Transitioning from a beginner to an intermediate skateboarder is an exciting phase in your skateboarding journey. At this level, you’ve likely nailed the basics like ollies and simple turns, and you’re eager to explore more challenging tricks that push your skills and creativity. This stage is all about refining your technique, gaining confidence, and learning tricks that will keep you motivated and having fun on your board. Whether you’re skating on the streets or hitting your local skatepark, the right combination of practice, gear, and mindset can elevate your riding to the next level.
Essential Gear Upgrades for Intermediate Riders
As you progress from beginner to intermediate, upgrading your skateboard gear can make a noticeable difference in performance and comfort. Here are a few key gear considerations to keep in mind:
- Deck: Intermediate riders often look for decks that are tailored to their personal style, preferred size, and skating terrain. A slightly wider deck offers better stability for tricks like manuals and kickflips, while a narrower deck is great for technical street skating.
- Trucks: Choose trucks that match your deck width and provide a balance between stability and maneuverability. Quality trucks with smooth bushings allow for better turning and more control when doing tricks.
- Wheels: Wheel size and hardness can impact your ride. Intermediate skaters usually benefit from wheels around 52-54mm with a medium hardness (around 99a), providing a good mix of speed and grip on various surfaces.
- Grip Tape: Make sure your grip tape is fresh and offers adequate traction. This helps you maintain foot placement during complex tricks.
- Safety Gear: As tricks get more technical, wearing protective gear like helmets, wrist guards, and knee pads becomes more critical to reduce injury risks.
Core Tricks to Master: Kickflip, Pop Shove-It, and Manual
Once you have your gear dialed in, it’s time to focus on some fundamental intermediate tricks. These moves are not only impressive but also serve as building blocks for more advanced combos.
Kickflip
The kickflip is a classic trick where the rider flicks the board with their front foot to make it spin 360 degrees along the board’s axis while airborne. This trick requires good timing, foot placement, and balance. Start by perfecting your ollie, then practice flicking the edge of the board with the side of your foot as you jump.
Pop Shove-It
In a pop shove-it, you make the board spin 180 degrees beneath you without flipping it. It’s a great trick to add to your repertoire because it combines popping skills with quick board manipulation. Keep your shoulders facing forward and use your back foot to scoop the tail around while your front foot stays ready to catch the board.
Manual
A manual involves balancing on two wheels (usually the back wheels) while rolling along. It’s a fantastic trick for improving balance and control. To manual, shift your weight toward the tail of the board and use subtle adjustments with your shoulders and arms to maintain the wheelie. Try to hold the manual for as long as possible before safely lowering the front wheels back to the ground.
Tips for Improving Consistency and Style
Landing tricks once is great, but consistently executing them with good style sets true intermediate riders apart. Here are some proven tips to help you improve:
- Practice Regularly: Short, frequent practice sessions work better than occasional long ones. Consistent repetition builds muscle memory.
- Focus on Foot Placement: Small adjustments in where your feet land can dramatically improve control and confidence.
- Watch Yourself: Use your phone to record your attempts. Reviewing footage helps you spot errors and subtle improvements.
- Stay Relaxed: Tension can throw off your balance and timing. Stay loose and confident as you skate.
- Emphasize Flow: Work on smooth movements and transitions between tricks rather than just focusing on landing the trick itself.
Combining Tricks for Fluid Lines
One of the joys of skateboarding is stringing tricks together into “lines”—a seamless sequence that flows naturally and creatively. Combining tricks takes your skills beyond isolated maneuvers and challenges your coordination and timing.
Start by planning simple sequences, such as a pop shove-it into a manual followed by a kickflip. Practice the individual tricks first, then gradually link them with rolling momentum. Transitions are key here; think about how your body weight shifts and how your feet must move to prepare for the next trick.
Fluid lines not only impress onlookers but also give you a tremendous sense of personal accomplishment and style refinement.
Safety Reminders and Injury Prevention
As tricks get more advanced and lines get longer, taking care of your body becomes increasingly important. Here are some essential safety reminders:
- Always Wear Protective Gear: Helmets, wrist guards, knee, and elbow pads protect you from serious injuries during falls.
- Warm Up Properly: Stretch and gently skate before going into high-intensity sessions to prevent strains and sprains.
- Know Your Limits: Pushing yourself is great, but avoid attempting tricks you’re not ready for.
- Use Spotters: When learning complex tricks, have a friend nearby to help in case of falls.
- Rest and Recover: Give your muscles time to heal, especially after falls or hard training days.
Utilizing Skateparks to Refine Skills
Skateparks are fantastic resources for intermediate riders looking to level up their skills. They offer a variety of obstacles and surfaces that allow you to practice different tricks and transitions safely:
- Ramps and Quarter Pipes: Great for practicing manuals, lip tricks, and airs.
- Rails and Ledges: Ideal for working on grinds and slides.
- Flat Areas: Perfect for technical flips and shove-its.
Spending time at the park not only helps improve your trick variety but also lets you skate with other riders, opening opportunities to learn and share tips. Try observing more experienced skaters, ask for advice, and stay open to feedback.
Embracing the Intermediate Skateboarding Phase
Moving beyond the beginner stage into intermediate skateboarding is a thrilling period filled with growth, challenges, and endless possibilities. By upgrading your gear, mastering core tricks like the kickflip, pop shove-it, and manual, and learning to combine them into fluid lines, you’re expanding your skill set in exciting ways. Remember to prioritize safety, practice regularly, and make the most of local skateparks for diverse experiences.
Above all, enjoy this phase of your skateboarding journey by staying curious, patient, and playful. Each trick learned and every new move landed brings you closer to becoming the skater you aspire to be. Keep pushing your limits, and never lose sight of the fun that got you rolling in the first place.
