Skateboarding is a great sport for those who want to get out of their comfort zone and try something new. It can be difficult at first, but as long as you start off by learning the basics such as balancing on one foot with good posture before moving on to harder tricks like ollies or shuvits it will become much simpler! Skaters often make mistakes when trying advanced moves without understanding how skateboards work best in certain situations- learn from other skaters’ mistakes so that your own aren’t made along the way.
Learning to skateboard is a lot of fun, but it can be tough. I learned how at an early age by just sitting on one knee and pushing with my other foot – so here are some tips that will make you more comfortable riding for long periods of time.
1- A Proper Skateboard
A low-quality skateboard is going to be a lot more difficult for beginners. Quality wheels, bearings, and trucks are key in helping you learn how to ride quickly! Boards that delaminate easily or have weak frames can cause problems with carrying them around as well so make sure your purchase choice matches what’s right for you.
Don’t go for any cheap skateboards that can be found at Walmart or Target. Buy one from a reputable shop instead, and make sure you have the right equipment- because even though your board may seem like trash in comparison to others if it’s not properly fitted then there are risks associated with using them.
A good complete setup will cost you between $80 (bare minimum) and 140. Check out my post that lists all of the different brands I recommend, as well as their pros/cons for each one! It’s not an easy decision when it comes down to picking what boards are right for you.
2- Shoes
The best way to ride a skateboard is by wearing proper shoes. You need shoes that are made of canvas and have flat soles so you can feel the board AND keep your balance! Don’t wear basketball sneakers because they won’t help at all with balancing on top of it, but there are tons out now in different styles for men/women which will work well if done right like vans or DCs (duty hooks).
3- Protective Gears
You know how some people think skateboarders are just wild and crazy? Well, the truth of it is that we do have our own style. But don’t get caught up in all this debauchery without wearing protective gear.
At least wear a helmet when you’re learning new tricks for starters- sure nobody wears them anymore but even pro street skaters are starting to put these on nowadays so keep your head safe.
In a world where we are all becoming more aware of the dangers that skateboarding can pose, wearing knee pads is an absolute necessity. They cushion your joints and absorb impacts so you won’t have to worry about them in 20 years from now. For those who refuse or cannot wear these safety devices for some reason (such as being younger), consider arm guards too – they’ll help prevent swellbows and painful wrists when starting out on your first few months with wheels underfoot.
4-Places to Skate
Skating in public is never easy and I can tell you not to care what others say, but it might be hard for some people. There are lots of places where skating will get You alone like abandoned buildings or parking garages. Consider practicing on your backyard rink too if possible so no one feels threatened by this new hobby/skill set-up they don’t understand.
5-Take Lessons
If you can afford it, one or two lessons with a good teacher will help avoid the mistakes that most beginners make. You’ll learn how to stand properly and keep your balance so no more falling over.
If you’re not a pro and can’t afford lessons, consider Youtube tutorials. They are an alright source but won’t show exactly what is wrong or right for your skateboard tricks; however, if someone wants to help out ask around at the local park.
6-Age & Fitness
Learning to skateboard is hard when you’re older. Sure, many skaters start at an early age but that doesn’t mean it’s impossible for someone who has been out of the game for a while can still do well enough so as long as they exercise regularly and have great technique.
Skaters come in all sizes and shapes, with some bigger people can pull off sick stuff. Just cruising around is a great experience to learn how skateboarding works for your body type.
Skateboarding is a fantastic way to get your heart rate up and burn calories. It’s fun, but make sure you wear the proper safety gear because it could happen accidentally- so take precautions. Once I got comfortable on my board (and took some precautionary measures) then skating became even better than before for me personally which convinced me that cruisers are definitely worth checking out in this article.
7- Take It Slow
Skipping the basics will make it hard to progress. Landing a trick can be very rewarding, but if you don’t master the basics then your skills won’t improve as quickly or at all in some cases! Some tricks take time and require practice before they feel natural.
Now that you’re prepared, it’s time to start your balancing act. Make sure the ground is clean and safe before getting on so there are no rocks or glass twigs at the bottom which could cause any injuries when stepping onto them for this first try-out. Place both feet flat against each side of board while looking up towards where they will end up after balancing act finishes – lean forward if needed until balanced precariously but comfortably in place then stand tall again upright position once all set by pushing down gently through heels only once more making certain everything feels secure holding tight without letting go completely yet.
8- How To Fall
Skaters are always falling. Some people call it “eating shit,” but all you need to know is how fall properly so that your first time doesn’t hurt too badly.
It’s time to master your landing. You either roll or slide when you hit the ground, but it won’t be comfortable at first so don’t get discouraged.
The key here is learning how to fall properly by wearing knee pads if needed- even though this skill takes patience and practice before becoming second nature; every athlete knows that there are always risks involved in playing sports no matter what discipline they play.
9- Make and Watch Videos
A great way to learn is by just grabbing your phone and making videos. Observe what goes wrong, try different things until you find something that works for yourself or ask for advice from someone else who might know more than me.
Watching videos is an engaging way to get inspiration. I don’t know if it will improve your skills but watching others do what you want or need help with can be very insightful, especially when they use different techniques than the ones used by experts in their field. The only problem might arise if we become so focused on how one specific person performs that our own creativity suffers as well – something novice racers often face.
10- Skate With Others
Skating is a lot of fun, but it can be hard to skate alone. The idea that you have no one else there with you makes the learning process seem more difficult than usual – until somebody starts pushing back. As long as beginners stay out-of-the way and follow rules skaters are willing help each other learn how to board better in return for your patience when they make mistakes like dropping their deck or getting lost on some new terrain (although experienced boardserps always spot these things). Skateboarding inspires confidence.
11- Ask Advice on Web
The beauty of the internet is that you can find whatever it is, whether its advice on how to skin your own elbow or video tips from professional skateboarders. Reddit’s r/skateboarding forum has tons of experienced skaters who are happy help others learn new tricks and techniques with their time as well.
If you want to know what’s wrong with your video, upload it and get feedback. Make sure that the quality is not potato-looking before filming yourself in different areas of the boarderline between upper body, lower half (board or feet), head shots etcetera so others can point out any posture mistakes on their part too.
Conclusion
Skating is a great way to build confidence and have fun! It’s easy if you start with the basics, so take some time before going for more complicated moves. Equipment matters too- try not buy cheap skateboards because they’re dangerous or frustrating even when your riding skills improve over time (a waste). If all else fails – find friends that can teach along side yours through online resources like YouTube tutorials; ask them about what tricks work best where on different types of surfaces such as pavement versus grassland etc., don’t be embarrassed: everybody was beginner at least once.
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