How to Boardslide
Not a trick for a novice, boardsliding involves sliding across an obstacle with the bottom of the board, not the wheels. Skaters should only attempt to boardslide after learning some basic maneuvers.
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You Will Need
- A skateboard
- A helmet and pads
- A pair of skateboard or athletic shoes
- A handrail not attached to a wall
Steps
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Always wear protective clothing, including a helmet, wrist guards, elbow pads, kneepads, and appropriate footwear. Skateboarding is not recommended for children under the age of 6, and children between the ages of 6 and 10 should only ride with adult supervision.
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Step 1
Know how to ollie
Before you try to boardslide, make sure you know how to ollie, a maneuver that allows you to jump onto the rail with your board.
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Step 2
Practice your ollie
Practice your ollie on various surfaces. Then, find a sturdy rail that can support your weight.
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Start off on a low rail and work your way up to bigger rails and obstacles.
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Step 3
Start the boardslide
Using your back foot, roll toward the railing and do an ollie that will land you onto the railing.
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Step 4
Slide down the rail
Twist your body and board so that one set of wheels is on either side of the railing and you are facing forward. Balance your weight on the board and slide down to the other end of the railing.
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Step 5
Dismount
When you are within one foot of the end of the rail, perform a second ollie to dismount, using enough force to get you and the board clear of the railing. Twist your body and board back to your regular skateboarding position, bend your knees slightly, and land on all four wheels. Roll away from the railing and come to a stop.
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Tony Hawk, who won 73 skateboarding titles from 1984 to 1996, invented dozens of tricks, including the ollie-to-Indy, the frontside 540-rodeo flip, and the Saran wrap.
