Chloe Zhang
Plastic skateboards, such as penny boards, have gained popularity in recent years due to their lightweight, portable, and durable design. They are an excellent choice for beginners and experienced riders alike, offering a smooth and responsive ride. If you're new to skateboarding, it's essential to start with the basics: get comfortable standing on the board, practice riding and balancing, and only then move on to tricks. Choosing the right gear, such as close-toed, flat-soled shoes, can also enhance your riding experience and safety. With practice and patience, you'll be riding your plastic skateboard with ease!
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Type of plastic skateboard | Penny board |
| Ideal for | Beginners, commuters, performing tricks |
| Length | 22 inches |
| Width | 6 inches |
| Composition | Polypropylene deck, metal trucks, PVC wheels |
| Truck composition | Heavy-duty aluminium alloy |
| Bearings | ABEC 7 or ABEC 9 precision bearings |
| Wheels | Small, durable PVC wheels |
| Wheel hardness | Softer wheels for a smoother ride, harder wheels for tricks |
| Foot placement | Left foot forward, right foot pushes (regular); right foot forward, left foot pushes (goofy) |
| Turning | Guided by the front foot, known as carving |
| Stopping | Tail stop, using a plastic stopper at the back of the board |
| Shoe type | Close-toed, flat-soled shoes, e.g. canvas shoes |
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What You'll Learn
Choosing the right plastic skateboard
Plastic skateboards have gained popularity due to their lightweight, portability, and durability. They are ideal for beginners and experienced riders alike. However, when choosing the right plastic skateboard, there are several factors to consider.
Firstly, it is important to determine the type of skateboarding you want to do. Different skateboarding styles include street skating, skateparks, longboarding, and cruising. The style you choose will influence the size and type of skateboard you need. For instance, street skating usually calls for a smaller board, while cruising or carving may require a larger one.
Secondly, your height, weight, and shoe size play a role in selecting the right skateboard size. Generally, taller and heavier riders opt for larger boards, while shorter and lighter riders prefer smaller boards. Additionally, the deck width should be proportional to your shoe size. A wider deck provides more stability, whereas a narrower deck offers greater agility. As a rule of thumb, adult skaters typically choose decks between 8.0 and 8.5 inches, while children aged 8-12 should opt for decks between 7 and 7.5 inches.
The shape of the skateboard deck is another crucial factor. The length, width, materials, and concave of the deck influence your riding experience. The concave, or curved, middle region of the board provides better stability by cupping your feet while skating. Additionally, the wheelbase, or distance between the inner mounting holes, affects the performance of the board.
Lastly, consider the quality and safety features of the skateboard. Avoid plastic decks, trucks, or fixed trucks that do not lean or turn. Instead, opt for metal alloy trucks with polyurethane bushes that facilitate turning. The wheels should also be the right size for your needs, with larger wheels offering faster speeds and smaller wheels a slower, more controlled ride.
In conclusion, choosing the right plastic skateboard involves considering your skateboarding style, body type, deck size and shape, and the quality of components. By taking these factors into account, you can select a skateboard that is safe, enjoyable, and suited to your individual needs.
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Mastering the basics of standing and balancing
Plastic skateboards have gained popularity due to their lightweight, portability, and durability. They are an excellent choice for beginners as they are affordable and provide a smooth ride. Before you start riding, it is important to master the basics of standing and balancing on your plastic skateboard. Here are some detailed instructions to help you get started:
Choosing the Right Skateboard:
When selecting a plastic skateboard, consider opting for a larger board as it will be easier to balance on. Penny boards, for example, are small plastic skateboards that are flexible and lightweight. However, due to their smaller size, they can be challenging for beginners to balance on. If you're just starting, a larger plastic skateboard might be a better option.
Finding a Suitable Practice Area:
Choose a flat surface, such as grass or carpet, where your board won't roll easily. This will give you more control and prevent it from sliding around. You can also stand on a patch of gravel to lock the board in place.
Wearing Appropriate Footwear:
Close-toed, flat-soled shoes are the best choice for riding a plastic skateboard. They will protect your toes in case of a fall and allow you to feel and grip the entire board. Canvas shoes like Vans or Chuck Taylors are a good option.
Practicing Standing and Balancing:
Now it's time to step onto your skateboard. There is no right or wrong way to stand, but a common stance is to put one foot in front of the other, lined up roughly with the truck screws. Regular foot means your left foot is forward, and you'll generally push with your right foot and ride with your left. If you're goofy-footed, you'll lead with your right foot and face left when moving forward. Place the ball of your other foot on the ground as if you're about to kick, and practice picking this foot up and down while balancing on the board with the other. Get a sense of how easily your board wobbles, and adjust your trucks if necessary.
Turning and Steering:
To turn, you'll guide the board left or right with your front foot, a technique known as "carving." Your front foot does most of the steering, but you'll also shift the weight of your back foot for a carving turn.
Remember, take your time to master these basics before moving on to more advanced techniques or tricks. Practise makes perfect, so keep at it, and soon you'll be riding your plastic skateboard with ease!
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Learning to turn and steer
Leaning Method
The leaning method is a good way to start learning how to turn. First, ride with your feet over the board's bolts and lean forward or backward to turn your board. To turn frontside, shift your weight towards the balls of your feet. To turn backside, shift your weight onto your heels. Lean softly into the turn to start drifting in that direction. You can adjust the turn by leaning more in the direction you want to go. Try to stay upright and keep your weight centred. If you feel unsteady, bend your knees slightly to lower your centre of gravity and prevent falling.
Kickturn Method
The kickturn method is useful for making sharper, more sudden turns. To do this, move your back foot over the tail and push down slightly. As the nose lifts up, use your front foot to guide the board in the right direction. You can also practice the "manual", a skill that involves balancing on the back wheels while rolling or stationary, to get a feel for negotiating your weight on the tail.
Adjusting Your Skateboard
The tightness of the kingpin on the trucks can affect how easy it is to turn. Looser trucks allow for quicker and easier turns, but too much looseness can make a skateboard hard to ride. You can adjust the tightness of the trucks to find the ideal balance for your riding style.
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How to stop safely
Stopping safely on a skateboard is a crucial skill to master. It is important to find a stopping technique that you feel comfortable with, as many accidents happen due to riders getting into an uncomfortable position and panicking. There are several ways to stop safely on a skateboard, and you should practice these techniques while stationary before attempting them at speed.
The drag method, or foot brake, is one of the safest ways to stop on a flat surface when not travelling at high speed. Start by turning your front foot so that it is pointing towards the front of the board, then slowly drag your foot on the ground to create friction and slow down. This method will wear down your shoes, so it is best to use it in emergencies until you learn more advanced stopping techniques.
The toe drag is the second safest and easiest way to stop on a skateboard. Take your back foot up to around the back set of bolts, then bring the flat part of your foot to the edge of the board so that your toes are hanging off. Dip and drag your toes on the ground to slow down. Depending on the size of your feet, you may need to have most of your foot on the board while dragging your toes.
If you are travelling slowly, you can try the tail scrape method. Press your non-dominant foot against the back of the board until it touches the ground. This method can cause you to lose control of the board, so it is best to practice it on a casual ride on a sidewalk or flat ground.
If you are travelling at high speed, you can perform a controlled slide stop. Place your front foot forward and turn 180 degrees to bring yourself to a stop.
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Practising tricks and jumps
Choose a Suitable Practice Spot:
Find a flat, open area with a smooth surface, such as asphalt or a skate park, to practice your tricks. Avoid surfaces that are too rough or slippery, as they can hinder your performance and increase the risk of falling. If you're a beginner, consider starting on grass or a carpeted surface to minimize the impact of any falls.
Master the Basic Jump (Ollie):
The Ollie is a fundamental trick that serves as the basis for many others. To perform it, start by bending your knees and crouching while rolling. Then, jump and pop the tail of your skateboard simultaneously, lifting it off the ground. As you jump, focus on keeping your knees bent and levelling the board in the air. Practice this technique until you feel comfortable with the timing and coordination required.
Variations of the Ollie:
Once you've mastered the basic Ollie, you can explore variations to add to your repertoire. Try the backside 180, where you turn your back in the direction of movement while performing the Ollie, resulting in a 180-degree turn. You can also attempt the nollie, which involves popping the front of the skateboard off the ground instead of the back. Experiment with different foot positions and practice to improve your technique.
Learn the Kickturn:
The kickturn is another essential trick to have in your arsenal. It involves leaning back on your board to lift the front wheels off the ground and executing a quick 180-degree turn. This trick can be performed on flat ground or on a ramp, and it forms the foundation for more advanced manoeuvres. Practice kickturns to improve your turning skills and add variation to your tricks.
Practice the Pop Shove-It:
The Pop Shove-It combines the Ollie with a 180-degree horizontal flip of the board. To achieve this, adjust your back foot positioning by placing your toes in the "pocket" of the skateboard's tail. Push down and scoop the tail backward to initiate the flip. Practice this trick to refine your footwork and timing.
Remember, skateboarding is a process of continuous learning and improvement. Don't be afraid to fall or make mistakes—embrace them as part of your journey. Always wear safety gear, especially when attempting new tricks, and have fun while you push your boundaries!
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Frequently asked questions
A plastic skateboard is usually made from polypropylene and is known for its lightweight, portable, and durable design. They are also more affordable than wooden skateboards.
First, place your board on a flat surface, like grass or gravel, to prevent it from sliding. Then, get used to putting one foot on the board, followed by the other, and balance on the deck.
Your front foot will guide the board left or right when turning. As the plastic deck tips, the wheels will turn in the direction that you are pointing. This technique is known as "carving".
Close-toed, flat-soled shoes are best for riding on a plastic skateboard. This will ensure your toes are protected and allow you to feel and grip the entire board.
Don't worry about tricks at first. Focus on getting comfortable with standing and riding the board. You might also want to consider getting a bigger board as these are easier to balance on.
