So you’ve been skateboarding for a while now and you feel like it’s time to take your skills to the next level. You want to refine your style, add some personal flair, and stand out on the streets and skate parks. Well, you’re in luck! There are plenty of options available to help you do just that. From experimenting with different tricks and techniques, to customizing your gear, and even exploring new skateboarding styles, the possibilities are endless. So let’s dive in and discover how you can elevate your skateboarding game and make it uniquely yours. Skateboarding is not just a sport; it’s a form of self-expression. It’s a way to showcase your style, creativity, and personality. If you’re looking to refine your skateboarding style and add your personal flair to it, there are several options you can explore. By following these steps, you can become a more skilled and confident skateboarder while showcasing your unique style.
Finding Inspiration
Look to the Pros
One way to refine your skateboarding style is by looking to the pros. Watch videos and follow professional skateboarders on social media platforms. Take note of their techniques, tricks, and overall style. Pay attention to how they execute their moves and how they incorporate their personal flair into their skateboarding. By observing and studying the pros, you can gain inspiration and ideas to incorporate into your own skateboarding style.
Study Different Styles
Skateboarding is a diverse sport, comprising various styles and techniques. Take the time to study and learn about different skateboarding styles such as street skating, vert skating, and freestyle skating. Understand the nuances of each style, including the types of tricks and techniques involved. By expanding your knowledge of different styles, you can incorporate elements from each into your own skateboarding style, making it more well-rounded and unique.
Explore Other Skateboarding Disciplines
In addition to different styles, there are also various skateboarding disciplines you can explore. For example, longboarding, downhill skateboarding, and slalom skateboarding offer different challenges and experiences. By exploring these disciplines, you expose yourself to new techniques and styles that can help refine your own skateboarding style. Don’t be afraid to venture outside of your comfort zone and try something new.
Mastering Basic Techniques
Perfect Your Stance
Before you can refine your skateboarding style, it’s essential to master the basic techniques. Begin by perfecting your stance, which involves finding the most comfortable position for your feet on the skateboard. Experiment with different stances, such as regular (left foot forward) or goofy (right foot forward), to determine which feels most natural to you. Your stance forms the foundation for executing tricks and maneuvers, so it’s crucial to find a stance that provides stability and control.
Mobilize Your Body
Skateboarding requires flexibility and mobility, so it’s important to mobilize your body before hitting the streets or skatepark. Incorporate stretching exercises into your warm-up routine to improve your range of motion and prevent injuries. Focus on stretching your legs, hips, ankles, and arms to ensure your body can move freely and comfortably during skateboarding sessions. This will not only enhance your performance but also allow you to add your personal flair to your movements.
Improve Balance and Stability
Balance and stability are key aspects of skateboarding. To refine your style, work on improving your balance and stability. Practice standing on your skateboard and finding your center of gravity. Engage your core muscles to maintain a stable and balanced position. As you become more comfortable, experiment with shifting your weight and maintaining balance while executing tricks. By honing your balance and stability, you’ll be able to perform tricks with more control and finesse, ultimately adding your personal flair to your skateboarding style.
Experimenting with Tricks
Start with the Basics
Once you’ve mastered the foundational techniques, it’s time to experiment with tricks. Start with the basics, such as ollies, kickflips, and pop shuv-its. These fundamental tricks serve as building blocks for more advanced maneuvers. Practice each trick repeatedly, focusing on precision and consistency. As you become more comfortable, you can gradually add your own unique variations and style to these basic tricks, making them your own.
Expand Your Trick Repertoire
As you gain confidence and proficiency in the basics, it’s essential to expand your trick repertoire. Explore different tricks, such as grinds, slides, and aerial maneuvers, to add depth and variety to your skateboarding style. Experiment with new tricks regularly and push yourself to learn and master more advanced techniques. Incorporating these tricks into your routine will not only make your style more exciting but also showcase your progression and dedication to the sport.
Combine Tricks for Unique Combinations
Adding your personal flair to skateboarding involves combining tricks in unique and creative ways. Experiment with combining different tricks to create your own signature moves and combinations. Consider the flow, rhythm, and timing of each trick to ensure a smooth transition between them. By developing your own combinations, you can make your skateboarding style stand out and leave a lasting impression on others.
Customizing Your Board
Choose the Right Deck
Customizing your skateboard is another way to refine your style and make it uniquely yours. Start by choosing the right deck that suits your preferences and skating style. Consider factors such as size, shape, and concave when selecting a deck. Experiment with different decks to find the one that provides the best feel and control for your skating style. By selecting a deck that aligns with your personal preferences, you can enhance your overall performance and showcase your individuality.
Personalize the Grip Tape
Grip tape not only provides traction for your feet but can also be an opportunity to showcase your personality. Personalize your grip tape by adding custom designs, patterns, or artwork. Get creative and use various materials such as stencils, markers, or spray paint to create your unique grip tape design. This personal touch will not only make your skateboard unique but also make it more visually appealing and representative of your style.
Get Creative with Graphics
The graphics on your skateboard deck can also be a reflection of your personal flair. Choose graphics that resonate with you and align with your style. Whether it’s bold and vibrant designs or minimalist and abstract patterns, select graphics that make a statement and reflect who you are as a skateboarder. Remember, your skateboard is not just a tool; it’s an extension of your personality and style.
Exploring Different Terrain
Skatepark Features
Skateparks offer a wide range of obstacles and features that allow you to refine your skateboarding style. Explore different skatepark features such as ramps, rails, ledges, and bowls. Each feature presents a unique challenge and can help you develop new techniques and tricks. Spend time exploring different skateparks in your area to broaden your skateboarding experiences and refine your style across various terrains.
Street Skating
Street skating is a raw and authentic form of skateboarding that involves utilizing urban landscapes as your skatepark. Embrace the streets, plazas, and public spaces as your playground. Observe your surroundings and look for ledges, stair sets, rails, and other street obstacles to incorporate into your skateboarding style. Street skating allows you to showcase your adaptability and creativity as you navigate through different environments.
Transition and Vert Skating
Transition and vert skating involve ramps, halfpipes, and bowls that provide opportunities for aerial maneuvers and high-speed riding. If you enjoy the feeling of weightlessness and the adrenaline rush of catching air, transition and vert skating may be the perfect way to refine your skateboarding style. These disciplines require a combination of skill, technique, and fearlessness. Push yourself to learn new tricks and incorporate high-flying moves into your repertoire to add an extra level of excitement and flair to your skateboarding.
Developing Your Own Style
Practice Regularly
To refine your skateboarding style and add personal flair, consistency is key. Make skateboarding a regular part of your routine and commit to practicing regularly. Set aside dedicated practice sessions to focus on specific tricks or techniques. By practicing consistently, you’ll not only improve your skills but also develop your unique style and creative approach to skateboarding.
Push Your Limits
To truly refine your skateboarding style, you need to push your limits and challenge yourself. Step outside of your comfort zone and attempt tricks and maneuvers that seem daunting. Embrace the process of learning and mastering new skills, even if it means failing multiple times. By pushing your limits, you’ll not only become a more skilled skateboarder but also discover new possibilities for adding your personal flair to your style.
Find Your Flair
Refining your skateboarding style is about finding your own creative expression and unique approach to the sport. Pay attention to the aspects of skateboarding that excite you the most. Whether it’s incorporating dance-like movements, emphasizing speed and flow, or focusing on technical precision, find what makes your skateboarding stand out. Experiment with different approaches, techniques, and tricks until you uncover your signature style that feels authentic to who you are as a skateboarder.
Joining the Skateboarding Community
Join a Skateboarding Crew
Skateboarding is more than just an individual sport; it’s a community. Joining a skateboarding crew or group can provide a supportive network of likeminded individuals who share your passion for skateboarding. Being part of a crew allows you to learn from others, share insights, and collaborate on new tricks and styles. Surrounding yourself with fellow skateboarders can inspire you to refine your own style while building lasting friendships within the skateboarding community.
Attend Events and Competitions
Attending skateboarding events and competitions is another great way to refine your style and gain exposure to different skateboarding styles. These events often feature professional skateboarders who showcase their skills and unique approaches to the sport. By watching and learning from these skaters, you can draw inspiration and ideas for adding personal flair to your own style. Additionally, participating in competitions can push you to perform at your best and challenge yourself to refine your tricks and style.
Connect with Skaters Online
In today’s digital age, connecting with skaters from around the world has never been easier. Utilize social media platforms and online skateboarding communities to connect with fellow skateboarders and discover new styles and techniques. Follow influential skateboarders, join online skateboarding groups, and engage in conversations with other skaters. By connecting with skaters online, you can expand your knowledge, gain feedback on your own style, and continue to refine your skateboarding skills.
Documenting Your Progress
Record Videos
Recording videos of your skateboarding sessions is a valuable tool for documenting your progress and refining your style. Set up a camera or use your smartphone to capture your tricks and maneuvers. Review the footage to analyze your technique, identify areas for improvement, and find opportunities to add your personal flair. Share these videos with other skaters, friends, and the online skateboarding community to receive feedback and encouragement.
Share on Social Media
Social media platforms provide an excellent platform for showcasing your skateboarding style and progress. Share your videos, photos, and updates on platforms like Instagram, TikTok, or YouTube. Use relevant hashtags to reach a wider audience and connect with other skaters who appreciate your style. By sharing your skateboarding journey on social media, you can gain visibility, inspire others, and continue to refine your style with the support and engagement of the online skateboarding community.
Create a Skateboarding Portfolio
Consider creating a skateboarding portfolio to compile your best tricks, achievements, and highlights. This portfolio can take the form of a physical scrapbook, a digital website, or an online portfolio. Include photos, videos, and descriptions of your skateboarding journey, showcasing your progress and unique style. A skateboarding portfolio not only serves as a personal keepsake but also allows you to reflect on your development as a skateboarder and provides a tangible representation of your skateboarding style.
Seeking Feedback and Guidance
Skate with More Experienced Skaters
Skateboarding with more experienced skaters is a great way to refine your style and learn new techniques. Seek out opportunities to skate with skaters who possess a higher skill level or have different styles than you. Observe their approach to skateboarding, learn from their techniques, and ask for feedback on your own style. Skating with more experienced individuals can push you to elevate your skills, inspire new ideas, and refine your skateboarding style.
Take Lessons or Coaching
If you’re looking for more structured guidance and improvement, consider taking skateboarding lessons or coaching sessions. Professional skateboarders or experienced coaches can provide valuable insights, personalized guidance, and targeted feedback to help refine your style. They can help identify areas for improvement, offer technical advice, and tailor training plans to suit your specific goals. Investing in professional instruction can fast-track your progression and refine your skateboarding style.
Participate in Skateboarding Workshops
Skateboarding workshops provide a unique opportunity to refine your style while learning from experts in the field. These workshops often cover specific aspects of skateboarding, such as trick execution, style development, or competition preparation. Participating in workshops allows you to connect with experienced skateboarders, gain valuable knowledge and skills, and refine your style under expert guidance. Keep an eye out for skateboarding workshops in your area or consider attending larger events that offer workshops as part of their program.
Embracing Safety and Protection
Wear Appropriate Safety Gear
Skateboarding can be a high-risk sport, so it’s essential to prioritize safety and protection. Always wear appropriate safety gear, including a helmet, knee pads, elbow pads, and wrist guards. These protective gear items can prevent serious injuries and allow you to focus on refining your skateboarding style with confidence. Don’t underestimate the importance of safety gear, as it not only protects your body but also gives you the peace of mind to push your limits and add your personal flair to your style.
Learn Proper Falling Techniques
Falling is an inevitable part of skateboarding, but learning how to fall properly can minimize the risk of injuries. Practice falling techniques such as rolling or sliding instead of bracing yourself against impact. Learn to distribute the force of a fall and protect vulnerable areas of your body. By mastering falling techniques, you’ll reduce the chances of getting injured and be able to approach skateboarding with more confidence and freedom to experiment with your style.
Take Care of Your Body
To refine your skateboarding style and continue progressing, it’s vital to take care of your body. Engage in regular warm-up exercises before skateboarding to prepare your muscles and prevent injuries. Incorporate strength and conditioning training off the board to improve muscular endurance and prevent imbalances. Additionally, prioritize rest and recovery to allow your body to heal and recharge. By taking care of your body, you’ll be able to refine your skateboarding style while minimizing the risk of injuries that could hinder your progression.
In conclusion, refining your skateboarding style and adding personal flair is an ongoing journey. By looking to the pros, studying different styles, and exploring various disciplines, you can gain inspiration and ideas to incorporate into your skateboarding. Mastering basic techniques, experimenting with tricks, and customizing your board add depth and uniqueness to your style. Exploring different terrains, developing your own style, and joining the skateboarding community further refine your skateboarding style and provide opportunities for growth and inspiration. Documenting your progress, seeking feedback and guidance, and embracing safety and protection are crucial elements to refine your skateboarding style while ensuring you can skate for years to come. So grab your board, hit the streets or skatepark, and let your personal flair shine through as you take your skateboarding to the next level.