5 Tips to Get Started Skating a Pump Track

When you think of skateboarding, what springs to mind? Perhaps it’s images of teenaged boys flying high above the streets on the back of their boards. Or perhaps it’s unrealistic stunts and tricks performed by expert skaters who seem to have been born with the ability to balance on one finger. Whatever your answers, there’s no denying that skateboarding is an activity which has its roots firmly planted in youthful rebellion. Adults probably don’t think much about whether they want to start skating as a hobby. But if you are reading this article, it means that somewhere in your soul – however hidden – lurks a rebel with a cause. The challenge facing you now is to find out how you feel about this and what you intend to do about it before it’s too late. The following tips will help get you started on the path towards becoming a skater:

 

Find a friend, or 2 or 3

Just like most other sports, it’s a lot more fun to skate with friends. As you might expect, this is especially true if they are also beginners learning how to skateboard. There will be someone to keep you company and share in your excitement as you watch each other progress. Also, there’s a good chance that you’ll start developing your own tricks at the same time, which only makes the experience more enjoyable for everyone involved. 

Jump on your board and start rolling

Skateboarding is a fairly straightforward hobby. You need a board, some wheels and a little bit of balance. The only other thing you need is the bravery to hit the pavement with just those things. If you are not too confident about your balance, try skating on carpet before hitting the street. 

Learn the basics of balancing

Many adults don’t have the balance they used to have as a child, so it is important that you learn the basics. Skateboarders often use a technique called “pumping” to balance on their skateboards. Pushing down on one end of the board and lifting up on the other balances their weight and keeps them from falling off. You can gradually start with the board on a level surface and then, as you feel more confident, try some slopes. 

Skate more often and for longer

periods of time The first and most important tip is that you need to skate more regularly and for longer periods of time. Skateboarding is not, as some people seem to think, like riding a bike – or any other sport or activity which you can do after a short while and then forget about it. No, skateboarding is something that takes years to learn and even if you work at it every day, there will still come a day when you’ll fall. If this happens, the rule is that when you fall, get back up again quickly. 

Start practising your ollies and shuv-its

The first steps towards becoming a skateboarder are not just to buy a board and put it in your closet. Before you become a skater, you need to learn the basics. The first thing you should do is go to your local skatepark or somewhere similar and start practising your ollies and shuv-its. You’ll need these skills if you want to progress to anything more than beginner level so it pays to get them right from the start. Practice for as long as you need until you are confident that you can reliably perform these manoeuvres with ease. You will feel like an expert when you manage to do this for the first time! 

Get some air (and probably fall a lot)

First you need to take that jump, no matter how scary it may seem. It’s crucial that you don’t underestimate the physical challenges of skating, because if you do you’re unlikely to stick with it for long. Skating requires a lot of balance and coordination, so be prepared to fall a lot at first. 

Conclusion

Skateboarding is the perfect way to spend some quality time with friends and blow off some steam. A pump track is a great place to get started, as the bumpy terrain will help you work on your balance and get your confidence up. And don't worry, we've got 5 tips to help you get started.