The other day Surf_Rodz posted a question on its fanpage, which was funny because I had really been considering this question for the past week or so...
Is it better to have one board that can do it all pretty well or to have multiple boards designed to handle one aspect of riding super well?
Well here is how I would answer this question....
I believe that many people have really been underestimating the importance of getting to know your board. I have seen people flying through decks, wheels, trucks, bushings... you name it! They run through these components at a break neck speed in an attempt to find the perfect board with the hottest new products and the top of the line materials. Who can blame them though, if every new item that comes out claims to be the latest and greatest at what it does, then why not get that new product?
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| Can one board do it all? |
However, some of the greatest thrashers I know have one set-up on one board and just KILL it! I mean it is actually insane how much they can do on their board, and it is all because they are totally in sync with that board. I have two buddies who ride a Loaded Tan Tien, with Paris 180mm trucks, and yellow Stims who can crush pretty much anyone in Chapel Hill in any riding style. I mean any style of riding, they can freestyle, freeride, and downhill on their boards all day. These guys can actually out downhill people on their light flexy TanTiens (no, not everyone, but lots of people). I asked one of them about it one day, because it amazes me to this day, and he told me that he isn't really ever nervous on his board because he knows exactly how it is going to respond in any given riding situation and is ready for it. His board has truly become an extension of himself and therefore he has truly developed his own unique style on his board.
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| My personal weapon of choice is the Bhangra |
However, the downside of being so sick on one board is that when you step on another set-up you can have kind of a serious learning curve on that deck, haha. I believe that there is a trade off between being highly specialized and being highly diversified. I consider myself to be in a very fortunate situation where I have the privilege to review all sorts of products which has led to me falling on the highly diversified end of the spectrum.
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| Board Set Up for Downhill Specifically |
If you have the dedication and the funds to acquire a diverse set of longboards to add to your quiver then I say why not? I love all my boards and consider them to be my prized possessions and I actually ride ALL of them. The benefit to this is that I can do every trick, slide, manual, ect on all my boards just as well. OK, pause, I cannot do everything exactly the same... I can't ollie my Bustin EQ (which has no tails) and I can't hold super long standies on my Comet Shred with its tiny trucks as well as on my other boards, but you get the idea.
However, beyond anything else, what I think is most important is not what you ride, how new or old your gear is, how many tricks you can do, or how long your slides are, but how much FUN you have! If having a bunch of boards makes riding more enjoyable for you then do it! If you just need one setup that can do everything then heck, go for that option. Just get out there, skate, and love doing it!!
What do you think? A Quiver? Or One Board to Rule them All?
Wayne
