Skateboarding may look hard when you’re watching others do it. It’s one of those hobbies that with practice you’ll catch on quick. When skateboarding as a beginner, you should start off in the grass, then move to a driveway, and next to a road or big parking lot. When you get those down try moving to a hill before going into tricks. Small twigs and pebbles are your biggest enemy when skating. 

If you’re starting from scratch, your top priority should be getting a board. You should stick to local shops instead of ordering boards online. They might even carry boards made from unique materials. When buying online, it’s hard to tell if you will get what you’re looking for and they may not last as long. When buying from a local skate shop, you have a better visual of the board and whether it will work for you. Also, deck size matters 100% depending on if you’re sticking to street skating or spending your time at a skatepark. If you have no intention of learning tricks, a longboard will be a better choice. Penny Boards are pretty useless when it comes to doing tricks and are too small most of the time; again, the size matters.

If you are unsure of what skateboard brands to buy from, here are some ideas…

 If you’re looking for cheaper brands these would be the best for you: Goodwood was founded in 2004 in California. These decks are 100% Northern Michigan Maple 7-ply cold pressed decks. Their Kitty Riot 7.75″ Complete Skateboard is about $89 at Zumiez. If you’re just needing a deck they are almost always around $35. CCS is also a great brand. If you just want a board to ride around on a budget, this is the one you should go for. A decent board should cost you $90-$150.

When learning tricks, your best bet is to start with an ollie. This can be done in the grass if you’re not comfortable on concrete, but it would be easier to do on concrete. You should always wear a helmet and knee/elbow pads. Also, make sure your shoes have flat bottoms. This makes it easier to flick or slide your foot off of your board. Do not wear shorts when skateboarding; even professionals fall sometimes, so you are sure to get cuts and burns from sliding on concrete, same with long sleeves unless you’re comfortable with it.

It’s going to take time and you need to have patience. Try not to rush yourself. Don’t be afraid to skate alone or go to a skatepark. Everyone’s always friendly regardless of age. You’re never too old to start. Do not give up, you’ll get it.