Many people visit skateparks only to return home feeling anxious and overwhelmed, thinking they will never be able to do tricks like professional skateboarders. That is not entirely true. Experienced skaters look that good only because they have put in the work, time, and effort. If you do the same, it’s only a matter of time before you look like professional skaters.
In today’s guide, we’re looking into the fun activity called skateboarding, in hopes of finding out how long it takes to get good at skateboarding. If this is something that you’re interested in, we suggest you stick around to learn all the facts. With that being said, let’s get right into the guide!
How Long Does It Take to Get Good at Skateboarding?
Let’s be clear about one thing – anyone can learn how to skateboard. Whether you’re five, fifteen, or fifty years old, you can surely learn the basics of skateboarding with some effort. It will take a while before you can do advanced tricks like some professionals, but you will eventually get there.
After all, this is a sport that you can never fully master. It takes years and years to develop specific skills. By the time you learn some tricks, there’ll be someone who will invent new ones. This is one of the reasons why so many people take up skateboarding: there is never a dull day with it!
But to answer a question like “how long does it take to get good at skateboarding,” it’s not that easy to say: the timeline is different for everyone. It depends on the person, their physical and mental preparedness, their equipment, the time they spend practicing, and so on. Many factors come into play here, and they all play vital roles.
A general timeline, however, can be given. It would look something like this:
- 1-2 months – A skateboarding beginner can learn the basics of skateboarding, like balancing, pushing, stopping, and turning. It will take about an hour to try out these basics, but it might take a few weeks before you are comfortable enough to do them at an actual skateboarding track.
- 2-4 months – A skateboarding beginner can learn some basic skateboarding tricks. They could even feel comfortable enough to start riding on pump tracks.
- 4-8 months – The skateboarder can start practicing more advanced or technical tricks while mastering the pump track more and more.
- 8-12 months – The skateboarder can try riding on rails or ledges. They can also start practicing combo moves by pairing basic and advanced tricks.
- 1+ years – The beginner slowly starts turning into an experienced skateboarder. They can do various tricks while also being able to perform well on any terrain.
It takes determination and effort to break away from the shackles of fear and start working towards achieving your dream. Once you do that, you will be able to become a real professional skateboarder that drives the skateboard like you were born to do exactly that.
How to Get Good at Skateboarding Faster
As the timeline mentioned above shows, it will take about a year before you start looking like an experienced skateboarder on the pump track. Of course, the timeline can vary in one way or another – it will take some individuals more time to master skills that others will master without any problem.
You shouldn’t feel worried or ashamed if you cannot perfect your skateboarding skills or learn a trick within the given timeline. Here are some tips on how to get good at skateboarding faster:
Get Into the Right Mindset
Before you ever step foot on a skateboard, you need to get into the right mindset. This means you will need to eliminate those voices that tell you you can’t do it or will never succeed. Remember that anyone can do this as long as they put their mind to it.
Another tip we want to share is that you need to tell yourself positive affirmations. Whenever it gets hard, and it will get hard, you need to get yourself through it. Tell yourself that this is what you have to do to get better, and soon enough, you’ll be able to overcome all obstacles!
Get Proper Equipment
No skateboarder has ever succeeded without the proper gear. Your equipment is essential, meaning that you’ll need to invest some money to get the things you need. The first thing on the agenda will be to buy a great, quality skateboard with quality wheels and trucks.
A cheap skateboard will only cause you headaches, as you won’t be able to perform all the tricks you want to. To develop more advanced skills, you must get gear that can withstand wear and tear.
Also, find the gear that works for you. If you want to focus on doing tricks, find a skateboard that is best for tricks, or one best for concrete parks. Also, consider investing in clothing like special skateboarding pants or shoes to help you stay comfortable.
While on the topic of equipment, ensure that you get protective equipment. You’ll need a durable helmet and some pads for your legs and arms. You will fall quite a few times in the beginning, so ensure you always have your pads and helmet on you to protect you from accidents.
Find the Perfect Setting
One of the best tips for beginners is to select a setting they are comfortable with. Start by riding the skateboard at home, finding your footing, and mastering the balance.
Then, we recommend you move on to a flat road where you can practice pushing, stopping, and turning. After you master the basics, you can start going to the skateboarding parks to work on your skills more and learn some new tricks.
Practice Consistently
Do you know the saying “practice makes perfect”? Well, this saying is something you’ll have to keep in mind once you start skateboarding. It’s not like you can become a professional by skateboarding once or twice per month. You’ll need to practice a lot and do it consistently.
We know that busy lives can sometimes get in the way, but think of it like this – skateboarding can replace your gym session. In a few hours of skateboarding, you’ll work on your core and muscles nonstop. After all, building muscle memory takes a lot of effort.
Ideally, it would be best if you practice anywhere from 3 to 6 hours per day, 3 to 4 times per week. If you master a trick, do not stop practicing it. Repeat your routines and tricks all the time so that you can get even better at them.
Set Goals for Yourself
Whenever you go out on the track, set a goal for yourself. It doesn’t need to be anything significant: you can start small and work your way towards more difficult goals.
Tell yourself that by mastering a skill, you’ll reward yourself with an extra episode of your favorite TV series, or perhaps a tasty snack. That will surely keep you as motivated as ever!
Improve Physical Abilities
If you feel your body is not where it needs to be, it could be wise to work on your athletic abilities. We all know skateboarding could replace a full-body workout, but it can also make you quite sore if you’re not in good shape.
So, if time allows, try going to the gym and practicing skateboarding. That way, you can get in better shape, improve your body flexibility, work on your posture and balance, and so on. Trust us, the extra work you put in will only make things easier for you.
Invest in Skateboarding Lessons
Skateboarding lessons can help you improve your skills significantly, because there will be professional skateboarders to guide you through the process. Going to skateboarding camp can also help you meet some other skateboarders who’ll share their experiences with you.
You’ll also need someone to watch you and give you feedback on the way you perform. That’s the best way to see what you’re doing wrong and improve on it.
Skateboarding lessons are a great option, but they can be costly. If you’re not ready to invest in lessons, you can also look into some free online lessons to help you get to the next level. Find who the best skateboarders are and look into videos or blogs they might have created, or go for videos shared by skateboarders who look like they know their craft.
Takeaway
Skateboarding is many people’s favorite pastime, so why not try it out and see if you like it? After you learn the basics of it, you will surely find yourself wondering how long does it take to get good at skateboarding.
It will be a year or two before you get really good at it, but this will also depend on the work and effort you put into it. So, don’t hesitate to spend your free time practicing, as it’ll only benefit your skateboarding skills in the long run!