I thought about the time maybe a year back when I went to try to jump off of this cubical storage made from rock. It is about 12.5ft so I climbed on to it. I put my skateboard down and I begin to start riding, there is not too much space on it so I had to think quickly. Then I'm beginning to Ollie (to jump with skateboard) off the edge of the big rock (That's what my friend Devin and I call It.), the moment I was in the air was like I was flying or something. It felt like it took one whole minute to reach the ground from the big rock like one of those slow motion moments in movies. Enjoying my minute, my friends pulled me back to reality; it took me two seconds to reach the ground. The good thing was I succeeded without hurting my self.

Back to the slope or as I would say half-pipe. On TV they would make dropping in look so easy (go down the half-pipe) they executed it with no trouble. When you're there from the ground it looks way more fun, intensifying, and exciting because you were there and you can attempt if you wanted. Then as I climb up on the half-pipe I look down, “Wow! It looks harder from up here”. This skater that was probably a bit older than me yells over “put the tail of your board down on the edge, and then slam your nose down.”

I was hot like the whistling tea pot in nature kitchen, and I was nervous like a bunny rabbit being stared down by a snake. I slam the nose of my board down and I was in the wrong position. Instead of shifting my weight forward I did the exact opposite. Boom! Screech! Without warning I fall back burning and scraping my elbow. With all the adrenaline of the speed I jump back up on the half-pipe over and over like one's favorite movie being repeated. After falling about seven times I finally nailed it (succeeded), I jump back on my board and ride off of the platform of the half-pipe jumping with excitement, I point to the burn on my elbow and say to my friend Devin repeatedly “This is the only commitment it takes!” the nine year old just stared at me.

Deck

The deck is the wooden base of the board. The board is usually double kick which means its curved facing north at both ends. The concave on the board helps give you stability on the board and helps you flip the board quicker and higher without using as much effort.

Trucks

The trucks are the axels of the board they are on the center of the underside of your deck. There are two of them. You can loosen your trucks so you can turn easier and flip easier. You can also do stalls and grinds on the trucks.

Wheels

The bigger the wheels, the more rolling resistance there will be. If you use rubber wheels they will grip more to the surface, but plastic wheels are better for reverts.

Bearings

Bearings are the metal rings inside the wheel and there are two to each one wheel the higher they ABEC- on the wheels, the better.

A popular problem people have while learning this trick is that only their front foot would land on the board and the board would go behind them. To stop this from happening you should jump back or forward with the board.

Another problem that most people have is trying to get the board to spin. What you have to do is try learning Ollie 180's first to get the hang of what it feels like to spin the board. If you can kick flip, then it's like a kick flip without lifting up your back leg, but rather pushing it out then lifting it up.

Hope this helped.

Skateboarding began in the United States in the early 1960's, when California teenagers attached roller skates to wood boards so that they could practice "surfing" on the sidewalk. The ride was far from perfect. Bumpy roads and stones often stopped the small skate wheels and this sent the sidewalk surfers sprawling.

In the 1970's, manufacturers responded to this fad by using improved wheels and boards. Newer plastic wheels made out of polyurethane were larger and softer than skate wheels. These plastic wheels provided a smoother ride and excellent traction. The wheels were mounted on special shock absorbers called trucks that made boards easier to maneuver. Improved boards came in different models and were made of different woods as well as plastic, fiberglass, and aluminum. With the new equipment, the sport caught on quickly, and today more than 20 million people all over the world are skateboarding. Some of them even use custom-made skateboards.

Competitive Skateboarding

While most people skateboard for fun, some do it competitively. Professional skateboarders can compete in a variety of events. In downhill, skateboarders race down a hill against each other or against the clock. In slalom, they weave at breakneck speeds around plastic cones. Skateboarding teams compete in cross-country, with each member completing part of an obstacle course in the shortest possible time. In bowl riding, competitors perform tricks on the side walls of a circular cement bowl. In freestyle, competitors perform individual routines, which may include high jumps, handstands, and 360's (circles on one pair of wheels).

The popularity of both competitive and recreational skateboarding has led to the creation of special skateboard parks. These parks have concrete hills, bowls, flat areas, and sometimes cross-country courses where skateboarders can practice. Some of these parks have even been built indoors so that skateboarders can use them throughout the year.

Safe Skateboarding

Safety equipment is very important in skateboarding. Skateboarders out for fun or in competition should always wear it to help prevent serious injuries in case of falls. Skateboarders should also take care of their equipment and boards so that everything is in good working order.

Now you will need to purchase your first board. It is good to go to your local skate shop and find a simple board that when you stand on it your feet hang off of both sides a little. I would recommend a 7.75inch deck since it seems to fit most people. Basically look for something cheep and simple, don't go crazy over graphics, despite what you might think they are not the most important thing in a skateboard. After that ask for “everything else that makes a board” and you will need bearings, wheels, trucks, and grip tape. I suggest a medium suspension for trucks, since you don't know if you will be more a park or street skater. Have the person at the shop assemble it and there you go; your first board.

Now get comfortable rolling around. Surprisingly this can be harder than it sounds. I learned on my garage pad, nice smooth cement is much better to learn on than the street. Find a nice sidewalk, plant your feet on your board and get pushing. When you fall off, pick yourself up and try again. However, if you just can't find your balance, chances are you might be standing the wrong way. If you like standing with your right foot at the back of the board, you are a "regular" skater. If you prefer to have your left foot at the back, you are a "goofy" skater. Don't spend to much time figuring this out, basically choose one and stick with it. You will learn to ride fakie (the way you normally don't i.e. if you are regular then you ride goofy) soon enough.

You will want to stay on this stage for a while. All it takes is dedication and practice. If you try once a week, fall and try again next week, then skating is not for you. You need to practice everyday for as long as possible.

Now that you are on a roll you need to start learning tricks, hey if you made it this far more bruises won't hurt!

See “very beginning tricks” to actually become a skater.

1. Find a thin film of water on the beach or a lake. After floods is another good time.
2. Start running, and throw your skimboard onto the water
3. Quickly jump onto it, with your weight centred
4. Control with your back foot, and balance with your front one
5. To get off, step off the side onto the sand

Take note

• The wider the board, the easier it is to balance, but the longer board allows more control
• A block of wax is advised, to put more grip on the board, and make it less slippery
• Consider the advantages and disadvantages for wood or foam boards

Caution

• It is possible to hit your head skim-boarding, so be careful dismounting, and don't hit your friend on the head with it! (As it may damage your board)

Tips

• 10cm is the best depth for skim boarding
• Try having races or distance races with your mates