Girls Can Skate!!

Way back when I took a skateboarding class through our local Barnstable Recreation Department. I was in a class of all the boys, but for me, I loved it! However, I know for many girls it can be a challenge to be the only girl in a male-dominated sport. If you are a girl who owns a skateboard you are essentially Mew the Pokemon: magical, rare, and difficult to catch. It seems to me, the general public tends to be enamored by the presence of a female skateboarder, it can be pretty intimidating to get out there. This is especially true when starting out because inevitably all the attention can make a newbie feel hesitant to even try.

Skateparks are not good places to learn the basics. They can be chaotic and dangerous for beginners. The best places to learn skateboarding are empty parking lots, schoolyards or other large open areas with smooth pavement. It can also be helpful to practice new tricks on the grass. The soft ground will prevent your wheels from slipping out and cushion any falls.

When starting you’ll want to bend your knees. A low, relaxed stance is helpful for all skateboarding tricks because it gives you the ability to immediately adjust your balance in any situation. Be determined! Like any new sport, practice and dedication is the best trick for learning to skate and most other things in life. Skateboarding is hard, don’t expect to be good right away. Its difficulty is part of what makes skateboarding so gratifying and brings people back day after day. Be ready to fall. Falling is an unavoidable part of skateboarding. Finally, be confident. Don’t worry about how you look or how good you are. Skate hard, try new tricks be mindful of others, and push the limits!