So if you want to get into downhill, what to do. Well you are going to need a downhill board. The best way to figure out a good downhill board is to try out a bunch of different ones through friends or attend a downhill event and try them out. If that is not possible go onto silverfishlongboarding.com and ask for advice. You are going to want to get feedback so your purchase is a good one.

The second thing you are going to need that is very important is a full-face helmet. YOU NEED A FULL-FACE. If you are bombing hills fast in a speed tuck do not settle for a regular skateboarding helmet that is not going to protect your face when your chin goes smashing into the ground. My full face helmet has saved my life countless times, and ask any other downhill racer as well…. so please purchase a FULL_FACE.

Full-face helmet suggestions

If you want to be a competitive downhill racer helmet choice is key in terms of weight, confortability, aerodynamics and vision.

I have recently been doing more downhill and I found my motorcycle helmet was limiting me. Even though it is super safe if is just too big, heavy, it hurts my neck and the vision is poor when in a speed tuck. A lot of people are getting hang-gliding helmets which are super light, very aero dynamic, good visibility but the safety on the helmets are not nearly as safe as a motorcycle helmet. Plus the hang-gliding helmets are a bit pricey, something you don’t want to get scratched up. So I went in between and I got a motor-cross helmet (DOT approved high impact polycarbonate shell) and I recommend it. Sixsixone.com

A great helmet, good visibility, light, very safe, and strong. The only thing is they do not come with eye protection so you got to make a face shield or wear goggles. Just pick up a polycarbonate sheet at home depot or steal a visor from a wielding helmet and cut it to shape, or buy some snowboarding goggles.

Leathers

At first you might not have the extra cash for leathers so knee pads, elbow pads and a full face will do good for a bit but let me tell you leathers are not that expense and Ebay is a great place to score them. I got a full leather suit for $120. So when you have some extra money get leathers, they are well worth the investment and are a big confidence booster.

Slide Gloves

Always wear a set of slide gloves when down hilling. Slide gloves will safe your life, and will get you out of sketchy situations. I recommend gloves that have full fingers and a puck that is not too slippery but has a bit of grip.

Wheels

In terms of wheels, people at GMR including myself are loving the Orangatangs A fast wheel that sticks turns well and when they do slide they release and catch well. Of course wheel choice will depend on your downhill course but the zig zags make a good all around wheel.

Bearings

All standard skate bearing will do the trick. Don’t kill your pocket over getting super expensive bearings. Get a decent set of abec 5 or 7 bearings and you will be fine.

Trucks

As for trucks, fancier does not necessarily mean better. The main thing for a downhill truck is to ride a truck that you are comfortable with. Many people are riding regular Randal R11’s with the hanger flipped; Crail Speed Trucks are a popular truck as well as the Randal R-1 base plate with the Randal RII hanger. A bigger harder bushing are generally accepted as being better down hill trucks.

Board tune up

For board tune up you can go on and on about truck angle this and that, all the tech stuff. One simple thing that I like to do on my downhill board is to have my back truck a little tighter than my front truck. This helps your board to be more front steering, which is ideally what you want. Some people have different angled base plates in the front to make their front trucks turn more, some keep both trucks the same. Experiment and find what you are most comfortable with.




Conclusion




Don’t try to be Mr. or Mrs. Cool and push your luck, be safe when downhill racing.  Start out on small hills and work your way up and build your confidence.  Once you are comfortable with the smaller hills and the speed go to a slightly bigger hill.  Remember you won’t be able to skate when you are dead.  Also, be smart when picking hills, cars are your biggest problem so don’t skate super sketchy hills with lots of cars.  Be smart and plan times to go skate when there is not that much traffic, etc.




And please make sure you are good at foot braking at high speeds and you should learn how to Coleman slide.




Hope this helps some, ride a rocket.




Adam O