Longboarders are shown at the popular Franklin Street hill in Santa Monica. From left, Kevin Reimer, 19, of Vancouver, Canada; James Kelly, 18, of Petaluma, Calif.; Adam Stokowski, 23, of Springfield, Va.; Adam Colton, 25, of Santa Monica; and Louis Pilloni, 22, of Thousand Oaks. (Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)
Skaters take their longboards down Franklin Street in Santa Monica. The longer decks offer more stability at higher speeds than those on shortboards. (Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)
Adam Colton is a big name in longboarding and has longboarded cross-country. He records how-to videos and is regularly featured in longboard films, where he shows off his skills. (Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)
The longboarders’ slider gloves are designed to let riders put their hands down and slide the board sideways across the pavement in a four-wheel drift to reduce speed. (Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)
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Louis Pilloni carries his Loaded brand longboard up the hill in Santa Monica. He and his friends say longboards can run $140 to $300, depending on the type of wheels, bearing and other accessories. (Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)
