When you watch other people on skateboards, getting from point A to point B looks pretty easy
. It just appears that you push-off and then balance yourself. Of course surfing looks like it should be pretty easy too--all you have to do is stand up! What you will learn quickly is that skateboarding is not as easy as it looks. You'll need to practice and it takes skill to do all the cool expert tricks. If you are just starting out, here are a few hints and tips that you can use to speed up your learning process.
For one thing, being in decent to good physical shape will help. Skateboarding is more physically demanding than meets the eye. There's more to it than just strong legs. As you skate more, you'll notice that you're making use of all muscles. Then when you start advancing you'll really notice this. You'll discover that as you get in better condition, your control over the skateboard will improve. If you're serious about skating, a regular and good exercise program will yield excellent results.
If you're just starting out, a decent board will be tough and not very expensive. But you can find totally tricked and high quality boards, but be prepared to pay a lot for them. They're so pricey you won't want to get them dirty! That's the purpose of a beginner's skateboard. They have strong wheels and are thicker. They aren't fancy but they are durable and will be able to stand up to the beating that beginning skateboarders usually give them. Abec boards are the best to learn on because they offer the most support to newbies.
Learn the skaters jargon, and also learn the different kinds of skateboards. There are many different types of skateboards out there and not all boards are the same. It's good to discover the differences and why they exist. You'll find it'll help to be able to talk about skating in skater's terms. If you do that you'll be able to ask for and get help with something. But you will see differences in stances and their strengths from one person to the next. It takes time to learn what will work for you and what will not. You really can make a lot of improvements if you stay in good physical shape and work on your basics. Before long you'll have a hard time remembering what it felt like to not feel comfortable while skateboarding.