Westbound Boarder

So you have already found your new skate, now it’s on to more important things, actually skating. Learning to skate can be challenging, although with a little forethought and technique, you will be comfortable on your skateboard in no time.

(1) Armor: First things first. It may seem ridiculous, but when you are learning to skate my first recommendation is to pad up. That is right, wear the wrist guards, knee pads and a helmet. Worried that you will look like an idiot? Well than read Andrea’s safety post from a few months ago, and then read what happened when she didn’t take her own advice (and she is now paying for it with a a serious hand surgery). Learn from Andrea’s mistakes, and when you are new to skateboarding, pad up.

(2) Which foot forward: Now that you are ready for battle, figure out if you are regular or goofy footed (tip: run and slide across the kitchen floor in your socks, which foot did you put forward?) Right foot forward: you’re goofy footed. Left foot forward: you’re regular footed. Oh, and for some there is the mongo foot pusher, where they are comfortable planting their back foot on the skate and pumping with their front foot. It’s that simple.

(3) Jumping on your board: Start by getting comfortable with your board. Try different ways to get on and off of your board and do this by simply jumping on and off of your motionless board. Practice getting your balance right on your board and notice how your balance changes when your stance does, or when your legs are close together vs. far apart.  A general rule of thumb is that, to a point, a wider stance is going to help you balance. So keep your feet far enough apart to create a great base resulting in great balance.

(4) Tilt your board back: Also practice pushing down hard with your back foot on the board so that you tilt the front of the board up, all the while staying on the board. You will be in a position where only the two back wheels are on the ground and the tail of the board is nearly resting on the ground behind you. Pause there momentarily and then shift your weight back forward, landing back on the ground with all four wheels flat on the ground. Any variation of this transition will help to improve your balance and comfort on the skate. Even if you cannot tilt the skate back very far, no worries; work yourself to that point. It all takes time. Rinse and repeat until mastered.

(5) The Run and Jump: Another great way to get comfortable on your skate is by running at your board and jumping on it, all the while, working to keep your balance as long as possible. Start with a slow run. Your board won’t go very far, but in no time you will be naturally increasing your speed and eventually it will become natural to begin pumping your feet and actually skating.

(6) Knees Bent: Also, remember to keep your knees bent. Your knees will serve to absorb the movement of the skateboard, and if you have stiff knees, your skate will kick you off your board in no time. So in the back of your mind should always be, “Keep. Knees. Bent.”

(7) Pumping: When you get to the point where you are comfortable with the above practice methods, begin working on your pumping technique. This can be difficult as it is easy for the skate to get away from you when your pushing. Imagine that you are simply walking and making a step forward with the foot that you are pushing on the side of the skateboard. Keep your planted foot parallel to the board and your knee bent.  It is also easier to make more powerful pushes vs. smaller less powerful pushes, which in the long run will significantly help you in your skating.

(8) Learn how to stop: You have four options here: Foot breaking, Heel Drag, Power Slide, The Bail Out. I am sure you can use your imagination with these folks, but I’ll break it down for you.

• Foot breaking is done by making sure your front foot is as parallel as possible with the board (your toes should be facing the nose of the board), your chest should also be facing forward as well. You simply transfer your weight to your front foot, swing your back leg out and lower it straight to the ground. Keep your body centered around the board and apply light pressure to the ground with the sole of your shoe and gradually increase the pressure as you need to slow down.
• Heel Drag: With a little more experience the heel drag can be done. Place your back foot at the back of your skate (let your heel stick out off the kicktail). Lean back so the tail of the board and your heel are pressed against the ground, the nose of your board will come up into the air and you will stop.
• Power Slide: is an advanced way to stop, but involves placing your front foot near the front trucks and your back foot near the back trucks. You then push your back foot forward (or backwards) and slide the rear wheels on the ground resulting in a 90 degree shift and subsequent stop.
• Bail Out: When you do not have any other options, just bail, your life is more important than your skate’s.

I know this is a lot of information so don’t expect to go out there and do all of this at once. Take your time and just get comfortable on your skate. Practice is what makes perfect so practice, practice, practice! Are you more of a visual learner? Well then check out this Learn to Ride a Skateboard video, you can actually download it for free, and we think it is pretty helpful.

So do the time and you will, in no time, be comfortable enough on your skate to learn a few of the basic tricks.  Are you already comfortable on your skate? Well then check out our Sk8 Tricks post later this afternoon!

In the mean time, check out the Skate Like a Girl event tonight July 21st at the Department of Skateboarding @ 15 NE Hancock Portland, OR.