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Many new skateboarders seem to get stuck in a rut and never progress past an intermediate level. While a great deal of skateboarding is based on athletic ability and talent, many skateboarders can ratchet up their skill level by following a few of these simple tips.
You aren't as good as you think you are
Accept that you aren't as good as you think you are. I see way too many beginners and decent skateboarders who think they are God's gift to skating. They are cocky and truly believe they have mastered the sport. While its fun to laugh at these posers, don't become one of them. A humble skater can become a great skater.
When you can finally admit your weaknesses, you can begin to work on them and improve. Don't be afraid to work on these weaknesses over and over again until they become strengths. It will take a lot of courage and practice, but you won't get any better without putting in the hard work.
Watch and learn
One of the easiest ways to learn new tricks is to watch and learn. While it can be awe inspiring for a beginner to watch a skilled boarder do a perfect trick, you need to stop staring with your jaw open. Watch their fundamentals and think about how you can translate those movements when you are performing your tricks.
Be patient
Of course patience is essential for any good skateboarder. If you want to learn how to do a difficult trick like a 360 flip, it is going to take many spills and a ton of practice before you can land it perfectly. Once you accept that nothing comes easy in this sport, only then will you progress further.
Skate with those better than you
Don't be intimidated to skate with people who are more talented than you. Most skate rats are generally cool people and will gladly help you out. Not only can you watch and learn new tricks, but better skaters can help you work on your fundamentals and offer important advice you can't get from less talented friends.
Becoming a good skater takes time and a lot hard work. The best skaters in the world have put in thousands of hours of practice, and started at the bottom just like you. Don't get discouraged and keep trying to push your limits. Then before you know it, you will be the one everyone is seeking skating advice from!
Four Skateboarding Tips to Instantly Improve Your SkatingIn recent years, Spain has become a top destination for those looking to take an alternative holiday - especially as when it comes to extreme sports, Spain has got it covered. Of course there are the extreme sport staples - skydiving, bungee jumping, motocross...but how many times have you looked at your skateboard and thought about taking it on a trip to Palma de Mallorca? With impressive skateparks dotted around the city, and an alternative nightlife that rivals its Balearic neighbours, Majorca hotels could be the exact type of destination you were looking for.
Visiting skateparks in and around the city couldn't be easier too, given their proximity to easily-accessible residential and city-centre areas, and there are even websites that cater to English-speaking visitors looking for their next skating location. To give some examples, the "Son Caliu Bowl" was built as - you've guessed it - a giant bowl park with ledges at 1.9 meters and 2.5 meters tall. It's just off the main Autovia de Poniente so it's easy to reach, and judging by the amount of videos posted on the internet of skaters trying their hand at half and quaterpipe tricks here, it's a very popular destination. Staying in hotels in Spain means you'll have the best of both worlds - easy access to the city's parks, but also brilliant accommodation in one of the world's most popular summer holiday destinations.
In the centre of Majorca you'll find the "Es Generador" skatepark, a small yet impressively well-equipped park with a 1.5 meter square bowl, a Hubba, steep quarterpipes and steep flat banks making it a versatile place to try out some new tricks whether you're a skater or a BMX rider. Likewise, "Sa Riera" is a wonderland of interesting obstacles. Built from concrete under a motorway flyover, it's got a large res area with substantial banks and ledges for grinding on, plus a good hip and wall ride. Under the motorway bridge is a bowl and non-vert spine, which may not be ideal for BMX riders, but is perfect for more proficient skaters.
For beginners and those willing to try out some scary new tricks, the "San Moix" skatepark in the centre of the city boasts a bowled-out two-height mini ramp and street course-type obstacles. Basically, it's fun but not too demanding, which makes it perfect for a lazier day - perhaps if you paced it a bit too hard the night before. What's more, if you're not in the mood to skate every day - and who said you had to be? - Majorca's beaches, nightlife, culture and history holds more than enough excitement to keep you occupied. So what are you waiting for?
Taking Advantage of Spain's Excellent Skating SceneFor decades many talented skateboarders have thrilled us with their awe inspiring aerial and street skating moves. However, a new sport closely related to skateboarding rose up in the 90s known as aggressive inline skating. Many of the moves are similar to the ones seen on skateboards, but the athletes are on rollerblades.
To pull off these incredible tricks, it takes many years of hard work and training. However, the thrill and kicks you get from inline skating are unlike any feeling in the world. Perhaps you have been rollerblading for some time now and aggressive skating has always intrigued you. Or perhaps you have never been on skates before, but are determined to become an aggressive skater. No matter what category you fall into, here are a few tips to help get you started.
Aggressive skating requires the use of a special kind of rollerblades that can handle the explosive moves and pressure being exerted by the skaters. So you will want to visit your local skate shape and get some expert advice on the specific skates you will need. Be sure that any pair you buy has a stopper on the back of your skate. This stopper can then easily be removed as your skills improve.
You will want to pick up some protective gear, including: a helmet, knee and elbow pads and gloves. Be sure that the helmet is certified by your country's safety inspection agency. Protecting your head is extremely important in this sport as you will be in many vulnerable positions while performing tricks.
You will also want to buy some skater or loose fitting clothes. The benefit of skater clothing is that the material can be reinforced and also have protective areas to help the impact of any fall.
If you are entirely new to skating, I suggest taking some beginner classes and work your way up to performing simple tricks. It can take a year or more of consistent practice before many new rollerbladers are comfortable enough to perform tricks, so patience is key.
Now if you are already an advanced skater, then head out to your local skate park and start making new friends. Skate rats are almost always friendly and more than willing to help anyone who wants to learn their sport. This is by far the easiest way to learn aggressive skating.
Once they have taught you the basics, it's up to you to practice every day until you get the tricks down. Once you do, it will open up a whole new world of thrills and excitement like you have never felt before!
The Thrill of Aggressive SkatingSkateboarding is probably the only sport in the world that is popular in so many countries and is enjoyed by people of all age groups. No matter how endearing the sport is, the risk factor associated with it cannot be denied. While beginners are busy enjoying their new found skill, safety often takes a back seat.
Skating is also very common among youngsters and that leaves parents worrying about their child's safety when they are out skating. A skateboard helmet is a must-have accessory for every skater as it significantly reduces the risk associated with skating. Many people do not want to spend additionally in buying a skate helmet and use their biking helmets during skating. However, there is a major difference in both types of helmet. There are major changes that you can trip of the board and fall on the head while skating. Therefore, the skateboard helmets are tailor made to cover the back of the head entirely and give serious protection
Purchasing the right skate helmet can be a cumbersome task. With so many different designs of helmets available choosing the right one can be confusing. But having the right information and specifications with you will ensure that you are never going to make a wrong choice. It is a human tendency to go with the cheapest option available, but in case of buying a cheaper helmet you will end up spending more in its repairing, replacement, and even paying for the injuries. The cheap helmet will not be able to protect your head in case of serious impacts and might risk your safety. Therefore, it is advisable to buy skate helmets from a reputed store to avoid any risk.
You can choose a helmet depending upon your level of expertise in skating. If you are a beginner, then a single impact helmet will be sufficient to offer protection during the basic tricks you perform; whereas, if you are an advanced skater who performs risky stunts, then it is better if you buy a multiple impact helmet for yourself. You can also look out for different colors, designs, and graphics drawn on helmet you have selected. Of course it cannot be deciding factor but can act as an additional factor to help you in buying it. Make sure the helmet fits you well and is lightweight.
Skating is fun, but only when proper safety precautions are taken. No matter how experienced a skater you are, accidents can happen with anybody and it is better to be safe than worry!
A Must-Have Skating Accessory - Skateboard Helmets