Long Distance Pumping (LDP) on a longboard is fascinating. It’s the ability to move forward without putting your foot down. This skill is both artistic and technical.
When you see a proficient rider pump, it feels like watching a wizard at work. The first time I saw someone pump, I was amazed and thought, “I have to learn this.”
The video does a great job explaining the difference between pumping and turning. It’s simple but crucial: when turning, your body and board move together. In pumping, your board moves side to side under you while your body goes straight. This took me a while to grasp.
Like the guy in the video says, you get a breakthrough once you realize you need to use your body to catch and release energy (compress and release).
The video also explains how “power pumping” (aka “rotational pumping”) relies on rotating your body to drag the board around, like you do on a surfskate. This technique works well on turny setups, where both the front and back trucks turn equally.
From my experience, this is the best way to start learning how to pump. I spent countless hours on an empty parking lot, twisting my shoulders and hips to get the motion right.
Keep your upper body relaxed and let your legs do most of the work. It’s like a dance where your legs lead and your body follows. See this older post of mine for more details.
“Wiggling” is a more advanced technique, comparable to riding a Snakeboard (remember those weird contraptions where you move side to side quickly?)
On a longboard, you want a front truck that turns a lot and a back truck that’s more stable. A setup with a low rear baseplate angle and a high front one (over 50º) makes a huge difference for pumping.
A directional shape (high leverage) also add to your pumping efficiency with minimal body movement, which is great for long distances. Surfskates are a great example of this type of setup.
Another important aspect not covered in the video is flex. It adds great energy return from your deck in your carves, boosting your power and speed when pumping distance.
What I call “flex pumping” is IMO different from both rotational and wiggling motions. The flex lets you increase the compression-decompression aspect of your pumping.