How to Skateboard
Skateboarding is a fun activity for both teens and adults. It takes a moderate amount of athletic ability and balance to skateboard well. If you have never been on a skateboard, you may be eager to learn some of the basics before you start.
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Instructions
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1
Buy the gear that you need to begin skateboarding. This will include a skateboard, elbow and knee pads and a helmet. The protective gear is necessary to prevent serious injuries. You should also own a good pair of sneakers.
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2
Choose a stance. Skateboarders either stand goofy or regular on a board. Goofy is with your right foot forward; regular is with your left foot forward. Ride around a little bit to figure out the stance that you feel the most comfortable using.
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3
Learn the basic moves of pushing and stopping. Use your back foot to push the skateboard forward, so that you can begin rolling. The more you push, the faster you go. To stop, use your back foot. You can either drag it on the ground or use your back heel to step down on the board.
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4
Turn the skateboard. You need to learn how to turn to control your direction. Leaning on your toes or heels turns the board in the direction that you wish to go. Your body should lean with the turn.
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5
Practice more advanced moves on a soft surface first. Beginner skateboarders are likely to fall often and it is safer to stay on a surface where you will not suffer much damage.
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Try some skateboarding tricks. Most skateboarders first learn to do the ollie. An ollie is where the skateboarder and skateboard both pop together into the air.
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Tips & Warnings
If you are serious about skateboarding, you should invest in skate shoes. These shoes have a flatter bottom than regular sneakers, which makes you able to grip the board better.
You should expect to get some scrapes and bruises: you are going to fall from time to time.
