1. Falling at High Speeds
Skateboarding is a recognized sport now, no longer the arena of urban and beach dropouts lost in an underground culture. It became mainstream when the sport was included in the 1997 Winter X Games as a crossover entry. Anyone can ride a skateboard, but it is primarily a sport best left to the young, who can heal easily from broken bones. It is a very risky sport. While skateboards are encouraged to wear protective gear such as helmets, and knee and elbow pads, these cannot prevent the major injuries that can occur from falling at high speeds on pavement.
2. The Board
The perfect skateboard is the first and primary piece of equipment you will need. The board part of the skateboard is called the deck. You can customize and get a deck separate from the wheels. Smaller decks, typically about 33-inches long are best for doing tricks, like the heelflip, while long boards, over 36-inches are good for cruising and traveling. They have more of a surfing feel to them too. Choose a width under eight inches if you have small feet and want to do more tricks. There also is more versatility in a concave board.
3. Flipped by Heel
Get going on the skateboard. Most tricks are easier to perform if you have some momentum going first. Standing sideways on the board, keep your back straight and your knees slightly bent. Even though you may be tempted to lean forward to do this trick, you want to resist that temptation if you plan on remaining upright.
4. Foot Placement
Set the ball of your back foot on the rear of the board on the part that flips up, called the tail. Do an Ollie with the board and tip your front foot slightly over the front of the board. Push down on the side of the board and jump while you hook the heel over it and spin the board in the air. The board needs to get enough momentum so that it spins all the way around before you land back down.
5. Get Ready to Hit the Pavement
This trick takes a lot of practice, so you should prepare by wearing the right kind of protective gear to cover all those important, and breakable, joints most likely to take the hit. Knee, wrist and elbow pads are the first line of defense against breaks and bruises. You can find comfortable and really strong pads filled with gel that the pros wear. A strong plastic cup is often sewn over the fabric to give it added protection. While less popular, you also can get fitted for a rump protector and save your tailbone for another ride.
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