Meet the community: Our longboard ladies

Welcome to the third installment of our Meet The Community (MTC) series! In MTC, you’ll learn more about Singapore’s longboarding scene, and get to know our local longboard groups better. Previously, we interviewed the Longboard Girls Crew SG and DockSession SG. 

This time, we made it even more personal and interviewed our very own customers. We’ve always been curious about every customer; what made them pick up longboarding, how are they coping with the learning curve, and what have they learnt from this sport? Of course, we don’t get to go about prying into everyone’s private lives - that’s why this blog post was such a blast to write! Through this post we got a better understanding of what really goes on behind the scenes for our customers. 

Anyway, we hope their stories will inspire you to pick up longboarding. Don’t let any more reasons hold you back! We know, the first step is always the hardest. Without further ado, please meet our customers!

Singapore's Longboard Ladies

Sarah

What made you want to start longboarding?

A couple of my friends mentioned they wanted to learn and I thought why not!!  It also seemed like a great post-circuit breaker activity.

Is longboarding a big contrast to your other hobbies?

Yes - I have never done any other board sports and never would have imagined I would try it and also enjoy it so much! Since taking up longboarding I have also tried wakesurfing, and one day I definitely wanna learn to snowboard!

What do you love most about longboarding?

The community - here in SG there are really friendly groups you can join e.g. the Longboard Girls Crew, and everyone I've met is so non judgemental and encouraging. And of course the little crew that our group has built - we have been meeting about once or twice a week and it's always so fun.

What did you fear most when starting out and how did you overcome it?

My fears were falling over and looking silly in front of other people while practising. For the first one you just gotta practice falling over safely wearing a helmet and pads! Once you fall a few times, you will realise it's not such a big deal. I also have a rule to always get up after I fall and do one fun, easy move or trick that I can do well, to build confidence - I try to never end a session with a fail or a wipeout. As for looking silly, I find practising new moves in empty parking lots or with friends first helps me feel less inhibited, but what's even better is to just try not to care what others think. Nobody is really judging you anyway! Just do your thing and have fun.

Courtney

What made you want to start longboarding?

My friend Sarah mentioned one day that she thought it would be cool to start, we thought starting together would be more fun! 

Is longboarding a big contrast to your other hobbies?

One of my favourite past times is wakesurfing, I thought longboarding would have a similar feel and it does!

What do you love most about longboarding?

How many calories you burn without even feeling like you are doing any exercise!!

(Note from editor: This is true, I actually burn over 500 calories in an hour of longboarding! And it feels way better than slogging it out in the gym...)

What did you fear most when starting out and how did you overcome it?

After my first fall I was really reluctant to do the trick I had done that caused the fall. But I went out one night and just kept practicing the first step over and over until I got enough confidence to take that second step again!

How did you all end up longboarding together as a group of friends?

We first first through a longboarding clinic and then decided it would be fun to practice what we learned together

What is your biggest takeaway from picking up this hobby? 

You’re never too old to learn a new trick 😉 

Zoe

 

What made you want to start longboarding?

I met Courtney on bumble and she mentioned she just started with a friend (Sarah) I thought it was so cool. The next time I met her I shyly asked if I could join. 

Is longboarding a big contrast to your other hobbies?

I never had time to have hobbies before CB, I took the opportunity to be stuck in Singapore to do all I ever wanted to learn. Longboarding was on the list. 

What do you love most about longboarding?

I love that it takes me outside and keeps me moving. It also has given  me a crew. These two things have allowed me to not completely loose my mind.

What did you fear most when starting out and how did you overcome it?

I feared being ridiculed, too old, judged, or just really bad at it. Turns out the community in Sg is soooo nice and non judgemental.

How did you all end up longboarding together as a group of friends?

Courtney and Sarah started together, then I met Courtney and joined. We met Michelle at Thane Life Dance clinic then Michelle brought Denise 1st than Kelly and I brought Rongrong from my Ukulele group. Funny story Michelle and Sarah are now part of the Ukulele group and Courtney might be joining 😁.

What is your biggest takeaway from picking up this hobby? 

It brought me friends and a purpose in a period where I really needed it - I moved here in February so all I know of SG is SG under CB. I am forever grateful to Longboarding for that.

Michelle

Michelle bought our longboard earlier this year and has been religiously practicing ever since. Seriously, we would give an award to her dedication if we could! Michelle eventually introduced this sport to her flatmate Kelly and colleague Denise.

 

What made you want to start longboarding?

I’ve been wanting to learn surfing and I thought this is as close as I can get at the moment while I can’t travel. And surprisingly, it is so much fun! 

Is longboarding a big contrast to your other hobbies?

It is indeed a very different vibe, but I like the idea of picking up a totally new hobby. To be honest, I never thought I would try longboarding but I’m so glad I did! Best decision I’ve made during the circuit breaker.

What do you love most about longboarding?

I’m amazed by how welcoming the community are, no judgments and everybody is just so supportive and friendly. I love the chill vibes :)

What did you fear most when starting out and how did you overcome it?

Falling. There’s no shortcut in learning, you just have to keep practicing till you get a hang of it and build your confidence.

How did you all end up longboarding together as a group of friends?

I met Zoe, Courtney and Sarah the first time I went for the dancing and freestyle clinic. I saw we have the same boards, felt excited and went up to talk to them. :) After the clinic, we kept in touch and Zoe did our whatsapp group. 

Then, I got my flatmate Kelly and colleague Denise to try my board - eventually they bought their own, I invited them in the group and the rest is history :)

What is your biggest takeaway from picking up this hobby?

You’re never too old to learn something new and I made good friends :) This really helped to keep me sane in these challenging times.

Kelly

What made you want to start longboarding?

Thanks to the pandemic, I needed something to stay sane while being grounded in Singapore. I chose longboarding because it helps me to stay in balance and will be beneficiary for other sports such as surfing.

What is your biggest takeaway from picking up this hobby?

Biggest takeaway- knowing new people making new friends!

Denise

What do you love most about longboarding?

I love the feeling of freedom on the board, and of course the community I’ve come to know through longboarding!

Our mission

At Odyssey Boards, our mission is to make longboarding inclusive and accessible to everyone. Over the past few months, we’re honored to have helped hundreds of people get started. So yes, this episode warms the cockles of our hearts as we got to know some of our many customers personally. 

These are just a few stories out of countless others out there, but still, ones we hold close to our heart. If you have any interesting stories you’d like to share about your longboarding experience (you don’t have to be our customer!), just reach out to us on our Instagram or email us at info@odysseyboards.com. We’d love to get to know you better.

Happy skating and stay stoked! 

Accelerate your learning with our longboard classes

Looking to push yourself out of your comfort zone? Join our longboard classes, where you'll get undivided attention to maximize progress. Our classes are kept really small - 2 students to 1 instructor. From fundamental lessons to bundled packages to accelerate your longboard dancing, you'll get what you need with our longboard class. Oh, and if you don't have a longboard yet, we even got you covered!