I ordered an old skool shaped deck for a retro design cruiser, but ordered wide decks and realized when they came that they match the deck width by the front bolts but are like an inch wider each side by the rear bolts. What’s the best approach here? I do have some narrower trucks available. Wheels allowed to stick out at the back? Different width trucks, with narrower in the rear, or the narrower set for both??
Having fallen head over heels (literally and metaphorically) for skateboarding a month ago, the realization has been dawning on me that we’re headed for winter and i won’t be able to skate nearly as often. No indoor facilities where i am and in Britain it’s basically dark and raining from October to March…
What do you lot do when you can’t skate? I do workouts / yoga type malarkey aimed at helping with skateboarding, which sort of tides me over, but It’s pretty frustrating. There’s only so many SkateIQ videos i can watch and skate equipment i don’t really need that i can browse (and sometimes order 🤦🏻♂️😂)
A month in, one of the things that’s been a really pleasant surprise is that - contrary to what I thought - despite being a large unit (6’5, 220 lbs, size 13s) my balance doesn’t suck and actually I’m picking up skateboarding nicely.
It has been a bit of a revelation, but it makes so much sense in hindsight. My balance wasn’t great, and my centre of gravity is obviously high, but why would my balance be great? I wasn’t doing anything to train in that respect. Now that I am - both on board and in between (yoga adjacent stuff for core, legs, balance, flexibility), those things are improving a lot! Duh 🤦🏻♂️
And the cool thing is, while I’m mostly in it to just get better at skateboarding since I’m hooked and i LOVE it (and just want to skate everyday…), I’m feeling really physically (and mentally) good too, as i can really feel the benefits. Virtuous circle innit?
Anyway I would just encourage ppl considering trying it, especially ‘mature skaters’ like me (45), that they may be a bit better than they thought, and to give it a go.
2 and a half weeks in. Been skating often during that time… idk maybe it’s 20 hours total or thereabouts (maybe 25) for context. Probably 15 sessions (since both I and my son are addicted someone is pushing for it pretty much everyday). Have changed gym work to be everything useful for skateboarding - core, balance, legs, flexibility etc etc. Yeah this has been obsessive but 🤷🏻♂️😂
Was going to post anyway, but then had a fantastic session today. Had ordered Dragon Wheels as hopefully something that can handle both the big new smooth concrete skate park we go to and the small local one which is tarmac (asphalt) plus a few ramps. They’re awesome, I think previous wheels were too soft, idk but they were very slow / sticky and the new wheels are a thing of beauty. Board feels perfect now.
So you know how some sessions feel like ‘3 steps forward 2 steps back’ (or even 1 step forward 2 steps back…), well today a lot of things clicked together at the same time, helped by the new wheels being a big improvement. Suddenly I’m stringing various basic things together and keeping moving, and it feels like actual skateboarding (at the novice end!!) instead of just limited bits and pieces.
So now I’m here:
- Pushing getting better, trying to get into big elongated stride pushes, you know, the good ones. Not quite there but big improvement
- Tic tacs are getting some rhythm / timing and generating forward movement
- Getting closer to a real kick turn on ramps (low to mid height only), rather than sort of tic tacking round (backside at least, front side is tricky, working on it a little…)
- Small ‘jumps’ off of ramp corners (talking like 2” but y know it’s something)
- Able to come back down ramps switch more often without having to bail, and from a bit higher
- Regained confidence to go down medium ramps (the flat kind not qtr pipes) after a couple of hard spills ~10 days ago
- General turning, starting, stopping etc etc etc all a bit smoother
- Oh yeah big one - just feel more relaxed and looser (as in less tense and tight) on the board, which then feels like it makes everything above easier and better
Sorry for the essay but was borderline ecstatic with how it went today. Thank you to those who have given great tips and advice and steered me to the excellent SkateIQ vids which have really helped too.
Christ it’s a journey into the unknown now because i didn’t really think I’d be semi competent like this!! 😬😮
Started skating (45 yo, no experience) with my son about 10 days ago, and got hooked on it fast. Was amazed just to be able to do some basic stuff (I’m also 6’5” so maybe not exactly custom made for skateboarding…),and probably got a bit ahead of myself going down ramps etc, and taking a couple of pretty hard falls on my hip.
Anyway… following advice on here I’ve slowed things down, focusing a lot on just pushing, starting, stopping, turning, tic tacs, some kick turns, coming down small ramps the goofy side, cruising about. Hardly trying ramps, not trying to ollie or anything like that. Long story short I am really loving just taking it slowly and playing it safe. Pushing and balance on the standing foot is noticeably improving, feeling more comfortable and in control on the board, and even just cruising around is really enjoyable. Gonna keep at the basics until I’m feeling really solid.
First week skating, first time posting. I’m 45 yo, 6’5” 220lbs so every session feels like some sort of high wire act (even as I’m ground bound), but pretty hooked on it.
Have a 6 yo son who wanted a skate board and it escalated quickly from there - I don’t like to just sit and watch stuff! Anyway - bunch of thoughts and observations etc which I’d be interested to hear views on:
- Plan was just to try and ‘cruise around’ but I’ve seen a lot of other newbies say that initially, and of course you end up wanting to do more… anyway trying to just focus on getting solid at the very basics and not skip ahead to stuff that’s going to get me injured
- That being said… ramps are fun! 😂 Unfortunately two pretty hard falls on the same hip in last 3 days… don’t think it’s fractured, so that’s something! I know you’re supposed to learn how to fall, i played sports and i think I’m* *ok at that but if you come off the board backwards I’m not sure how to save that safely
- Son is doing brilliant, looks really natural and picking it up so quick, great to see. Maybe i should just leave him to it! He likes me to be out there with him though
- Actually surprised at what I’ve been able to do - getting more comfortable on the board, cruising around ok, some small ramps, some slightly bigger ramps (mostly all good until the hip whacks!), can do kick turns ok, pushing is getting a bit smoother and more reliable
- So I’d have been really pleased to be about to do that stuff, wasn’t sure I’d be able to… trouble is ‘comparison is the thief of joy’ and it’s tough when most skaters are so so much better than I’ll ever be… idk just need to keep expectations kinda low and enjoy the simple stuff
- Oh yeah and I’m here with a very sore hip, skinned elbow (despite full pads, not sure how), sore ankles and feet (did 3 hours today…), totally knackered but head feels good, feel pretty alive!!
Any advice on how to approach early stages, physically, mentally, what to focus on improving at, would love to hear. Cheers
Firstly, visiting Counting Crows Reddit for the first time - needed to discuss them with some like minded people 😆
Used to listen to them in my teens, medium big fan, used to love the live version of Round Here on Across a Wire most of all.
Anyway fast forward 25+ years 😬 not like I’ve not listened in the meanwhile, dipping into the albums or a few songs here and there.
Started listening to Live at Town Hall and really curious of others thoughts. At first i thought he’d gone too far into his little ad libs and his meandering, and some - no offence - slightly self indulgent stuff… but I’ve come to really love it.
Maybe now my favourite Round Here version… even more tangents and meanders… once you know them it’s gold I think.
Final thing I wanted to flag and see if it made anyone else chuckle… I think it’s in Round Here, there’s a quiet bit and he’s like “Eric, Eric… I want to here some guitar…” and the guitarist gets a solo going, and then like 4 seconds later Adam just cuts back in singing 😂 Cracks me up
Oh one more - I’m also a Bruce Springsteen fan, and hadn’t previously heard him riffing on Bruce lyrics within Rain King… so that was a bit of a delight!
Anyway - hello all, thanks for having me