Longer than your average board...

I'm not much of a skater, but I like to fake it. Truth be told, no surprises here - I'd rather be on snow.

(For the record...there are a few reasons why I like snowboarding better than skateboarding or surfing (although with surfing you are on a beach in board shorts and a rash guard, and that counts for A LOT). BUT, I heart snow. First, the board is attached to your feet. You don't ever have to worry about 'falling off' of a snowboard. Second, the ground doesn't move. The ground doesn't move on a skateboard either, but on a surfboard man that water is testy. Third, the snow is generally softer than pavement. Unless you hit a tree, you aren't going to do any really serious damage. That isn't to say that I haven't taken some really good spills on the snow. I jumped off a rail on time (or rather I fell off) and man, I just stayed on the ground for a good 5 minutes to let my back and shoulders and neck have a moment. My buddy thought I was dead. If that were to happen on a skateboard, you would have road rash and scars for the rest of your life.)

But I digress.

I got a skateboard from my riding, surfing, skating godfather last summer. He sent it to me in preparation for surf camp. It really helped my balance and I think I was a better surfer because of the skating. (Thanks GF!) It is a shortboard and I really like skating around town and to work on occasion. (Still looking for a park in DC.)

When I skate to work though, (and in general) it takes a whole lot of effort and bother. I figured that I should invest in a longboard. Now, Not Espresso (baby-mama and skater herself) loaned me her longboard a while back. I nearly killed myself. They go really fast, and her trucks were really tight so while it was very stable, it was hard to turn. I swore off the longboard, and happily spent my Sunday afternoons on my shortboard.

My godfather recently sent me a gift certificate to Zumiez skate shop, however and I had more than a couple bucks to burn. There is apparently a Zummiez in Maryland, but I never could find it. Against my better judgment I went online and with a final second opinion from Capitol Swell who is a closeted skater in a Hill staffer's body, clicked my way to a new board.

The Garuda Super Cruiser - Cosmic Series arrived yesterday, and I took it out for a spin today after the rain. It was awesome. It was very smooth. The wheel base is wider, as are the wheels than my short board and it rode like a dream down East Capitol. I still have no idea how to stop, but as long as I don't ever continue down Constitution Ave past the Dirksen Building. I'll be ok. (I hope.)

So, the moral of the story is... well there isn't a moral actually (just a really cool longboard with wave graphics).

oh yeah.