Longboarding Club gets into 'flow mode' on USU campus

BALANCE AND MOTION: A longboarder gets in the groove on the USU campus. / Photo by Sam Broadbent

Editor's note: This is one in an occasional series of stories about clubs at USU.

By Sam Broadbent

September 20, 2007 | Longboarders of all shapes, sizes, and skill levels from across the Utah State University campus come together each week to learn the fundamentals and tricks of longboarding, while sharing stories and creating memories.

"The longboarding club is cool because it brings people of different backgrounds together to one common thing," stated Sonny Bryant, vice president of diversity and organizations.

"We are people that want to get together to ride as well as meet other people," said Greg Smith, Utah State University Longboarding Club President (USULC).

Accord to its website, the mission of USULC is to teach and develop longboarders of any skill level and also to bring longboarders of Utah State University together for the social benefit.

Smith explained that the USULC offers more than just opportunities to ride with friends the USULC also offers discounts up to 50 percent on longboards and gear to its members. These discounts are available through the club's multiple sponsors Directive, Loaded Boards, Krackedskulls, and Carveboards.

"If anyone has any desire to even learn how to longboard we have plenty of rad people that would love to teach," said Smith."We love longboarding."

For new riders wanting to get out and practice Smith suggests the USU campus because it's flat with a few hills, but explained you can only board on campus if you are heading to and from class. His second suggestion was the parking lots of the three churches across from Romney Stadium, but warned of the hills.

"The reason why longboarding is so much fun is that you are off your center of balance and that puts you into 'flow mode' easily," explained Smith.

Smith defined "flow mode" as feeling just enough of a rush to be happy. It is similar to the sensations felt by runners and skiers but easier to achieve on a longboard.

When asked during the Thursday meeting why they joined the USULC most of the members agreed, "They just loved to longboard."

The longboarding club has been riding at USU for two years, according to Smith, and the club email list contains over 250 longboarders.

Concerning crashes while boarding Smith states, "I've probably crashed over 50 times on Ninth North and another 30 on campus so I've had my fair share of scrapes and crashes, but honestly I haven't had any really bad crashes in my time."

One of Smith's reasons for forming the USULC is that the club will extend beyond just longbarding.

"I hope that we can get together for other things besides just riding like playing volleyball or football," said Smith.

For information about or to join the USULC go to www.usu.edu/usulc.

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