Summertime is back by popular demand! It’s time to grab your boards, feel the wind in your hair, soak up the sun and surf the streets of CoMo. That’s right, surf. Now, as much as you’d like to hear Mizzou is installing an ocean (we were just admitted to the SEC, one dream at a time people) there’s a more Midwest-friendly option for hanging ten. Introducing: the longboard.

Ranging from 33 to 59 inches, the longboard resembles a skateboard going through an identity crisis. You might have recently noticed the growing legion of longboarders cruising through campus. So what’s up with the sudden longboard craze?

Learning about Christopher Bailey’s work is the first step to understanding the recent longboard phenomenon. Until this past November, boarding of any kind in Columbia was prohibited beyond residential and local streets. So Bailey, owner of Parkside Skateshop, executive director of Columbia Skateboard Coalition and Columbia Bicycle and Pedestrian Commissioner, took the initiative and presented the issue before City Council. The council unanimously voted to allow public skating. Today, riders have the same rights as bicyclists.

The green movement has played a role in the sensation as well.

“I think its so popular right now because green transportation is a very popular form of transport,” Bailey said. “Urban cities cut down on gas costs, on their fossil fuel usage and their carbon footprint, so I think people have become a little more responsible with their transportation.”

Freshman longboarder Katie Bolton shared her insight on the success of this particular model.

“I love the freedom, smoothness and speed of it,” she says. “It’s a lot easier than skateboarding and better for transportation and cruising. It’s also more convenient than a bike because you can carry it around with you.”

The longboard’s length and weight provide greater stability and momentum while also allowing the rider to steer easily. Its unique design permits “carving,” a quick back and forth motion similar to the fluid motion of a surfboard.

Freshman Jack Hayes says his favorite places to longboard on campus are the quad, Peace Park, downtown and Fifth Street.

“I think it’s really relaxing. Especially when its nice out, I’ll go to chill out,” Hayes says. “It’s really fun just weaving back and forth with no one around.”

So if you’re looking for a safe, easy, enjoyable and affordable (most cost around $100) way to help out Mother Nature, catch a few more Z’s before class, relive your glorious middle school sk8er days (in a cool, collegiate way of course) or you’re simply looking for a new adventure this summer, longboarding seems to be the way to go. Best of all, longboarding is an automatic posse magnet.

“All longboarders say ‘hi’ to each other when they see other riders,” Bolton says. “I get like ten random high fives every time I ride around. I’ve met a lot of cool people.”