Learn To Skateboard Guide
Learn How To Skateboard Guide
This guide will help you learn how to get started on your skateboard. We offer a range of skateboarding lessons and classes in Sydney however recognise that not everyone can make their way to a shop to help get started so we made this guide. It’s important to note that skateboarding has a higher risk than other sports and that all people learning how to skate do so at their own risk. That being said if you follow the instructions below and practice you have a much higher chance of success!
Getting Started - When first learning how to skate it’s important to know some of the key factors that will stop you from falling off your board. The bigger your skateboard is and the wider your wheelbase is the more stable your skateboard will be. If you need more help picking the right skateboard for you check out our skateboard buying guide. The wider your stance is on the skateboard the more stable your skate will be also. Make sure that you always have your feet shoulder width or further apart when learning how to skate.
Pushing - The key to pushing on your skateboard is keeping your feet as parallel as possible. Most people have a dominant foot that leads and they push with their other foot (back foot). No one can tell you which foot you prefer at the front of your board that should be something worked out by trial and error or going with whatever feels natural.
Start with your front foot on the board. You should be able to look down and see two of the four bolts under your feet. Being able to see two bolts will make sure that your feet are as wide as possible without risk of the board sliding out from under you. Place your back foot on the ground parallel to your front foot and give the board a small push. When the board starts rolling place your back foot on the bolts at the back of your board (see diagram below). Once your back foot is on the skateboard you want to twist your front foot so your feet are once again parallel and you have your feet in a rectangular shape. Once on the board and rolling be aware of where your chest is lined up in comparison with your feet. You want your chest to be placed in between your legs and your body and legs should be making an A shape. If your chest ever ends up beyond your legs on either side of the skateboard you will fall off so this part is very important.
Stopping On Your Skateboard - In skateboarding there are around 4 ways to stop on your board. The easiest way to stop is what we like to call a reverse push. A reverse push is the easiest way to stop and works well for situations where you are going slow or slower than you can run. To reverse push, twist your front foot into the pushing position and place your back foot parallelly on the ground. At very slow speeds you will find that your foot will land on the ground and stop you immediately. If you have gained some momentum your foot may bounce several times before coming to a full stop. For more complicated ways to stop check out the skateboard lessons section at the bottom of this page.
How To Turn On Your Skateboard - There are two main ways to turn on your skateboard being: Carver Turns and Tic tac Turns. Tic tac turns are good to use at slow speeds or without rolling at all and carving turns are best suited for higher speed turning or if you want to make mild changes to the direction of the board.
How To Carve Turn On Your Skateboard - In order to do a carving turn you will need some speed on your skateboard. Start off by pushing, getting both feet on your skateboard and twisting your front foot. Make sure both of your feet are parallel and at a comfortable width. Then either bend your knees and lean onto your toes or straighten your legs and lean onto your heels. You should start to see the board start to turn
How To Adjust Turning On Your Skateboard - If you have a decent quality skateboard you should be able to adjust how much your skateboard will turn. In order to do this you will have to either tighten or loosen your kingpin bolts. It’s important to make sure that you never loosen your kingpin nuts beyond the thread because then your trucks may fall off your board. Tighten and loosen your trucks to taste and if you still feel as if your board isn’t turning enough you can bring it in to our skate shop in Sydney and we can check the quality of the board or replace the bushings.
How To Tic Tac On Your Skateboard - To tic tac on your skateboard you will have to shift your feet into a trick position by moving your back foot onto the kick of your board. Not all skateboards have kicks so it isn’t possible to tic tac on all boards. If your skateboard doesn’t have a kick you might want to loosen your trucks so you can mannavue better using carving turns.
Move your back foot onto the kick of your board and keep your front foot in the normal cruising position. Once you are set up in the right position, bend your knees and take tiny steps forwards or backwards lifting the front two wheels off the ground for a second. We recommend trying to do a full circle in either direction taking small steps before trying the other direction.
Skateboard Lessons - We offer a range of skateboard lessons for kids and adults that can help you learn more ways to stop on your skateboard, build up your confidence or show you how to do tricks. Bookings can be made online or you can come in and see us at shop 2, 49-53 N Steyne, Manly, NSW, 2095.