Street skating is a dynamic and creative form of skateboarding that turns urban obstacles into canvases for expression. Unlike park or vert skating, street skating thrives on the unpredictable nature of city landscapes—from rough pavement and grated manholes to ledges, stairs, and rails. It’s about adapting your skills to whatever you find and making the everyday environment work for your tricks. If you’re looking to up your street skating game, mastering a set of essential tricks and developing a smart approach to city obstacles are key. In this article, we’ll explore the gear you need, core tricks, how to conquer challenging features like rails and stairs, and even how to invent your own street skating lines with safety and respect in mind.
Essential Street Skating Gear
Before hitting the streets, having the right gear can make a huge difference in your performance and safety. Street skating is often rougher on your board and body because of uneven surfaces and hard impacts on obstacles. Here are some essentials:
- Skateboard Deck: Look for a deck with a width between 7.75” to 8.25”, which offers a good balance between flip trick ease and stability. Choose high-quality maple wood for durability.
- Trucks: Mid-sized trucks are preferred for street skating as they provide enough clearance for flip tricks but maintain good grinding capabilities.
- Wheels: Smaller wheels (around 50-54mm) are ideal for street skating. They provide less rolling resistance on smooth city pavement and better control on technical tricks.
- Grip Tape: Fresh grip tape ensures reliable foot placement and control during tricks.
- Protective Gear: While not always worn by everyone, helmets and knee or elbow pads help prevent injuries, especially when trying new tricks on challenging obstacles.
- Proper Shoes: Skate shoes with reinforced toes and grippy soles improve flick control for flip tricks and durability.
Having your board tuned and gear ready means fewer distractions and more confidence when you’re ready to push your limits on the street.
Core Tricks for Street Skateboarding: Grinds, Slides, Flip Tricks
Street skating revolves around a combination of grinds, slides, and flip tricks that work well on urban terrain. Here are the foundational tricks every street skater should learn and master:
Grinds
Grinds involve sliding your trucks along an obstacle. The most common street grinds include:
- 50-50 Grind: Both trucks balance on the ledge or rail, offering stability for beginners.
- Boardslide: The deck slides sideways on the obstacle, typically a rail or ledge.
- Smith Grind: The back truck grinds while the front truck angles down beside the obstacle.
- Feeble Grind: Back truck grinds, and the front truck crosses over to the opposite side of the obstacle.
Slides
Slides emphasize sliding the deck of your skateboard along an edge. Popular slides include:
- Kickflip Shuvit: A combination flip and spin that’s fundamental for street lines.
- 50-50 Boardslide: Sliding the whole board along a ledge or rail.
- Nose Slide and Tail Slide: Using just the nose or tail of the board to slide on ledges.
Flip Tricks
Flip tricks add flair and technical style to street skating. Here are some to focus on:
- Ollie: The foundational trick that propels your board into the air.
- Kickflip: The board flips once horizontally beneath your feet.
- Heelflip: Similar to a kickflip but flips in the opposite direction.
- Varial Kickflip and Varial Heelflip: Combine flip tricks with a spin.
- Manuals: Balancing on two wheels while moving to link tricks.
By mastering these foundational tricks, you’ll be equipped to take on a wide range of street skateboarding challenges.
How to Approach Obstacles like Rails and Stairs
Obstacles like rails and stairs are hallmark features in street skating spots, but they can also be intimidating at first. Here’s a step-by-step approach to tackle them effectively:
- Scout the Spot: Observe the rail or stairs carefully. Check for rough surfaces, length, height, and exit space.
- Visualize Your Line: Plan your approach, trick selection, and landing spot. Visualization builds confidence.
- Start Small: Practice on lower rails or shorter stairs to build up technique and courage.
- Commit Fully: Street obstacles require full commitment. Hesitation often leads to falls.
- Keep Your Balance: Maintain your center of gravity over the board while grinding or sliding.
- Use Speed Wisely: Enough momentum is needed to clear stairs or make smooth grinds but control is key.
- Practice Dismounts: Know how to bail safely if a trick doesn’t go as planned.
Dedicate time to each feature and gradually build your confidence until you can approach larger, more technical urban architecture.
Tips for Improvising in Urban Environments
Street skating isn’t just about memorizing tricks—it’s about adapting to the ever-changing landscape of the city. Here’s how to make the most of your urban playground:
- Be Observant: Look beyond traditional spots. Curbs, benches, planters, and even rough patches can inspire new tricks and lines.
- Use Texture to Your Advantage: Rough surfaces can add grip or friction, while smooth surfaces enable slick slides and flips.
- Mix Tricks Creatively: Link manuals, grinds, and flip tricks to invent unique combos on random city furniture.
- Adapt Your Speed: Different areas require varying speeds. Slowly rolling through crowded sidewalks is different than bombing a long ledge.
- Practice Maintenance: Carry a small tool to tighten bolts or adjust trucks when your board gets wonky from street terrain.
- Stay Flexible: Urban obstacles can change—watch for moved trash bins, construction, or weather conditions and adjust accordingly.
Impromptu street skating sessions are what push creativity. The more you explore, the more tricks and lines you’ll develop.
Safety and Etiquette in Street Skating Spots
Respect for your surroundings and safety are crucial in street skating, where public areas involve pedestrians and property. Keep these tips in mind:
- Respect Private Property: Don’t skate where it’s prohibited or causes damage. Look for legal spots to avoid conflicts.
- Be Courteous: Share space with pedestrians and other skaters. Avoid blocking sidewalks or busy areas.
- Wear Protective Gear: Helmets and pads help prevent injuries from falls on hard concrete or obstacles.
- Warm-Up and Stretch: Prevent injuries by getting your body ready, especially before attempting difficult tricks.
- Skate Within Your Limits: Progress slowly to avoid accidents; it’s better to land a trick cleanly than risk serious injury.
- Keep Your Spot Clean: Don’t litter or leave trash behind. Respecting the spot helps ensure it remains open for skaters.
Being a responsible skater builds positive relationships between the skate community and local authorities or residents.
Building Your Own Street Skating Lines
One of the most satisfying aspects of street skating is creating your own “lines”—sequences of tricks that flow smoothly across different obstacles. Here’s how to design your own:
- Start With a Plan: Walk through your chosen spot and identify potential obstacles that can be linked.
- Think About Transitions: A good line connects tricks through manuals, ollies, or easy rolls to keep momentum.
- Mix Difficulty Levels: Combine easier tricks with more technical ones to balance flow and challenge.
- Experiment: Try different approaches and trick combinations. Some lines might take hours or days to perfect.
- Record Your Runs: Filming your lines helps analyze flow and identify improvement areas.
- Share and Get Feedback: Skate with friends or locals who can inspire new ideas and encourage you.
Building lines boosts creativity and makes skating more rewarding as you put your unique stamp on your city’s spots.
Elevate Your Street Skateboarding Game
Street skating is a thrilling blend of skill, creativity, and urban exploration. By focusing on the fundamental tricks—grinds, slides, and flip tricks—you’ll gain the technical foundation needed to navigate city obstacles confidently. Pair that with the right gear and a thoughtful approach to rails, stairs, and surfaces, and you’ll be able to conquer urban terrain with style.
Remember to respect your surroundings and prioritize safety, as this ensures street skating stays a positive experience for you and your community. As you grow, invent your own lines and embrace improvisation to develop a personal skating style that truly reflects your connection with the city around you. So grab your board, hit the streets, and keep pushing your limits—there’s a whole world of creative possibilities waiting for you.
