Where to buy longboards in New Zealand

Because New Zealand is at the bottom of the world, it is hard (and expensive) to get quality boards and specialist parts, such as trucks. However, a few local folks can get you sorted with some awesome gear for a reasonable price.

Boarder Lines New Zealand: http://www.boarderlines.co.nz/
Boarder Lines Skate Company stocks Landyachty, Never Summer, Honey, Tunnel and Rayne. They also have a selection of trucks from Randal, Paris, Bear, Bennett and Tracker - wheels from Abec11, Orangatang, Tunnel, Bennett, Cadillac, Gravity  and Seismic. Also, they have added a 'Featured Products' section, where you can save up to 15% on a deck. I have personally dealt with them, and I found their customer service to be extraordinary.

Hyper: http://www.hyper.co.nz/

Hyper is a division of () with a massive range of completes ranging from Hectic, Globe, Riveria, GFH, Layback, Sector Nine and Loaded. Again, they have a range of trucks from such brands as Paris, Gullwing, Randal and Bear, and wheels from Orangatang and Sector Nine. Also, they offer FREE DELIVERY. A great place for a beginner to pick up a quality bargan, as they offer specials and discounts on a different range of products every day of the year!

Sugar Boards: http://www.sugarboards.co.nz/

The Sugar Board's Pintail

Hand Crafted in the Eastern Bay of Plenty, New Zealand, Sugar Boards are designed to bring the fun and classic style into Longboarding. We can set you up with a sweet new ‘Custom board’ or you can choose from a few of our standard models. All guaranteed to be FUN!

Sugar Boards offer a range of beautiful, hand crafted longboards, from pintails and cruisers to customs. Check them out!

Bombarder Longboards: http://bombardierlongboards.co.nz/

Quailty, hand crafted boards at very reasonable prices.

Hopkin Skate Australia: http://hopkin.com.au/

Hopkins, like Hyper, have a VERY diverse range of boards, trucks and wheels, such as Landyachtz, Rayne, Loaded, Sector Nine and Landera. If you are looking for specialist gear, this is the place to look. They also offer free shipping throught Australia and New Zealand.

Ugly Carnie: http://www.ugliecarnie.com/

Ugly Carnie is another website offering quality, hand crafted boards. Highly recommended.

Landyachtz Zombies: The ultimate freeride wheel.

‘The Zombies have finally risen. Reborn from all the freeride wheels we've killed the Zombie is 100% deadly. Built on a large 42mm injection moulded core Zombie's roll super quick, ideal for hunting down useless humans. The newest member of the Hawgs family is truly sideset with the inner edge of the bearing perfectly aligned with the inner edge of the wheel. The Zombie's sideset stance and round edges make for a super smooth transition from gripping a carve to throwing a slide. With a contact patch of 33mm there's enough resistance to slow you down during a slide while the rounded edges make for a predictable drift. After scratching their backs on tombstones, the Zombies come to you with a stone ground finish making them easy to rip as soon as you get your hands on them. Whether you're freeriding or ripping around town; Shred the Dead. ZOMBIES!!!!’

The Landyachtz Zombie Hawgs

The Landyachtz Zombie is the ultimate freeride wheel. They are 76mm sidestep wheels, with a 33mm contact patch. They are available in either 80A or 84A durometers. They are perfect for slides, with their transition between grip and slide being beautifully smooth, they slide predictably and are easy to re-grip. You will be executing stand ups and speed checks with ease, On my Landyachtz 9-two-5, these are my hands-down favourite, making my usual runs smoother and faster. My only concern is the rate at which they wear, with visible coning after only a few weeks.

Landyachtz 9-two-5 Review

'Mike McGoldrick, 29, has been a member of the Landyachtz downhill skateboarding team for four years and is best known for his skills in free ride and his stand up style. McGoldrick was a force behind the design of the original Landyachtz Drop Speed which later became the basis for the 9 two 5.'

The board is a symmetrical free ride deck, 40.5 inches long, 10 inches wide, and has a wheelbase of 31 inches.

I purchased my 9-two-5 a little over three months ago, and it is the best board I have ever ridden. I have it set up with Independent/Core 169’s and 60mm wheels, an awesome sliding and freeride combo. However, the deck can be equipped with Randals, Sabres or Bears for wheels up to 76mm. However, Paris trucks are not compatible as they shorten your wheel base, causing wheel bite.

If you are looking for traction, I recommend using Sector 9 Race formulas.
If you are looking for long, controlled slides, go for Orangatang Stimulus.
If 180’s and stand ups are your thing, grab the Landyachtz zombies. 

The Landyachtz 'Zombies'.

The deck features a drop mounting, providing a stable ride and making it easier to push and foot-break, and also lowers the deck height making it easier to initiate a slide.

The deck also has a rocker shape to provide a unique feel many riders find more comfortable, and also makes the transition of force from feet to wheels for purposes of drifting and sliding much easier. It also has a ‘Pleasure Dome Concave’, or ‘W’ concave. “We didn’t want to bump it up too much and have it be uncomfortable,” said McGoldrick. “The W cave is definitely there, but it won’t hurt your feet when you’re pushing.”

The 9-two-five is the first deck EVER to feature ‘gas pedals’, which provides an extra platform when your feet are hanging over the edge of the board. “It’s a new feature that we’ve been working on,” said McGoldrick. “It’s these gas pedals or wedges that run down the outside of the board which add an extra half inch to the width. So when you rock your toe or heel over the edge there is still something to stand on as opposed to a traditional board.”

“Ride it, enjoy it, and be hard on it,” said McGoldrick. “It’s a skateboard, and a simple thing, go thrash it and have fun with it.”