| Skateboarding has been around since the 1950s, | | | | placed in the center of the board while their back |
| although no one really knows who invented the | | | | foot pushes off the ground. Some people prefer |
| very first skateboard. Several people may have | | | | placing their back foot towards the back of the |
| developed it at the same time. The wood part of | | | | deck while pushing off with their front foot, this is |
| the skateboard is known as the deck, and it has | | | | called Mongo. |
| drastically changed over the years. The very first | | | | The next step is learning how to steer and stop a |
| skateboard consisted of a heavy plank of wood | | | | skateboard. A person who rides in regular stance |
| attached to a set of roller skate wheels. It has | | | | must apply weight onto their heels in order for |
| developed into a strong, but rather lightweight | | | | the skateboard to turn left. When turning right the |
| design which includes seven to nine layers of | | | | weight must be applied to the toes. Another |
| wood or fiberglass. The typical price range for a | | | | technique used for turning is known as the tic-tac. |
| skateboard deck is 30 to 60 dollars depending on | | | | Slight weight is put onto the back of the board in |
| which brand is selected. A thin layer of sandpaper | | | | order to gently lift the nose of the board off the |
| like material which is known as grip tape is applied | | | | ground just long enough to shift the position of |
| to the top surface of the deck. This material | | | | the skateboard. The skateboard can be turned |
| creates enough friction for the rider to perform | | | | right or left using this technique. The tic-tac is |
| tricks without slipping off. The two metal parts | | | | generally used by skateboarders with tight trucks, |
| which attach the wheels to the deck are known | | | | because it is faster to turn using this method. If |
| as the trucks. They allow the person to steer the | | | | the tic-tac is done multiple times alternating from |
| board. In addition they can be used to perform | | | | right to left, speed can be produced. There are a |
| various tricks. The level of steering is controlled | | | | number of different ways to stop the |
| by a set of rubber cushions, known as bushings. | | | | skateboard. The most basic method a |
| They are inserted into each truck. A softer set of | | | | skateboarder can use to stop the board is by |
| bushings will make the steering loose, and a | | | | lifting their back foot off the board and placing it |
| harder set of bushings will make the steering tight. | | | | on the ground. A more advanced maneuver is |
| Each skateboard has four wheels, two wheels per | | | | called the Powerslide. The skateboarder must |
| truck. This is what makes the skateboard move. | | | | rotate the board 90 degrees and come to a |
| There is a wide variety of wheels available. Big, | | | | complete stop. Force must be applied to their |
| soft wheels provide a smooth ride, but are | | | | back foot while leaning backwards to avoid falling |
| substantially slower than small, hard wheels. Each | | | | forward onto the ground. This method takes a lot |
| wheel contains two slots which are used for the | | | | of practice in order to perfect. |
| bearings. They are what make the wheels spin on | | | | Finally the skateboarder can begin learning tricks. |
| the truck axle. It is important to keep these well | | | | The Ollie is the most basic trick to learn, which |
| lubricated, or it may become difficult to gain | | | | consists of the skateboard coming completely off |
| speed. The nuts and bolts which attach the trucks | | | | the ground, leveling out, and landing back onto the |
| to the deck are known as the hardware. In order | | | | ground. To begin the skateboarder places their |
| to securely fasten the trucks to the deck four | | | | feet in a comfortable stance. By slamming their |
| nuts and four bolts are required per truck. | | | | back foot towards the ground the skateboard will |
| The first step to take before riding a skateboard | | | | come halfway into the air. Simultaneously sliding |
| is to ensure all of the parts are securely | | | | their front foot from the middle of the board |
| connected to each other. Once each part is | | | | towards the top will allow the board to level out in |
| examined, safety equipment can be put on. The | | | | the air. If successful the skateboarder will land |
| helmet is the most basic form of protection. This | | | | onto the ground and roll away smoothly. This trick |
| is normally a requirement if attending a skate | | | | usually takes a while to learn because of the |
| park. Additional protective gear can be worn such | | | | inexperience the rider has on a skateboard. In |
| as, knee pads and elbow pads if desired. There | | | | order to become a good skateboarder each trick |
| are two different ways to stand on a board | | | | learned should be practiced until mastered. The |
| which are called regular and goofy. Regular stance | | | | Ollie should be practiced over various objects to |
| is when the skateboarders left foot is placed in | | | | achieve a greater height. After the skateboarder |
| the middle of the deck, and right foot is at the | | | | has learned the Ollie, many more tricks can be |
| back. Goofy is just the opposite, someone who is | | | | learned and mastered. |
| goofy places their right foot in the center of the | | | | Skateboarding has evolved from a two by four |
| deck and their left foot at the back. Riding a | | | | piece of lumber attached to roller skate wheels, |
| skateboard opposite to someone's dominant | | | | to an advanced design which hundreds of |
| stance is known as switch stance. Riding a board | | | | companies produce every day. This activity |
| in normal stance, while rolling backwards with the | | | | continues to grow and become more popular |
| tail facing forward is called Fakie. When the rider | | | | among people of all ages. Many newcomers |
| becomes comfortable balancing on the skateboard | | | | become easily frustrated and quit, but if practiced |
| they can start rolling. Normally when someone | | | | for years it can be one of best experiences. |
| gains speed on a skateboard, their front foot is | | | | |