To get back into skateboarding, start by re-familiarizing yourself with basics, like riding your board and practicing stationary tricks. For a more comprehensive re-entry, join a local skate group or skate park, watch tutorials, and set achievable goals to track your progress.
Skateboarding is a hobby many people abandon after a certain age due to lack of time, injury, or simply thinking they’re too old to pick it up again. However, with the sport’s recent resurgence, many adults are finding their way back onto boards. For those looking to get back into skateboarding, it’s important to start slow and focus on the basics. This means getting comfortable with just riding your board and practicing stationary tricks. Once you’re comfortable, it’s time to take it up a notch by joining a local skate group or park, watching tutorials online, and setting achievable goals to track your progress. With a little dedication and practice, you’ll be back to shredding in no time.
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Step 1: Assess Your Current Skill Level
Skateboarding is an exhilarating sport that offers both physical and mental benefits. If you have been thinking about getting back into it, now is the perfect time for a fresh start. However, before you hop on your skateboard, it’s important to assess your current skill level.
By evaluating your abilities and identifying any areas that need improvement, you can create a realistic plan for progress. Here are some helpful tips for step 1 of getting back into skateboarding.
Evaluate Your Current Abilities
Before you start working on your skateboarding skills, it’s important to understand where you stand currently.
- Find a safe place to practice, such as a skate park or a flat and open area.
- Start with the basics, such as balancing and pushing.
- Try some of the tricks you used to do to see how much you remember.
- Take note of what feels comfortable and what needs work.
Identify Any Areas That Need Improvement
Once you have evaluated your current abilities, it’s time to identify the areas that need improvement. This is crucial in creating a plan for progress.
- Balance
- Ollies
- Kickflips
- Grinds
Focus on pinpointing the areas that need the most work for you.
Create A Realistic Plan For Progress
Now that you have evaluated your abilities and identified areas for improvement, it’s time to create a realistic plan for progress.
- Break down your goals into smaller, achievable steps.
- Create a consistent practice schedule that fits your lifestyle.
- Set realistic deadlines for your goals.
- Celebrate your progress along the way.
By following these steps, you can gradually improve your skateboarding skills and see results over time. Remember to be patient and persevere, as progress takes effort and dedication. Good luck getting back into skateboarding!
Step 2: Choose The Right Gear
Skateboarding is a sport that requires skill and determination. If you’re looking to get back into skateboarding, perhaps after a long hiatus, choosing the right gear is essential for your success.
Importance Of Properly Fitting Gear
- Skateboarding can be dangerous, so it’s important to get properly fitting gear to ensure your safety.
- Ill-fitting gear can lead to discomfort or even injury, which could put a damper on your skateboarding experience.
- Invest in gear that is sturdy, durable, and designed specifically for skateboarding.
How To Choose The Right Skateboard Deck, Trucks, Wheels, And Bearings
- Choosing the right skateboard deck is crucial to your performance. Look for a deck that matches your skill level and riding style.
- The trucks (the part that attaches the wheels to the deck) should be chosen based on your weight and the type of riding you’ll be doing.
- Wheels come in different sizes and durometers (hardness), so choose based on your preferences and skill level.
- Bearings allow the wheels to spin on the trucks, and can affect your riding speed and performance. Choose bearings based on their speed rating and your riding style.
Protective Gear Options
- Skateboarders should always wear protective gear, including a helmet, knee and elbow pads, and wrist guards.
- Look for gear that meets industry safety standards and is designed specifically for skateboarding.
- Remember to replace your gear if it becomes damaged or worn over time. Sacrificing safety for style is never worth it.
By choosing the right gear and protective equipment, you’re setting yourself up for success and helping to prevent injuries. As you get back into skateboarding, continue to prioritize safety and invest in quality equipment to make the most of your experience.
HOW TO GET BACK INTO SKATEBOARDING | HOW TO SKATEBOARD EPISODE 7
Step 3: Finding Your Community
Skateboarding is a fun and thrilling activity that requires both skill and courage. Whether you used to be into it years ago or are just starting to get interested, finding your community is a crucial step in getting back into skateboarding.
Here are some ways to find the support and encouragement you need to hit the pavement again.
Importance Of Skateboarding Community Support
- Skateboarding can be a solitary activity, but having the support of a community can make all the difference in terms of motivation and skill-building.
- Being around other skateboarders can provide opportunities to learn new tricks, get feedback on your technique, and push yourself to try harder.
- Community support can also help lessen any fear or anxiety you might have about getting back into skateboarding after a break.
Locating Local Skate Parks And Shops
- One of the best ways to find a skateboarding community is by locating your local skate parks and shops.
- Skate parks usually have a regular crowd of locals who hang out and skate together, so introducing yourself and joining in on some sessions can be a great way to meet new people with similar interests.
- Local skate shops often have a bulletin board or community events calendar where you can find information on local competitions, meetups, and other events.
Joining Online Skateboard Communities
- In addition to finding local support, joining online skateboard communities can provide a global network of skateboarders with whom you can connect and learn from.
- Online forums, social media groups, and video-sharing platforms can all serve as hubs for skateboarders looking to connect with others online.
- Participating in online skateboard communities can offer a sense of community, helpful advice, and even some friendly competition to keep things interesting.
Remember that finding your community is all about stepping out of your comfort zone and putting yourself out there. So, grab your board, head out to your local skate park, and start meeting new people who share your passion for skateboarding!
Step 4: Relearning The Basics
Skateboarding is a thrilling and fun way to stay active and improve your balance and coordination. If you haven’t skateboarded for some time, you might feel hesitant to relearn the sport. However, with some practice and determination, it is possible to get back into skateboarding and eventually execute more complicated tricks.
In this section, we will focus on step 4 of getting back into skateboarding – relearning the basics.
Importance Of Starting With The Basics
It is essential to start with the basics when relearning how to skateboard. Doing so ensures that you have a solid foundation before attempting more complex techniques. Moreover, revisiting the basics can also help you identify any issues with your technique and form.
- Helps you regain confidence and have a solid foundation before attempting more complex techniques.
- Helps you identify any weaknesses in your form and technique.
- Helps prevent injuries by allowing you to focus on proper body mechanics and balance.
Tips For Relearning Basic Tricks
Once you have spent some time familiarising yourself with your skateboard, the next step is to practice some basic tricks.
- Start by practicing on a flat, smooth surface.
- Take the time to warm-up and stretch before attempting any tricks.
- Practice simple tricks like rolling and pushing first before moving on to more complicated tricks
- Try to practice every day for a short time instead of practicing for long periods once a week.
- Don’t be too hard on yourself, skateboarding is a fun and challenging sport that requires patience and persistence.
How To Approach More Complicated Techniques
After you become comfortable with the basics, you can start to challenge yourself by attempting more complex techniques.
- Watch videos of skaters executing the technique you want to learn.
- Take note of the steps involved and try to visualise the movement in your mind before attempting it.
- Break down the technique into smaller parts and practice each part on its own.
- Focus on perfecting each step before combining them.
- Practice the technique consistently, preferably every day, to build muscle memory and improve your abilities.
Relearning the basics is critical in getting back into skateboarding successfully. It helps build a solid foundation and improves your overall skills. Additionally, practicing regularly and persistently can help you progress and execute more complex tricks. Remember to be patient and enjoy the process of getting back into skateboarding.
Step 5: Staying Motivated
Skateboarding is a thrilling sport that can be an exciting hobby or a competitive sport. Whether you are a seasoned pro or just getting back into skateboarding, staying motivated can be challenging. The key is to have a plan that includes setting attainable goals and creating fun challenges to keep your skills sharp.
In this section, we’ll explore different ways to stay motivated and keep yourself riding on your board.
Reasons For Staying Motivated
Staying motivated is crucial when it comes to making progress in skateboarding.
- Helps you progress: when you stay motivated, you are more likely to make progress in your skateboarding journey. This progress can make the sport more enjoyable as you improve your skills.
- Maintains your passion: skateboarding is a sport that requires passion. Staying motivated can keep that passion alive and make every session on your board more rewarding.
- Builds confidence: mastering new tricks and techniques can build confidence. Skateboarding is all about challenging yourself, and when you do, it can be a significant boost to your self-esteem.
How To Set Attainable Goals
One of the most effective ways to stay motivated is by setting attainable goals. These goals should be realistic, measurable, and specific.
- Be specific: instead of saying, “i want to be better at skateboarding,” set goals like, “i want to learn how to do an ollie” or “i want to improve my kickflip.
- Break down goals: large goals can be daunting. Break them down into smaller, more attainable goals. For example, if you want to learn how to do a kickflip, break it down into learning how to flick the board with your front foot and then adding the jump.
- Track progress: keep track of your progress, whether it’s by keeping a skate journal, filming yourself, or measuring the number of times you can land a trick. Seeing your progress can be a massive boost of motivation.
Creating Fun Challenges To Keep Your Skills Sharp
Skateboarding can be challenging, but it’s also essential to have fun. Creating challenges to keep your skills sharp can be an excellent way to stay motivated.
- Involve friends: invite friends to skate with you and create challenges like “who can land the most kickflips in 60 seconds?
- Set time limits: nothing makes a challenge more exciting than a time limit. Set a goal like learning a new trick in a week or landing a certain number of tricks in a session.
- Experiment: try new things like skating a new spot, trying a new type of board, or even trying to skate switch. Challenging yourself in new ways can be a great way to stay motivated.
Staying motivated is the key to making progress and enjoying skateboarding. By setting attainable goals, creating fun challenges, and reminding yourself why you love the sport, you can stay motivated and keep shredding.
Conclusion
Skateboarding is not just a sport or a hobby, it’s a lifestyle that many individuals thrive in. Like any other activity, the feeling of getting back into skateboarding can be daunting. However, with a positive mindset, patience, and practice, you can quickly pick up where you left off.
The first step is to invest in a good skateboard that suits your skating style and level. Second, focus on getting comfortable with balancing on the board, pushing, and stopping. Thirdly, gradually progress to simple tricks and maneuvers from your comfort level.
Along with this, be sure to follow safety measures and protective gear. Remember, skateboarding is all about enjoying the ride and feeling the freedom that comes with it. It’s never too late to start or restart skateboarding as long as you have the passion for it.
Don’t overthink; have fun, be safe, and push your limits. Happy skating!
