Longboarding has been around for decades, but in recent years the sport has become undeniably focussed on distance. The stoke of riding around town has in just a few (million) pushes become a stepping stone to an incredible series of journeys that have not only increased the profile of longboarding, but also raised used amounts of money and awareness for charity and promoted positive role models throughout the skateboarding world, and beyond.
rollsrolls are proud to be part of endurance skating's recent history, our boards are made for the long-haul and have travelled thousands of miles across the USA, the United Kingdom, mainland Europe and Australia. Here's just a small taste of what has gone before.
Jack Smith et al: Skating Across the USA
In 1976, 1984 and finally in 2003, American Jack Smith skated across the USA. His most recent journey, alongside other skaters Nick Krest, Josh Maredy and Scott Kam, was pushed in aid of Lowe Syndrome research, the disease having claimed Jack's sons life earlier in 2003. The 3000 mile journey was a world-distance record, and the four relayed across the States in just 20 and a half days, all on rollsrolls Sportsters.
Read more about the 2003 journey
Dave Cornthwaite: BoardFree UK & Australia
Dave started longboarding in March 2005 and by January 2007 he and his rollsrolls, lovingly named Elsa, had broken the world distance record by pushing across Australia from Perth to Brisbane, a total of 3,621 miles. He had warmed up by becoming the first person to skate the 900 mile length of Britain, with both journeys raising over £20,000 for three charities, including the Lowe Syndrome Trust in honour of Jack Smith Jr. Dave's project, BoardFree, gave endurance longboarding a push like never before and continues to help budding distance skaters put together their charity projects. We can also recommend Dave's book, aptly titled BoardFree, if you're thinking of planning a long distance journey. Buy it here!
Visit the BoardFree website
Laura Hatwell: BoardFree Loch Lomond
Although her 25 mile trek may not seem to match other, longer journeys, Laura Hatwell and her Sportster Kimba raised over £500 on the way and then became an integral cog in the BoardFree Australia support crew. Her energy and enthusiasm for the sport is unmatched and her karmic approach to everything she does is best summed up on her website, Happy Skater.
Matt Ishler, BC to BC
In Summer '07 Matt Ishler pushed his Sportster the entire length of the United States' West Coast, from British Columbia to Baja, California. His BC to BC journey was a first-time achievement, took almost two months to complete, and saw Matt skate almost 2000 miles on the way.
Ben Stiff: BoardFree BornFree
18 year-old Ben Stiff pushed from John O'Groats to Land's End in summer 2008 taking just 26 days. Raising almost £4000 for Corda in aid of his friend Sophie who had suffered a Stroke at the age of 15, Ben became the quickest person to skate the length of Britain on his rollsrolls Sportster.
Read more about BoardFreeBornFree
Keith O'Leary: BoardFree 24
In summer 2008 Keith and his bright red Sportster pushed 150 miles
non-stop in the same 24 hours.
Rob Thompson: 14 Degrees
Kiwi Rob skated a Sportster from Switzerland to London and then across the USA en route to becoming the new distance world-record holder. Read more about his incredible journey on his website.
Alan Smyth: BoardFree Ireland
Having longboarded for less than a year, Alan became the first distance rollsrolls Woody rider and the first person to skate the length of Ireland in Spring 2009. His 450 mile journey raised over £2000 for the IHF and BHF heart charities.
Read more about BoardFree Ireland
Eduardo Abalada: Portugal Skate
Eduardo is skating across Portugal in western Europe in 2009, on his rollsrolls Sportster.
Visit his website |
