I have a strong desire to learn how to pool skate. I have been going in the mornings at 6am (so I won't get in any ones way and also because I am embarrassed of my skill level). I get pretty over-whelmed and I am not really sure how to start. Any books/advice columns/videos or advice here would be great. I am pretty comfortable on a board, I usually skate everywhere, but of course pool skating is a whole different thing. I am using a re-issue Roskopp board I got from a friend, not sure if that is the best to learn on...
Okay, basically, what are some beginning things I can practice to help me while I am all alone standing in the middle of a pool at 6am. I am 26 and a female so it can be a little intimidating to ask for help around people who have been skating all their life!
I have a strong desire to learn how to pool skate. I have been going in the mornings at 6am (so I won't get in any ones way and also because I am embarrassed of my skill level). I get pretty over-whelmed and I am not really sure how to start. Any books/advice columns/videos or advice here would be great. I am pretty comfortable on a board, I usually skate everywhere, but of course pool skating is a whole different thing. I am using a re-issue Roskopp board I got from a friend, not sure if that is the best to learn on...
Okay, basically, what are some beginning things I can practice to help me while I am all alone standing in the middle of a pool at 6am. I am 26 and a female so it can be a little intimidating to ask for help around people who have been skating all their life!
Thanks in advice!
I've just recently started skating bowls (smaller version {sometimes} of a pool), and have found it intimidating but exciting as well (I'm 35). I found it really helpful to start in a good skatepark that has smaller, less steep, stuff - helpful to get really comfortable going up and down ramps that don't get totally vertical at the top. Once I felt solid going up, turning around and coming back down on those ramps, I felt more comfortable in the bowls. Also, just working on carving low on the bowls at first seemed to make a lot of sense, versus trying to get high on the wall and deal with the vert. Recently, I've been working in more turning in the bowl, as well as carving. My advice: take it slow, wear all your pads (elbow, knee, wrist and helmet), and carry a cell phone since your skating alone. Also, would be good to let someone know where you are and when your skating just in case...
First, welcome to the fish.
Start at the bottom and work your way up.
Speed and flow...you don't want to lose momentum on a wall. Ideally, you don't want to get stuck where you feel like you have to push.
Sorry, that's all I got.
Good luck to ya.
I have a strong desire to learn how to pool skate. I have been going in the mornings at 6am (so I won't get in any ones way and also because I am embarrassed of my skill level). I get pretty over-whelmed and I am not really sure how to start. Any books/advice columns/videos or advice here would be great. I am pretty comfortable on a board, I usually skate everywhere, but of course pool skating is a whole different thing. I am using a re-issue Roskopp board I got from a friend, not sure if that is the best to learn on...
Okay, basically, what are some beginning things I can practice to help me while I am all alone standing in the middle of a pool at 6am. I am 26 and a female so it can be a little intimidating to ask for help around people who have been skating all their life!
Thanks in advice!
Hey Bird.
I am by no mean an expert, I started again after I skated in another life basically, but I can give you some advice.
First don't be embarassed, you have every right to learn and have fun as much as Tony Hawk does, so get out there and rip it.
Personally I started just riding my longboard to get my balance back, got a pool board and started with the most basic ramps, then kickturning on flat, and doing the same on a bank, start working on transitions until it becomes second nature, I find it very useful for balance and rithm, and to get used to get higher toward the coping.
I use the bottom of the pools roll in to practice, getting ready to drop in and push it another notch.
I use Youtube a lot, but the best thing is watching others and ask.
I have a strong desire to learn how to pool skate. I have been going in the mornings at 6am (so I won't get in any ones way and also because I am embarrassed of my skill level). I get pretty over-whelmed and I am not really sure how to start. Any books/advice columns/videos or advice here would be great. I am pretty comfortable on a board, I usually skate everywhere, but of course pool skating is a whole different thing. I am using a re-issue Roskopp board I got from a friend, not sure if that is the best to learn on...
Okay, basically, what are some beginning things I can practice to help me while I am all alone standing in the middle of a pool at 6am. I am 26 and a female so it can be a little intimidating to ask for help around people who have been skating all their life!
Thanks in advice!
Hey Bird,
I am learning to pool skate as well after a 20 year break from skating. I know all about the 6 am sessions at the park so I wouldn't get laughed at for my low skill level and my high padding level. I've been at it for 2 months and have run into a bunch of young kids and they have been really cool and love my old school board. I don't think I have ever gotten hassled once for wearing all the pads. I just hit the coping on 4 ft. of tranny Sunday and now working on dropping in (SCARY!) and my Smith and 50/50 grinds. To be honest, I cannot believe how fast I progressed. It's great so stick with it.
Since you asked for suggestions, I've got a few more in addition to great advice given so far...
1. Bushings: They are cheap and can make a HUGE difference in your ride. Experiment with some different ones. How loose or tight you like to ride your trucks makes some difference here, but your weight is the key. I am 185 lbs. and ride Bones Hardcore Hards and find they turn plenty and remain stable.
2. Wheels: A lot of the folks on here dig Bones SPF or Rainskates. These are good wheels, but fast! I like to get a good clip going, but like a smooth ride, so I go with a wider wheel. There is a good post up right now on the topic and here's a link:
3. Pads: Get good stuff that fits well and you will be comfortable with. One thing I would really encourage you to do is get a good set of wrist guards. Triple 8 Hired Hands are the only thing I will ride because they have 2 splints as opposed to just 1. When I fall, I tend to fall on my wrist and these things have saved me from breaking my wrist 3 times so far. You can get them at milehighskates.com, if interested. Mile High Mark is the best and will help you get the right size and answer any question you could possibly have.
Well, keep shredding and I hope this helps some more.
CC
__________________
"I want to live like a hungry man eats." —Wendell Berry
Why you guys worry about the other not wearing pads? If you're learning it's obvious you're going to fall more so you wear pads...what's weird about it?
One cool thing of bigger parks is that pads are mandatory...besides that..I could not care less if I'm the only one looking like a hokey player...getting hurt sucks.
I am learning to pool skate as well after a 20 year break from skating. I know all about the 6 am sessions at the park so I wouldn't get laughed at for my low skill level and my high padding level. I've been at it for 2 months and have run into a bunch of young kids and they have been really cool and love my old school board. I don't think I have ever gotten hassled once for wearing all the pads. I just hit the coping on 4 ft. of tranny Sunday and now working on dropping in (SCARY!) and my Smith and 50/50 grinds. To be honest, I cannot believe how fast I progressed. It's great so stick with it.
Since you asked for suggestions, I've got a few more in addition to great advice given so far...
1. Bushings: They are cheap and can make a HUGE difference in your ride. Experiment with some different ones. How loose or tight you like to ride your trucks makes some difference here, but your weight is the key. I am 185 lbs. and ride Bones Hardcore Hards and find they turn plenty and remain stable.
2. Wheels: A lot of the folks on here dig Bones SPF or Rainskates. These are good wheels, but fast! I like to get a good clip going, but like a smooth ride, so I go with a wider wheel. There is a good post up right now on the topic and here's a link:
3. Pads: Get good stuff that fits well and you will be comfortable with. One thing I would really encourage you to do is get a good set of wrist guards. Triple 8 Hired Hands are the only thing I will ride because they have 2 splints as opposed to just 1. When I fall, I tend to fall on my wrist and these things have saved me from breaking my wrist 3 times so far. You can get them at milehighskates.com, if interested. Mile High Mark is the best and will help you get the right size and answer any question you could possibly have.
Well, keep shredding and I hope this helps some more.
CC
Thanks for the all the thoughtful responses. I was really discouraged after today and I am so glad I ran into this forum. With all the encouragement and advice, I can't wait to get back out there and try again (and again, and again and again....). And yes, I do wear full protective gear, it just seems like the smart thing to do! As for decks, do you recommend a wider, longer board, like the 80s re issues (which I have), or the popsicle boards that everyone seems to have (which I would have to go get) to learn on? Or does it even matter? happy skating to you!
Of course everyone is different, but I recommend an early 90's style board for the park. Check out Santa Monica Airlines, Pool King, and Pocket Pistols for some ideas.
Thanks for the all the thoughtful responses. I was really discouraged after today and I am so glad I ran into this forum. With all the encouragement and advice, I can't wait to get back out there and try again (and again, and again and again....). And yes, I do wear full protective gear, it just seems like the smart thing to do! As for decks, do you recommend a wider, longer board, like the 80s re issues (which I have), or the popsicle boards that everyone seems to have (which I would have to go get) to learn on? Or does it even matter? happy skating to you!
Bird,
I find 9"x32" to be the magic number. If graphics don't matter, check out the Eastbilt Knox or the Paige Poolboy. Here's are the links, respectively:
I run Indy 139's and Blue (63mm/95a) Tunnel Rocks on boards like these and it is smooth, fast and concave on both ends to keep my feet locked in. The kicknose especially has kept me on the board when I should have slid off! These deck shapes are vintage '89-'90, but haven't really been improved on IMO.
Hope that helps,
CC
__________________
"I want to live like a hungry man eats." —Wendell Berry
Thanks for the all the thoughtful responses. I was really discouraged after today and I am so glad I ran into this forum. With all the encouragement and advice, I can't wait to get back out there and try again (and again, and again and again....). And yes, I do we
Advice for a beginner
