Have you ever found yourself mesmerized by skateboarders as they glide effortlessly over rails and ledges, performing tricks that seem both graceful and daring? Among the various tricks in a skateboarder’s repertoire, the boardslide stands out as a classic and foundational move. It’s a trick that not only looks impressive but also acts as a building block for more advanced maneuvers. So, if you’ve ever wanted to learn how to execute a boardslide, you’re in the right place. Let’s break down this trick step-by-step, ensuring you gather the confidence and skill needed to master it.
Understanding the Boardslide
Before jumping onto your board and hitting the rails, it’s essential to grasp what a boardslide actually is. Simply put, a boardslide is a skateboard trick where you slide the middle of your skateboard deck across a rail or ledge while balancing on it. It’s a common grind trick in skateboarding, often one of the first that skateboarders learn due to its relative simplicity and foundational importance.
The Components of a Boardslide
- The Approach: How you approach a rail or ledge significantly impacts the execution of your boardslide.
- The Pop and Turn: This involves popping the tail of the board while turning your body and board sideways onto the obstacle.
- The Slide: As the name suggests, this is where you actually slide across the rail.
- The Dismount: Exiting the slide smoothly is crucial to maintaining your balance.
Why Learn a Boardslide?
Boardslides are not only a staple in the skateboarding world, but they also open the gates to more complex tricks. Mastering it enhances your overall skateboarding skills and builds your confidence on the board. It’s a key trick that teaches balance, control, and precision, which are essential skills for any skateboarder.
Preparing to Boardslide
Preparation is key to minimizing risks and maximizing success when learning any skateboarding trick. Let’s look at each step you should consider before attempting a boardslide.
Safety First: Gear Up
It’s crucial to prioritize safety. Ensure that you’re wearing appropriate protective gear, which includes a helmet, elbow pads, knee pads, and wrist guards. Remember, even seasoned skateboarders take tumbles, so gearing up is a wise choice.
Finding the Right Spot
Start with smaller, lower rails or ledges that are suitable for beginners. You want something stable and preferably with a surface that allows for a smooth slide. Skate parks are ideal since they often have dedicated zones for practicing such skills.
Choosing the Right Skateboard
Your skateboard setup can significantly influence your boardslide attempts. Here’s what to consider:
| Component | Description |
|---|---|
| Deck | A board that’s neither too wide nor too narrow offers better balance. |
| Trucks | Ensure your trucks are not too tight, allowing for smoother turns. |
| Wheels | Smaller and harder wheels (around 99A) are ideal for street skateboarding. |
| Griptape | Ensure it’s clean and in good condition for adequate grip. |
Warming Up
Warming up helps to prevent injuries and prepares your body for physical activity. Spend around 10-15 minutes practicing simple tricks and maneuvers like ollies, along with some light stretching.
Step-by-Step Guide to Performing a Boardslide
Now that you’re prepared and equipped, let’s break down the steps to performing a boardslide.
1. Master the Ollie
The ollie is fundamental. It’s the technique that will propel you and your board onto the rail. Practice your ollies to ensure you can consistently pop the board off the ground.
2. Approach with Confidence
Approach the rail or ledge with a relaxed yet steady pace. You don’t want to be going too fast, especially as a beginner. Align your body parallel to the rail, maintaining a comfortable stance on your board.
3. Pop and Turn
As you get close to the rail, pop your board by pressing down on the tail with your back foot. Simultaneously, use your shoulders to initiate a 90-degree turn. This motion should result in you and the skateboard being perpendicular to the rail.
4. Landing on the Rail
Aim to land the center of your board directly over the rail. Your front foot should help guide this motion, aiming to get the deck squarely on the rail. Use your arms to maintain balance, and keep your head up, looking where you want to slide.
5. The Slide
Once you’re on the rail, commit to the slide. Keep your weight centered over the board. For beginners, the instinct is often to lean back, but doing so can make you fall off the board. Instead, try to keep your weight slightly forward.
6. Stick the Dismount
As you near the end of the rail, prepare to dismount. Push down slightly on your back foot to lift the front over the edge and turn your shoulders back to align with the direction of travel. Land with your knees slightly bent to absorb any impact.
7. Roll Away Smoothly
Once you’ve landed, continue rolling cleanly and confidently. This helps maintain your overall flow and gives you that satisfying finish to the trick.
Common Mistakes and How to Overcome Them
Learning how to boardslide isn’t without its challenges. Here are some common mistakes beginners encounter and tips to overcome them:
Fear of Commitment
The fear of falling can prevent you from committing fully to the boardslide. Start small and build your confidence gradually. Positive visualization and focusing on your successes can also help overcome mental barriers.
Losing Balance
Balance issues often stem from improper weight distribution. Practice keeping your knees bent and your center of gravity low. Also, use your arms for balance.
Not Landing Properly
Ensure you turn your shoulders and hips back to face the direction you’re going to roll once the slide is complete. This positional alignment is crucial for a successful landing.
Building on the Basics
Once you’ve nailed the basic boardslide, there’s a world of variations and advanced tricks at your fingertips. The skills you’ve honed will make learning these more complex maneuvers easier.
Variations and Tricks
- Frontside Boardslide: Similar to the standard boardslide but approached from the opposite direction.
- Lipslide: Enter the slide by swinging the tail around to the front of the rail.
- K-Grind and Feeble Grind: These combine sliding with grinding on the trucks, adding complexity to the maneuver.
Staying Motivated and Practicing Regularly
Progress in skateboarding comes from regular practice and a willingness to push your boundaries. Keep track of your developments, be patient with yourself, and stay motivated by setting small, achievable goals. Each success, no matter how minor, is a step toward mastering skateboarding.
Joining a Skateboarding Community
Engage with local or online skateboarding communities. These groups are rich with tips, encouragement, and friendly faces who share your passion. Moreover, observing others can provide insight and inspiration for your journey.
Conclusion
Now that you know the ins and outs of performing a boardslide on a skateboard, you can confidently set out to try it yourself. Remember, the key to mastering any trick is practice, patience, and persistence. With time, you’ll find that the boardslide is not just an impressive move but also an enjoyable part of your skateboarding adventures. Enjoy the thrill of the ride, the mastery over your board, and the exhilaration that comes with landing a boardslide. Happy skating!