This article will show you how you can avoid falling while riding down a hill on a skateboard.
Steps
Step 1. Learn to brake first
Step 2. Squeeze the axles, making the front more flexible than the rear because the shakes often start in the back, but don't make it too tight because you need to be able to turn or carve
This is the best thing to do as this will help minimize sway when you are going fast. After improving your skills, you can start unscrewing the boards.
Step 3. Stay calm
When you are nervous or afraid, you put tension in your muscles, which can cause you to lose control when cornering. If you stay relaxed and loose, the likelihood of experiencing swings is drastically reduced.
Step 4. Put most of your weight on the front axle
Bending your knees while going downhill will reduce the swaying. Don't bend over too much, though. Also remember to keep your legs fairly loose, otherwise you risk experiencing additional swings due to tense muscles. If you experience swings from speed, try to relax your legs and slowly straighten your stance. Keeping your weight on the front axles will also help you minimize the swing speed and give you better skate control.
Step 5. Only launch if absolutely necessary, otherwise there are several things you should always try first:
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Try making very wide and deep Carves to slow down.
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Brake by dragging your foot lightly off the deck and placing it on the ground. This is one of the simplest and most effective ways to slow down, especially when there isn't enough room to carve. Throwing should only be used as a last resort, but try to fall on grass if necessary or be sure to roll when you fall. Or if you prefer to stay on the board and stop quickly, you should push the tail down with some force.
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Step 6. At the end, proceed smoothly
Advice
- Learn to carve. If you don't know what it is you can watch the surfers, the vast curves they make are called carves.
- Do wide, steep carves to slow down.
- If you are just starting out, start with small, simple hills. By maintaining a low speed, it is still possible to launch and run.
- If you experience wobbles often, put a little more weight on top of the front axle to make it straight, the rear landing gear will follow and stop the wobble.
- A skate with a longer wheelbase (a long board) reduces the chance of getting speed swings.
- Learn to brake with your foot! This is the most important skill in the hills, and will allow you to slow down before things get too dangerous!
- Bending at higher speeds gives you much more stability than standing normally, ditto keeping your legs loose, and making sure your weight is evenly distributed on both axes.
- Walk or drive up the hill to find any spots to avoid, such as gravel or spotlight, before attempting.
- If you are going with friends, it is good to have a vehicle with you to block traffic. It also helps at intersections, since motorists will see the car instead of you.
- Before attempting the descent, check everything, such as the wheels, and the people who might end up in your path.
- Slow down after touching the ground. Better not risk your hips by running too fast and falling forward. Try to land on your toes and be sure to push hard as you hit the ground. Calmly, go from a fast pace to sprinting then to running then jogging then brisk walking and finally thank the sky and the Skate Gods.
- If you are afraid, don't worry, just do it. Read the "Warnings" first, though.
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If you are about to fall, launch but try to land in a safe area (grass, ideally). This will most likely reduce the damage if you manage to fall on smooth concrete or grass rather than collide with something.
Another option is the running dive, when all is lost and out of control at high speeds. Jump forward and high to save your precious life and run as fast as you can in mid-air. Land and hope to have the right momentum speed and the right foot position. Fear helps, it releases adrenaline in the central nervous system
Warnings
- If you fall, rolling is important.
- Don't go down a big hill if you are a beginner, it is dangerous. Remember to be able to skate at higher speeds before going down a large hill.
- Dragging your foot on concrete can wear out your shoe very quickly.
- Remember to wear the proper protective equipment while riding the skateboard. It doesn't sound attractive, but in the long run it will greatly reduce the risk of injury from a fall or safety throw.
