The Sidewinder longboard, from Sector 9’s new design lineup, is not a board for beginners. It’s not even really a longboard, coming in at only 33 inches in length – it looks more like a normal skateboard than anything. The board does not look anything like a longboard, but it certainly functions like one. Although it is possible to bust a few moves on this board, it was created strictly for the purpose of traveling from one place to another; and this is what the board is best suited for, especially when the route from point A to point B doesn’t contain too many steep hills. One kick will send a rider over a good distance, thanks to slick ball bearings and highly effective axels.
The specific difference between this board and any other is that it utilizes a Sidewinder 2 truck, created by Gullwing, to give an incredible turning radius to the rider. Unlike most boards, the Sidewinder longboard features a set of two trucks, one set above the other. This makes the board a bit taller than most, but also gives the rider the ability to make turns on a dime. For a professional boarder, the Sidewinder is like a dream – they can weave between traffic cones, spin easily up onto a sidewalk, and carve in tighter arcs than ever before.
The short size of the board is another upside, since it can be easily stored or carried around – without all that extra weight that a really long longboard offers. Some more serious riders might go so far as to say that the board is deformed, being taller and much shorter than its cousins, but the truth is that its size is perfect for anyone who needs to store their board in their home. Abnormally large wheels provide a bit of extra stability, as well as completing the look that sets this board apart.
The most important aspect of the board being the Sidewinder 2 trucks, which offer great maneuverability at the price of a bit of safety. This is not the board for a beginner. Only an experienced longboarder should take to the roads with this board, because even a slight shift of weight could send a less-experienced rider flying in one direction or another. Even an experienced boarder will want to tighten the trucks just a bit, so that he will not experience those dreaded “speed wobbles” as he gains speed.
A small, compact design, high maneuverability, and the ability to coast from one place to another with a single kick make this board a great buy for anyone who knows how to longboard. A beginner should look elsewhere, but an experienced rider who wants to gain some speed and tighten his turns has found the right board!
