How to Get Started in Skateboarding: Tips for Beginners

Many parents who are reading this article have fond memories of skateboarding during our childhoods. Not only do we recall rolling around on the blacktop ourselves, we also remember a time when skateboarding was the peak of cool; when the likes of Bart Simpson and Tony Hawk were pop culture icons and role-models for every kid from New York City to Los Angeles and beyond! Extreme sports were only just becoming a cultural mainstay, in those days, so the idea of skateboarding as a meaningful athletic pursuit seemed quite novel; and to some of our parents, absolutely out of the question!

Fortunately, times have changed. Skateboarding and other formerly novel 90’s sports have become as respected and commonplace as basketball, football, and baseball.

Skateboarding is a fun, exciting way for kids to get active and stay active. It takes a bit of learning to get started, but can be a great way for children to learn the value of persistence. Whether your child is a complete beginner or they have tried it out once or twice before, learning how to properly skateboard can be a rewarding challenge that builds confidence. If you or your kids have shown interest in skateboarding and you’re curious to learn how to get started, keep on reading. This guide has all the essential tips and advice you’ll need to start surfing the sidewalks in no time at all!

Understanding the Basics of Skateboarding

If your kid has never tried skateboarding before, you likely don’t want to have them just jump onto the thing all willy nilly. It doesn’t matter if you’re a beginner or even if you’re an adult who is a bit rusty, it’s helpful to learn about a skateboard and the different parts of the it before you getting started. We have included a quick overview/refresher about the parts that make up a skateboard below:

• Deck:The flat, wooden part on a skateboard where you stand is called the deck. Decks can be customized and come in different sizes and shapes depending on the rider’s age and skill level.
• Trucks: The trucks are any and all metal parts underneath the deck attach the wheels and allow for turning.
• Wheels: Skateboard wheels are most often made from polyurethane, a type of plastic. These wheels vary in size and hardness. Bigger, softer wheels are better for cruising, while smaller, harder wheels are best for tricks.
• Grip Tape: This is how skateboard riders actually stay on the board. The sandpaper-like material that grip tape is made from sticks on the deck’s surface and provides traction so your feet don’t slip off.

Picking the Right Skateboard

If your kid is anything like some of ours, they are going to be gung-ho about getting the skateboard they want; probably before they even get started. The thing is, getting the right skateboard can make learning how to actually do it lot easier! Here’s what to look for when you and your child are choosing their first board:

• Deck Size: Wide board are stable boards, so beginners often do best with wider boards, usually between 7.75 inches to 8.25 inches.
• Complete Boards: Many skate shops sell “complete” boards, which are skateboards where everything is already put together and ready to ride. Complete boards are usually pretty affordable and are convenient for kids or beginners.
• Local Skate Shops: Skate shops aren’t present in every city, but they are common enough that it might behoove you to seek one out to get some advice. Travel with your child and visit a local skate shop so that you can ask questions, check out boards in person, and find a board that feels the most comfortable for your child. Skate shop staff can also help your child to choose a board based on their height and shoe size.

Safety Gear for Skateboarding

Brass tacks? Your kid is gonna fall of their skateboard, they may even hurt themself. The trick is to do whatever you can to minimize the potential damage. For that, we have safety gear. Wearing the right safety gear is essential for every skateboarder, no matter how skilled they might be, but it’s especially important for children and beginners. Here’s a list of gear that you should consider if your kid is just getting started:

• Helmet: A good-quality helmet is a must for any skateboarder, young or old. Even the pros wear helmets, kids. Look for helmets specifically designed for skateboarding as they provide better coverage.
• Knee Pads: Knee pads don’t look “cool” or anything, but as long as they protect your knees during falls, they should be considered. Knee pads are especially important if and when your kid starts learning to do tricks.
• Elbow Pads: Elbow pads are also great for protecting against scrapes and might help your child avoid one or two painful bruises.
• Wrist Guards: When people fall, they naturally use their hands to catch themselves. Kids are mostly reflexive, so they tend to do this more than most. Wearing wrist guards might not prevent them from skinning their palms, but it may help reduce the risk of more serious sprains and fractures.

Finding a Good Place to Practice

The best place to skateboard is basically any city or suburban sidewalk. Unfortunately, concrete tends to be pretty rough on beginners. With that in mind, starting in the right location can make learning to skateboard a lot easier and a lot more fun. Here are some great spots to begin:

• Smooth Pavement: When finding good sidewalk, look for areas with smooth pavement and no traffic. Parking lots, quiet streets, and empty basketball courts are all great options.
• Skateparks: Skateparks are fairly common in areas where skateboarding has particularly taken off. Many skateparks even have areas designed for beginners, that include both flat sections and small ramps. These spots are perfect for building basic skills and meeting other skaters.
• Avoiding Crowded Areas: We’re not saying that you need to skate in private or anything, but try to avoid crowded spots until your child is more comfortable on the board. This reduces the chances of accidents and gives them way more space to practice.

Getting on the Board: Finding Your Stance

Every skateboarder has a stance, or a way they position their feet on the board. The two main stances that most people use are as follows:

• Regular Stance: Standing with your left foot forward and using your right foot to push.
• Goofy Stance: Standing with your right foot forward and using your left foot to push.

Encourage your child to try both stances until they find one that they feel comfortable using. Many beginners instinctively prefer one stance over the other, but it’s absolutely worth trying each to see which feels more natural. Help your child to be mindful of this, because they won’t always know what “feels natural” at a young age. An easy way to help them figure it out is to ask them to think about which foot they would use to kick a soccer ball. Whichever foot they pick usually goes at the back of the board for pushing.

Practicing Basic Skills

The basic skills we mention below are designed to help your kid become more comfortable on the board:

Balancing

Kids can learn balance by first placing their skateboard on a flat surface, like grass or carpet, so it won’t roll. Have the child step onto the board and practice standing with their knees slightly bent. This stance lowers the center of gravity and makes it easier for them to balance.

Pushing

Once the child is comfortable balancing, direct them to a smooth, open area to practice pushing. Have them place their front foot on the board and use their back foot to push off the ground. Once they are ready, have them put their back foot onto the board and roll with both feet planted. This “push and roll” is the most basic form of movement in skateboarding.

Turning

Turning, or “carving,” is essential for helping your kid steer their board. To turn, have them gently lean in the direction they want to go. Leaning their toes will turn them one way, while leaning their heels the other way will turn them the other. Practicing small turns on flat ground will help you get a feel for how the board moves.

Learning to Stop

Knowing how to stop safely is a very important part of learning to skateboard. Here are three of the most effective ways to stop:

1. Foot Brake: While moving, the child can take their back foot off the board and drag it lightly on the ground until they come to a stop. This is the easiest way for beginners to stop.
2. Tail Stop: The child can press down on the tail (back end) of the skateboard, making it touch the ground to slow down and stop. Note that this method can wear down the tail, so they should probably use it sparingly.
3. Bail Out: If your kid finds themselves moving too quickly and needing to stop suddenly, they could always “bail” by jumping off the board. If they do this, encourage them to try and land on their feet and let the board roll away. They should also try to practice this at low speeds until they are more comfortable.

Trying Basic Tricks

Once your kid is comfortable pushing, stopping, and turning, they can attempt some simple tricks! Here are a few easy ones for beginners:

The Ollie

The ollie is one of the most basic and popular tricks in skateboarding, where the rider pops the board into the air without using their hands. Kids can start by practicing the “pop” (jumping motion) and work up to lifting the board with their front foot.

The Shuvit

A shuvit involves spinning the board 180 degrees beneath the rider while staying in place. Beginners can practice by using their back foot to push the board sideways. It takes time, but it’s a fun trick to master.

The Manual

The manual is a balancing trick where the skateboarder lifts their front wheels off the ground and rides on the back wheels. They can practice this by standing still and holding the front wheels up, after which they can try moving slowly and balancing.

Skateboarding Etiquette

If you and your kid are heading to a skatepark, it’s important that they understand the basic rules of etiquette. This will help everyone have a better experience:

• Take Turns: Skateparks can get busy, so encourage your kid to take turns with other skaters to avoid accidents. Wait until it’s clear to go.
• Be Mindful of Others: Teach your child to keep an eye out for other skaters, especially younger kids and beginners like themselves. Try not to block ramps or rails.
• Respect the Park: Littering is never ok! Kids should be encouraged to take care of the skatepark by picking up trash and respecting the park’s rules.
• Ask for Tips: Skateboarders are often happy to share tips with beginners so encourage your kid to ask for help or advice if they need it.

Staying Motivated and Safe

Learning to skateboard can take time, but there are ways that kids can stay motivated and safe along the way:

• Progress Slowly: Skateboarding takes practice. Have your kids start with the basics and set small goals for themselves. Each trick or skill they master is an achievement and should be celebrated!
• Skate with Friends: Learning with friends makes skating more fun and gives your kids a support system while they are trying to learn new tricks and get things right.
• Stay Safe: Above all else, safety comes first. Insist that your kid wear their helmet and pads whenever they are boarding. Also, encourage them to wait until they are ready to try anything advanced.

Practicing Regularly

Like any skill, skateboarding takes time to master. That said, it does get easier with regular practice. Parents should encourage their kids to set aside time each week to practice and work on one or two skills at a time. Practicing even 20–30 minutes every day can help even the greenest skateboarders to improve quickly. In time, they will see noticeable progress and an increased confidence!

Cultured Athlete Says…

Above all else, skateboarding should be cool and fun. Skateboarding is often about enjoying the process, connecting with others, and mastering new challenges. As your child grows into the sport, they too can set new and lofty goals for themselves and try out new and exciting movers. So long as they are patient, put in the work, and remain positive, they are sure to have the same radical time you remember as a kid!