Have you ever wondered how to nail a boardslide on a skateboard? It’s one of those classic tricks that, once mastered, opens the door to a world of fun and possibility. Whether you’re a newbie or a seasoned skater looking to refine your technique, understanding the ins and outs of the boardslide can significantly boost your confidence and skills on the skateboard. Let’s break it down into clear, manageable steps so you can glide with style and precision.
Understanding the Boardslide
The boardslide is a staple trick in the skateboarding world. It involves sliding the center of your skateboard deck along a rail or ledge while keeping your balance and maintaining speed. Sounds cool, right? Not only does it look impressive, but it’s also a fundamental freestyle technique that improves your balance and control.
Why Learn the Boardslide?
Before you get started, you might be wondering why learning the boardslide is worth your time. Here’s what makes it enticing:
- Improves Balance: Mastering the boardslide helps enhance your balance, an essential skill for various other tricks.
- Boosts Confidence: Achieving this trick builds confidence, encouraging you to try more advanced maneuvers.
- Expands Versatility: Once you nail it on a rail, you can take your skills to different terrains and obstacles.
Prerequisites for a Boardslide
Before attempting a boardslide, you should have a few basic skateboard skills under your belt. Familiarize yourself with:
- Ollies: The foundational move for most skateboarding tricks.
- Kickturns: Useful for adjusting direction quickly.
- Riding Comfortably at Speed: You’ll need to be comfortable moving at a moderate pace.
Getting the Right Gear
Having the right skateboard setup plays a crucial role in performing any trick. Let’s dive into what features to consider for your skateboard when aiming to boardslide.
Skateboard Components
Deck: A medium-sized deck (usually 7.75″ to 8.25″) is ideal for maintaining optimal control.
Trucks: Medium or loose trucks help with turning smoothly, necessary when coming off a boardslide.
Wheels: Use wheels with a diameter of around 50-54mm for stability and speed.
Grip Tape: Ensures your feet have a solid grip during the slide.
Personal Protective Gear
Safety first! While skateboarding is thrilling, it’s important to protect yourself, especially when learning new tricks. Consider getting a helmet, knee pads, elbow pads, and wrist guards to cushion any falls.
Step-by-Step Guide to Performing a Boardslide
Let’s break down the process of doing a boardslide into manageable steps. Precision and practice are key, so take your time with these steps.
Step 1: Approach
Approaching the rail or ledge is your initial move and sets the stage for your boardslide. Align yourself straight and focus on the obstacle ahead.
- Speed: Maintain a moderate speed. Going too fast could lead to loss of control, while too slow might not allow you to complete the slide.
- Stance: Keep a relaxed, knees-bent stance to absorb impact and maintain balance.
Step 2: Pop the Ollie
The ollie is crucial to a successful boardslide as it lifts your board onto the rail or ledge.
- Timing: Practice timing your ollie as you approach your chosen obstacle.
- Height: Aim for an ollie that clears the height of the rail with minimal effort.
Step 3: Align Your Board
Once in the air, the aim is to align your board perpendicularly to the rail or ledge.
- Feet Position: Your front foot should be just past the bolts, with the back foot positioned to control balance.
- Body Alignment: Keep your shoulders parallel to the obstacle to maintain alignment.
Step 4: Commit and Slide
As you land on the rail, focus on committing to the slide. This can be a challenging step but is essential for a successful boardslide.
- Weight Distribution: Slightly lean back to prevent the board from slipping out from underneath you.
- Control the Slide: Use subtle foot movements to keep your sliding trajectory steady and controlled.
Step 5: Clean Dismount
Upon reaching the end of the rail, you’ll want to land smoothly back on the ground.
- Shift Weight Forward: This helps guide the forward momentum of the skateboard.
- Spot Your Landing: Keep your eyes on where you aim to land, ready to adjust your balance as needed.
Overcoming Common Boardslide Challenges
Every skater faces hurdles when learning new tricks. Here’s how to tackle common issues effectively.
Losing Balance Mid-slide
A common issue is losing balance while sliding. A firm focus on even weight distribution and a slight lean back can help mitigate this.
Slipping Out
Slipping back or getting the wheels stuck are risks during a boardslide. Ensure your board is perpendicular upon landing to secure a smoother slide.
Incomplete Ollie
Failing to pop a complete ollie can stall the trick from the start. Practice ollies on flat ground first to gain confidence in your jump power and timing.
Tips for Perfecting Your Boardslide
Consistency and practice are essential for refining any skateboard trick. Here are some additional tips to help you perfect your boardslide:
Practice on Curbs First
If rails seem daunting, start on lower obstacles like curbs where the risk is lower. This helps build confidence and hones your technique without the intimidation of higher surfaces.
Warm-Up With Basics
Don’t skip your warm-up session with basic skateboarding exercises. Warming up enhances flexibility and reduces the risk of injury.
Gradual Approach
Don’t be discouraged if it takes time. Every professional skater started somewhere, and progress, no matter how small, is a step in the right direction.
Conclusion
Learning to boardslide on a skateboard could transform how you engage with this dynamic sport. With patience and dedication, you’ll not only master this trick but also lay a solid foundation for exploring even more impressive skateboarding feats. Focus on the steps, stay safe, and enjoy the ride – that’s what skateboarding is ultimately all about!