Tips for Becoming a Better Skateboarder

Although it looks easy, dropping in on a ramp in a skateboard park is not a very easy thing to do. If you haven't done drop ins before, try attempting them and you will see how difficult they are to do and there is a high chance that you will just end up with your body sprawling down below with your skateboard flying off across the ramp.

So, if you don't want to make a fool out of yourself or worse, spend time in the hospital, you will want to know about the basics for doing drop ins properly.

First of all, you need to remember that safety is everything. Always wear your safety equipment whenever you are skateboarding. Even pros wear safety equipment.

The drop in doesn't necessarily take a lot of skill. However, beginner skateboarders will tend to get nervous whenever they attempt to drop in on the ramp. This means that their body will tense up which will force them to shift their weight and eventually fall.

Drop ins are basically what skateboarders do to enter bowls or the vert ramp. This will allow the skateboarder to instantly gain a lot of speed and get big air to perform their tricks.

If you are just a beginner, you first need to get comfortable riding your skateboard by riding on the ground around the park.

Dropping in won't necessarily mean that you need to know a few skateboard tricks, but it just means that you should know how to ride your skateboard comfortably and with proper balance.

You have to remember that once you've dropped in, there is no turning back. You will gain a lot of speed at a very fast rate. So, you will need to know how to be comfortable riding your skateboard.

To drop in, the first thing that you need to do is check out the ramp. If it's too big, start off with mini ramps. This will not necessarily give you a lot of speed, but it will be good for practicing.

After checking out the ramp, set the tail of the board on the coping which is the edge of the ramp. Hold the board with your back foot by stepping on the tail. If you are ready to go, place your front foot just behind the nose or just above the front trucks of the skateboard. Then shift your weight forward and stomp your front foot and let gravity do the rest.

As mentioned before, there is no need for you to know different tricks when dropping off a ramp. Just get good balance and you will also need a bit of guts and will.

Skateboarding Alternatives

No, I'm not telling you to stop skateboarding and switch to another sport. What I mean with skateboarding alternatives is the things you can do with your skateboard when it is wet, raining, cold, and snowing.

First, a skateboard should not be kept in your house until spring or until the weather permits. There are lots of activities you can do with your skateboard aside from going out and hitting the sidewalks and parks.

Indoor skateboarding Do not ride your skateboard and chase your cats, dogs, and brothers around the house. That's not what I meant. What I mean is you can practice your tricks inside your house, in your room or on the carpet of your living room. You can practice your balance, kickflips, kickturns, ollies, and other freestyle tricks without going out of your house. Be careful though. You don't want to annoy your mom and dad with broken glasses, and windows.

Garage skateboard If your house is not good enough, you still have your garage. Clear out the cars and boxes and you are good to go. Transform your garage into your personal skate park. Construct a mini ramp and short rails. Skating in your garage is the best way to beat the rain, snow, and cold.

Indoor skate parks If you are doing all your skateboarding on the street and parking lots, then you may have forgotten all about indoor skate parks near you. Here, you can improve your skateboarding techniques regardless of the weather. It might cost you some money, but if you can afford to buy wheels and trucks, you can definitely afford to pay for the use of the park. After all, you are just paying here to survive over the winter months. When spring comes, go back to your favorite skate spot.

Snowboarding It's winter and the snow is falling. You can't roll but you can definitely slide. So, grab your snowboard and head to ski parks. If you don't have the money, your neighborhood is all yours. Remember this: many skateboarding tricks are derived from snowboarding so you can definitely improve your riding when you get back to your wheels in the spring.

Being a couch potato when you can't skateboard outside is really up to you. But if you want to improve your skills, be creative. Use every available space you have and get better each day.

The Great Fun Involved with Skateboard Ramps

First off, you have to fully understand that using skateboard ramps is highly dangerous and the event of an injury is likely. But because most skateboarders live for the thrill of doing tricks and catching big air, skateboard ramps are essential in any skateboard park and there have also been many skateboard ramps that have been homemade and used on their own property.

Ramps for those that are newbies to skateboarding, although it is unlikely that a person who wants to go skateboarding hasn't seen or heard about one, are sloping, usually wooden, objects that allow a person to ride a bike, skateboard or such to give them leverage when they do leaps. In buildings, ramps are used for easy access to those who are disabled.

As mentioned, ramps are great obstacles in a skateboard course which can allow a person to do jumps and to perform tricks after taking off. Some ramps are also used for taking off to allow a skateboarder to gather momentum easily. Skateboard ramps that don't have a sloping or curving surface are called wedge ramps. They look like triangles and have a straight line going up.

Using the internet, you can purchase ramps and avoid having to build one your own. Many websites offer large and small ramps and some of them even offer free shipping and delivery. All you have to do is find the right one for you. Factors that determine which type of ramp you will need will include the space you have where you will place the ramp. Take into account the obstacles that are lined up near the allotted space.

Another factor to consider is your skateboarding skills and abilities. If you are a new to using ramps, then you may want to stick with the smaller ramps first. Practice with the small ramp then as you get used to doing jumps and other tricks, you may move on to larger ramps.

For the do it yourself kind of guy, there are skateboard ramp plans available for download on the internet. Some plans can be downloaded for free, but for the more comprehensive plans, you may purchase them for a low fee.

But always remember, when it comes to skateboarding, like in other different types of sport, safety is the main issue. Don't forget to wear your safety gear and don't get over eager.

Ways to Effectively Kill Your Skateboard

Today's skateboards are made more durable but that does not mean that you can do anything you want with them. When used improperly, the deck can snap in half, wheels can wear fast, and mechanical parts can break. Here are the things that can definitely put an end to your skateboard's life.

Braking

Powerslides. Powersliding is cool especially if you are the only one in the group who can perform it. But with all the fame you get, your wheels receive the beating. As the wheels grind against the ground especially on rough terrains, it loses its grip and shape. They will wear fast and you may need to buy a whole new set sooner than later.

Heel brake. When doing the heel break, you wear down the soles of your shoes or the tail of your board, or both. Excessive heel braking causes the kicktail to get thinner and eventually break, requiring you to buy a new deck. If you want to stop using the heel brake, at least put a guard underneath the kicktail which will take the grinding off the deck. A plastic cap will do although it will limit your ability to do some tricks successfully.

Landing

Landing with your feet in the middle of the deck is an effective way to break the deck in half. If you don't want that to happen, do not place your foot in the middle of the deck. Let the trucks absorb your weight by stepping above them when landing.

Freestyling

Truckstand spin, truckstand hops, pogo spin, and pogo hops can definitely ruin your tail. Grinds can scratch the bottom of the deck. Some tricks can bend your deck undesirably. Well, skateboarding should be fun and skateboarders live to experiment on new tricks. If you can afford to buy a new skateboard, feel free to do these tricks.

Maintenance

Bearings and wheels must be cleaned periodically to extent their life and spare you from buying a new set. Maintenance is very important to keep your wheels rolling smoothly. This will enhance the riding experience. But if you don't want to clean it, it is all up to you. Just be sure that you are prepared to pay the price.

You can either put a sorry end to your skateboard or extend its life and sparing yourself from buying a whole new set. The choice is yours. Tricks can and will definitely wear out your skateboard but if done correctly, the wear will slow down.

Tips That Will Allow You to Easily Do This Trick

Everyone who knows how to skateboard or is just starting out to skateboard wants to learn the tricks that the pros do. It is very impressive to look at and it can also entertain a lot of people.

If you want to do what Tony Hawk or Bam Margera can do, then you will want to first learn about the basics and practice a lot. Skateboarding tricks are not learned overnight and it will take you quite a few falls and some bruises before you perfect the trick you want to learn on your skateboard.

So, before you start attempting to do any tricks, you might want to start off by wearing the necessary safety gears in order to minimize injuries and avoid the hospital with a skateboard related injury.

One trick that most skateboarders first learn is the Indy Grab. This skateboard trick is very simple but very stylish. This trick is basically one of the most used skateboarding tricks today and it is very effective for entertaining crowds.

In this trick, you will see skateboarders doing it by catching air, bending down and grabbing the board with their hand. It looks very cool and it is also a trick that you should definitely learn how to do.

If you already know how to do the Ollie, then it will be easy for you to do this trick. However, if not, you will need to learn how to do the Ollie first as this trick is one of the many variations of the Ollie.

Basically, this trick will require you to do the Ollie first and while you are in the air, incorporate the Indy Grab.

To execute this trick, ride the board with your front foot in the middle of the board and your back foot on the tail. Then, slam down on the board with your back foot and jump at the same time. What this will do is it will keep your body centered on the board and make it stay even. This is the Ollie. To incorporate the Indy Grab, you need to bend or reach down while you are in the air and hold onto the board between your feet.

Moments before landing, you need to let go of the board and always make sure that your knees are bent in order to absorb the shock of the landing. This trick can be done on ramps, flat ground, or when you leave a flat edge.

This skateboard trick is much more effective if you have big air. Try slamming on the board as hard as you can to get more air.

These are the tips that you need to remember whenever you plan on performing the Indy Grab on your skateboard. As you can see, it is very easy to do and it will also be very effective in impressing the crowd as well as other skateboarders.

Tips to Prevent Serious Injuries to Avoid Long and Painful Hospital Stays

Whether you like or not, skateboarding is a painful sport to learn. You will eventually fall when you are learning and you will also get hurt a lot. Although wearing helmets and pads can help reduce the damage, you will still feel pain and get some bruises and scrapes from hitting the pavement.

This is why it is very important to know how to fall and get yourself back up and try again in the world of skateboarding.

The single most important thing that you should remember is that when you fall never catch yourself with your hands. It may take quite some time to get used to as it is your instinct to catch yourself, but it is still very important to learn not to do it.

Catching yourself with your hands whenever you experience falls is a great way to break your wrists. So, in case your skateboard goes flying off and you are falling, try to get your shoulder and your body to absorb the impact. These body parts can take a lot more punishment than your wrists and it will also minimize the risk of serious injuries.

When you fall, roll with the blow as much as you can. This will decrease the shock of the impact and also minimize injuries.

You may get some bruises on your body but you have to remember that bruises are much better than having a broken wrist. Even if you use wrist guards when you go skateboarding, it is important to teach yourself to not use them to catch yourself during falls. At some time in the near future, you will be skating with no wrist guards.

It hurts when you fall. So, what can you do about it? The best thing that you can do is get up if you can, walk around, and shake it off.

In skateboarding, broken bones are very common. If you think that you are hurt bad or you've broke a bone during a fall, it is important that you get it checked out by your doctor. You don't want the bones to heal wrong.

A lot of people who try out skateboarding get discouraged easily when they fall. If you love the sport of skateboarding, then you should expect to get hurt, especially if you are a beginner.

What to Buy and What to Avoid

Now that you are taking an interest in skateboarding, the first thing that you will think about is buying a skateboard that you can practice on. Sure there are quite a lot of cheap skateboards available but you should be warned that cheap means dangerous.
Don't buy cheap skateboards from the toy store or from your nearest superstore. What this means is that you should not buy skateboards that are mass produced by companies that have little concern about the quality of the products they produce.

By nature, you have to face the fact that skateboards are dangerous. So, you wouldn't want to buy a cheap skateboard that is poor in quality which will make it even more dangerous to ride on especially when you plan on practicing your tricks on it.

Cheap skateboards will usually mean weak trucks, poor quality wheels that can break easily, freezing bearings, and boards that break easily. Good skateboard manufacturers will spend a lot of time to make the skateboards that are safer, better and last longer.

Instead of that mass produced cheap skateboard, try to buy a complete pro grade skateboard. This is high in quality and will last a lot longer. It will feel more comfortable when you ride it. Usually, skateboards like this will cost around $120. There are specific skateboard brands that you can choose from. If you are not sure which one to buy, try to take a look at skateboard brand reviews on the internet. It will give you an idea which brands will suit your riding needs best.

You can also try building your own pro grade skateboard. You can purchase the board, trucks, wheels, and bearings separately. This will allow you to get the best boards, trucks and wheels.

If you don't want to shell out a lot of cash, you will see that there are also good quality skateboards out there that aren't as expensive as the pro grade ones but not as cheap as the mass produced ones.

If you are buying your kid his or her first skateboard, you can cut some corners. However, never buy the $20 skateboards at your nearest superstore or toy store. For sure, you want the best quality skateboard for your kids. Although it shouldn't be the pro grade ones, you should get one that is of good quality.

These are the things that you have to remember when buying skateboards. If you want to prevent accidents and serious injuries, you might want to invest a little more money on the skateboard you purchase.

What Should You Wear?

There is more to skateboarding than doing tricks and breaking bones. Seriously, skateboarding has created a whole new culture, a new breed of people, and a different fashion statement. So if you want to look like a genuine skateboarder, then you have to be in style.

Pants. Skateboarders are known to wear baggy pants. Denim jeans are a mainstay. Consider corduroy pants as well. If you want to be authentic, wear the same denim jeans over and over again. Wash them only when you want to. Shorts? Are you kidding me?

There's a reason why you should wear baggy pants and not shorts. Obviously, baggy pants can provide you with the freedom of movement. Shorts, while comfortable, expose your flesh and make your legs vulnerable to deeper cuts and bruises.

T-Shirt. Any t-shirt will do but the most popular are graphic shirts and just plain white and worn out t-shirts. Basketball jerseys are okay too.

Beanies or caps. Any baseball cap or beanie will do but it would be better to wear old ones.

Underwear. Go for bright colored underwear. Now, since you chose to wear baggy pants, you may want to expose your underwear to complete the hip-hop look.

Socks. Optional! But if you want to wear a pair, get ankle-length pair of black socks.

Belts and buckles. A nice quality belt should keep your baggy pants securely fastened to your waist. Wear leather or a web belt with belt buckle design of your choice.

Sweatshirt and Hoodie. If its cold and you need another layer of clothing, then a sweatshirt or hoodie that is street-themed is better than jackets.

Shoes. It is okay to skate on regular shoes but if you are planning to do some serious skateboarding, buy a good pair of skateboarding shoes.

Skateboard fashion resembles urban, hip-hop, or punk style. You can base your attire from any of these.

Skateboarding is all about personal expression. You can wear anything you like. The last thing you want to hear is someone who tells you what to do and what to wear. But what's the use of looking good if you skate badly? If fashion is your main concern, forget about skateboarding and be a model. But if you are serious about skateboarding, then what to wear is secondary. What matters is that you are comfortable with what you wear.

Skateboarding Help for Beginners

You have probably seen the sport on TV or have played it in a video game but you have never really tried it yourself. Now, you want to try it. What should you do? After solving the problem of getting your own skateboard, you need to learn how to ride.

Riding the skateboard for the first time can be hard but with proper techniques, you will learn better.

First, know the gears. Never, attempt to ride a skateboard without padding up and wearing a helmet. They are very important. You may feel that you look like an idiot but who cares? Remember, if you don't know what you are doing, it is better to suit up for the occasion than to be sorry after a major cut or a broken bone. Riding the skateboard for the first time may involve falling and hurting yourself. Do not ignore the importance of these gears.

Now that you are fully prepared, it is time to step on your skateboard. Do not do anything stupid. Start standing on your board on the grass or on the carpet. Decide which stance you will use. You have 2 choices: the regular and the goofy. Once you are comfortable standing on your skate, push forward.

Take your skateboard to a skate park or in your garage or anywhere you can skate safely. Place your front foot right behind the front truck and your back foot, on the ground. With your back foot, push forward. If you are doing it correctly, you should be rolling by now. Push 2 or 3 times and put your back foot above the rear tracks. Get the feel of moving. Relax your body. Balance. If you slow down push off some more.

Now, learn how to stop. There are 4 ways to stop your skateboard: bailing out, power sliding, heel dragging, and foot breaking. Since it is your first time, use your foot to stop. This is the simplest among all the techniques. Do this by pressing your back foot against the ground to slow down.

Then you need to learn how to turn. Just bend the board slightly to your left and you go left; bend the board slightly to the right and you turn right - that easy.

If you find these to be overwhelming, then take it nice and slow. Do not force yourself to learn too quickly because it is not an overnight process. Practice and master the basics first and you are on your way to your first skateboarding trick.

Understanding and Learning the Basics

Sure you know how to ride a skateboard at high speed comfortably. But, have you ever considered the fact that you also need to know how to stop? Try to imagine cruising down the street with your skateboard at high speed and suddenly a car pulls out from a garage. Surely you wouldn't want to humiliate yourself by jumping off your skateboard or sprawling on the side of a car like that Garfield doll sticking on the car windshield with your skateboard still going at high speed down the street.

So, learning how to stop is also important but of course you want to do it like a pro in order to avoid looking stupid.

So, here are the basics of using the skateboard footbrake.

The first thing that you need to do is take your front foot and turn your toes so that they face the nose of the board. You also need to turn your chest and let it face forward as well. After that, transfer all your weight on the front of your foot as you swing your back leg out and lower it to the ground. Try to keep your weight centered on the front foot and always remember to keep your back leg straight as you lower it to the ground. Never lean back or forward when performing the skateboard footbrake.

As you lower your back leg to the ground keeping it straight, try to apply light pressure to the ground with the sole of your shoe and continue to gradually increase the pressure if you need to slow down faster. Try to remember that you should do it nice and easy.

When the skateboard comes to a complete stop, just place your back foot on the ground.

Although this action seems easy to do, it takes some time and a lot of practice to get it right. Always remember that like all other skills on skateboarding, you need to practice, practice, and practice some more.

Now that you know how to footbrake on your skateboard, you will now be able to avoid that car that suddenly pulled out from the garage and avoid injuring yourself and paying for the damages you do to the car when you crashed into it.

Remember these tips and you can be sure that you will be able to go skateboarding a lot safer. Always remember that skateboarding is not just about going fast and doing tricks, it is also about knowing how to stop.

Skateboard Safety Tips

Fractures, sprains, abrasions, contusions, and even head injuries are frequent among skateboarders. These can be prevented with the following safety tips:

Wear a helmet 21 percent of the total reported skateboard-related injuries are head injuries. So it makes sense to wear a helmet. Make sure that the helmet you wear has a chin strap and fits around your head perfectly.

Wear protective gear Elbow pads, knee pads, wrist pads, and gloves may not fully protect you from fractures but it can reduce the severity of bruises and cuts.

Do not ride in traffic While modern skateboards are designed for maximum control, it is not advisable to ride when crossing the street. Also, never attempt to "skitch" (or riding while holding on to a moving vehicle) on motorcycles, trucks, bicycles, or cars.

Skate on the right place Many skateboard-related injuries are caused by skating in the street or in places with human or vehicular traffic. Go to parks, empty parking spaces, or indoor skate parks. It is equally important to skate on the grounds with smooth surfaces as small bumps, sticks, holes, and stones on the riding surface can cause falls.

Do not take chances Learning new tricks is cool but you have to make sure that you perform it with caution and lots of practice. Never show off.

Never skate alone Like swimming, do not attempt to skate alone. This way, when accident happens, there is someone to help you.

Learn to fall from the skateboard properly Most injuries happen because the skateboarder losses his balance. Learning how to fall will reduce the risk of injuries. The best way to fall is to crouch down as it reduces your height and amount of impact during the fall. Try to relax your body rather than go stiff. Roll rather than absorb the full impact of the fall. And try to fall on the fleshy part of your body rather than absorb the impact with your arms.

Choose the right skateboard Boards vary differently. Some are designed for speed while others are designed for freestyle or slalom. Choose a specific board that fits your requirements. If you did some serious skateboarding before, you should know. If you are buying for the first time, seek advice.

Know what to do in case of emergency No matter how much protection you have or how faithful you follow all the safety tips in the book, accidents can happen. Make sure that you remain calm and seek help immediately.

Skateboard Safety Equipment

Skateboard injuries are very common, especially to those who are just learning the sport. However, this doesn't discount the possibility of injuries to those who have been riding skateboards for years. So whether you are a novice or an expert, a helmet, knee pads, elbow pads, wrist pads, and gloves are a must.

Here's your guide on selecting skateboard safety equipment:

Helmet

When buying a helmet, select the one that fits your head perfectly (too large and it will loosely move when your head moves; too tight and it will limit your head movement). It must have a buckle and a strap that can be fastened and secured around your head. Helmets must be replaced after every impact.

An average helmet costs at around $30 while high-end helmets cost as high as $500, usually made for professional skateboard athletes.

Knee pads

Knee pads absorb most of the impact of the fall and protect your knees from possible cuts and bruises. Thus, knee pads must be fastened securely around the legs. Choose the pads that fit perfectly to your size as they vary from small, medium, to large.

Knee pads cost between $10 and $100 depending on the brand, quality and design.

Elbow pads

Like knee pads, elbow pads absorb most of the impact of the fall and protect your elbow from cuts and bruises that are caused by such fall. Elbow pads should also be fastened securely around your elbows. Elbow pads with hard plastic caps are better choice.

Elbow pads usually cost around $30 per pair although you can buy a set of elbow and knee pads at a cheaper price.

Wrist pads

The perfect wrist pads should not only fit perfectly on your wrists but also would not limit the range of your movement. Thick wrist pads are okay but remember that they should be comfortable when worn.

A pair of good wrist pads can cost between $15 and $30.

Gloves

When falling, the skateboarder has the tendency to use his hand to break the fall. When not protected, breaking the fall may cause cuts and bruises or even fractures to the hands. Thus it is important to wear protective gloves when riding. When buying, choose gloves that perfectly fit the size of your hand. Skateboard gloves can be made from synthetic fiber, leather or hard plastic. Each gives their own level of protection. Choose one that will benefit you most.

A pair of gloves can cost at around $45.

Proper Technique for Executing the Ollie

Now that you know how to properly balance yourself on your skateboard and you know how to skate, it may now be the right time for you to start learning a few tricks on your skateboard which will catch the attention of your fellow skaters.

Everyone who loves to skateboard obviously wants to be like the pros and execute tricks with comfort, and style. However, you need to remember that most pro skaters practice different tricks for years before they catch big air and execute them in a fluid like motion.

Always remember that when performing skateboard tricks, you need to practice, practice and practice some more. Although you may experience falls, you will see that in time, you will be able to execute them perfectly and awe your fellow skateboard buddies.
One of the most common tricks in skateboarding is the Ollie. This is the most used trick out there and most of the tricks are based on the Ollie. If you research the web, you will see that a lot of websites will tell you how to do the Ollie but only a few will tell you how to do it easily.

So, here is the step by step proper execution of the Ollie which will help you get it done faster.

Firstly, you should obviously be on the board to perform the trick. Your back foot should be on the tail of the board and your front foot should be in the middle. Your knees should also be slightly bent to execute the Ollie properly.

It is important that you don't ride very fast when you are learning to do this trick. Surely you wouldn't want to hit your face on the pavement on your first attempt, would you?

When you perform this trick, always remember that the lower you bend the more air you will get. In fact, most pro skateboarders will perform this trick with knees bended so far that the hands almost touch the pavement.

Whenever you are ready, you need to jump high into the air by slamming your back foot onto the tail of the board. To get big air, you should slam the tail as hard as you can. You will see that when you go in the air, the board will follow.

As you are in the air, make sure that you stay in the center of the board. This will keep you balance. Also, you need to keep your knees bent in order to absorb the impact when landing and it will also provide you with a smooth landing.

These are the things that you need to remember about the Ollie. By just following these simple tips, you can be sure that you will be able to perform the Ollie effortlessly and awe your friends.

Places where you can have a Great Skateboarding Vacation

For skateboarding aficionados, there is nothing quite like getting away from it all and spending time on their skateboards. Because of the popularity of skateboarding, there are now skateboard vacation getaways available for avid skateboarders.

The name says it all. A Skateboarding travel getaway is all about skateboarding and of course, vacationing. This will involve places where skateboarding parks and other skaters loom. The great thing about these places is that you can learn a lot from other skateboarders and get some tips to improve your own skating skills.

Because skateboarding is extremely popular today, there are numerous places that you can go and have some great skateboarding fun. There are places though that rise above from the others and these are the places that you will want to go. You don't have to go too far, here in America; there are lots of places which can be considered as a Mecca for skateboarding, and if you live near these places, then you are quite fortunate.

American skateboarders have it quite good because they don't need to go far to go on a skateboarding holiday. With numerous choices, you may experience a hard time choosing where to go. If you are near California, you may want to check out the Simi Valley Skate Lab or the Diamond Bar Skate Park. Here you will find numerous challenging skate parks and fully practice and develop your skills. There are also a lot of pro and semi pro skaters which hang around these areas so you will certainly see some great skating.

If you're from the other end of the country, you can go and check out Florida and their skating parks. Notable parks include Lakeland Adair Skate Park. The park doesn't only offer great fun for skateboarding enthusiasts, but there are also different amenities which other people can enjoy. For indoor skateboarding, The Tampa Skate Park would be your destination of choice.

If you are able to have the resources to go on an international holiday, then going down under to Australia is a safe bet. Go to Melbourne and go directly to the Riverslide Skate Park. Here you will find some of the greatest skateboarding on this side of the globe. When in New South Wales, you may also want to check out the Cardiff Skate park.

Not only will you be able to experience fantastic skateboarding fun on this type of holiday getaway, but you will also be able to relax and suck in a new atmosphere.(AKmil)

Making Your Skateboarding Experience Better For You

Now that you are good at skateboarding, you will definitely want to have a pro grade skateboard. Basically, there are two ways you can get a pro grade skateboard. The first is by buying one that is completely assembled with all high quality materials installed, and the other is by assembling it piece by piece with different brands of wheels, boards, and trucks and bearings to accurately suit your riding needs.

You can always buy a complete pro grade skateboard. But, if you want a skateboard that fits your preferences, you should try building your own custom board.

The first thing that you need to do is pick the deck size. The length and the thickness depend on the tricks that you plan on performing and the width will depend on your feet size.

Skateboard wheels are also an important factor that you should know. Different skateboard wheels come in different colors as well as sizes and degrees of hardness.

For vert and transition, you will need larger skateboard wheels in order to get a faster roll. If you do verts or transitions try 55 to 65mm wheels. For street or technical, get smaller wheels with a hardness of 97 to 101. The skateboard will be a lot slower in rolling, allowing you to do technical tricks easily as well as have wheels that can withstand a lot of pressure.

The bearings are also important. These are metal rings that fit inside the skateboard wheels. As a skateboarder, you will want bearings that are precise and durable. So, go for 3 or 5 ABEC rating on the bearings you choose. This will be smooth enough when you ride your board and durable enough that it will not break when you jump on your board.

The trucks are another important part that you should carefully choose. These are axles that connect the board to your wheels. To choose the truck that you need, you will need to match the truck side to the deck or your board. The bushings in the truck are also an important factor to consider. For vert, you will need stiffer bushings and for street, you will need softer bushings to allow you to turn easily.

The truck height will also vary. Lower trucks will make it easier for you to flip the board and are very stable. However, lower trucks will mean smaller wheels. If you do verts, which will require speed, you will need larger trucks to accommodate larger wheels.

These are the things that you need to remember when building a custom pro grade skateboard. Also, try getting a good grip tape, risers and other hardware, such as nuts and screws.

If you want a good board, you will want one that is made with high quality materials. So, if you want a skateboard that will accommodate your riding needs, try building a custom pro grade skateboard.(AKmil)

More than Just a Fashion Statement

The resurgence of the popularity of skateboarding can be attributed to a lot of factors. It is a simple sport that can be very exciting especially if you learn to do the complicated tricks. The movements are incredible and many people get a rush when doing these tricks, especially when they get to impress a lot of people. But as mentioned, the sport can be highly dangerous and many injuries have been attributed to skateboarding.

That is why it is essential that you have sturdy and durable equipment and good safety gear as well. But aside from your skateboard, your pads and your helmet, having proper skateboarding shoes will allow you to have a safe ride. Not all shoes are tailor fit for skateboarding.

When you skateboard, your ankle and feet need ample protection. A good skateboard shoe should be able to have a good grip on the board and be able to protect your ankle and foot and should have the right fit. Slips and slides can happen anytime and it does happen even to the best of them. The perfect skateboard shoe will be able to prevent injuries when these accidents do happen. Also, if your shoes have a good grip on the surface of the board, you will be able to do your tricks more effectively without letting the board slip from under you.

Good skateboarding shoes should be sturdy and strong enough to withstand the constant beating and pounding shoes absorb in skateboarding. But, it should also be flexible enough to allow a variety of foot movements especially when a rider is going fast and preparing to do tricks. The sole of the shoe should also be thick enough so that they will last a long time. Skateboarders push often for momentum and the rough surface of the skateboard can also eat through the sole in time.

You should also take into consideration comfort. Skateboarding requires hours of practice and the constant foot movements can take a toll. If you are not wearing comfortable shoes, you will end up with a blistered sore foot which can be very painful. An improper fitting shoe can take away your stability and balance which will result in accidents.

Buying a good pair of skateboarding shoes may mean more expense on your part as some of these good shoes can be quite expensive. But this extra cost will also spell the difference between effective riding and a trip to the hospital.(Akmil)

Learning How to Do This Impressive Skateboard Maneuver

Knowing how to go back and forth on a skateboard is one thing. However, you also have to remember that there is more to skateboarding than just riding it forward, stopping, and then riding back to where you came from.

If you know how to ride the skateboard comfortably, then it is time for you to learn about the different basic maneuvers that you can do with your skateboard.

One basic skateboarding skill is Kickturning. This particular skill can be easy to look at but it is rather complicated or confusing to do it. In this skill, you will need to have good balance on your skateboard.

Kickturning is basically where you will balance your back wheels for movement and swinging the front of the board to go in a new direction. This takes some practice to master and a lot of balance.

Before you start, make sure that all you are wearing all of your safety skateboarding equipments are to prevent injuries during falls when practicing.

The first thing you need to learn is how to balance your body and skateboard on two wheels, particularly the back wheel. Try to practice it on the carpet or on the grass outside to prevent it from rolling too much which can send your skateboard flying off and land your bottom on the pavement.

To balance the skateboard on two wheels, you need to get your back foot across the tail and your front foot just behind the front trucks. Try imagining your foot when you are going to attempt an Ollie. This is the same stance that you need to have to attempt Kickturns.

Keep your knees bent and relaxed. Your shoulders should be level to the skateboard deck.

Then shift your weight to your back foot. Just a bit of weight shift is good. Now, lift your front foot just a little. This will make the front of your skateboard pop up. To turn to the direction you want to go to, just rotate your back foot to the left or right along with your body.

Try practicing the duckwalk with kickturns. This will be like shifting the board from left to right with the kick turns. This will improve your balance and enable you to practice your kickturns.

You should also practice the tic tac. This is where you combine the left and right kickturns. Try doing a little kickturn to the left and another to the right. Do this continuously and you will be able to a great skateboard maneuver.

You may fall when attempting to do kickturns on the first few attempts but this is natural. Almost everyone falls when practicing this move. By knowing how to kickturn, you will be well on your way in becoming a good skateboarder.(AKmil)

How to Overcome the Fear of Getting Hurt?

Getting hurt while riding a skateboard is normal. It might not be too comforting to know that a lot of people get injured when skateboarding; still we can say that it's part of learning the sport. However, your fear of getting hurt is yours to solve and you cannot blame the sport or other people if you happen to get cuts, bruises or broken bones while skateboarding. The thing is, you need to overcome it. But how?

Overcome fear by getting enough confidence. The best way to do this is to pad up, seriously. Wear a helmet, knee pads, elbow pads, wrist guards, and gloves. You can also wear padded shorts if you want to. Don't worry if you look a bit ridiculous with these gears. As long as you are protected, you reduce the risk of getting hurt and you'll gain confidence.

Then, you have to practice. Start with the simplest trick. The ollie can be a good choice. Learning a trick or two will allow you to gain confidence. It may take you a few months or even years to learn just one trick so stay focused with your goal. A lot of newbie skaters give up skateboarding because they either get hurt or never learned a trick. Keep your interest high and fear will be a thing of the past.

You also have to ride with your friends. Riding alone in full battle gear will make you look like the mascot. I did not tell you not to gear up properly. What I mean is go out and make friends if you don't have any. Skateboarding should be fun. And although you cannot invite someone to ride with you on your skateboard, you can ride along with friends who don't ridicule you if you don't know how to do a single trick.

Finally, you just need to get hurt. But don't remove your gears. If you are padded up and you fall, it might not break any bones but you will get hurt a little. And when you do, your body learns how not to do it again. You gain confidence and overcome fear.

Accept this: skateboarding is a painful sport. Even pro skaters break a bone or two once in awhile. You will get hurt but if you ride with care, you can skate another day and improve your skills.(AKmil)

How to Land with Your Feet on Your Skateboard?

After you learn how to ride the skateboard, you are perhaps trying out new tricks like ollie or flips. But the problem is, instead of landing both your feet on the board, your feet land on the ground, thus not completing the trick you've started. How do you solve this problem?

There are probably 2 reasons why your feet land on the ground instead on the board: you are either scared or you are doing the trick the wrong way.

Being scared is perfectly okay. This means that you are taking skateboarding seriously and you are aware that you might get hurt if you do something stupid. But, you have to overcome this fear in order to perform the tricks. If you can't land with both of your feet on the skateboard, start with one foot.

It doesn't matter if it is your left or right foot. What matters is that you are determined to do the trick right. The key here is practice. After you can land on one foot, try landing on both feet. If the other foot still refuses to land on the skateboard, then there must be something wrong either with the execution of the trick or the form of your body. If you are not comfortable doing tricks while rolling on a concrete ground, it is okay to practice on the grass or carpet. As long as you are determined to do it right, you'll be okay.

Read articles and watch videos of the skateboarding trick you are trying to learn. You will learn quickly if you learn from the experts, or at least, people who know what they are talking about.

Now try the trick again and be determined to land both of your feet to the board. If you still can't, I suggest that you get someone to help you determine what's wrong with your execution, someone you trust and understands about skateboarding, someone who is willing to help you improve your skill. Do the trick again. Practice until you get it right. If you are still having problems with one or both feet, practice harder and don't give up.

It can be frustrating but skateboarding should be fun. So relax and keep practicing. Sooner or later you will get it right. And once you do, practice even more.(AKmil)

How to Do the Skateboard Railstand Trick

If you do flatland skateboarding, then you will want to try some of the tricks available for flatland skateboarding. Some of the tricks here are easy for some skateboarders to do while there are other skateboarders that find them hard to perform.

Before you learn tricks, it is important that you wear your proper skateboarding safety gears. You have to remember that skateboarding is indeed a painful sport. If you are just learning to do a trick, there is a big chance that you will fall and experience pain.

Wear your helmet and pads to avoid sustaining serious injuries related to skateboarding, such as head trauma and broken bones.

One popular flatland skateboarding trick is called the Railstand. In this trick, the skateboarder will stand on the edge of his or her skateboard. The skateboard will be on its side with the wheels facing the side.

Also called Primo or Primo Stall, this skateboard trick can be easy to do for some skateboarders while some find it hard to execute properly. The great thing about this trick is that you don't need to know how to Ollie to perform it. So, if you are already riding your skateboard comfortably but you still don't know how to do the Ollie, you will still be able to try out this flatland skateboard trick.

There are two types of Railstands. The first is the Toeside Railstand and the other is the Heelside Railstand. The Toeside Railstand is a bit easier than the Heelside Railstand. To perform this trick, you will need a flat surface, such as your driveway, your garage or even your living room.

First, you will need to put one foot over each truck. Then, push on your toes and jump up. This will tilt the skateboard and you will need to land on the edge of the skateboard.

The Heelside Railstand is a little trickier to do than the latter. To do this easily, try taking your back foot off the skateboard. Then, put the load of this foot right on the side of the back wheel or the trucks. In one smooth motion, jump off the skateboard where your toes will pull the skateboard on its side and land on the side of your skateboard with both feet.

These are the different ways to do Railstands. As you can see, they are quite easy to do. With enough practice, you will be able to do them effortlessly.(AKmil)

How to Do the Kickflip

As a skateboarding enthusiast, you know that doing tricks is the best way to impress your fellow skateboarders. Learning how to do skateboard tricks is easy once you get your balance and are comfortable riding the board.

One trick is called the Kickflip. This trick is a variation of the Ollie and it is also considered to be one of the most difficult and popular beginner skateboarding tricks known.

With the Kickflip, you will start with an Ollie. Then you flick the board with your foot to make the board spin underneath while you are in the air. After the you get the board to spin once under your feet, get back on board, land and continue riding.

To do the Kickflip, you need to start with the most basic trick in skateboarding, which is the Ollie. If you don't know how to do the Ollie, then you will need to learn it first as the Kickflip is a variation of the Ollie.

It is also important that you know how to ride your skateboard comfortably in order to get used to your board and know how to balance it well.

Before you attempt the Kickflip trick, be sure that you are wearing all the necessary safety equipment, such as knee padding, elbow padding and a helmet.

The stance is basically the same when you do the Ollie. You need to get your back foot on the tail of the board and your front foot on the middle of the board or just behind the front trucks. You may want to try this trick when you are stationary by placing it on grass or carpet, which will prevent the board from sliding off as you are practicing. Or, you can also attempt to learn this trick while you are rolling at a comfortable speed.

Now, when you are ready, try to Ollie as high as you can. While in the air, flick the board with your front foot. This will be like flicking something with you hand like you would with a fly buzzing around your food but do it with your front foot and with the skateboard. Try kicking your front foot towards the heel side of the skateboard and use your toes to flick the board. It is important that the motion of your foot should be out and a little down. Do not kick the skateboard down, just flick it.

After flicking the board, get your feet out of the way in order for the board to make a complete spin. This happens so quickly so try to practice getting your feet out of the way.

While the board is flipping under you, try to keep your body level to the ground. This will help you maintain balance and also help you achieve a good landing.

After the board has done a complete spin, bout your back foot on it to catch it and prepare for landing by getting your knees bent. After catching the board with your back foot, you will want to put your front foot on the board too.

Remember that this trick takes time to master. So, try practicing over and over again. It may take time for you to get the board to do a complete spin, but after a few tries, you will be able to get it right.(Akmil).

How to Do It like The Pros

As a skateboarder, you know that you want to do the tricks that the pros do. It is very stylish and it is really something that is quite impressive. Knowing how to ride a skateboard properly is one thing, but knowing how to do impressive tricks while riding it is another.

So, here is one trick that you will definitely want to learn whenever you ride your skateboard as it will not only impress anyone watching but will also make you look like a pro skateboarder.

This trick is called the 360 flip. If you already know how to do the Ollie, then you will see that this skateboard trick will be easy to do. It is a really cool trick that can be very impressive if done properly, but you have to remember that you should know how to execute it flawlessly in order to avoid ending up having a mouthful of dirt or end up in the hospital.

The first thing that you need to do is make sure that all of your safety gear is properly put on. You should have the helmet to prevent head injuries when you fall, and knee pads as well as elbow pads to prevent injuring your limbs. You should also have the proper skateboard shoes as well as gloves.

Doing the 360 flip is very easy to do if you are a good skateboarder. However, if you are just beginning to skateboard, you might want to try learning the Ollie trick first as the 360 flip is entirely based on the Ollie.

If you can already do the Ollie smoothly, then you will have no problems learning the 360 flip.

Now, to do the trick, position your feet much like when you will do the Ollie. To do the 360 flip, you need to slam your back foot on the board just like you would when doing the Ollie but you need to hit it extra hard to get bigger air. You have to remember that you will need bigger air in order to perform the 360 flip.

To convert from the Ollie trick to the 360 flip, you should allow your front foot to slide off the board and you should use your toes to flip the board while in the air.

This trick is quite difficult to execute and you might experience falls because it's easy to get your feet jumbled. After flipping the board successfully, you will need to catch the board with your feet and center on it again.

On the landing, you have to remember that your knees should be bent no matter what. Bent knees are one of the most important factors when landing after doing a trick on the skateboard. No matter what trick you are doing, always bend your knees whenever you land.

Try learning this trick on slow speed or even when you are stationary. You may fall at first but once you got the hang of it, you will be able to do the trick smoothly and minimize falling. (AKmil).

How to Do a Manual on Your Skateboard

As a skateboarder, you know that you want to learn how to do the different tricks that you see on TV performed by the pros. You need to consider the fact that skateboarding is a painful sport to learn and more pain will come as soon as you try out different tricks on your skateboard.

If you are going skateboarding and are comfortable riding your skateboard, then it may be time for you to start learning different tricks that will surely impress anyone who sees you.

One trick for beginners that you will definitely want to learn is the Manual. This particular trick is like doing a wheelie on a bike but in this case, you will be using a skateboard. You will ride the skateboard with only the back wheels rolling and the front wheels on the air.

The Manual is a great trick to learn and every skateboard enthusiast should learn how to do this trick.

Basically, this trick is very different from flip tricks which are more technical. What you need here is good balance and also a lot of practice in order to achieve this trick.

If you are new to skateboarding, it is recommended that you get comfortable riding your board first and perfect your balance. Also, it helps if you know how to Ollie.

Because this trick is not very technical, you can try it even if you are just beginning to go skateboarding.

To properly execute this trick, proper foot placement is important. To do the Manual, you need to place your back foot at the tail of the skateboard and your front foot just behind the front trucks.

You will want your back foot to cover most of the tail of your skateboard.

You need to remember that there is no right or wrong way to skateboard. You just need to be comfortable. So, if you feel more comfortable doing the manual with your front foot a little bit in front of the skateboard, do it.

Remember that safety is everything. So, put on your helmet before attempting this trick.

To do the manual, you need to have a lot of flat ground to practice it on. A skate park or long stretches of flat sidewalk are great places to practice. Make sure that the surface is mostly flat and smooth.

You need speed to perform the Manual. If you gained enough speed, then you better get ready to do the trick.

To manual, just put most of your weight slowly to the back foot. Never lean backwards as this will result in falling. When you see that the front wheels are lifted, you now need to balance your weight so you will not fall behind and send your skateboard flying across the street.

To end the Manual, just shift most of your weight in front and bring your weight back again to a balanced level once you land. Make sure that you put your shoulders forward. Again, never lean back unless you want to hear your own skull cracking.

These are the things that you need to remember about doing the Manual on a skateboard. All you need is balance and good speed. (Akmil).

How to Clean Your Skateboard Bearings and Wheels

If you notice that your wheels are not gliding the way they should be or creating a distinct squeaking sound, then it is time to do some maintenance cleaning.

1. Using a +" socket wrench or a skate tool, remove the wheels from the trucks.

2. Then, remove the bearings from the wheels. To do this, barely hook the wheel back to the axle (the bearing should be hooked to the tip of the axle) and slowly pry the wheel, pooping the bearing out. This requires extreme care as you might damage the bearing in the process. (But if you are planning to throw the old bearings away and replace them with new ones, you can pry as hard as you want but make sure that you do not damage the wheels.)

3. Once you have separated the bearing from the wheels, you can now clean them separately.

4. To clean the wheels, use water or mild soap and water solution. Brush the dirt off the wheels or simply wipe them with rag or towel. Check and remove dirt embedded in and around the wheel. Dry the wheels with cloth or towel.

5. Now, clean the bearings. Take one bearing and spray every edge with a generous amount of Tri-flow Superior Lubricant. Do this on both sides of the bearings. Make sure that you are able to flush away all the dirt inside and in between the ball bearings. Repeat the same procedure to the rest of the bearings.

6. Once you are done with all the bearings, you can attach them one by one back to the wheels immediately or let them leak and dry first.

7. Reattach the wheel and bearings assembly back to the truck.

If you do not have the time to do all these, you can clean the bearings while still inside the wheel. To do this, remove the wheel from the truck and spray Tri-flow Superior Lubricant directly to the bearings. Pat down the wheel assembly to remove the lubricant inside. Then, reattach the wheels back to the trucks. While this cleans the bearings, you may want to periodically remove the bearings off its wheel for thorough maintenance.

Cleaning your skateboard bearings and wheels not only will improve your skateboarding experience, it also will extend your bearings' and wheels' lifespan. The process may be meticulous but it is all worth the effort.

How to Buy a Skateboard for the First Time

When deciding which skateboard to buy, there are 4 basic things to consider: cost, trucks, bearings and wheels, and decks.

1. Cost. A skateboard can be very expensive so the basic principle to remember is to settle for something functional -basic. Do not aim for the best board that will set you back a hefty 3-digit figure that does not even include bearings, trucks, and a set of wheels. Set your budget at around $50 to$80 for a brand new beginner skateboard.

Any higher and you'll be paying for something you don't need; any lower and you'll be paying for junk. The point is, you should buy an average beginner skateboard so when you realize that the sport is not for you or you happen to destroy your skateboard in the process, you have not spent your fortune for nothing.

2. Trucks. There are different types of trucks suited for specific tricks and functions. Some are made heavy while some just look tough. While price is your main concern, always go for quality. Go to a proper skateboard dealer and seek advice or bring a friend who really knows what trucks are right for your skill level.

3. Bearings and wheels. Bearings keep the wheels spinning when you stop pushing. Now, there are different ratings (measured in ABEC value) that determine the speed of the bearings. The slowest are the 'AA' bearings. While this will help you maintain a very slow speed downhill, it won't give you that needed speed on flat surfaces.

'AA' is then followed by ABEC 3, ABEC 5, ABEC 7, and ABEC 9. Beginners can go for ABEC 3 or ABEC 5 at the most. These bearings may not give you the best movement but going for the fastest bearings is not a good idea either.

4. Deck. If you want to go for the best deck, choose the one without any graphics. Why? Brandings and designs are what make skateboard decks expensive. Aside from that, deck designs can easily scratch off with a decent amount of skating. Instead of focusing on the cool graphics, get a 7-ply deck and pay attention to the shape of the deck. Get one with a good amount of curve to the kicktails.

Therefore, your ideal beginner skateboard should consist of a 7-ply deck, durable tracks, and ABEC 3 or 5 bearings at a reasonable price.(Akmil).

Executing This Head Turning Skateboard Trick

It is a fact that skateboard enthusiasts want to be like the pros. They want to execute different kinds of tricks and they want to do what their favorite skateboarders do in competitions.

If you want to be like Bam Margera or Tony Hawk, then you have a lot of practicing to do. Sure skateboarding can make heads turn, but if you really want to amaze people, you should learn how to properly execute the different tricks in order to avoid getting a mouth full of dirt and be the laughing stock of the neighborhood.

If you are just starting out skateboarding, you will want to start with the basics first. You have to remember that the ramps or the vert is one of the most difficult and also the most anticipated skateboarding activity.

This action will provide you with big air as well as enable you to perform different kinds of tricks.

If you are just starting out skating on ramps, you might want to start on a mini ramp and not on the real vert ramp. This will help you master the tricks you want to perform on the ramps and it is also the place to skate that will minimize injuries on huge falls.

To start out, you will first want to do the Rock to Fakie trick. This skateboard trick is what most skateboarders learn first on the ramp. It is easy and it is a very good way to start impressing people. This is also a great trick which will be a stepping stone to perform more elaborate tricks further on.

This particular trick is where the skateboarder will go to one side of the ramp and parks for a second on the edge of the ramp which is called the coping. Then, the skateboarder will rock back down the ramp.

The first thing you need to remember is that you should wear the proper safety equipment before you even start attempting this trick or any skateboarding trick.

Now that you are ready and you are now rocking back and forth the ramp, the next thing you need to do is position your feet the same way as you would when you will perform the Ollie. This means that your back foot should be on the tail of the board. The front foot should be a little closer to the nose of the board to perform the rock to fakie trick.

When you are rolling up the ramp, you need to stomp down a bit on the nose of the board just before you hit the coping. This will park your board on the edge of the ramp or the coping. Now, allow gravity to catch up with you and you should pop the trucks of the board back over the coping. This will allow you to ride back down on the ramp.

As you can see, this is a very simple yet very effective trick that you can do on the ramp. Just remember to wear the proper equipment to avoid serious injuries. (Akmil).

Easy Tips to Do It Properly

If you love skateboarding, then you will definitely want to learn as many tricks as you can. If you can do the Ollie, then you will want to know about the different tricks that are associated with the Ollie. Although they are more difficult to achieve, the results will definitely be fantastic and will awe a lot of people.

One trick that you will want to learn is called the heelflip. This kind of trick is similar to the kickflip but is a little harder to execute.

Heelflip is where the skateboarder does an Ollie to get him or her into the air and flicks the skateboard with his or her heel in order to let it spin in the air along the nose to tail axis. In this trick, the heel edge will come up first while staying parallel to the ground.

The skateboard will spin once and then the skateboarder will land on the skateboard when the wheel is facing the ground again. After landing, the skateboarder will ride away ready to do another trick or two.

It is important that you know how to do the Ollie in order to achieve the heelflip trick. You have to remember that this trick is another variation of the Ollie and is more technical and more difficult to execute.

To start, ride the skateboard with your feet in the Ollie position. However, you will want to have your front foot placed a little forward on the board and let your toes hang a little off the board. This will make the trick a lot easier to execute.

When you are at a considerable speed, do the Ollie but right after you pop the board into the air, you will need to kick the heel of your front foot forward.

After your front foot leaves the skateboard, you will need to point the toes of your front foot up in the air and kick your front foot forward. You will want to flick the edge of the skateboard with your heel, hence the name heelflip.

When the board is spinning, get your feet out of the way. After the board makes a complete spin, you need to catch it again. Keep in mind that the board will spin rapidly so look at the board when it is spinning in order to know when to catch it with your foot again and get ready for the landing.

Once you've caught the board, prepare for landing by bending your knees. This will help you absorb the impact when you land and help you with your balance.

After that, you can just simply ride away or do another trick. ( Akmil ).

Goofy or Regular Stance?

Skateboarding has two stances: The Goofy stance and the Regular stance.

It is important to know which one to use in order to get maximum comfort whenever you go skateboarding. To figure out which stance is comfortable for you, try some of these tips.

First of all, the goofy stance is where you place your right foot in the front. Regular stance is where you place your left foot forward and right foot at the back. Try some of these tips in order to know which stance you will be most comfortable with.

The first method is by getting a ball. Whichever foot you are comfortable kicking it with will likely be your back foot. You have to remember that the balancing foot should be on front and the kicking foot should be at the back of the board.

Next, try going up a staircase and observe which foot you use on your first step. Whichever foot you use will be your back foot on the skateboard. This means that if you use your right foot to go up the stairs first, you will likely be comfortable using the regular stance.

Another way to find out which stance you use is by getting someone to push you while you are standing still. This will get you off balance and whichever foot you use to catch yourself will be your back foot.

Like most people who are right handed, most skateboarders use the regular stance. This is why regular stance is called regular as it is used by most skateboarders.

There is really no right way to know what kind of stance you want to use. Try skateboarding using both stances. Whatever is more comfortable is the one that you should use. Whether it is regular or goofy stance, you will see that skateboarding is a lot of fun.

Remember these tips and you will be able to know which stance you will want to use. Although it doesn't necessarily mean that you should go and use regular stance if you kicked the ball with your right foot, it just basically means that it is a good way to find out what kind of stance you will most likely be comfortable with.

Whichever stance you use, always remember to be safe. Always use safety gear and you will see that skateboarding will be a lot more fun. ( Akmil ).

Choosing the Best Skateboarding Shoes for a Better Skateboarding Experience

In extreme sports, skateboarding is perhaps the most popular in the United States. If you love skateboarding, and you want to skate like the pros, then you need to understand that the board itself and your skills are not the only things that are important in this sport.

A lot of people think that skateboarding is done by just using regular sports shoes. However, you need to remember the fact that skateboarding will also require you to have a good pair of shoes that are specifically designed for skateboarding. They will be much more comfortable, and they will also be able to minimize injuries.

Although it is true that you can still skate using just about any shoes or even flip flops, you have to remember that when you are skateboarding, you will increase the risk of injuring your ankle.

Skateboarding shoes are designed to provide adequate protection to your ankles. These will be able to protect your ankle and prevent any serious foot injuries whenever you experience falls which is very common.

When choosing a pair of skateboarding shoes, here are some of the things that you need to remember in order to choose the right ones for a better and safer skateboarding experience.

The first important factor is that the skateboarding shoes you choose should be able to withstand a lot of force and should also be flexible enough so that you can execute tricks.

The grip is also an important factor. The skateboard shoes you purchase should be able to grip the skateboard to avoid slipping off from the board and falling.

Just like choosing any types of shoes, you have to remember that the skateboarding shoes you choose should be comfortable on your feet. The shoes you choose should feel good when you walk and when you skate, and they should be able to give you stability.

Shoes that are not comfortable will only result in giving you blisters and sores which will force you to give up skateboarding for a certain amount of time because of the pain.

The shoe laces are also important. You have to remember that skateboarding will require you to move your feet a lot and it will also let the shoes take a lot of force. Make sure that you get shoe laces that don't easily rip apart. Get a pair of special skateboarding laces, which are more durable than ordinary laces that will be able to withstand the roughness of the sandpaper like surface on your skateboard.

These are just some of the things that you need to remember about skateboarding. Always remember that the right shoes for skateboarding will make all the difference.
( Akmil ).

A Culture on Its Own

Although skateboarding may seem like just another sport that many teenagers get into, through the years, this sport has developed its own culture and skateboarders can be easily identified not just because they have skateboards, but because they have a lifestyle that can be easily seen through the clothes they wear and the things they do. Not only that, skateboarding is also an international sport in which numerous countries have their own representatives in international levels of competition.

Usually, the passion for skateboarding starts out at an early stage of a persons life, pre-teens have long known how to ride one and by the time they are in their teens, many have already mastered the skill and are able to do tricks and jumps. Some though have failed to pick up on the sport early on and may be intrigued with the skateboarding culture and would like to join as well. If you are interested in being a part of this society, here are some tips to help you.

First, you will of course need a skateboard. Although most skateboards are basically the same, you need to find a skateboard that will represent your personality. A good and sturdy skateboard will be able to withstand most of the high impact it will receive when being ridden. You will have a board that you can be very proud of.

Make sure also to get effective safety gear. Knee and elbow pads are a must and most especially the helmet. Being a beginner, you will experience a lot of falls. And also, you don't really have to wear what most skateboarders wear. Just be sure to wear comfortable clothes that you can freely move in. Skateboarding is not just about wearing the right clothes or having the right shoes, although good gripping skateboard shoes can help with your balance.

If you don't know anybody who can teach you how to skateboard, try to observe first the other skateboarders in your area. Don't be afraid to ask questions. Advanced skateboarders know a lot of tricks and can share some of their tips. Learning the basics of skateboarding can be a time consuming process. Some take to it like fish in the water while there are some that just can't seem to find their balance. Just be patient and soon enough, you may be doing ollies on your own. ( Akmil )