Want to discover some of the best tips and tricks useful for beginners to improve skills and performance? Let’s check out this article!
If you want to learn how to skateboard, but do not know how and where to start, you are in the right place. In this article, we will show you some of the helpful tips that can help you stand on the board and use it without falling down. Now, here are some helpful tips and tricks that you and other skateboarding beginners should not miss:
Table of Contents
Choose A Proper Board
There are lots of styles of boards designed for all interests and skill levels. Going to a local skate shop and getting advice from experienced skaters can help you choose a board that is appropriate for your interests and size.
Longboards: They are easy to use for beginners. If you are looking for something that is easy to stand on and ride, a longboard is a good option for you.
Skateboards: They are perfect for kicking tricks and skating at quick speeds. Although they take a little more practice to maintain balance, they are also the good board for beginners.
Choose The Deck
Decks provide support on the body and balance for a smooth ride and they are the most important part of the skateboard. The average width of decks is eight inches, but there are also many different varieties. The ideal width depends on your height, skating style, and shoe size. Wider skateboards are the best for beginners because they give better balance, but it is not good for performing skateboard tricks. Besides, if you consider the cheaper price, plastic decks are what you are looking for, but if you consider quality, decks with other materials are better choices.
Besides, you need to ensure that your skateboard is risk-free and has strong wheels that are enough to support your skating. As a beginner, you may face many different risks, and if your skateboard has good quality, you can reduce these risks.
Get A Pair Of Skate Shoes
Using boots or flip-flops when skateboarding can hurt yourself while using skate shoes can ensure both support and protection, helping you learn to skate safely. However, in case you do not want to invest in a particular skating shoe brand, you can use a flat sole. Avoid the kind of running shoes, and opt for something like a deck shoe, with an even surface on the bottom.
Wear Protective Gear And Helmet
It is important for beginners to have a cool skateboard helmet that has a snug chin strap and a smooth surface in order to protect your head. In addition to this, wrist guards, knee pads and elbow pads are also important for protecting your body parts, especially when you are getting started. Once you are more comfortable on your board, it is not necessary to wear all these pads all the time you skate. Of course, when you learn a new trick, using extra pads is a good idea.
Find A Good Place To Practice
When you get started, you should find a place where has smooth concrete without bumps and cracks. Of course, you will be able to safely skate over uneven surfaces; however, it is easiest to learn in a large and even place.
Unfortunately, you can find it difficult to find good places for skateboarders in some towns. Make sure that you get permission to skate when skating and ask your skater friends about the good place to skate in your local area.
Stand On The Board Without Falling Down
Many beginners want to jump straight to do ollies before they learn the fundamentals, and this can keep them from actually learning to skate. Therefore, you have to learn how to stay on the board before jumping onto the board. There is no right way for beginners to stand on the skateboard, so you set your board on the stable ground where it will not roll easily, and then find out the position on the board that you feel comfortable.
Regular foot means that placing the left foot forward the right foot and pushing with the right foot while riding with the left foot.
Goofy foot means that placing the right foot forward the left foot and pushing with the left foot.
Mongo foot means using the forward foot to push. Riding mongo can limit your capabilities with skateboard tricks.
Learn To Stop
There are many different ways for skaters to stop the board, and many of these ways are not easy. For beginners, one of the easiest ways is gradually slowing down and then stopping by placing a foot onto the ground. Another way is placing most of your weight onto the back foot, standing on the board tail, and grinding the board to stop. Do not focus on what you are not ready for in order to avoid seriously hurting yourself. Go slowly and then you will be better.
Learn To Fall
Falling down can be discouraging, but learning how to fall can help ensure that you do not seriously hurt yourself. You should wear a helmet in order to keep the head safe. Also, you should use wrist guards in order to avoid unwanted nasty scrapes. A common problem when skating is running over small rocks that may jam up the skateboard wheels or cause your imbalance. Therefore, you need to pay attention to the surface you are skating and try to stay balanced.
Skate With Other More Experienced Skaters
Like other sports, skating is easier to learn when having more experienced people to learn from. Find experienced skaters, make friends with them, watch their performances and learn their skateboard tricks. Be honest about your skateboard experience and ask them for advice.
All of the tricks and tips we mentioned above are easy but very important, especially if you are getting started with using a skateboard. So, if you are a beginner and you want to improve your skateboard skills without seriously hurting yourself, you should follow these tips from right now.
