How To Skateboard

Do you want to learn how to skateboard? Learning how to skateboard isn't an exact science. Skateboarding is like any other physical activity in that repetition is the best way to become comfortable with this particular activity. Learning how to skateboard involves a lot of getting up and dusting yourself off. More importantly, learning how to skateboard means jumping right back on that board after you fall off. Not even a skateboarding freak of nature like Tony Hawk was born knowing how to pull off crazy maneuvers. He spent his early years doing exactly what any novice would do ... dusting himself off and jumping right back on his board. So, grab your boards and and lets learn how to skateboard!

1. Know your boards. Before you can even think about learning how to skateboard, you need to know the basic differences in boards. There are two main types of boards out there (though nowadays there are many variations of each). You have the "long boards" and the "short boards." Additionally, just as their respective names suggests, long boards are well longer in length and a little thinner in width than short boards.  Long boards are used for basic transportation, while learning to skateboard with the short boards will open you up to a world of aerial trickery.
2. Foot work. Whether you're learning to skateboard with a long board or a short board, foot work is key to riding both. You have to be able to push off the ground with one foot while keeping the other stationary on the board. Then you'll have to adjust yourself while the board is moving to plant both feet on the board. Some people prefer their stationary foot near the back of the board. Others choose for it to be near the front, as well as what foot. Either right or left. You need to choose whichever is most comfortable to you.
3. Balance. In order to be able to effectively learn how to skateboard, you need balance to go along with your footwork. One without the other is like trying to smoke without a lighter. It'll take a little practice to get your balance right, but the most important element to developing balance on the board is giving yourself a solid base. When you motion and put both feet on the board they need to be shoulder length apart. Staying low is another way to help with balance because it keeps your center of gravity more steady. Due to the shape of long boards, you have a greater margin of balance error so to speak. Long boards allow you to stand straight up because they don't traditionally move as fast as a short board. If you've ever seen somebody get down on a short board however, you see they have to be more proactive with keeping their balance which could mean staying lower to the ground, keeping their hips on a swivel, and a solid foot base.
4. Getting comfortable. If you're on a short board, it'll take you longer to get comfortable with it that a long board. This is because they are designed to move faster as well as, with the right rider, perform crazier tricks. Before you consider pulling off said tricks, you need to feel comfortable riding the board. That takes practice. Learning how to skateboard means becoming one with the board and that takes more than riding once a week. No worries. Once you get into riding, it's like an addiction. You want to keep jumping on. Once you feel really comfortable on your board, and once you realize that falling will be a huge part of the learning process, you can learn how to skateboard with trickier moves.
5. Tricks with the short board. Start out slow. Learn how to make small jumps (which involves a great deal of coordination and balance) before you try riding down rails. It's all about progression. In this activity, it really is crawling before you walk, or ride. Remember, you will fall.