Learning to skateboard advice

[dessiato]

I've decided I am going to learn to skateboard. I've wanted to for years. I've tried and failed in the past. But I need a new hobby and have decided to try again.

I am not young, I am aware that I need ppe and a board. But what should I look for and do you have any advice about how best to go about learning?

 

[Greebo]

FWIW my brother was ridiculously accident prone and yet the one thing he didn't have any accidents anywhere near was his skateboard.

Practise uphill or on flat ground, not downhill, until you're confident about stopping without falling. Check some of the specialist forums for skateboarders - they'll probably have links to tutorials etc.

 

[de_dog]

I was going to post on the 'Weirdest hobby' thread but I searched skateboarding instead.

dessiato, how's this going?

I skate 2 or 3 times a week

 

[dessiato]

It's not. I had a couple of issues while back in the UK so didn't get the chance. The streets here are cobbled so it's on hold for now. I am sort of looking for a long board though.

 

[de_dog]

.. and soft wheels

Lots of info's and like-minded people at http://www.middle-age-shred.com/forum

 

[mwgdrwg]

My daughter is getting pretty good on her board, and it's something I always wanted to do. I'm 41! So tempted to get a board...

 

[weltweit]

Hmm I used to have a massive double rocker board with ACS651s and 65mm green Kryptonics, my favourite location was a concrete half pipe on Portland Bill in which I would do block turns, roll outs and ins, front and backside turns and grinds and generally enjoy myself. I never got as far as aerials but some of the kids could do that sort of thing from the depths of the bowl, when they were getting air I would get my camera and take shots of them which came out ok as it happens.

I don't like that today's skaters all seem to have the same decks trucks and wheels, what a shame, there used to be a massive variety of each to chose from in my day.

 

[mwgdrwg]

My daughter's got a penny board...yeah it looks like a toy, but she's riding it ok and it looks really cool. I want a nickel board

 

[Mumbles274]

I've been learning to skate ramps.. been 3 times, so 6 hours.. first week learnt to drop in, second rock and roll, today 50/50. Me in blue t-shirt looking the lamest!

 

[krink]

How you getting on now mumbles? Where is the park in your video? It looks great. I used to skate in the dark days of the mid 1980s and have found myself watching all the old Bones Brigade and Vision vids and looking longongly at the empty skatepark as I walk past it on a morning

I'm fat now so I don't skate no more. Still have my board tho.

 

[de_dog]

Yes Mumbles274 doing it

Here's me at Shoreham:

 

[Mumbles274]

Hi krink ... Not been since that session.. had a little street skate.. was nearly landing shove it no complys i think it was.. fecking trick names, useless at remembering them! The park is in Broadstairs, got a good mix of bowl room, street room and a ramp room

And size is no barrier!! Saw a vid the other day of a big fella doing some great tricks

Great Pic de_dog

 

[Chilli.s]

Sold me board in about 1990, about 6 years later wished i hadn't, still miss that plank.

Get a helmet, gloves and elbow pads. Smashed elbow a common beginner injury.

 

[de_dog]

I stepped off in 1990 - back on it for the last 4 years.
Can't even look at my board without wristguards on.
Asda do a camping bedding roll for a few quid, perfect for making hip pads.

And krink - a bit of extra mass can help with the momentum

 

[krink]

Haha yes de_dog there is that momentum benefit but it hurts a lot more when you fall too Looking good in the bowl too mate.

Mumbles274 I was out with the kids on their boards and it's surprising how much a big belly messes up your balance. I bought some exercise gear to lose weight anyway so hopefully by spring I might have moved enough of it to get out and have a little street session.

I'll take a picture of my old board and post it in a bit.

 

[Mumbles274]

My board when it was shiny and new, nothing special..

Landscape Deck, Royal Trucks, heroin wheels

 

[likesfish]

Don't the advice I got while do adventrous youth work over 25 your bones dont bounce as well as they used to.
Go brighton dad look and get a long board

 

[krink]

Here's mine, 1986-ish powell peralta Tony Hawk board, independent trucks, G&S yoyo wheels. Some history in those stickers so I didn't remove them when I restored all the chips and cracks a few years ago. I still have the grab rails but need 8 sexbolts to get them back on

(daughter says it's too cold in the shed)

 

[Mumbles274]

Not skating as much as I'd like bit still getting out now and then.. Few street sessions and skatrpark session once.

 

[de_dog]

Here's me at the local recently,

 

[krink]

 

[krink]

The weight loss is coming along quite well so hoping to be back doing sports soon and that will include a long overdue skate!

 

[de_dog]

Good news krink, skating the bowl is low-impact - it's basically just going down hills

 

[krink]

I'm really looking forward to being active again. Wish I hadn't left it so long but better late than never etc.

 

[mwgdrwg]

This weekend I helped my boy learn how to skateboard, he's got a penny board. I've only just learnt myself, I'm 43

My daughter has an awesome legit Penny Nickel board which she won't let me use!

 

[mwgdrwg]

My daughter is getting pretty good on her board, and it's something I always wanted to do. I'm 41! So tempted to get a board...

Heh. I managed it a couple of years later! Still need to buy my own board though, instead of nicking the kids' ones

 

[J Ed]

If you are interested in just going from A to B then you might be better off with a longboard