It’s not uncommon to take a break from skateboarding. Life happens, priorities shift, and sometimes, we hang up our boards for a while. But the urge to ride often returns. If you’re thinking about getting back into skateboarding after a long hiatus, you’re not alone. This guide will help you ease back into it, ensuring a fun and safe return to the sport you love.
It might feel daunting at first, especially if it’s been years since you last skated. You might not be at the level you once were, and that’s perfectly okay. The key is to approach your return with patience and a focus on enjoying the process. Don’t expect to immediately land complex tricks. Instead, focus on re-establishing your comfort on the board, starting with the basics and gradually progressing. Remember that skateboarding, more than anything, is about having fun.
Ease Back into Skateboarding
Start slow. Begin by just riding around, getting a feel for your board again. Don’t immediately try any tricks. Focus on regaining your balance and comfort. It’s helpful to warm up before each session. A few stretches can help loosen your muscles and prevent injury. Remember, flexibility tends to decrease over time. If you feel more comfortable wearing protective gear, don’t hesitate to do so. It’s always better to be safe than sorry. Avoid pushing yourself too hard, especially in the beginning. There’s no need to do tricks you aren’t ready for, or allow others pressure you into it. Instead, repeat the tricks you’re comfortable with. Practicing familiar moves will help rebuild your confidence and muscle memory, and you will naturally progress to harder tricks as you feel comfortable.
If you’re older or have gained some weight, pay extra attention. Overconfidence can lead to injuries that take longer to heal as you age. The impact from falls can also feel more severe than in your younger years. After a long break, it’s easy to jump back in too hard. Personal experience shows that trying to do too much too soon can lead to painful bruises, and you don’t want to miss work or have difficulty getting out of bed.
Older skateboarder in a skatepark, showcasing the return to the sport.
Rekindling the Passion for Skateboarding
Many skateboarders stop due to life changes like moving or starting a family. Sometimes, it’s easy to lose touch with the sport. However, that feeling of grinding a rail or sliding an obstacle remains etched in your memory. It’s an exhilarating experience that’s hard to forget. This feeling might even manifest in dreams, where you can perform incredible tricks. These feelings are a strong indicator of your passion for the sport. Don’t wait too long to get back into it. You might regret not returning sooner. While street skating might be more challenging, transition skating can be a great alternative. Skateboarding is a sport where you can completely forget about everything else, and leave with a huge smile.
The Competitive Mindset
When skateboarding with friends, it’s natural to have a friendly competitive spirit. However, it’s important to be aware of your limitations and prioritize safety. While encouragement is great, it’s crucial to understand that everyone has their own limits and responsibilities. Avoid attempting tricks you’re not prepared for, especially if you’re having an off day. Focus on riding and basic maneuvers, only taking on more technical stuff when you feel confident. Accepting that you might not be at your previous level is essential to prevent injuries. Accidents happen, even if you’re being careful. Even experienced skaters can get injured in unexpected ways.
Checking Your Skateboarding Gear
Skateboarding can be an expensive hobby, especially when you’re always looking to upgrade. Ironically, many adults might have the money for new gear but less time to skate. This is the opposite of being a kid, when you had all the time but no money. It’s tempting to just use your old skateboard when you get back into it. However, older boards might have issues such as bad bearings, worn grip tape, crushed bushings, or waterlogged decks. These issues can drastically affect your performance and stability on the board.
A close-up of various skateboard shoes, showcasing essential gear for skateboarding.
If you decide to use your old board, make sure to inspect your bearings and clean them. Ensure all nuts and bolts are tight. Check for cracks or delamination of your deck, and check the bushings. If your board needs extensive repairs, consider buying a new complete skateboard. The experience of assembling a new skateboard is exciting. It’s like Christmas! It also increases your excitement to get out there and ride. After getting a new setup, it might take a couple of days to get used to the new deck. Once you’re comfortable, you can go back out there and ride. Remember that it is also important to wear proper skateboarding shoes.
The Importance of Protective Gear
Consider using protective gear, especially if you’re an older skateboarder. Helmets and knee pads are recommended for more technical or risky tricks. Wearing a helmet, even though it may not be the coolest thing, can prevent injuries.
Several skateboard helmets are displayed, highlighting the importance of safety.
Cruising: A Great Way to Start Again
One way to get back into skateboarding is to cruise around. Even commuting in your local area can help you regain your balance. You might even find yourself hopping curbs and doing basic tricks again soon, because muscle memory is a powerful thing.
A Landyachtz cruiser skateboard, showing a good option for cruising.
Be mindful of rocks and choose wheels that are suitable for cruising and doing tricks. Consider a mini cruiser, which are easier to carry and provide a smooth ride. Old-school boards with wider decks and larger wheels can also be great for cruising.
Age is Just a Number
You’re never too old to start or resume skateboarding. It’s a healthy exercise and a great way to spend your free time. If you feel self-conscious about learning in public, consider practicing indoors in your garage or in an abandoned parking lot where you can practice without worrying about what others think. Remember, it’s about your enjoyment, not anyone else’s.
A group of older skateboarders in a skatepark, emphasizing that it's never too late to start.
Making Time for Skateboarding
If you are busy with work and family, plan ahead. Even if you can only skate once a week, scheduling your skateboarding session is essential. Bring your kids along to teach them to ride. Skateboarding is a great activity to do with your kids and it can also prevent you from doing anything too crazy. If work gets in the way, plan something at the weekend or find a babysitter. Any form of exercise is excellent for the brain, helps reduce stress, and can boost your productivity. Always use common sense and minimize risks.
Skateboarding After an Injury
Avoid skateboarding if you have an injury until you’re fully healed. A rolled ankle is weaker and more prone to another injury. Healing takes longer as you get older. Listen to your body and stop as soon as you feel any pain or restriction in movement. Be patient.
Final Thoughts
No matter how long your break was, you can get back into skateboarding at any time. Don’t feel you have to start all over again, because your muscle memory is still there. Be patient, and soon, you’ll be performing those old tricks. Avoid pushing yourself too hard too soon, because that can increase fear of some tricks. If you find yourself hesitating, don’t overthink it and make sure that you’re prepared. Use common sense and prioritize your safety.
Ruben Vee
