips do not sag or hike up.)

LONGBOARDING WITH FRIENDS – EXPERIENCE BOLDNESS IN GOD

If you were to ask me to summarize longboarding as one characteristic, I couldn’t just pick one. I think it can differ for everyone but for me, it’s a convenient method of transportation. It provides a new literal perspective in exploring the city. It’s enjoying time with friends. It’s a rush of adrenaline. It’s a fitness tool. It’s an exercise of faith and of character, just like that first time riding a bike on two wheels, moving to a new city, pursuing a passion, or trying something completely new or different.

But I think it’s mostly a reminder to be thankful. For each new day that is filled with God’s grace and how He continuously provides opportunities for new experiences. And also for health, ability, passion and freedom, things so little yet so big that can easily be taken for granted. I encourage you to trust God, dismiss timidity despite how you feel, step out of your comfort zone… and skate!

LONGBOARDING LIKE YOU NEVER IMAGINED

Here at Shout! OUTDOOR LIFESTYLE MAGAZINE we’re excited to see some of the incredible ways people do longboarding. Use proper protection, board in safe places and develop skills before advancing to greater challenges BUT find your creative way to worship God and celebrate His goodness on a longboard.

AAAAND… THEN THERE’S MOUNTAIN BOARDING!

Ready to Shout! about how you’re taking your longboarding lifestyle and living it for Christ? CONTACT US and tell us more.