Ever asked yourself – should I start skateboarding? You’re not alone.
Skateboarding is a versatile sport. Whether you’re looking to get started in street skating so that you can perform tricks, or you’re just looking to cruise the boulevard to relieve stress and get some extra exercise, skating can be an amazing way to stay in shape, express creativity, and experience an extraordinary level of freedom that isn’t possible in many other sports.
If you’ve been considering getting on a skateboard, we believe it is an excellent idea. However, there are certain things you should be aware of before getting started. In this post, we will discuss the advantages of getting into skateboarding along with the risks. By doing so we hope you will be better informed to answer the question of whether or not you should start skateboarding for yourself.
Things to Consider
Picking up a skateboard for the first time is an exciting milestone. With people of all ages skateboarding these days, there is no age limit to when you can start this amazing sport. However, there are certain considerations that will need to be made when you start skating.
The first question beginner skaters should ask themselves is what type of skater they want to be. If you’re looking to get into landing tricks, sliding rails, and riding curbs and ledges, you’re probably going to want to get started with a standard street skateboard.
Street Skating
Street skateboards are the most common board you can buy and have a variety of different deck, truck, wheel, and bearing options to choose from when building your board.
You can also buy a complete skateboard that is already set up if you don’t want to go through the trouble of picking out all the individual parts. However, it should be stated that complete boards are typically lower in quality compared to buying an individual skateboard deck and trucks with wheels to go with it.
Those starting in the sport should visit their local skate shop to consult a trained skateboard professional that can help answer any questions you might have. The skating community is typically an enthusiastic and welcoming bunch who will be sure to share any skateboarding tips they might have.
Everyone who started skateboarding was a beginner at one point and knows how difficult of a sport it can be when you’re just getting started. With that said, you should definitely not be afraid to consult your fellow skaters. This can help you get started on the right foot and help immerse you into the skating culture right off the bat.
Longboard Skating
If hitting the skatepark to land tricks isn’t your primary objective and you are just looking for a fun way to get around town while getting some great exercise, you might want to consider a longboard. These cruising boards are great for beginners who want a smooth and comfortable ride.
While you won’t be able to do any kickflips or shove-its on these kinds of boards, you will be able to feel the wind blowing in your hair while you cruise down the boulevard or boardwalk, giving you the same sense of freedom as any traditional street skater.
Another advantage of longboards is that they can hold more weight. So, if you have more body weight than the average skater, you shouldn’t have trouble finding a longboard that will be able to support you while offering a comfortable and stable ride.
Whether you’re looking for a standard cruiser, downhill longboard, or freestyle longboard, longboarding is a great way to start skateboarding and can be the best for beginners to start skating even if you’ve never stepped on a board before. Because these boards offer a smoother ride and more stability, they are an excellent option for those looking to take advantage of the health benefits that skating has to offer.
The Learning Process
More than a lot of other sports, skateboarding has a steeper learning curve. Because it requires a tremendous amount of balance, coordination, flexibility, and agility, skating can be very difficult to master. However, learning the basics of riding is not too difficult and can be done by anyone willing to put in the work.
The first thing you’re going to want to figure out is your natural stance. Everyone who ever started skating had to figure this out, and it is a relatively simple process.
We recommend taking your board outside onto the grass and setting it down. Once you’ve done that, you should then proceed to get a running start and jump onto your board with one foot in front of the other.
Whichever foot ends up landing on the front side of the board first will determine what stance you are in. In skateboarding, there are two stances: goofy and regular.
Goofy footed riders skate with their right leg forward using their left foot to push. Regular stance skaters skate with their left foot first.
Not knowing your stance when you start skating is a bad idea, as it can lead you to feel extremely uncomfortable on your board not being able to balance.
Once you’ve determined which stance feels right, you can now begin the process of learning the basics of how to ride. We recommend starting in a flat and smooth parking lot without too many cars or other obstacles so that you can get a good feel for turning, pushing, and stopping your board. With enough practice, you should start to feel comfortable enough on your board to begin learning more advanced skills like ollying, kick flipping, and the pop shove-it.
Learning new skills on your board will be a time-consuming process that will require a certain amount of dedication. However, with enough perseverance, you will be surprised at how quickly you will be able to progress while having a lot of fun in the meantime.
Is Skateboarding Dangerous?
Skateboarding is often perceived to be dangerous for several reasons. Most people who have been introduced to the sport have seen skateboarders perform dangerous tricks that appear so difficult that one wrong move could result in serious injury.
However, it is important to understand that these skaters have practiced for a long time to get to that level. While they have most likely gotten hurt in the process, all skateboarding doesn’t have to be so extreme. It can be done safely if you take the proper precautions and understand your limitations.
Listening to your body is very important as a skater, and if you feel like something might be too dangerous to attempt, you should listen to your gut. While it is tempting to push your limits, you need to make sure that you’ve gotten the basics down before trying any complicated new tricks.
The world of skating is massive, and there are a variety of skaters out there. Beginners don’t need to feel like they need to jump the largest gaps or grind the longest rails just to be considered a legit skater. You need to take baby steps before getting to that point to avoid any serious injuries.
With this in mind, it seems like skating doesn’t need to be as dangerous as it is often made out to be. It’s ok to challenge yourself, but that doesn’t mean that you need to be reckless. Know your limits and you will find that skateboarding isn’t as dangerous as it seems.
Should I Start Skateboarding?
Having gone over some of the most important considerations to make when starting your skateboarding journey, it has become clear that skating doesn’t have to be as intimidating as it looks. As long as you ask yourself what your goals are and are realistic about your own athletic ability, you will find that there is a type of skateboard out there for everyone. Whether you’re just looking to cruise or want to try your hand at doing tricks on a standard-sized skateboard, the possibilities in skateboarding are endless.
Skateboarding offers its participants more freedom than any other sport. With the ability to express yourself through your skating style, as well as the ability to cruise carefree down the road with the wind blowing in your hair, skateboarding offers something for everyone, regardless of their age or skill level.
While there is certainly a learning curve to get started, the truth is that learning to skate is far more attainable than you might think. Aside from the freedom it offers, it is also a great way to make friends.
As long as you have realistic expectations and don’t go into it thinking you’re going to be the next Tony Hawk right away, you will find that skateboarding to be more rewarding than you could ever expect. The feeling of landing a new trick, or learning a new skill on your board is priceless, and cannot be taken for granted.
Overall, if you’re looking for a great way to have fun, as well as get the excellent cardiovascular health benefits that skating has to offer, starting skateboarding should be a no-brainer. As long as you take the proper precautions, you will find skateboarding to be one of the most enjoyable and rewarding sports that you could ever participate in.