Whether you’re for unconventional ways to keep fit, adding some fun to your commute, or you simply have always wanted to get into it, there’s no shortage of good reasons to get into skateboarding. However, as simple as it can be to get started, to be able to do it comfortably, safely, and effectively, you might want to keep these tips in mind.
Get the right gear, first
Make sure that you’re wearing all of the gear you need before you get on that board. It may not make you feel the coolest, but you should definitely be wearing a skate helmet, elbow pads, and knee pads as you get comfortable. It will make you feel less uncomfortable with skating as you will feel safer. The right skate shoes and thick socks to keep your shins and ankles softly protected should all be secured before you get on the board, too.
Choosing the right board
There’s a lot of difference between the types of boards you can get as well. Different board types work differently for people of different builds, but you also want to figure out whether you skate regular or goofy style, and this can change which board you buy, as well. Any skate shop should be able to help you figure out the best board for you, which you can usually buy complete, though veteran skaters often like to customise.
Taking care of your board
Given that it takes your whole weight, it should be no surprise that you need to keep your skateboard in good condition. Cleaning your bearings and replacing grip tape regularly is essential. Most importantly, however, you have to learn how to change skateboard wheels as well as bearings. These are the contact points between the board and wheels and over time, it’s these connecting points that experience the brunt of the shock the board receives, so they can fall apart if you keep using the same ones without changing when necessary.
Practice and practice falling
You should take the time to learn the basics of skateboarding, from pushing to turning to slow down and stopping. There are plenty of YouTube tutorials that can help you do just that. What’s more, you should learn how to take a spill. You are going to fall off your skateboard, so learning how to do it well is vital. Typically, this means learning how to tuck into a roll as you come off.
Don’t skate in bad weather
You want to make sure that you’re skating somewhere that you can comfortably practice. Finding a skatepark near you is going to help, but you want to avoid ground without cracks or any debris like rocks or twigs. Never skate in the rain or when it has been snowing or has icy patches out.
With the tips above, it won’t guarantee you become Tony Hawk any time soon, but they can help ensure that you’re able to give yourself the best chance at thriving and thrashing with comfort and ease. Just be patient, it takes practice to get comfortable and confident on a skateboard.
