the contact portion 22 to pivot forward and contact a surface 50 on which the skateboard travels the friction between the contact portion 22 and the surface 50 reduces the speed of the skateboard when the backward pressure on the lever portion 21 is released the spring 35 brings the brake actuator 20 back into the disengaged position and allows the skateboard 10 to travel unhindered embodiments of the present invention may provide various advantages not found in conventional skateboards including skateboards with braking devices first the user is given much more control over the speed of the skateboard without compromise to the balance and stability of the user on a conventional skateboard the user either has to brake with his foot or scrape the board to reduce the speed of the board existing skateboard brakes such as those shown in u s pat nos 4 167 225 and 4 043 556 require a step down motion that could also affect the balance the board and potentially cause the board to tilt unintentionally in contrast the present embodiment allows the user to slide his foot to engage the brake while maintaining optimal balance on the board in an embodiment of the present invention having an angled face 21 a on the lever portion the user is able to engage the brake by sliding his foot sideways or backward requiring only minimal foot movement and balance shifting further control of brake pressure is accomplished by a pivot action of the rearward foot without any transfer of weight from one foot to the other second large contact surface on the contact portion 22 provides further stability during braking third friction brakes reduce the cost of maintenance required.