How to Skateboard- Learn how to skateboard now!

Once you're comfortable rolling around you'll want to start doing some tricks. There are a TON of books and videos out there that teach you how to skateboard.

In my experience, the best resource I've found for learning tricks in the shortest amount of time is Tony Water's Secrets of Skateboarding Guide. This guide goes beyond the ordinary trick tip videos and instructional. "
His guide is what I recommend when someone asks me "Haydon, how do learn the kickfip?" or "How do I ollie higher?" It is the fastest way I've seen to learn skateboarding tricks.

If you're interested in learning the so called "secrets" of skateboarding tricks, then you definitely need to go over and check it out. Everyone I've recommended it to has gotten amazing results from it.

Trick tip videos are a solid second option to learning how to skateboard. They provide a good visual of what the tricks look like, but they lack in detail and clear explanations.

1. Don't worry about Ollying
Don't run before you can walk. Become comfortable riding your skateboard first before attempting to ollie.

2. Get your board set up
Before you learn how to skateboard, you must have a skateboard. Purchase your skateboard at a skate shop or at least a sports store. Beginners make the mistake of going to Wal-mart to buy their boards. These boards do not work well at all so you're better off spending that extra $30 and getting a board that will last. I recommend getting a blank complete at www.ccs.com.

3. Find Your Stance
Find out about your stance- whether you're goofy or regular. Regular stance means your left foot is your front foot and goofy mean your right foot is your front foot. No stance is better than the other- it's all personal preference. Make sure you pick a stance that feel comfortable to you as you learn how to skateboard.

4. Learn to Push
Make sure you're not pushing mongo, meaning you push off with your back foot rather than your front foot. As a result, mongo footed skateboarders don't have as much time to prepare themselves for a trick after pushing off because they have to shuffle their feet around a lot after getting on the board.

If you are pushing off mongo, then now is the time to switch. It may be uncomfortable, but you'll be way better off in the long run.

When you push off, your back foot should push in a smooth, powerful motion. Take long, smooth pushes instead of short, choppy ones.

5. Turning
To turn, simple lean your body into the direction you want to go. You don't need to lean your body physically; just put more weight onto your heels or toes.

To get sharper turns, simply step on your tail and life the front wheels up a bit while you pivot in the direction you want to go in.

6. Learning to Stop
There are two ways to stop. When you first start, you'll want to try some tail stops. Simple slam down on your tail until it touches the ground and the board will naturally stop. However, this tends to wear out your board so you want to learn how to stop with your back foot.

The second method of stopping is doing a "reverse push" with your back foot. Simply take your back foot off the board and push it against the ground.

After you master the basics of skateboarding, you'll want to learn some basic tricks. The first skateboarding trick you'll want to learn is the ollie.
Head on over to Skateboard Trick Tips to learn some tricks.

Trick Order
Most skaters learn tricks in this order
- Ollie
- Shove-it
- 180 Ollie
- Kickflip
- Heeflip
- Varial Flip
- 360 Flip
- Backside Flip
- Frontside Flip
- Backside Heelflip
- Frontside Heelflip
- Hardflip

Head on over to Skateboard Trick Tips to learn these now! Good luck