pavedwave longboarding

dmccoach · Joined: 07 Jul 2008 Posts: 41

Hello,

This week end I was hanging out with some long-time long boarders - a few new folks I have recently met through this great sport...

I was showing off my ROE LDP setup to their interest and a few tried it out - and we were all having a good time - I was told however, by more than one person among the group that "pushing is actually more efficient than pumping - pumping take a lot of energy..."

I didn't provide a reply or rebuttal... and it caught me off gaurd. I just started to think about it.

I personally don't believe the assertion (strictly based on personal experience/insight)... But I must admit that I can't scientfically prove it...

Any thoughts on this? Where might I find scientific evidence of energy expended on equal/same surfaces to do both?

Thanks

fuzzydeer · Joined: 01 Sep 2008 Posts: 66

My opinion (and I am 95% pusher and 5% ldp)
Is that if you train to pump, you will be more efficient at that, and visa versa. HOWEVER when lots of steep climbs are involved (which is always the case with me) pushing will save you energy.
I don't know about your top speeds. How fast are you guys going?
I can maintain a steady cruising speed with LDP, but if I want to be riding at 25-27kph (flat) I have to push.

LD skater since 1971 · Posted: Wed Sep 03, 2008 7:34 pm Post subject:

Pushing is more efficient than pumping if your in hurry need to cover ground really fast.
But if your on flat ground it is the old story of the tortoise and the hare.
LDP is less impact on your body than pushing when your older like me and you can cover more miles with less impact.
I use to able to push for miles when I was younger did not have arthritis in both ankles.
LDP use's less energy on the flat it the hills that get you.
Plus if I am in really hurry the pump/push combo is the best. But I have been taking my time to see the sites on the way now days.
_________________
Terry

rva · Joined: 23 Sep 2008 Posts: 6

Hi Im new here, and new to skating longer distances... stumbled upon this forum from silverfish... I actually posted a thread there asking about this.

This is somewhat of a long post but hopefully you could help me out.

I was thinking of joining this 9km race... so I was wondering if you guys could give me any advice. Here's some info on it:

distance 9km (~6miles)
mostly flat and slightly uphill throughout the course. according to google earth the total elevation change from start to finish is 33meters
fairly good asphalt road

How would you approach taking this run in terms of pump-push strategy? I think Im fairly fit but not quite a "marathoner" (made up the word). I can push, and can pump (but im not sure I do it all that well).

Also what set up do you suggest? These are the items I own that I'm considering to use:

Decks:
S9 Carbon Trylam
EVO
Stiff Custom Drop Through Speed Deck with a 33inch wheelbaase
Very slightly flexy Pintail with a 28in wheelbase

Trucks
Randal 180's
Randal 150's

Wheels
65mm S9 9balls
70mm red zigs
72mm S9 slalom wheels
76mm gumballs, flys
97mm flys

Ive got the Khiro Barrel Bushng Kit too. Im 145pounds, so what would be good?

Thank you so much in advance for any help!

pavedwave · Joined: 22 Oct 2007 Posts: 1120 Location: seattle wa usa

In short, rva, you're probably best off with pushing most of the time, since a 6 mile course will actually fly by quite fast. Depending on the surface the whole race could be done in 25--30 minutes.

For long distance rides of 26miles++, pumping is definitely the way to go, IMHO, just as Terry notes above: "...it is the old story of the tortoise and the hare..."

I'm also not entirely convinced that all the theory around having to be super-low to the ground is founded in reality. I think a low-as possible, lightweight topmount that still allows for pumping down hills (particularly for the beginner) is a great way to go -- rather than just jump to the drop-through or drop-deck solution. I think it has more to do with what kind of deck you train on most and how you get your body and techniques to adapt to that board. The topmount always feels better to me on fast downhills because of increased control and traction, and obviously it has a better ability to pump, when the conditions allow for it.

From your gear, I'd probably choose:

S9 Carbon Trylam OR Pintail
Randal 150's
70mm red zigs OR 76mm gumballs, flys
Combo of red/blue bushings rear and orange/white bushings front

Got any link / info to the race?
Good luck!!

rva · Joined: 23 Sep 2008 Posts: 6

wow! thank you so much for the advice! I really appreciate you taking your time to answer my long winded questions...

So yeah, I figure I'll go with either of those decks you mentioned. And probably the gumballs. I do feel that yes 6 miles isnt really a great deal of ground to cover... its more like a sprint sort of run in the Long Distance scheme of things. I just did a test run myself of the same distance and clocked in 28 minutes, pushing and a little bit of pumping... Im hoping to cut the time down though. What's up for grabs is a S9 Race topmount speed board, so I hear. This is the website: http://www.sector9manilabomb.com/

The scene here where I'm from (Manila) is still really small... just at its infancy stage really... we have just a handful who've just been bitten by the stoke bug... mostly those who surf and want an alternative when the seas are placid. But I am very confident that the sport will really take off since there's enough buzz around it from those that know the "feeling" of being on a skateboard. To date, we've had 2 downhill races (which I enjoy the most) and 1 freestyle comp (a la those seen in the movie lords of dogtown - except its not on a wooden stage). No doubt, we have lots to learn and we're no where near as good as those of you guys seen on youtube and the like; but just give us a bit of time and we'll catch on Smile

Again, thanks a lot for your advice!

LD skater since 1971 · Posted: Tue Sep 23, 2008 7:51 pm Post subject:

AVA
Learn Chris Yandall skoging it will help with the fatigue of skateboarder leg. If you skate longer distance than 6 to 8 miles.
http://skogging.com/
_________________
Terry

rva · Joined: 23 Sep 2008 Posts: 6

Thanks for that. Yup, I can push quite well with both legs. Not quite skoggin in the sense that I push mongo when I switch pushing legs. I switch my stance entirely from goofy to regular. I'll probably just push for the most part; and then maybe pump just as a break from pushing.

Thanks again!

pavedwave · Joined: 22 Oct 2007 Posts: 1120 Location: seattle wa usa

I would definitely practice pumping on flats and downhills in preparation, because at the actual event, you'll definitely benefit from a downhill pump -- it'll give your push legs some rest, and for those who don't know how or aren't set up to pump, it can be a bit of a psyche-out Very Happy

Yandall has coached online before that his 'skog' is a lot more about the art and dance of switching push foot and stance. I think the way he likes people to see it is more about the balancing up on the nose and gliding around at a slower pace, that's why his videos have him getting a bit goofy. Apparently it's quite a sight to see him, think of a 6 and half foot Samoan dude with one foot on the board and his arms swinging around, coming right at you on the sidewalk!!

Most of the time I switch push foot I'm basically doing it as a functional, self-preservation on the uphills and way to balance out the muscles -- so I'm basically in the same boat as you, I also push mongo on the alternate foot, which comes quite easily since as a kid I started out a mongo pusher!

That looks like a great event -- thanks for the link!!

LD skater since 1971 · Posted: Wed Sep 24, 2008 7:38 am Post subject:

Wow switch stance that really hard never been able to do that. Just feel weird to me. Skoging helps you go faster with every push.

_________________
Terry