Your First Ollie: A Comprehensive Guide to Skateboarding for Absolute Beginners

So, you’re ready to embrace the thrill of skateboarding? That’s fantastic! Skateboarding is not just a sport; it’s a culture, a lifestyle, and a fantastic way to challenge yourself both physically and mentally. However, starting out can feel a little daunting. Don’t worry, this comprehensive guide is designed to take you from complete beginner to confident rolling, step-by-step. We’ll cover everything from choosing your first board to mastering basic techniques, ensuring you have a safe and enjoyable start to your skateboarding journey.

Before You Even Step on the Board: The Essentials

1. Choosing Your First Skateboard

The right skateboard can make a huge difference in your learning process. Here’s what to consider:

• Complete vs. Custom: For beginners, a ‘complete’ skateboard is the best option. These come pre-assembled, saving you the hassle of picking out individual parts. They’re also more budget-friendly. Once you gain experience and know what you like, you can explore building your custom board.
• Deck Size: This refers to the width of the board. A standard adult skateboard deck is typically between 7.75 and 8.5 inches wide. Beginners often find it easier to start with something in the 8.0 to 8.25-inch range, as it provides a good balance of stability and maneuverability. Kids and smaller adults might find 7.75 or even smaller boards more comfortable.
• Trucks: These are the metal axles that connect the wheels to the deck. They should generally match the width of your deck. Check with your local skate shop to get the right size. Loose trucks are great for turning, but they can make learning harder to balance. You can adjust the trucks using a skate tool, but starting with them a little tighter is generally a good idea for beginners.
• Wheels: Softer wheels (around 78a-85a) are great for beginners because they offer better grip on rough surfaces and a smoother ride, which makes balance easier. Harder wheels (90a and above) are better for smooth skate parks but are more slippery on the pavement.
• Bearings: Bearings are housed inside the wheels and allow them to spin. ABEC ratings (ABEC 1, ABEC 3, ABEC 5, ABEC 7, etc.) indicate the precision of the bearings. While ABEC 3 or 5 is suitable for beginners, they are not that important in the starting phases.

Pro-Tip: Visit a local skate shop if possible. The staff will have a wealth of knowledge and can help you choose the perfect board based on your individual needs and preferences. They can also assemble the board for you if you purchased individual parts.

2. Safety Gear: It’s Non-Negotiable

Safety gear is not about looking cool; it’s about keeping you safe. Even experienced skaters use protective gear to prevent injuries. Here’s what you should always wear:

• Helmet: A properly fitted helmet is the most important piece of safety equipment. Make sure it’s certified for skateboarding.
• Knee Pads and Elbow Pads: These will protect your joints during falls, which are inevitable when learning.
• Wrist Guards: Falling on your hands is a natural reflex, making wrist injuries common in skateboarding.
• Skate Shoes: Skate shoes are designed with flat, grippy soles that give you a better feel for the board. Old tennis shoes may do, but skate shoes do help.
• Optional Protection: Some skaters use padded shorts and mouth guards for added protection.

Pro-Tip: Don’t skip on the safety gear. Getting hurt can sideline you and stop you from progressing. Get in the habit of wearing it every time you skate.

3. Finding the Right Practice Spot

Where you practice is just as important as what you practice on. You’ll need a smooth, flat surface free from obstacles, cracks, or other hazards. Here are some good options:

• Empty Parking Lots: These often provide large, smooth areas with minimal traffic, but be mindful of local ordinances and permissions.
• Tennis Courts or Basketball Courts: These are also great options, with smooth surfaces and good lighting.
• Bike Paths: Be cautious and share these spaces respectfully with other users.
• Skate Parks: While skate parks are fantastic, avoid them initially. They often are full of more experienced skaters, and a beginner can feel uncomfortable or unsafe.

Pro-Tip: Practice in a spot where you feel comfortable and relaxed. Avoid busy locations as it can add unnecessary stress and distractions.

Getting Started: The Beginner’s First Steps

1. Getting Comfortable on the Board

Before you start moving, it’s important to get a feel for your board. Here’s how:

• Standing on the Board: Place the board on a flat surface and try to step onto it with both feet while the board is not moving. Find your natural stance. Most people will have one foot which feels more stable at the front of the board.
• Finding Your Stance: The way you position your feet on the skateboard is called your stance. Most people are either regular (left foot forward) or goofy (right foot forward). You’ll find out which feels more natural. Experiment by standing on the board and pushing yourself along with one foot on the ground until you find the most comfortable stance.
• Practice Balancing: Once you find the balance point, try to maintain your balance without moving. Lean forward slightly, then backward. Shift your weight from side to side. Feel the way your board responds to the movements.
• Getting the Feel for the Grip Tape: Grip tape is the sandpaper-like surface on the top of your board that provides traction. Feel the grip with your feet and notice how it holds your shoes.

Pro-Tip: Don’t rush this. Spend some time just getting comfortable with standing on the board. The better your balance, the easier the rest will be.

2. The First Push: Mastering the ‘Tick-Tack’

Now it’s time to start moving. The first push is the most fundamental move in skateboarding. This move is also called the ‘Tick-Tack’ because of the feeling that you are moving back and forth.

• Starting Position: Place your dominant foot near the back of the board, and your front foot near the center.
• The Push: Push off the ground with your back foot. Don’t kick too far, or you’ll risk having a poor balance. You are going to push to the side, and not behind you.
• Maintaining Balance: As you push, bring your back foot back onto the board just above the rear trucks. Keep your knees bent and your core engaged to maintain balance.
• Practice: Keep practicing the push to get comfortable with the motion and maintaining balance. Try doing the push on both the right and left side until you understand the motion. Don’t be afraid to place the non-dominant foot on the ground from time to time to keep the balance.
• Gaining Speed: Use the push and the momentum to keep going. You can add more pushes to gain more speed and distance.

Pro-Tip: Keep your eyes focused in the direction you want to go, and don’t look down at your feet too much. Look straight and keep practicing!

3. Learning to Steer: The ‘Turn’

Steering on a skateboard involves leaning your weight in the direction you want to turn. Here’s how it works:

• Gentle Leaning: With your board moving slowly and while maintaining balance, lean your weight gently toward your toes to turn in one direction or toward your heels to turn the other way. The more you lean, the more you will turn.
• Practice Control: The aim is to be smooth. Don’t lean aggressively or quickly, you can risk falling over. Practice slow and controlled turns. Keep your knees bent and balanced.
• Observation: Always pay attention to your surroundings as you practice. Look where you’re going and avoid obstacles in the way.

Pro-Tip: Practice gentle turns on a flat, smooth surface, and do not try sharp turns too early. Get used to how the board responds to the lean. It is essential for learning and improving the balance on the board.

4. Getting Off the Board: Mastering the ‘Foot Break’

Knowing how to stop safely is just as crucial as knowing how to go. The easiest way to stop is the ‘foot break’:

• Slow Down: Before attempting to stop, make sure your board is moving slowly.
• Place Foot on the Ground: Gently take your back foot off the board and place it on the ground.
• Apply Pressure: Use the sole of your shoe on the ground to slow the board gradually.
• Repeat if Needed: You may need to put your foot on the ground a few times until the board comes to a complete stop.

Pro-Tip: Practice your foot break until it becomes second nature. This will prevent you from panicking and falling uncontrollably.

Beyond the Basics: Expanding Your Skills

1. The Rolling Stop: A Controlled Stop

Once you are comfortable with the foot break, it’s time to learn a more controlled stop called the ‘rolling stop’ or ‘power slide.’ This takes practice and confidence but is important for the next stages of skateboarding. Don’t try this too soon, give yourself time and keep practicing the other basic skills.

• Speed: Have a moderate speed. The first few attempts should be at a slow speed to understand how the board feels.
• Weight Distribution: Prepare your weight to lean back. As you start the stop, lean your weight back, putting more pressure on the rear truck.
• Turn: As you lean, turn your front foot pointing in the direction of the intended stop.
• Slide: The rear wheel should slide sideways, slowing down the skateboard and eventually coming to a stop.

Pro-Tip: Practice this on a smooth surface. Do not perform the rolling stop if your board is going too fast, or you could risk losing control.

2. Manuals (Wheelies): An Introduction to Balance

A ‘manual’ is a move where you ride on your back wheels, lifting the front wheels in the air. This move is fundamental for more advanced tricks and is a fun way to improve balance. Don’t attempt this until you master the basic moves.

• Slow Speed: Keep a slow to moderate speed to avoid falling back hard on the ground.
• Weight Shift: Shift your weight to the back of the board, lifting the front wheels.
• Balance: Maintain balance and keep your weight over the rear truck. You will feel the balance point.
• Lowering the Wheels: Gently lower the front wheels down slowly.

Pro-Tip: Practice balance and keep your weight centered to avoid falling backward. Start with the front wheels just slightly off the ground.

3. Ollies: The Gateway to Advanced Tricks

The ollie is the fundamental trick in skateboarding and the basis for most other tricks. It involves popping the board up into the air. It takes time and a lot of practice to perform correctly.

• Stance: Make sure your feet are in the correct place. Your front foot should be slightly behind the front bolts and your back foot on the tail.
• Pop: Snap the tail of the board down quickly and sharply on the ground.
• Slide: As you pop, slide your front foot upwards on the grip tape.
• Landing: Land with both feet on the board’s bolts with your knees bent to absorb the impact.

Pro-Tip: Practicing the timing and jumping is essential. Don’t get frustrated if it doesn’t happen straight away, it’s a challenging move. Practice the pop and the sliding motion independently before combining them.

Tips for Success and Continued Progression

• Be Patient: Skateboarding takes time and dedication. Don’t get discouraged if you don’t see progress immediately.
• Practice Regularly: Even short, regular sessions are more effective than infrequent long ones. 20 minutes a day, 4 times a week, is better than 2 hours once a week.
• Learn From Others: Watch videos of other skaters and ask for tips. The skate community is a friendly and helpful bunch.
• Join a Community: Find local skateboarding groups or attend community skate meetups. Learning from others can speed up your progression.
• Focus on Fundamentals: Don’t try advanced tricks too early. Master the basics before moving on.
• Film Yourself: Film yourself skating to see where you can improve your technique.
• Have Fun: Skateboarding is about enjoyment. Don’t take it too seriously, just have fun with it!

Conclusion

Learning to skateboard is a challenging but rewarding experience. By following these steps, practicing regularly, and staying safe, you’ll be well on your way to becoming a proficient skater. Remember to be patient with yourself, celebrate your progress, and most importantly, enjoy the ride. Happy skating!