Don’t listen to boys who tell you that girls can’t skateboard. Girls can do anything that they set their hearts to. Even skateboarding. Skateboarding is easy to learn. In a few training lessons, you’ll be skateboarding around the neighborhood in no time. Here’s how to start skateboarding as a girl.
Ask for Lessons
First things first, don’t be afraid to ask to learn how to skateboard. And most importantly, don’t be afraid to ask how to learn. Nobody magically gets on a skateboard the first time and understands the dynamic behind it all. Go to your local skatepark and tell someone that you are interested in learning. Have them help you, and then they’ll recommend what board to use. Then they will show you how to do tricks and how to balance on the board.
RELATED: Roller Skates Vs. Skateboards: Pros and Cons To Help You Decide Which Is Easier
Look into Equipment
Invest in the right equipment as a skateboarder. It is very important to supply the right equipment. That means the right safety equipment. Kindly ask your parents or go to Walmart which has an entire supply of skateboarding equipment. Just know the equipment is expensive so make sure that you have the money to supply it all.
That especially goes for buying the right skateboard. Out of all the equipment you are looking for, they are the main reason why you are looking to do lessons. Skateboards are the most expensive. It makes a huge difference in which skateboard you buy to meet your level.
Starting with the Basics
For any person learning how to skateboard for the first time, start out with the basics. The first step to learn is to be comfortable. Gain trust with the skateboard. Most importantly, balance. Push yourself around the neighborhood, on level ground that is. There is no need to speed down a gigantic hill at this time. No, you are only going to trip up and injure yourself.
Finding the Right Teacher
The best thing that you should do is find someone whether in your neighborhood or in the family and learn how to roll, push, and get comfortable standing on your skateboard, and then head to the skatepark. After that, people will teach you to learn how to stop. Slowly work your way up to the next step.
Of course, we are not all skateboarders. Don’t fret if you cannot find someone to help you learn how to skateboard. If you don’t know who Youtube is, it’s time for you to meet this amazing website where videos of all contents are uploaded every day. Hundreds of skateboarding videos exist. Research the right tricks, moves, and tips.
Learning to Skate with a Friend
Never do this alone. If you have another friend that is looking to learn how to skate with you, take them along. Together you can learn new tricks and help each other along the way. Everybody gets nervous about going to a skate park on their own. Going to a skate park with a friend makes you more confident and ready to learn.
What Should I Wear?
That is a great question. You already know, but we will tell you anyway. Do not wear a skirt or a dress while skateboarding. It is very easy to fall. And skip wearing jewelry for the day. Paying attention to the weather is very necessary.
The right clothes that you should wear are cool and comfortable clothing. Wear the type of clothing that you don’t mind getting covered in sweat. Skateboarding is an exercise after all. Skaters should wear clothing items like jeans and cotton t-shirts.
Another layer of clothing that is recommended is a long sleeve t-shirt under a short sleeve t-shirt if the weather gets cool. Material made out of cotton proves to be breathable to wear for any skateboarder.
What Type of Shirts Should I Wear?
The most popular of shirts to wear as a skateboarder is graphic tees. Show who you are as a skateboarder. This is skateboard you, not the person who you act like to your grandparents. Skateboarding is the time to free yourself from a stressful day and act like you. Buy your clothing from iconic skate brands that are tailored to fit skater movements.
T-shirts that have a humorous saying or relate to skateboarding is the best way to go. But make sure that none of your tees have an offensive line written on them. You’re not going to be the hit of the skateboard park if you do that. Remember to be yourself. You want to skateboard because you want to skateboard. Not because you want to get attention.
Avoid Wearing Tight Clothing
You should be able to breathe when performing exercises. Clothing that is too tight could be hazardous. If the sun is out then you are likely to overheat in whatever clothing you choose to wear. Be able to move all body parts, most especially your legs as skateboarding proves to be a lot of bending.
RELATED: Will Skateboard Wheels Work on Roller Skates?
Don’t wear clothes that are only going to get in the way of skating. Wearing anything too tight is a risk of not being able to move at all. Examples of pants that you should not wear are jeans or tight leggings. Avoid pants that are too long because your pantlegs will only drag along the ground.
Wearing Hoodies
During months that are chilly, jackets prove to keep you warm. However, there is one particular jacket that you should look into. Hoodies. Hoodies make up the skater girl look. Choose any style or brand that you want.
Types of Shoes
The shoes that you wear matter the most when starting to learn to skateboard. Wear comfortable sports shoes that are not too loose and not too tight. Sneakers are your best bet. Skateboarding shoes are flat-soled shoes that give your feet the most contact with your board. They give you the best control.
When skating, wear skating shoes when you can, specifically flat shoes with comfortable soles. explore for shoes that are flat and smooth on the bottom, like Converse or Vans.
What to do with Hair?
For all you ladies who have long hair, this is the time to put it into a ponytail. Skateboarding requires you to see where you are going. Wear your hair in a ponytail, pin it back, or wear a hair. There’s also nothing wrong with getting a haircut. But don’t ruin the style that you want. You should be comfortable and confident when you are out skateboarding.
How to Put on the Act
Now it is time to act like a skater girl. In order to get that skater attitude down, go visit a skate park and study how people act. There are a lot of skate parks out there, especially in cities. In skate parks, there are different types of obstacles and ramps. Practice your own skating and watch people with more experience skate. That’s the best way to learn.
Make Friends Who Skate
New friends are always the best. Say hi to some fellow skateboard girls at the park. Not only girls but make friends with boys, too. Start a conversation and talk about skateboarding. Skateboarding doesn’t have to be the only subject. You’ll be surprised at how many friends you will make. Make friends and have them show you how to do tricks.
Research Pro Skateboarders
There are pro-skateboarders out there. Oftentimes, pro-skaters are the talk at skate parks. If the topic happens to come up at the skate park, take the opportunity to learn more about them. Track pro skaters so you can contribute to the conversation, but also so you can learn new tricks. Watching the X-Games is an excellent way to get started on following pro skateboarders.
Don’t Listen to Other Criticism
Here’s the best advice we are going to give you. Don’t ever let someone get you down if they insult you with, ‘You skate like a girl’. You are a girl. Everybody has their own technique when it comes to skateboarding or any sport or hobby in the world.
Some skaters might feel threatened by new skaters, therefore criticizing one for not being able to skate. If that situation ever arises, remember that every skater had a point when they couldn’t skate. Fight back with words, but never physically.
Steps on Learning to Skateboard
- Relax your body: Use the body to control your skating. Keep your body loose and get rid of the tension. Keep your arms loose and knees bent.
- Place the left foot at the front of the board (or right. Whichever foot you are comfortable with)
- Push off with the back foot: Push against the ground, and then pick it up on the board. Stand sideways on the board and maintain balance
- Your feet control the direction in which you go in: Keep leaning forward and press your toes down.
- To stop, drag the board using your foot or you can also press down on the back on board
- Learn basic tricks
