How to Fall on a Freebord

Freebording feels just like snowboarding, except you're not strapped in. You may thank the pavement gods for this fact every time you lose control.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Skateboard Helmets
• Skateboard Pads
• Skateboarding Shoes

Falling Frontside (Facing Downhill)

1. Wear your pads. Wear your helmet. They are a lot less uncomfortable than open wounds.
2. Keep your weight on your uphill edge to avoid falling entirely. Most falls result from catching your downhill edge, causing your board to halt abruptly.
3. Anticipate the possibility of falling at all times.
4. Control your speed so that you'll be able to deal with a fall. You shouldn't go much faster than you can run full-speed downhill.
5. Step away from the board and run out of your fall if you catch an edge.
6. Stop quickly and try to recover your board before it shoots off an embankment or smashes into a curb.
7. Protect your head and roll forward over your shoulder if you are unable to run out of a fall.

Falling Backside (Facing Uphill)

8. Follow steps 1 to 4, listed above.
9. Turn around quickly and run downhill with your momentum if you catch your downhill edge.
10. Slow down and recover your board before it shoots off an embankment or smashes into a curb.
11. Tuck your head and roll backward if you are unable to run out your fall.
12. Roll over backward once and stop yourself with your feet. With practice, you should pop right up to a standing position.

Tips & Warnings

• A Freebord does not handle like a normal skateboard. Use extreme caution until you are very familiar with the way the board handles.
• Always wear full skateboard pads and a helmet when riding your Freebord.