It looks pretty easy when you’re watching skateboarders. Just a few shoves with either foot and you keep going! And you’re doing it! But after you try to actually do it, you immediately understand there’s a lot more to it than it seemed. It’s not an easy sport to master. However, even if you learn to remain on the skateboard pretty quickly, wouldn’t you want to learn even more cool stuff? What about all of the cool tricks you see other skateboarders doing? Don’t be all down because you’re not good at it. Even world champion skateboarders had to start exactly where you are now. How about if we talk about some things you can use to learn quicker.
You’ll need to be wearing the right foot gear. In order to properly control your board, you’ll need to be able to move your feet in special ways. Of course you are free to skate in whatever shoes you want. But if you want to tricks or anything like that, you’ll really need the appropriate shoes. Skateboarding shoes are just like athletic shoes except the inside is flat. There’s very little to zero arch support in the shoe, on purpose. That will give your foot more control over the board. Most shoe stores sell at least some form of skateboarding shoe so obtaining a pair shouldn’t be too expensive. Put on a set of new clip on sunglasses to seem hip while skate boarding.
With turning, all you’re doing is shifting body weight while remaining balanced.
However, it doesn’t mean you should lean completely with all your weight to the back/front. Shift from feet flat on the board to either the ball of your each foot or the heel of each foot. Keep your body upright, no swaying one way or the other. If you lean or sway too much you may fall. Practice turning on a flat, even and uncrowded surface. Avoid sharp turns at first. Practice making wide, gentle turns so you can get good at shifting your weight. Then, when you’re comfortable, practice lifting the front a little for the sharper turns.
Ok, tricks – start slowly and learn one at a time. If you’ve got all of the basics down and are ready to try a few tricks, start small. You should not be skating down stairs, or jumping and flying. Begin with smaller lifts and then change directions. You can jump the board, then change direction. Get these basics tricks down before you try things that are more dangerous. Remember, just like learning how to board at all, learning how to trick involves starting small and getting better over time. Anybody can learn how to skateboard. If you’re willing to take your time and do it right, you can get to a point where you can do just about anything. Having patience is really it – see you there!
