How To Ride Downhill On A Skateboard [Step By Step]

Downhill skateboarding is an extreme sport that requires lots of skill, courage, and practice. However, if you don’t possess all of these items, you won’t succeed in downhill riding.

Undoubtedly, riding downhill is a fun activity, but it is also very dangerous if you don’t know how to ride downhill on a skateboard properly. However, if you know the right way to go downhill and take the necessary precautions, you will be able to enjoy it without getting hurt.

Let’s learn downhill skateboarding step by step with this article.

How To Ride Downhill On A Skateboard

It’s all about going fast when it comes to downhill skateboarding. You have to be very comfortable riding your skateboard when skating down a hill.

To begin with, you must understand what gear you are using.

As for the equipment you will need, the first thing is, of course your skateboard. There are several other things you need as well. Also, you will need knee protection, elbow protection, wrist protection, a helmet, gloves, etc.

All of these gears are necessary to prevent any kind of injury while going downhill. Skateboarding can be very dangerous if not done properly. Let’s see a step by step guide to riding downhill.

1. Be Calm & Fearless

The best thing about downhill skateboarding is the rush of adrenaline you feel. In the meantime, this issue can become more serious if you are not calm and fearless on your board. It’s important to have confidence in what you are doing and how you can handle the situation.

If you take stress or get nervous, you might make a mistake that can be really dangerous.

Well, to be fearless, you must be calm, so take a deep breath and enjoy the experience.

2.Wear Safety Gears

In addition to saving your life, safety gear makes it easier for you to be fearless and confident while downhilling. In the previous paragraph, we mentioned all the gears you need. They are necessary for a good ride downhill.

Like any other extreme sport, downhill skateboarding can be quite dangerous. Putting on safety equipment before you begin is a must as you have to protect yourself.

You need to wear a helmet, gloves, and pads. Wearing a helmet is a compulsory practice while skating downhill. You are protected from injury by wearing a helmet.

It is necessary to wear elbow and knee pads when you are skating on asphalt to prevent injuries to your knees and elbows. You should also wear wrist guards to protect your wrists from being injured.

3. Get The Right Board

A skateboard is a very important resource for going downhill. The type of board you choose will determine how effective you ride. A board that’s easy to control and has a good grip will give you the best performance. It is also important to consider the various types of skateboards on the market before purchasing one.

While going downhill, a board should be thick or wide and long to provide better stability.

The design of the skateboard is also essential. The skateboard’s shape and design are important since they affect your balance and control.

Many professional riders prefer longboards for downhill riding since they are very stable and maneuverable. In short, if you can handle the longboard, then it’s perfect for downhill, and you should only use it for that.

4. Learn To Stop And Fall

This is another important thing to learn before you go downhill. You should know how to stop and fall off your board to stay safe.

The way to stop is foot braking. Putting the heel edge of the board into the ground is all you need to do to stop.

When you are in a dangerous situation or fall, you should lean forward and let your head hit the ground first to avoid any injury.

You should not take this lightly. Practice as much as you can because this can prevent you from suffering severe injuries in a dangerous situation.

5. Trucks Tightness

Trucks are very important since they control the axles when it comes to downhill skateboarding.

Therefore, keep the back truck a little tighter than the front. This means you should leave the front truck a little loose. When riding downhill, this will allow you to stop and turn your board quickly.

You might not be able to control the board easily if you lose the back truck, and you could have difficulty stopping. As the board starts wobbling at high speed, which is common while going downhill, it can be dangerous. While going downhill, keep this in mind and always check the tightness of your truck.

Once you master the skill, you can adjust the tightness of the trucks to your comfort and need.

6. Keep More Weight Towrds Front Truck

Weight distribution is very important when riding downhill. In order to maintain speed, it’s helpful to keep more of the weight on the front truck when going fast.

You can make your board more stable and easier to turn by standing on the front truck, especially while going down a steep hill. Be sure to keep your knees bent while standing on the front truck. Therefore, your legs will be more relaxed, which prevents wobbling, and you can turn more sharply.

7. Learn Tucking

The act of tucking in downhill skating is very common. By tucking, you can make your body more compact, increasing stability and reducing wind drag. As you practice tucking, many things come into play, such as your balance, center of gravity, and board control.

While riding downhill or at high speed, you should tuck and lean forward in order to reduce wind drag and make yourself more stable.

Although this may seem difficult initially, it’s a very important component of downhill skiing. After you master tucking, it’s fun to ride downhill on your skateboard.

8. Learn Drafting

Drafting is a very common technique used in downhill, whether it’s for racing or casual riding. By drafting, you get closer to the person in front of you, so that the wind flows around your body and reduces drag.

A rider who is traveling at the same speed as you should always try and stay behind or in front of them. The technique of drafting is a great way to go downhill quickly and smoothly.

9. Learn Predrifting / Scrubbing

Scrubbing is an effective technique to maintain speed for a longer period of time. You can accomplish this by sliding your board’s tail on the ground to give your front wheels a little push and maintain your speed for longer. The process of mastering this skill is not as easy as it seems, so when you have mastered it, you are ready to go.

10. Start to ride downhill in slow speeds

When you’re learning how to go downhill on a longboard or skateboard, you should start at a slow speed. This will allow you to learn all of the different techniques without worrying about going too fast or losing control. You can try stopping, shifting your weight forward, and then starting up again. As you gradually become accustomed to the speed, ensure that you retain complete control of the board at all times.

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Conclusion

In this article, we have provided you with a very detailed 10 step guide to answer your query about how to ride downhill on a skateboard. We hope that reading this article will help you understand the techniques which can help you go downhill.

Try it and enjoy learning something new! It’s really fun to ride a board down a steep hill once you master these steps.