Penny Boarding: A Beginner's Guide To Riding & Tricks

Getting Started with Your Penny Board

So, you've got yourself a penny board – awesome! These little guys are super fun for cruising around, but before you hit the streets, let's cover the basics. Think of this section as your penny board 101. We'll talk about getting comfortable, finding your balance, and those first few wobbly pushes. The most important thing is to take it slow and have fun. Don't expect to be a pro overnight. Everyone starts somewhere, and even the most seasoned penny boarders remember those first shaky rides. Before you even step on the board, spend some time just getting a feel for it. Check out the trucks (the metal bits that hold the wheels), give the wheels a spin, and notice how the board flexes. This will help you understand how it responds to your movements. Next, find a smooth, flat surface to practice on. A park path, empty parking lot, or even a quiet street works great. Avoid areas with a lot of traffic or obstacles until you're more confident. Now, let's talk about stance. There are two main stances: regular and goofy. Regular means you ride with your left foot forward, and goofy means your right foot is forward. Not sure which one you are? There's a simple trick! Have someone gently push you from behind – the foot you naturally put forward to catch yourself is likely your lead foot. Once you've figured out your stance, it's time to get on the board. Place your front foot just behind the front bolts, angled slightly towards the nose of the board. Your back foot will be used for pushing, so keep it off the board for now. With your front foot firmly planted, use your back foot to push off the ground. Start with small, gentle pushes, focusing on maintaining your balance. Remember to keep your weight centered over the board and your knees slightly bent. Bending your knees is key for stability and shock absorption. It's like having built-in suspension! As you gain momentum, bring your back foot onto the board, placing it just in front of the back bolts. Again, angle your foot slightly. Now you're riding! Focus on keeping your balance and looking ahead. Don't stare at your feet – this will throw you off balance. If you start to feel wobbly, try shifting your weight slightly or making small adjustments with your feet. And remember, falling is part of the process! Don't be discouraged if you take a tumble. Just get back on and try again.

Mastering the Basics: Pushing, Balancing, and Turning

Okay, guys, you've got the basics down – you can stand on your penny board and push yourself along. Now it's time to level up your skills! This section is all about mastering the fundamentals: pushing efficiently, maintaining your balance like a pro, and learning how to turn smoothly. These skills are the building blocks for everything else you'll do on your penny board, so let's dive in. Let's start with pushing. Pushing might seem simple, but there's an art to it. You want to push in a way that gives you maximum momentum with minimal effort. The key is to use your whole leg, not just your foot. Think of it as a long, smooth stride, like you're running. Plant your front foot firmly on the board, bend your knee slightly, and then push off the ground with your back foot, using a full, sweeping motion. Avoid short, choppy pushes – these will tire you out quickly. Instead, aim for long, powerful pushes that propel you forward. Once you've pushed, bring your back foot back onto the board, placing it near the back bolts. Try to distribute your weight evenly between both feet. Practice pushing regularly with both your left and right foot. While most people have a dominant pushing foot, learning to push with both feet will improve your balance and control, and it can be really useful in certain situations. Now, let's talk about balancing. Balance is crucial for riding a penny board. The more balanced you are, the more control you'll have. The secret to good balance is to keep your center of gravity over the board. Bend your knees slightly – this lowers your center of gravity and gives you more stability. Keep your core engaged – this will help you stay upright. And look ahead – focusing on where you're going will help you maintain your balance. Practice shifting your weight from one foot to the other. This will help you get a feel for how the board responds to your movements. Try leaning slightly forward, backward, and to each side. Notice how the board turns in the direction you lean. This is the foundation of turning. Speaking of turning, let's move on to that! Turning on a penny board is all about leaning. To turn, simply lean in the direction you want to go. If you want to turn left, lean to the left. If you want to turn right, lean to the right. It's that simple! Start with small, gentle leans. As you get more comfortable, you can lean more aggressively to make sharper turns. Remember to keep your weight balanced and your knees bent. This will help you stay in control. For sharper turns, you can also use your feet to help steer. Press down slightly with the toes of your front foot to turn heel-side (towards your heels), or press down with the heels of your front foot to turn toe-side (towards your toes). Practice combining leaning and foot pressure to make smooth, controlled turns. Start with wide, gentle turns and gradually work your way up to tighter turns. And remember, practice makes perfect! The more you ride, the more comfortable and confident you'll become.

Advanced Techniques: Tricks and Tips for Penny Board Pros

Alright, guys, you've mastered the basics and you're feeling confident on your penny board. Now it's time to spice things up with some advanced techniques! This section is all about pushing your limits, learning new tricks, and becoming a true penny board pro. We'll cover everything from carving and kickturns to riding switch and even attempting some basic flatland tricks. But before we dive in, a word of caution: always wear appropriate safety gear, including a helmet, knee pads, and elbow pads, especially when trying new tricks. Safety first! Let's start with carving. Carving is a smooth, flowing style of turning that involves leaning deeply into your turns. It's like snowboarding on pavement! To carve, you'll need to be comfortable making aggressive turns. Start by building up your speed on a gentle slope or flat surface. Then, lean deeply into your turn, keeping your weight balanced and your knees bent. Use your whole body to control the board, and try to maintain a smooth, fluid motion. Carving is not only a lot of fun, but it's also a great way to improve your balance and control. Next up is kickturns. A kickturn is a quick, 180-degree turn that's performed by lifting the front wheels off the ground and pivoting on the back wheels. It's a useful skill for navigating tight spaces and changing direction quickly. To do a kickturn, start by riding at a moderate speed. Then, shift your weight slightly towards the back of the board and stomp down on the tail with your back foot. This will lift the front wheels off the ground. While the front wheels are in the air, pivot your body in the direction you want to turn. Use your arms to help you balance and maintain control. Once you've turned 180 degrees, gently bring the front wheels back down to the ground. Riding switch simply means riding with your non-dominant foot forward. It's a challenging but rewarding skill that will improve your overall board control and open up new possibilities for tricks. To ride switch, simply switch your foot position so that your back foot is now your front foot and vice versa. It will feel awkward at first, but with practice, you'll get used to it. Start by practicing simple maneuvers like pushing and turning. Once you're comfortable, you can try more advanced techniques like carving and kickturns. Now, let's talk about some basic flatland tricks. Flatland tricks are tricks that are performed on flat ground, without the use of ramps or obstacles. Some popular flatland tricks for penny boards include the ollie, the shuvit, and the manual. The ollie is the foundation for many other tricks. It involves popping the board into the air by stomping on the tail and sliding your front foot up the board. The shuvit involves spinning the board 180 degrees or 360 degrees underneath you. The manual involves riding on the back wheels only, balancing like a wheelie on a bicycle. These tricks take time and practice to master, so be patient and don't get discouraged. Start with the basics and gradually work your way up to more complex tricks. Remember to wear your safety gear and practice in a safe, open area. And most importantly, have fun! Penny boarding is all about enjoying the ride and pushing your limits. So get out there, experiment with new techniques, and see what you can do.

Safety First: Gear and Tips for a Safe Ride

Okay, let's talk safety, guys. We all want to have fun riding our penny boards, but it's super important to do it safely. This section is all about the gear you need and the tips you should follow to make sure you have a safe and enjoyable ride. No one wants an injury to spoil their fun, so let's get this safety stuff down. First up, let's talk gear. The most important piece of safety gear is a helmet. Seriously, guys, wear a helmet! It can protect your head from serious injuries in case of a fall. Look for a helmet that fits snugly and meets safety standards. A good helmet should cover your forehead and the back of your head. Don't just grab any old helmet – make sure it's designed for skateboarding or other action sports. Knee pads and elbow pads are also a good idea, especially when you're learning new tricks or riding in areas with a lot of obstacles. Pads can protect your joints from scrapes, bruises, and even fractures. Wrist guards are another helpful piece of gear. They can help prevent wrist injuries, which are common in falls. Gloves can also provide some protection for your hands. In addition to gear, there are some important safety tips you should follow every time you ride. Before you even step on your board, inspect it for any damage. Check the wheels, trucks, and deck for cracks, loose bolts, or other problems. If you find anything, fix it before you ride. A well-maintained board is a safe board. Choose your riding location carefully. Avoid areas with a lot of traffic, pedestrians, or obstacles. Look for smooth, flat surfaces that are free of debris. Parks, bike paths, and empty parking lots are good options. Be aware of your surroundings. Pay attention to what's happening around you and anticipate potential hazards. Watch out for cars, pedestrians, cyclists, and other obstacles. Don't ride with headphones in – you need to be able to hear what's going on around you. Start slow and gradually build up your speed and skill. Don't try to do too much too soon. It's better to take it slow and learn the basics properly than to rush into things and get injured. Know your limits. Don't try tricks or maneuvers that are beyond your skill level. If you're feeling tired or sore, take a break. It's important to listen to your body and not push yourself too hard. Be aware of the weather conditions. Avoid riding in wet or icy conditions, as these can make the board slippery and difficult to control. Wind can also make it harder to balance. And finally, always be respectful of others. Share the space with pedestrians, cyclists, and other riders. Be courteous and give way to others when necessary. Remember, penny boarding is a fun activity, but it's important to do it safely. By wearing the right gear, following safety tips, and being aware of your surroundings, you can help ensure that you have a safe and enjoyable ride. So, get out there, have fun, and stay safe!

Maintaining Your Penny Board: Care and Longevity

So, you've got your awesome penny board, you're riding it like a pro, and you're having a blast. But to keep your penny board rolling smoothly for years to come, you need to give it a little love and care. This section is all about maintaining your penny board, from cleaning and tightening to replacing parts and storing it properly. Think of it like taking care of a car – a little maintenance goes a long way! First, let's talk about cleaning. Just like any other piece of equipment, your penny board can get dirty over time. Dirt, dust, and grime can accumulate on the deck, wheels, and trucks, affecting its performance and appearance. The good news is that cleaning your penny board is easy. All you need is a damp cloth, some mild soap, and a little elbow grease. Start by wiping down the deck with a damp cloth to remove any loose dirt or debris. For stubborn stains, you can use a mild soap solution. Just be sure to rinse the deck thoroughly with clean water and dry it off completely afterwards. Avoid using harsh chemicals or abrasive cleaners, as these can damage the deck. Next, clean the wheels. The wheels can get especially dirty, as they're constantly in contact with the ground. Use a damp cloth to wipe off any dirt or grime. If the wheels are really dirty, you can remove them from the board and clean them separately. To do this, you'll need a skate tool or a wrench. Loosen the axle nuts that hold the wheels in place and slide the wheels off the axles. Then, use a damp cloth or a brush to clean the wheels. You can also use a mild soap solution if necessary. Make sure the wheels are completely dry before you put them back on the board. The trucks can also accumulate dirt and grime over time. Use a damp cloth to wipe them down. If the trucks are particularly dirty, you can use a brush to scrub them. Avoid using lubricants on the trucks, as this can attract more dirt and make them wear out faster. Now, let's talk about tightening. Over time, the nuts and bolts on your penny board can loosen up due to vibrations and use. This can affect the board's performance and stability. Regularly checking and tightening the nuts and bolts is an important part of maintenance. Use a skate tool or a wrench to tighten the axle nuts, the truck mounting bolts, and the kingpin nut. Don't overtighten the nuts and bolts, as this can damage the parts. Just tighten them enough so that they're snug but not too tight. If your wheels aren't spinning freely, they might be too tight. Loosen the axle nuts slightly until the wheels spin freely. Sometimes, parts on your penny board will wear out and need to be replaced. The wheels, bearings, and bushings are the most common parts that need to be replaced. The wheels will wear down over time due to friction with the ground. If your wheels are worn, cracked, or chipped, it's time to replace them. The bearings are the small metal rings that allow the wheels to spin freely. Over time, the bearings can become dirty, rusty, or worn out. If your wheels aren't spinning smoothly, it might be time to replace the bearings. The bushings are the rubber or urethane rings that sit between the trucks and the deck. They provide cushioning and help the board turn smoothly. Over time, the bushings can wear out or become cracked. If your board is feeling wobbly or unresponsive, it might be time to replace the bushings. Finally, let's talk about storage. Proper storage can help extend the life of your penny board. When you're not using your board, store it in a cool, dry place. Avoid storing it in direct sunlight or in damp conditions, as this can damage the deck and other parts. If you're storing your board for a long period of time, it's a good idea to loosen the axle nuts slightly. This will help prevent the bearings from becoming compressed. By following these maintenance tips, you can keep your penny board rolling smoothly and safely for years to come. So, take care of your board, and it will take care of you! Get out there and enjoy the ride!