Skateboarding For Beginners

Over the last couple of weeks I've been trying to dothings, and that is not to think ollying is what you
at least an hour of skateboarding after work eachhave to learn first. Instead, over the coming weeks I
day. The road outside is smooth and flat, very goodwill be writing a series of 'lessons' starting today with
for practicing flatland stuff. The kid two doors downthe most basic thing you can do - ride your
from me, Jake, joins in sometimes too, and as he'sskateboard.
about the same level we get on well and push eachYour only aim for now is going to be getting
other to do better.comfortable just riding up and down your street,
All this regular skateboarding has started to attracttrying to get to a decent speed and to be able to
the interest of several kids that want to beginturn your skateboard as and when you need to.
skateboarding. Jake, being a fairly typical teenager,Forget about ollying and all other tricks!
doesn't have the time of day for them, but I find itSET UP YOUR SKATEBOARD
quite interesting trying to teach them.Get your skateboard sorted out. If you don't know
That got me thinking about the absolute basics andwhat the different bits of your skateboard are called
how to go about learning them. The problem withthen start here and read from there.
these kids is they want to run before they can walk.The chances are that the one you've got is pretty
They haven't yet got the dedication to learn how toslow, with Abec 'A' bearings and a thick, heavy deck.
ride properly, because they always want to learnYour deck won't have much concave (meaning it
what I'm doing instead (which at the moment is awon't be very curved) but this type of board is less
kind of 360° railstand).likely to slip away from you. However, bear in mind
Even though skateboarding is a very individual sport,that you will at the very least want new bearings in
or art, if you're an absolute beginner and you'vethe near future, and try and budget for this (or start
never set foot on a skateboard before then there isbadgering your parents now)...
probably a certain way you should go about doing