Skateboarding Tips
You’ve seen all of the people out on their skateboards cruising down the sidewalks and streets to work and at the park just out playing around--it sure looks like fun but you’re a little bit weary of trying it--don’t put it off any longer--these how-to skateboarding tips will have you looking like you’ve done it all your life in no time.
Of course, before you can get started with these skateboarding tips you need to get a skateboard. Borrow one if you can so you don’t invest a bunch of money before you know if it is something you really like. If you are determined to own one, talk to the people at the sporting store about what your goals are before you just grab the coolest looking one off the shelves. Skateboards come in many different designs, sizes and price ranges. If you are just going to be riding it to school and playing around on relatively flat surfaces and small jumps you don’t need the same model as someone who is going to be spending 16 hours a day at the skate park doing trick after trick.
And guess what else? That’s right, don’t even think about heading outside with your skateboard without a helmet, knee and elbow pads. Let’s face it--you are going to hit the ground sooner or later. Don’t be afraid. Just accept it and prepare for it by being safe. If you can’t afford protective gear--borrow it from a friend. Make sure it is the right fit and get out there. But don’t even think about going outside on pavement without protection.
The best place to start out with these skateboarding tips is inside--in your room or living room--on a soft carpeted area if possible. If not, head outside to the flattest spot you can find--if it’s on grass, all the better. Stand on your skateboard. See what it feels like to be standing on a board that moves. The wheels make it feel sort of odd. Next try moving your feet around on the board. The more of your weight that you distribute to one end or another the more it will cause the other end to lift off the ground. Don’t be afraid of the movement of the wheels.
Practice stepping on and off--first with the left foot and then the right foot. Be as totally relaxed as you can, arms dangling loosely at your sides. Put both feet on the board and bend your knees slightly. This is the stance you’ll need when the board starts rolling. Try jumping up and down on the board. Make sure the spot is really flat so the board doesn’t roll out from underneath you. Now you’ve kind of got the feel of your weight on the board and what it feels like to have the wheels underneath you.
If you are not on one, it’s time to head to a flat, paved surface. Center your predominant foot over the front wheels or just a hair behind them. Your predominant foot is the one on whichever side of your pants you put on first. Place your other foot directly on the ground behind the skateboard, push off with the back foot and then lift the back foot onto the skateboard. If you are on a flat surface you should roll a bit but not much. This is called the push-off and this is how you get started moving on the board. If the surface has a slight incline you will pick up a little more speed.
Learn to stop by placing your back foot back on the ground. There are other ways to stop but in the beginning, this is the one to use. If you pick up too much speed, drag the back foot and the friction will cause the board to stop.
Try pushing off and stopping first on a flat surface and then on a very slight, gradual incline--do not head to a steep hill or anywhere the board might pick up too much speed before you have learned to start and stop the skateboard. The next thing to learn from skateboarding tips is how to turn with the board. Then you can do an ollie!