So you just received your first skateboard, And you’re anxious to get started

You have heard stories of your friends and family getting hurt on their first skateboard.

The fact that skateboarding is challenging is usually not questioned. There is a legitimate reason why some parents are concerned about letting their children start skateboarding.Parents fear their children falling and getting hurt with a potentially debilitating injury.

Fortunately, Learning skateboarding today is much easier than in our parent’s generation. The invention of YouTube has brought a plethora of online skateboarding learning resources. The availability of Skateboarding lessons at the skateboard park has flourished. It is now easier than ever before to learn skateboarding.

What are the first steps to learning skateboarding?

Each skater must make sure that they have proper gear prior to getting enrolled in any skateboard training program. A suitable skateboard that matches skater size, age, and skateboarding goals is absolutely necessary. Sadly, many skateboarders first start on poor quality in properly sized skateboards. Due to the poor equipment choices, The risk of injury becomes greater. An inadequate skateboard can also make learning skateboarding more challenging.

What exactly do I need to learn skateboarding?

An adequate skateboard. (How to choose the right board)
A properly fitting helmet.
Knee pads, elbow pads, and wrist guards.
A teacher, Or a training manual.
A safe place to skateboard. (How to find a good place to skateboard)

Part 1 – Getting Started

1.1.- Pick the Board Shape

—-You will need a skateboard that fits your body size and matched your skateboarding ambitions.

——-Most new skaters start with a regular skateboard.   This is also called a “popsicle” shape.  A popsicle board allows multiple uses for the board.

——-Some skateboarders opting for the hills and roads only will be more suited for a longboard.

——-Other novelty shapes may not be best suited for a beginner and could limit progression or board use.

1.2.- Find the Appropriate Equipment Size

———-Kids, ages 4-7, should purchase a skateboard deck (“the wood part”) between 6.75″ and 7.25″

———-Kids, ages 8-13, should purchase a skateboard deck (“the wood part”) between 7.25″ and 7.5″

———-Adults, should purchase a skateboard deck (“the wood part”) 7.5″ or larger

• A beginner skateboard should cost between $60-$150. Buy a pre-assembled skateboard or ask the skateboard shop to set up board for you.  As a beginner, the last thing you need is backwards trucks or bearing to stifle your learning progress.
•  Don’t be fooled by the low prices of Walmart or Target skateboards. They will snap quickly and are hard to learn on. Go to a real skate shop.

1.3.- Wear Appropriate Footwear

Safe skateboarding starts with proper shoes.  Flat-soled shoes are imperative for board control and balance.

Never attempt to skate in sandals, clogs, boots, or footwear with a separate heel platform.  Improper footwear could result in serious injury.

1.4.- Wear Safety Gear

Beginners must have a helmet, elbow pads, knee pads, and wrist guards.  There is no reason to negligently learn skateboarding without pads.  Do not risk it.

A bicycle helmet is not a substitute.  A skateboard helmet is more effective than a bicycle helmet because such a helmet has been specifically designed to handle skateboard crashes.  Make sure the helmet fits your head properly.  The under-chin strap should be fastened and the helmet should not wiggle.

Wrists must be protected.  Wrist guards protect against some of the most common injuries for beginners.

1.5.- Find a Suitable Place to Learn

Smooth and flat ground is an ideal place to learn skateboarding.

A level, concrete driveway or parking lot is a good place to start getting comfortable on the board. Make sure there isn’t anything in your way and be wary of cracks, loose stones, and potholes. Running over a little pebble can account for a whole lot of crashes, especially with hard wheels.

• Avoid getting roughed up on aged, cheese-grater pavement.   If you can clearly see small gaps between the pavement rocks, it’s not a good surface for skateboarding.  When choosing at ground surfaces, polished concrete will be the friendliest for learning.  New or sealed asphalt is also suitable.
• Skateparks are great places to skate once you’ve got some experience. If you’re just trying to get the board to stay under you without falling down, parks might be a little intense. If there’s one in your area, go watch some skaters for tips, but stay on the sidelines.

1.5.- Get a Seasoned Skateboarder to Oversee You

The first day can be overwhelming.  Despite watching every YouTube skateboard video, reading every “how to” article, and the perfect skateboard, learning skateboarding is always safer with expert guidance.

Call 800.403.2405  to Have an Expert from GoSkate.com Come Help You.

So how long does it take to learn skateboarding?

Learning skateboarding is a lifelong process. Skating is an activity with never-ending progress. The journey of learning new tricks, styles, and skills Is a large part of the reason why many people become infatuated with skateboarding.

Learning Transportation

Skateboarding for the purposes of transportation is a different story. In order to use a skateboard for the basics, a skateboarder must know how to push turn stop and properly navigate around basic, street obstacles.

These basics of skateboarding can be learned with proper instruction in as little as four hours of practice. Each skateboarder is different. Some participants are blessed with greater balance and agility and will learn in 4 to 6 hours. Others, who are less familiar with board sports, can take up to 10 hours to learn the basics.

Learning in Lessons

In skateboarding lessons and classes, Participants usually need a minimum of 3 to 4 lessons. Most skateboard schools, like Goskate.com, recommend 4 to 6 lessons.

What do I start learning first?

Did transportation skills are the foundation for skateboarding.No skateboarder will progress without a firm understanding these skills. Proper balance, proper turning, and an understanding of how to handle the skateboard are required in order to perform basic tricks.

Once mastering this, skateboarders typically start by learning to ollie.

The “Ollie” is a fundamental trick which is the starting point for most skateboarding tricks in general. It is similar to how a bunny hop on a bicycle, Is the starting point to any of the biking drinks. An “Ollie” is like a Bunnyhop. In an “Ollie” all wheels are lifted off the ground.

Other basic tricks to learn:

The pop shove-it.
The kickflip.
The heelflip
The 180.
The acid drop.