EXTERMINATOR Y
30x10 STEEP TRI TAIL DEEP NOSE CONCAYE
WA
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A Skater-Owned Co.
P.O. Box 1331
Cocoa Beach, FL 32931
(305) 799-2158
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Info & (2) Stickers
FOR BEGINNERS
Being a beginner in skateboarding
can be pretty frustrating. Many times
a beginner is not accepted in the
scene until proof of shredability is
displayed. Much of this can be traced
to the roots of skating and the idea
of skating as an exclusive sport, but
let's just say that every beginner is
harassed in one way or another by
more experienced skaters. Perhaps
this toughening process is part of a
subconscious check and balance
system that ensures continuity within
the skate realm. This month I'll flow.
a few tips that should help get your
feet off the ground and start rolling.
Positive Mental Attitude (PMA)
The brand of your shoes, your
board graphics and all your stylish
t-shirts are not going to improve your
performance. The attitude you have
will. As with anything you do in life,
the key to success is dedication,
determination and persistence.
You will never be a good skater if
you drag your board out of the closet
once a month. You must be
dedicated. Skating is not like football
Skater's
or soccer or swimming. No one is
going to stand behind you and say,
"Johnny, you must go to skateboarding
practice." Skating is an individual pursuit.
Skateboarding can easily become a fad or
a hobby for those who lack dedication-this
is something you want to avoid. Once you
get beyond those first few humps, from
sketchy-no-style to hey-I'm-starting-to-flow
(and remember, they are the hardest to get
beyond), your enthusiasm for what you've
already accomplished will pull you through
the slumps, ruts and slams of the future.
Once you've set your mind on being
dedicated to skating, you must be persistent
in your quest to improve. Pick yourself up
after that fall and try again; tackle that new
move you've become frustrated with; skate
during inclement weather; and take full
advantage of the time you have for skating.
There is a difference between persistence
and determination: determination results in
long-term improvement, while persistence
helps you meet your day to day goals.
It is all up to you. The PMA you adopt
toward skating will pull you through more real
obstacles than sheer physical strength.
Skate tough and then go home.
The Basics
Now that you have the mental workings
down, let's talk basics. The basic mechanics
of skating are as important to a professional
skater as they are to a beginner. If you bypass
them you will short change yourself and your
performance will suffer. Every skate trick is
a variation on or a combination of one or
more basic maneuvers. Style comes from a
working knowledge of all the basics.
I know a lot of you kids get sick of older
skaters ragging on you to learn grinds and
other basic moves. You want to skate your
way. I'll be the first to stand up and say there's
nothing wrong with skating your own way. If
Edge
Blouin
skating was full of rules and do's and dont's,
half of us wouldn't be here. The reason these
guys push you toward the basics is because
they know from experience that with them
you will have the freedom to learn other,
harder moves quicker and easier, and you
will have much more style and flow.
The first place you should ride is in the
street. There are really no guidelines as to
what moves you should attempt first. I guess
a good rule of thumb is: learn to skate with
both feet on the board. Learn moves that will
offer you perpetual motion and maintain your
speed after a few good pushes. This will help
you to achieve flow and style and propel you
toward becoming a well-rounded skater.
There will be plenty of time to learn all the
flippy, flashy stuff later.
Bank On It
Banks, ditches and bowls play an impor-
tant part in your training. There are a few
basic moves which will come in handy at
these spots. Banks will give you your first
taste of transitions and will help prepare you
for pool or ramp riding. The first tricks you
should learn are kickturns, carves and slides.
You will use these skills the rest of your
skating life. These are utility moves that allow
you to skate all the terrain you will encounter
as you progress. Put extra energy into learn-
ing slides; they are invaluable for slowing
down a runaway downhill ride. Carving is a
basic speed technique. In a pool, ditch or
bowl, carving is essential if you wish to skate
the entire area rather than just the space
kickturns provide.
Ramps and Pools
Once you can hold your own in the street,
you are ready for ramp and pool skating.
Being from the East Coast and a non-skater
during the big park days, my pool riding
riding leaves much to be desired.
This, however, doesn't prevent me
from giving it a go when the rare
opportunity presents itself.
This is something else beginners
should always remember. Don't be
afraid to attempt a particular type of
terrain because you've never ridden
it before or because you can't shred
it like everyone else. You'll never
learn if you don't try, and anyone who
gives you shit for really trying is a low
life. Now, I don't advise you to go
weaseling in on a heavy snake
session if you can't keep up with
everyone else. If you do, you may as
well expect harassment, and unless
you know what's going on, you may
even get hurt. Avoid these situations
until you can hang with the pace. Try
and hit these spots when they're less
crowded, like at 6 a.m. after your
paper route.
As for ramp riding, I know a lot of
people, including myself, who started
out saying, "I need a small ramp to
learn on." Though small ramps are
great for building confidence and
trying out new moves, I don't recom-
mend them for full-time terrain. If you
intend to master vertical riding, the
time to start is now. A small ramp or launch
ramp is not a scaled down half-pipe; the
skating is different, not preparatory. So avoid
the statistics and become friends with the
vert. Your progression will be much faster,
the fear factor won't zap your PMA, and when
you do go back to the small ramp, you'll be
able to pick up tricks with ease.
You should be able to fakie, kick turn and
pump up the transitions to at least comfor-
table grinds. If you can do axle-stalls, then
you're ready to drop in on a large ramp. If
you can't get up the wall with your own power,
you're going to have a hell of a time drop-
ping in and making anything out of it.
A lot of people neglect fakies, kickturns,
slides and grinds for more flashy moves, and
I don't really know why. Nothing compares
to a gnarly, slashed back f-side grind. The
coping assault is a pleasure all should enjoy.
The most important thing I can say to those
of you who are just learning to ride is stick
with it. Take it step by step and don't set goals
too high to reach within a reasonable amount
of time. If you become frustrated and you're
not having fun, you are expecting too much
from yourself. Slow down and expand on
moves you already khow and enjoy.
Above all, keep in mind that during your
skating life you will constantly be faced with
potential mental setbacks, from heavy slams
and basic fears to harassment. All skaters
have a few days here and there when they
wonder why the hell they even bother. You
must rise above this. Think about all the
grinds you've done, or the elated feeling you
got from ollieing up your first curb-without
slamming. Remember, if you think you're
going to fall, you probably will. If you think
you'll make it... In any case, wear your
safety equipment.
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