Pro skaters spend innumerable hours practicing difficult flip tricks and grinding maneuvers. Many communities across the United States offer a specialized training facility for skaters of all skill levels. Skate parks allow novice skateboarders and BMXers to learn on a variety of obstacles, including sloping ramps and cement ledges. Wearing the appropriate gear will ensure your safety throughout the learning process. The skateboarding specialists at X Sports Protective recommend wearing a dome-shaped helmet with a hard exterior shell made from ABS plastic.
Step 1
Transport your skateboard setup and safety gear to a local skate park. Sit in a low-traffic area to get padded up. Lower a skate helmet over the top of your head and fasten the safety straps on the underside of your chin.
Step 2
Remove your skate shoes before putting on your knee pads. Slide your foot through the elastic sleeve of the knee pads. Align the outer shell of the pads over your kneecaps and tighten the Velcro safety straps.
Step 3
Loosen the safety straps of your elbow pads. Insert your hands through the elastic sleeves. Slide the pads onto your elbows and fasten the Velcro straps.
Step 4
Lower the wheels of your board onto the skate park floor. Stand on the board with your knees bent to a 45-degree angle. Spread your shoes apart until they correspond with the width of your shoulders.
Step 5
Shift your body weight between your heels and toes to gauge the looseness of the skateboard trucks. Lower your back foot onto the skate park floor. Lean forward while thrusting off the ground with your back foot.
Step 6
Repeat the pushing technique until you reach a comfortable momentum. Apply downward pressure with your back foot to lift the front wheels off the skate park floor. Rotate your shoulders to change the rolling direction of the board.
Step 7
Practice these flat-ground techniques in a low-traffic area to avoid collisions with fellow skaters. Drag your back foot across the floor to quickly decrease your rolling speed. Master these basic skills before attempting aerial tricks and grinds.
Things You'll Need
- Skate helmet
- Knee pads
- Elbow pads
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