How to Start Skateboarding
So now you have your skateboard and you’re ready to start skating. Before you start, there are some basic things every beginner should know.

Always Wear Proper Safety Equipment

You are going to be falling a lot, especially in the beginning. However, even the most experienced skateboarders will fall. That’s why it is mandatory you wear safety equipment. The following is a list of safety gear all skaters should wear:

Helmet

Elbow Pads

Knee Pads

Wrist Guards (Most skateparks don’t require that skaters wear wrist guards, however they can help prevent serious injuries. I broke my wrist twice skating, this could have been avoided if I were wearing wrist guards.)

Standing on Your Board

Before stepping on your board, you need to know if you’re goofy or regular. Goofy is where you skate with your right foot forward and regular is with your left foot forward. If you participate in other board sports (snowboarding, wakeboarding, etc.) your stance is usually the same. If you do not, which way you first stand on your board is usually which stance you are.

When first standing on your board, I recommend doing it on grass. That way you won’t fall if you lean too far one way.

Rolling

Once you get comfortable standing on your board, you can try rolling. First, you are going to need to push. Try to get into the habit of pushing with your back foot. Pushing with your front foot is inefficient.

When first starting to roll try to find an open space of concrete (not a street or parking lot) without too many people around. A good place may be your local neighborhood park. However, be sure to check park rules as some prohibit skateboarding on their premises.

Also, a skatepark is likely not an appropriate place to first learn how to roll. If you don’t know what you’re doing, you could get in someone’s way and potentially injure them and/or yourself.

This looks like a good place to practice. Just make sure to wear protective equipment.

Turning

After learning to roll, turning should come naturally.

Toe Side Turn: To perform a toe side turn, apply pressure to the toe side of your board with the balls of your feet.

Heel Side Turn: For a heel side turn, apply pressure to the heel side of your board with your heels.

If you have trouble turning, try loosening your trucks.
['Ryan D.']
['Beginners Guide', 'Skateboarding', 'Beginner']