Learning how to skateboard opens the door to a fun, rewarding activity that builds confidence and coordination. Every year, millions of people pick up a board for the first time. Some want to cruise around their neighborhood. Others dream of landing their first kickflip. Whatever the goal, skateboarding starts with the basics.
This guide covers everything a beginner needs to know. It explains how to choose the right skateboard, what safety gear to buy, and how to find the correct stance. It also breaks down pushing, stopping, and a few simple tricks to try once the fundamentals click. By the end, anyone can step on a board and start rolling with confidence.
Key Takeaways
- Learning how to skateboard starts with choosing the right complete board, with deck width (7.5–8.5 inches) matched to your shoe size for optimal stability.
- Essential safety gear includes a certified helmet, knee pads, elbow pads, and wrist guards to prevent common skateboarding injuries.
- Determine your natural stance (regular or goofy) by noticing which foot steps forward first when pushed from behind.
- Practice standing and balancing on a stationary board before attempting to push, keeping knees bent and feet positioned over the bolts.
- Master foot braking and tail scraping at slow speeds before building up speed to ensure safe, controlled stops.
- Once comfortable with pushing and stopping, try beginner tricks like tic-tacs, kickturns, and manuals to build confidence and board control.
Choosing Your First Skateboard
The first step in learning how to skateboard is picking the right board. Beginners often feel overwhelmed by the options, but the choice doesn’t have to be complicated.
A complete skateboard works best for most new riders. These boards come fully assembled with a deck, trucks, wheels, and bearings. They cost between $60 and $150 and offer solid performance right out of the box.
Deck Size Matters
Deck width ranges from 7.5 to 8.5 inches. Wider decks (8.0 inches and above) provide more stability, which helps beginners feel secure. Narrower decks turn faster but require better balance.
Shoe size offers a simple guide:
- Size 9 or smaller: 7.5 to 8.0 inch deck
- Size 9.5 to 12: 8.0 to 8.25 inch deck
- Size 12 and above: 8.25 to 8.5 inch deck
Trucks and Wheels
Trucks should match the deck width. A deck measuring 8.0 inches pairs well with trucks around 139mm to 149mm wide.
Wheels between 52mm and 54mm suit most beginners. Softer wheels (78a to 87a durometer) roll smoothly over rough pavement. Harder wheels (99a to 101a) work better at skate parks and on smooth concrete.
A quality skateboard from a reputable brand will last longer and perform better than a cheap department store board. Brands like Element, Powell-Peralta, and Santa Cruz make reliable beginner options.
Essential Safety Gear You Need
Falls happen. That’s part of skateboarding. The right safety gear reduces injury risk and builds confidence.
Helmet
A certified skateboard helmet protects against head injuries. Look for CPSC or ASTM certification on the label. The helmet should fit snugly without wobbling. It sits level on the head, covering the forehead about two finger-widths above the eyebrows.
Skate-specific helmets differ from bike helmets. They cover more of the back of the head, where skaters often land during falls.
Pads
Knee pads take the impact when someone learns how to skateboard and inevitably takes a spill. Elbow pads protect against scrapes and fractures. Wrist guards prevent the most common skateboarding injury, wrist fractures from catching a fall.
Beginners should wear all three. As skills improve, some riders drop down to just a helmet. But starting with full protection makes sense.
Proper Footwear
Flat-soled shoes grip the board better than running shoes or sandals. Skate shoes from brands like Vans, Nike SB, or Etnies feature reinforced areas that handle the wear skateboarding creates. Canvas or suede uppers work well. Avoid shoes with thick, cushioned soles, they reduce board feel.
Finding Your Stance And Balance
Before pushing off, every beginner needs to figure out their natural stance. This determines which foot stays on the board and which foot pushes.
Regular vs. Goofy
Regular stance means the left foot stays forward on the board. Goofy stance puts the right foot forward. Neither stance is better, it’s about what feels natural.
Here’s a quick test: Have someone give a gentle push from behind. Whichever foot steps forward first is usually the front foot. Another option? Slide across a smooth floor in socks. The foot that naturally leads indicates the preferred stance.
About 44% of skaters ride goofy. The rest ride regular. Some famous professional skaters like Tony Hawk ride goofy, while others like Nyjah Huston ride regular.
Practicing Balance
New skaters should practice standing on the board before moving. Place the skateboard on grass or carpet so it won’t roll away.
Feet go near the bolts, front foot over the front bolts, back foot over the rear bolts. Knees stay slightly bent. Weight distributes evenly between both feet.
Spend five to ten minutes just standing, shifting weight, and getting comfortable. This builds the muscle memory needed for learning how to skateboard safely. Once standing feels natural, move to a smooth, flat surface like a driveway or empty parking lot.
Learning To Push And Stop
Pushing generates movement. Stopping keeps riders safe. Both skills require practice but come quickly with repetition.
How To Push
Start with the front foot angled slightly toward the nose, positioned over the front bolts. The back foot stays on the ground.
Bend the front knee slightly. Push backward against the ground with the back foot using a smooth motion. Don’t stomp, a controlled push works better.
After one or two pushes, place the back foot on the tail of the board. Rotate the front foot so both feet point sideways. This riding position offers the most control.
Practice pushing slowly at first. Speed comes later. Focus on smooth, balanced pushes without wobbling.
How To Stop
Beginners learning how to skateboard have several stopping options:
Foot braking: Take the back foot off the board and drag the sole gently against the ground. This works at low speeds and gives the most control.
Tail scraping: Press down on the tail until it drags against the ground. This wears down the tail over time but stops the board quickly.
Jumping off: At slow speeds, simply step off the board. Not elegant, but effective in emergencies.
Avoid the temptation to jump off at high speeds. This usually leads to falls. Practice stopping at slow speeds until it becomes automatic.
Basic Tricks For Beginners
Once pushing and stopping feel comfortable, beginners can try a few simple tricks. These build confidence and prepare riders for more advanced moves later.
The Tic-Tac
Tic-tacs help riders gain speed without pushing. They also improve balance and board control.
Lift the front wheels slightly by pressing on the tail. Pivot the board left, then right, then left again. Each pivot generates a small amount of forward momentum. String several together to keep moving.
This trick teaches weight transfer and prepares skaters for turns.
The Kickturn
A kickturn changes direction by pivoting on the back wheels. It’s essential for learning how to skateboard on ramps and around obstacles.
Place more weight on the back foot. Press the tail down gently to lift the front wheels. Rotate the shoulders in the direction of the turn. The board follows. Set the front wheels down and ride away.
Start with small 90-degree turns. Work up to 180-degree kickturns once balance improves.
The Manual
A manual is like a wheelie on a bike. The rider balances on the back wheels while rolling.
Shift weight toward the back foot until the front wheels lift. Keep arms out for balance. Hold the position as long as possible without letting the tail drag.
Manuals build core strength and balance. They’re also a foundation for more advanced tricks like manual combos.
