Learning How To Fall

Whether you are about to get on a skateboard for the first time or are a pro, falling is an inevitable part of the sport. And, its where injuries can occur. Trying to prevent injury is not only good safety but can save you from having to sit out from skateboarding for a season because your leg is in a cast.

One smart trick to learn is how to fall without injuring yourself. Always try to land on a fleshy part of your body, and try to roll with it. Try not to use your hands, wrists or arms to break your fall. It will take practice because its natural to put your hands out, but breaking that reflex could save you a lot of pain in the long run.

Beginning Skateboarding

Any beginner must learn to ride on their skateboard before attempting any tricks. So its important to practice moving for a while. Here's how – place your front foot on the board over the front truck bolts.

Push yourself forward with your back foot placing most of your weight over your front foot. Then place your back foot on the board near the tail and coast. While pushing you should be facing forward, but while coasting you can turn both your body and feet to the side for stability.

Skateboard Shoe Choices

If you've gone into a sports shop lately to look at skateboarding shoes, you've probably noticed how many brands, colors and different price points there are to choose from. Confused? How different can they possibly be?

Aside from the basic attributes of skateboard shoes, you'll find ones that work well in snow and slush, ones that have loops to protect laces while doing heel flips, thick, padded tongues, thermo-plastic toe caps and much more. Try them on for size. Comfort is key. Choose those features that have a specific benefit for the way you skate. And of course, they have to look good.

Skateboarding Backpacks

Whether you are using them for skateboarding expeditions, or going to school, backpacks made by your favorite skateboard companies like Element, Baker Skateboard and Girl give you a little something most regular backpacks don't. In addition to coming equipped with skateboard carrying straps and tail pouches, most have audio holders with headphone outlets. And of course, they all have your favorite logo embroidered right where everyone can see.

How to attach grip tape to your skateboard.

How to Build a Skateboard -

STEP 1 ATTACHING GRIP TAPE

The first step in skateboard assembly is to apply grip tape to your new deck.

• Place your new deck on a clean flat comfortable work area. A workbench covered with a soft cloth or a piece of carpet works best and will keep your new deck from getting scratched.
• Grip tape comes in sheets, which are 9 inches wide and 33 inches long. Carefully remove about 2 to 4 inches of the grip tape backing. Center the grip tape over your board with both hands holding either end of the grip tape.
• Place the exposed end of the grip tape on the nose of the board leaving 1/2" to 3/4" overhang. Again make sure the grip tape is centered over your board so that there is an equal amount of overhang on either side.
• Peal and press the rest of the grip tape down onto your board. Working from the center, pat down the grip tape. Work from the center to the nose and tail of your deck also work from the cent to the edges of your deck.
• Working from the center out towards the edges helps to remove air bubbles forming under the grip tape. You can use the grip tape backing to protect your hand while pressing down on the grip tape.
• Using a mill file or the side of a screwdriver score the grip tape around the outside edge of the grip tape. Do not file through the grip tape; just remove the grit from the grip tape to form an outline of your deck. This outline serves a guide when removing the excess grip tape from the edges of your deck.

• First, cut four small slits in the grip tape where the nose and tail begin to slope upwards. This makes following your outline much easier and the excess grip tape come off in four pieces. Remember to take your time and follow the outline you’ve created.
• Using the outline and the edge of your deck as a guide use a safety knife to remove the excess grip tape from your deck.
• Carefully cut around the edge of your deck removing the excess grip tape. Do not cut into your deck or outside the outline this takes practice.
• Remove the excess grip tape. Press out any additional air bubbles you see at this time

Emerica: Solid Skate Shoes

Emerica is a tried and true brand of skate shoes with a solid and proven design and the features you need, if not all the features you want. For instance, Emerica skate shoes don't protect laces - so if you go through laces like crazy, they may not be the right shoe for you. Still, these are shoes you can find in most places and you can get them for great price points. They also offer solid impact protection and support for tricks. When it comes down to it, Emerica is a solid brand of skate shoes that you can trust.

Misperceptions of Skate Park Noise Levels

One of the most common misperceptions about skate parks is that the noise created by their users will surpass code limits and upset the community. But the reality is quite different. In a recent study, it was found that peak skate park noise levels averaged 70 decibels from 50 feet away.

In comparison, from the same 50 feet away a dishwasher and toilet produce comparable decibel levels. A football game produces 117 decibels, heavy traffic 85 decibels and a home refrigerator 50 decibels.. All in all, a skate park is no more noisy than similar recreation areas like a basketball court or children's playground

Young shoppers

If you're young, buying clothes from your favorite skateboard manufacture might pose some difficulty at times. Since the money is usually in the hands of your parents, they may object to some of the logos and imagery found on many items. And some of the names of the companies themselves might raise their hackles a bit.

But don't fret. There are some logos that are not provocative, so pick out those instead of the skulls. And try to talk grandma into giving you a gift certificate for the holidays so you can shop and pick out your own.

The All Girl Skate Jam

For girls who are skateboard enthusiast but are wondering where all the women compete, take a look at the All Girl Skate Jam. It is the first and only skateboard competition devoted solely toward women.

The competition includes both amateur and professional skaters. Enthusiasm for this annual event was so high that now the All Girl Skate Jam is involved in extreme sports events around the world and have also created a skate camp in the summer.

360 Flips

First, you need to learn 360 shove-its, 360 pop shove-its and kick-flips. Then you might be able to throw down a 360 flip. Most importantly you need to practice pop shove-its and learn how to snap the tail on just regular 180 pop shove-its. When you get that trick down, try to learn pop shove-it kick-flips.

Once you get that trick down start shoving the board a little harder, to get it to rotate 360 and flip it a little slower than the pop shove-it kick-flips and then you should have your self a tre flip. Remember practice makes perfect.

Skateboard Deck

The deck is the flat part of the skateboard – the part you stand on. So naturally it is the most important part of your set up. Different decks are best for different types of skateboarding, so the one that's best is the one that accomplishes what gives you the most pleasure.

Ask around to find which one ollies the highest or slides the best. Durability is also an important issue. You don't want to be replacing that deck too often.

Skateboard Clothes or Urban Wear?

Perhaps only the most long-time skateboarder can remember whether skateboarding has influenced fashion or if fashion has influenced skateboarding. Skateboarding clothes and fashion have meshed into what can be called ‘urban wear'.

But the general outfit includes baggy pants with exposed underwear, long t-shirts, and a beanie. The baggy pants do provide freedom of movement, and the beanies keep skateboarders' heads warm, so there is an element of practicality here.