How to Get Back into Skateboarding

So, you have decided to get back into skateboarding again after being away for a while. Congrats!

If you are an adult beginner or returning to skateboarding in your 20s, 30s, 40s, 50s and beyond, getting back on a skateboard can be tough and a bit of a challenge. I get it! I am in my late 40s and I’m just returning to the sport after being away for 30 plus years.

To help with the process, I put together the following blog post with some simple steps for getting back on your skateboard and riding again.

It’s time to re-discover your love for skateboarding!

Set a Goal

A short while ago, when I decided to get back into skateboarding, I started my journey by setting a very simple goal. The goal I set was to watch a variety of basic skateboarding tricks and tips online videos. The skateboarding videos provided me a sense of encouragement while allowing me to visualize what was possible.

If you don’t already know, visualization is a very powerful mind tool. Ask any seasoned professional skateboarder, and most will say that they typically visualize landing a trick or skating a perfect run, over and over, prior or during a competition. Of course, visualization isn’t everything, so the next obvious step should be to take action. In my case, taking action, meant to purchase a new skateboard, which I will detail more below.

Here’s a skateboarding video that I found very helpful, It’s titled “How to skateboard when you’re getting old”, It’s worth the watch, especially if you are just getting back into skateboarding again later in life:

Get & Stay Motivated

Warning, if you are just getting back into skateboarding again after a long hiatus, there might be a few mental hurdles you will have to conquer. One of those mental hurdles could be related to the fear of a serious skateboard injury.

Fear of Injury

Your fear of skating at an older age might stem from you previously injuring yourself while skateboarding. I can relate, between the ages of 12-18, while being a very active skateboarder, I personally experienced some of the most common skateboard injuries which were breaking various bones in both of my arms and my feet.

Doubt

Another mental hurdle can be doubt. Doubts can play a major role in you moving forward with skateboarding again. Some of the most common doubts I have heard from others and read online are:

• I am too old
• Too Fat & Overweight
• I’m going to look like a fool riding a skateboard
• Fear of Failure

How to Conquer both Fear and Doubt

The key to conquering both fear and doubt about getting back into skateboarding is to stay laser focused on all the positive reasons. The reasons can range from re-visiting your childhood passion, accomplishing a life challenge/goal, or you are simply seeking a fun form of exercise.

The best mental trick to work your way back into the skateboard scene is to believe in yourself and just know that with time and practice you will do well and most of all, It will be fun!

For some, motivation can be a major obstacle. You get your new skateboard, skate a few times, maybe fall a bit, and you are done! Finito, Out of Here, Never to Return.

One of the hacks that I find to stay motivated to skate and practice on a regular basis is by establishing a concrete “Why”. Whatever is your “Why”, it should be etched in your mind and belief system. That way, it will become hard for you to lose motivation and walk away from reaching your goal of successfully skateboarding again.

If you are an older adult, you might not find many others, especially, in your circle of family and friends whom share the same interest of skateboarding. What to do? Find a new skateboard buddy online, hang out with the young skaters at the park (bit creepy, especially if you are much older), or just go it alone? Personally, I chose, a solo journey. That way, you can hold your own self accountable and progress at your own pace.

Bonus, if you have kids that are skaters or just getting into skateboarding, that’s awesome. Join your daughter or son in the journey and have fun together learning or re-learning to skateboard.

In this video titled “Why Beginners Quit Skateboading”, Josh does an excellent job explaining the Top Five Reasons why people quit Skateboarding and How to Avoid Them:

1. Lack of Self Confidence
2. Too Focused on how you look versus just having fun
3. It’s too hard
4. I just don’t have the time
5. I don’t want to get hurt

Gear Up

Once you have set your goal and are motivated to get back into skateboarding again, the next step is to gear up.

The following is a short list of the must have Skateboard Gear for Returning Skateboarders:

Complete Skateboard Setup

Every returning skateboarder journey begins with a skateboard. If you are an 80s skater, like me, you might still have your childhood skateboard. If so, Congrats!

Skateboard Tune Up

Before you start riding your old board, it might need a tune up (i.e. new skateboard wheels, bearings, truck bushings). The best option before you start riding your old skateboard would be to take it to your local skate shop and inquire whether a tune up or upgrade is best. While at the skate shop, you might just decide that it’s better to purchase a new complete skateboard setup.

Definitely, the style and size of skateboards have changed since the 80s. The current street and vert skateboard decks are narrower (ranging around 7 – 8 ½ inches wide) and the wheels are much smaller. It’s best to do your own research and also ask the experts before purchasing a new skateboard at a skate shop or online.

Complete Skateboard

For my comeback to the skateboard scene, I chose the option of purchasing a new complete skateboard ( 8.25” wide board, 53 mm soft cruiser wheels) from my local skate shop.

Complete skateboard setup refers to a fully assembled skateboard that includes a skateboard deck, grip tape, trucks, truck hardware, bearings, and wheels.

Where to buy a complete skateboard

If you are returning to the skate scene after being away for a while, I recommend purchasing your complete skateboard and accessories from a local skate shop. Not only will you be supporting a local business, you can also make sure that you are fitted with the right size and type of skateboard for your height, weight, and skill level.

Yes, you can find cheaper complete skateboard and accessory options online. In reality, if you are serious about getting back into skateboarding then you should first seek expert advice and direction, therefore, just visit and support your local skate shop. You won’t regret it!

Are you still not sure on how to choose your new complete skateboard setup? The following video, How to pick your first skateboard the easiest way tutorial, should help with the process:

Skate Shoes

Other than you and your new complete skateboard setup, the next most important factor to successfully get back into skateboarding are your skate shoes.

Ideally, you should wear a comfortable and durable skate shoe while spending time on your board. The best comfort can be found in skate shoes that are fitted, snug, and that have supportive insoles. Durability is the other factor that can make or break your skate shoe. For instance, skate shoes that have an upper part constructed of suede material tend to be more durable and last longer than those made of canvas material.

According to a quick Google search, as of today, the top trending skate shoe brands are:

• Nike SB Skate Shoes
• Adidas Skate Shoes
• DC Skate Shoes

For a better understanding about the various types of skate shoes on the market, watch the following informative video titled “How to Chose Skate Shoes”:

Skateboard Protective Gear

By far, the top and sometimes most overlooked essential skateboard accessory for returning skateboarders is protective gear such as:

• Skateboard Helmet
• Knee Pads
• Elbow Pads
• Wrist Guards

According to skateboardsafety.org – Skateboard Injury Statistics (Updated 2020) [https://skateboardsafety.org/injury-statistics/]

• 74% of all injuries are to the extremities
• 19% entail broken wrists
• 11% are injuries to the ankles
• 16% to the face
• Other common injuries are long bone fractures
• 20% of all injuries are to the head and a higher proportion of head injuries occur to skateboarders who are under 10 years old.

To avoid being part of the above skateboard injury statistics, it’s recommended, at the very least, to wear a quality protective skateboard helmet while shredding the streets or skate park. If you are older, like me, I also recommend wrist guards and a quality pair of skate shoes for comfort and ankle support.

Prep Your Body

You’ve set your goal to get back into skateboarding after being a way for a while. Your mind is free of fear and doubts. You’ve visited your local skate shop and purchased a new complete skateboard and protective gear. Congrats!

Next up, in getting back into to skateboarding again is to Prep Your Body.

Stretch and Warm-up

Most skateboarding styles, like street or vert, can be described as an intense cardio workout that requires both strength and endurance. Therefore, it’s very important, especially if you are older, to stretch and warm-up prior to every skate session.

The three main muscle areas that most adult returning skateboarders feel the most discomfort after a skate session are located in the legs. These muscle areas include the calves, hamstrings, and quads.

How you go about warming up and stretching prior to every skate session will depend on your physical health and condition. If you have any previous leg or other major body injuries, I suggest consulting with your doctor or physician prior to getting back on a skateboard.

If you are in a “I’ve been away from the skate scene for a while condition”, I would suggest taking it easy the first few skate sessions, and focusing on light leg stretching and cardio warm-up to slowly work your way back into skateboarding.

The following video titled “5 Stretches EVERY Skateboarder Needs To Know” by Chad Caruso, Skateboarder and Athletic Trainer “Mike Bouranis” does an excellent job explaining the technique and stretching exercises that every skateboarder should focus on prior to each session:

Find your Skate Spot & Practice

What is a skate spot? According to Wikipedia [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Skate_spot]

“A skate spot is a location used for skateboarding. A range of locations qualify as a skate spots, as any area where you can ride your skateboard can be considered a skate spot.”

As a child, my favorite skate spot was the street in front of my home. For many hours a day, I would practice and endless array of ollies and grinds on the street curbs. Needless to say, I never got bored.

Skateparks near me

If you are an adult returning back to the skate scene, skateboarding in front of your place of residence might not be the ideal spot to practice. An alternative to skateboarding on the street are parking lots or local skate parks. A simple search on Google for “skateparks near me” can help you locate a nearby skate park in your area.

It’s important to remember, that the more time you spend on your skateboard the more confident and comfortable you will become. So, setting aside time to practice is the key to becoming a better skateboarder.

The following short video titled “How to find skate spots the easiest way tutorial” by Aaron Kyro from Braille Skateboarding does an excellent job walking your through how to locate skate spots in your area:

Now that you located a skate spot that you feel comfortable and fits your skill level, it’s time to practice.

If you have a been away from the skateboarding scene for a while and would like to start off by re-learning the basics of skateboarding, I recommend watching the following video titled “How to skateboard for beginners”:

Conclusion

Getting back into skateboarding is achievable at any age. The key to successfully achieving the goal of skateboarding again, especially if you’ve been away for a while, is to stay motivated, wear protective gear, and practice. Remember, skateboarding should be a passion not a job, so, have fun!