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Learning how to skateboard isn’t easy and many beginners struggle.
Instead of running around in circles and falling all the time, here are some of the most important tips you can implement straight away.
1) Wear the Proper Gear
Begin with the proper gear because your safety is of utmost importance.
No one likes the idea of getting on a skateboard and falling on hard concrete. This is never a good feeling and is going to hurt. Anyone that’s taking the time to learn how to skateboard needs to appreciate the learning curve. This means finding the right gear and protecting your body against possible injury.
In fact, the same applies to professional skateboarders because anyone can fall!
The items you should look to buy right away include a helmet, pads (elbow, knee), and a good pair of skateboard shoes (flat bottom). This should provide enough value as you ride on your skateboard. In some cases, you may like the idea of putting on gloves but this is a personal preference and not mandatory.
2) Start on Grass or Carpet
Do not head out on a regular street for your first lesson!
This is one of the worst mistakes a beginner can make and that’s the reason so many people get injured. Most beginners are going to have trouble balancing and that takes a bit of practice. Therefore, as soon as their feet slip, the fall is going to be a bad one on hard concrete. You’ll be left with scrapes, bruises, and a damaged ego.
To avoid such a feeling, please take the time to learn on a softer surface that is easier on the body. This can include grass or carpet, which are often used to help teach beginners. It’s all about finding a surface that’s going to allow you to learn without having to think about getting hurt. Over time, you’ll be able to head out into the streets but that’s not going to happen immediately.
3) Choose a Comfortable Stance
When you’ve found the right spot to learn, it’s time to focus on the major details including your form. What method are you going to employ when it comes to skateboarding? Which foot is going to go in front? What are you going to use to push off as you move around on your skateboard?
These are the basic questions that set a foundation for your future as a skateboarder.
The options include:
* Regular (Left Foot Forward)
* Mongo (Push with the Back Foot)
* Goofy (Right Foot Forward)
In general, you are going to choose from one of these and use them as a launching pad for future success. Over time, you will start to build upon this skill and get more out of it. Please note, it is all about how you feel while practicing. Some people aren’t going to like the Mongo stance while others will hate the regular stance. This is one of those preferences that have to be decided after giving it a go on your skateboard.
4) Learn To Push Off
Before you start balancing on a skateboard, you need to get the basic form down.
This means you need to learn how to push off with your foot and make sure everything is in line with the skateboard. Otherwise, you are going to fall as soon as you lift the foot off your board. This happens to most beginners and is one of those underrated skills that have to be learned properly.
If you take your time, it is going to become second nature and that’s when you’ll do well.
To do this the right way, you want to start by keeping your foot off the skateboard. This means continue to push around and learn how to generate enough energy to get the board to move. Keep doing this for a bit and get the hang of it before you move to the next step.
5) Avoid Tricks
Yes, this might seem like common sense but a lot of skateboarders make this error.
You shouldn’t be heading over to the local skate park on day one. In fact, you shouldn’t be heading out to the skate park for at least a couple of months! This is not an easy skill to learn and you shouldn’t be anywhere near a place with ramps until you get a feel for what works.
Tricks are out of the questions and are only going to lead to serious injury. Stick to the basics and you’ll be in good shape.
These tips are a wonderful starting point as you look to master the art of skateboarding. Remember, it’s not going to be easy at first and there’s a sizable learning curve for beginners. However, over time, you will start to get a hang of things and that’s when it’ll become fun.
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