A Look into Professional Skateboarding
Skateboarding has become one of the most popular activities of the youth nowadays. It has evolved from being just a rebellious activity back in its older days to a fully-blown extreme sport that it is today.
According to recent statistics, there are over twelve million skateboarders worldwide and more than 80 percent of these skateboarders are under 18 years old. It has touched the younger markets quite well and has a firm grip on them. Some of these skateboarders skate as a hobby or as a means of transportation, but very few of these skaters go on into the big leagues to become a professional skateboarder.
The industry of skateboarding is a big one. Armed with a huge market, skateboarding has become a multi-billion dollar industry. The mere fact that it is very popular with the young generations and getting into skateboarding is quite easy, there is a lot of money to be made from selling products, advertising and events organizing.
What does being a professional skateboarder exactly mean? Well, as in any other sport, going professional means using the sport as a means to earn money. If you get paid for your skateboarding abilities and skills, then you are a pro skateboarder.
Many of the great skateboarders such as Reese Forbes, Kareem Campbell and Ron Bertino began their careers from humble beginnings. The dynamics of commercialism really gives the much needed financial value to the sport that is skateboarding. But, how does one earn from skateboarding?
One popular way of earning from skateboarding, as many people would see it, is to join and win skateboarding tournaments. Yes, indeed, there is some money to be made from regularly joining these tournaments and these tournaments provide avenues for skateboarders to be recognized, but in reality, the real money in professional skateboarding does not lie in winning tournaments. The bulk of the money comes from deals arising from the endorsements of skateboarding products.
The journey of a professional skateboarder would start in the streets, where he would take endless attempts to do new tricks and perform new stunts. These tricks and stunts are to be displayed in tournaments which the different sponsors are carefully keeping an eye on. If a certain company sees a skateboarder with much talent and has a promising career, they would give him free stuff for him to use. This move is also advantageous for the company since the skateboarder will sort of “endorse” their products. When a skateboarder has become a crowd favorite and catches the attention of everyone, then talks are usually made for endorsement deals, and the money will come in.
Skateboarding shoes and other apparels are the real cash cows in the skateboarding industry and not the skateboards themselves. Actually, other shoe lines have suffered losses because of the rise in popularity of “urban” shoes which cater to the lifestyle of skateboarders.
If you really love the sport that is skateboarding, you’d probably dreaming of being a professional skateboarder someday. There’s no harm in dreaming such things since being a professional skateboarder can really bring in lots of benefits. Going pro can bring things like money and fame into the table, but at the end of the day, what really matters is that you enjoy what you are doing.
Monday, May 25, 2009
Monday, May 18, 2009
Learn Four Skateboard Tricks
4 Skateboarding Tricks – and Tips – to Add to Your Repertoire
If you’re bored with the usual turns, jumps, and tricks that belong to the beginner level, and you feel that you’re ready to put your skills to the test, here are 4 skateboarding tricks – and tips on how to do them – to add to your repertoire:
Skateboarding Trick #1 – Bomb DropThis is a popular skateboarding trick that’s commonly performed by skateboarders although they do find a way into professional competitions as well. Basically, the bomb drop is an alternative to an ollie when tackling a drop or a flight of stairs. With a bomb drop, what you do instead is jumping with the board on your hands first then getting it to your feet when you’re in mid-air.
Obviously, this is not the safest skateboarding trick to practice so start with a place that hasn’t too much height. Secondly, wear the necessary protective gear. Thirdly, practice your hand and feet coordination skills; you’re usually given a split second alone to get your board from your hands and to your feet.
Skateboarding Trick #2 – Boneless One
This one has been around for a long time already and at present have numerous variations already. With this skateboarding trick, you start by taking the skateboard off your feet just as you get off it as well. Afterwards, you jump with just one foot then ending by returning the skateboard to its original position (under your feet) as you make a perfect landing.
Although it sounds complicated, this skateboarding trick is not that difficult to accomplish as long as you’re willing to practice it frequently. The ease of doing this skateboarding trick may have, in fact, contributed to its fading appeal to skateboarders, especially those belonging to the younger generations. Nevertheless, having an old skateboarding trick such as this under your belt is always handy to carry around because you’ll never know when you might need to include it in your exhibition!
Skateboarding Trick #3 – CoffinAlthough the term used for this trick sounds a bit terrifying, it is once again a simple trick to perform although it’s definitely a step or two higher than the basic turns and curves that you’ve mastered while you were practicing at the beginner level.
To start with, increase your speed while skateboarding. Secondly, position your body at the skateboard’s front area. Thirdly, take a seat at the middle of your skateboard by bending your knees and taking hold of your skateboard’s sides. Use both hands of course. Finally, lean back then lie prostrate on your skateboard as if you were on a coffin. Voila! Skateboarding trick accomplished!
Skateboarding Trick #4 – FirecrackerLight the streets up with this entertaining skateboarding trick! Just like setting up and getting ready for fireworks, however, you need careful planning and precision when performing this particular trick. This fire cracking skateboarding trick involves a flight of stairs and you going downhill once more. As you go down, you can increase your speed by deliberately letting the end of your skateboard slap against each step. This slap is of course equivalent to the cracking sound of firecrackers. It won’t work effectively however if you can’t ensure that the sounds resemble the continuous burst of fire from firecrackers. Consistency and constancy, therefore, are the key elements to getting this trick right.
There are of course more skateboarding tricks for you to learn from but for now, start with these four. Master them before skateboarding to the next level!
If you’re bored with the usual turns, jumps, and tricks that belong to the beginner level, and you feel that you’re ready to put your skills to the test, here are 4 skateboarding tricks – and tips on how to do them – to add to your repertoire:
Skateboarding Trick #1 – Bomb DropThis is a popular skateboarding trick that’s commonly performed by skateboarders although they do find a way into professional competitions as well. Basically, the bomb drop is an alternative to an ollie when tackling a drop or a flight of stairs. With a bomb drop, what you do instead is jumping with the board on your hands first then getting it to your feet when you’re in mid-air.
Obviously, this is not the safest skateboarding trick to practice so start with a place that hasn’t too much height. Secondly, wear the necessary protective gear. Thirdly, practice your hand and feet coordination skills; you’re usually given a split second alone to get your board from your hands and to your feet.
Skateboarding Trick #2 – Boneless One
This one has been around for a long time already and at present have numerous variations already. With this skateboarding trick, you start by taking the skateboard off your feet just as you get off it as well. Afterwards, you jump with just one foot then ending by returning the skateboard to its original position (under your feet) as you make a perfect landing.
Although it sounds complicated, this skateboarding trick is not that difficult to accomplish as long as you’re willing to practice it frequently. The ease of doing this skateboarding trick may have, in fact, contributed to its fading appeal to skateboarders, especially those belonging to the younger generations. Nevertheless, having an old skateboarding trick such as this under your belt is always handy to carry around because you’ll never know when you might need to include it in your exhibition!
Skateboarding Trick #3 – CoffinAlthough the term used for this trick sounds a bit terrifying, it is once again a simple trick to perform although it’s definitely a step or two higher than the basic turns and curves that you’ve mastered while you were practicing at the beginner level.
To start with, increase your speed while skateboarding. Secondly, position your body at the skateboard’s front area. Thirdly, take a seat at the middle of your skateboard by bending your knees and taking hold of your skateboard’s sides. Use both hands of course. Finally, lean back then lie prostrate on your skateboard as if you were on a coffin. Voila! Skateboarding trick accomplished!
Skateboarding Trick #4 – FirecrackerLight the streets up with this entertaining skateboarding trick! Just like setting up and getting ready for fireworks, however, you need careful planning and precision when performing this particular trick. This fire cracking skateboarding trick involves a flight of stairs and you going downhill once more. As you go down, you can increase your speed by deliberately letting the end of your skateboard slap against each step. This slap is of course equivalent to the cracking sound of firecrackers. It won’t work effectively however if you can’t ensure that the sounds resemble the continuous burst of fire from firecrackers. Consistency and constancy, therefore, are the key elements to getting this trick right.
There are of course more skateboarding tricks for you to learn from but for now, start with these four. Master them before skateboarding to the next level!
Friday, May 15, 2009
Product Review: Secrets of Skateboarding
Product Review
Secrets of Skateboarding
In my last post, I gave a link to the Secrets of Skateboarding, and now I'm going to post my review of it, because I really think it's the perfect resource for all skateboarders. As everyone knows, skateboard tricks show your skill on the skateboard, but the problem is learning these tricks takes time. That's why the Secrets of Skateboarding is so cool. You get a step-by-step guide that not only teaches you tricks, but it decimates the time it takes to learn the tricks. You can start being more impressive on your board in a short amount of time and be able to take your game to the next level. Secrets of Skateboarding brings together all the elements you need to learn, perfect, and perfom tricks. I highly recommend it if you want to improve your skills, cut learning time in half, and skateboard like a pro.
Secrets of Skateboarding
In my last post, I gave a link to the Secrets of Skateboarding, and now I'm going to post my review of it, because I really think it's the perfect resource for all skateboarders. As everyone knows, skateboard tricks show your skill on the skateboard, but the problem is learning these tricks takes time. That's why the Secrets of Skateboarding is so cool. You get a step-by-step guide that not only teaches you tricks, but it decimates the time it takes to learn the tricks. You can start being more impressive on your board in a short amount of time and be able to take your game to the next level. Secrets of Skateboarding brings together all the elements you need to learn, perfect, and perfom tricks. I highly recommend it if you want to improve your skills, cut learning time in half, and skateboard like a pro.
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
Skateboard Tricks
Skateboard tricks
Do You Know Your Skateboarding Trick?
Skateboarding is one of the many sports that involve displays of skill and expertise. It is essential to know a skateboard trick to be considered a real skateboarder. Many skateboard tricks have been developed through all the time people have been skateboarding. Here are just some of the most popular tricks:
1. Aerials – also known as airs, these general kinds of tricks are typically done on quarter pipes, pools or half pipes where vertical walls with transitions are available. Aerials are usually combined with other tricks such as grabs and rotations. Among the most popular subtypes of aerials would be the 540, 720, 900, Benihana, Body Jar, Caballerial, Christ Air, Finger Flip air, Gay Twist, Gnar Jar, Judo Air, Lien Air, Madonna, McTwist, Samba Flip, Sean Penn, Sloth Air, Stalefish, Rocket Air, and Method Air.
2. Ollie – this is known as the father of skateboard tricks because most tricks are derived from this. Invented by and named after Alan “Ollie” Gelfand, this trick involves getting on air without grabbing the skateboard but instead by stomping or popping the posterior end of the board. Variations of the Ollie involve the Nollie, switch Ollie, Fakie Ollie, Power Ollie, Boned Ollie, Ollie North, and Pressure.
3. The Flip – as its name suggests, the flip is a skateboarding trick that involves the flipping or spinning of the board in the air. This skateboard trick was originally developed by Rodney Mullen, who then called it the Magic Flip. Among the most popular variations of the flip are the heelflip, kickflip, Casper Flip, Anti-Casper Flip, Backside Flip, Big Spin, Cab Flip, Disco Kickflip, Ghetto Bird, Hardflip, Hospital Flip, Impossible, Late Flip, Mother Flip, Pop Shove-it, Sal Flip, Salabanzi, Sex Change and the Scissor Flip.
4. The Grab – as these tricks are named, grabs involve holding the skateboard, usually during aerials. Grabs are quite useful in keeping the skateboarder on the board during in mid-flight. Examples of grabs are the Airwalk grab, Backside grab, cannonball grab, Crail grab, Christ Air, Early grab, Frontside grab, Gorilla grab, Indy grab, Japan grab, Melon grab, Mosquito grab, Nose grab, Roast Beef, Seatbelt grab, Tail grab and the Tucknee.
5. The Grind – this is a kind of trick where a skateboarder would hide on hangers of the skateboard truck. This trick can be done on any smooth object where the truck can slide. Some of the variations of the grind are the Barley grind, Crooked grind, Darkslide, Fandangle, Freeble grind, Gurl grind, Hurricane, Losi grind, Nosegrind, Novacaine, Overcrook grind, Pole Jam, Salad grind, Smith grind, Sugarcane, Suski grind, Willy Grind, and Csmit grind.
6. The Slide – sliding is somewhat like the grind, but instead of gliding through the trick, this involves gliding using the board itself. Some important slides are the Bertlemann slide, Bluntslide, Boardslide, Booger slide, Crail slide, Ces slide, Darkslide, Lipslide, Noselide, Powerslide, and the Tailslide.
7. Lip Tricks – this skateboarding trick is done on mini ramps, quarterpipes, and half pipes. They are called so because they need to balance on ramp lips. Notable lip tricks are the Andrecht Invert, Axle stall, Blunt, Disaster, Egg Plant, Fakie-Bonk-off, Frontside Invert, Good Buddy, Ho-Ho, New Deal, Nose pick, Nose stall, Pivot, Pogo, Rock and Roll, Smithvert, Tail Stall, Staple Gun, Stelmasky Plant, Sweeper, Tail Block, Tucknee Invert, and the Woolly Mammoth.
There are many other skateboarding tricks out there, and many others are still being developed. To know more about skateboarding tricks, you should check out one of the best books out there, Secrets of Skateboarding, and you can find it here.
Skateboard tricks can be hard to perfect, so be sure to check that book out to master those tricks.
Skateboard tricks
Do You Know Your Skateboarding Trick?
Skateboarding is one of the many sports that involve displays of skill and expertise. It is essential to know a skateboard trick to be considered a real skateboarder. Many skateboard tricks have been developed through all the time people have been skateboarding. Here are just some of the most popular tricks:
1. Aerials – also known as airs, these general kinds of tricks are typically done on quarter pipes, pools or half pipes where vertical walls with transitions are available. Aerials are usually combined with other tricks such as grabs and rotations. Among the most popular subtypes of aerials would be the 540, 720, 900, Benihana, Body Jar, Caballerial, Christ Air, Finger Flip air, Gay Twist, Gnar Jar, Judo Air, Lien Air, Madonna, McTwist, Samba Flip, Sean Penn, Sloth Air, Stalefish, Rocket Air, and Method Air.
2. Ollie – this is known as the father of skateboard tricks because most tricks are derived from this. Invented by and named after Alan “Ollie” Gelfand, this trick involves getting on air without grabbing the skateboard but instead by stomping or popping the posterior end of the board. Variations of the Ollie involve the Nollie, switch Ollie, Fakie Ollie, Power Ollie, Boned Ollie, Ollie North, and Pressure.
3. The Flip – as its name suggests, the flip is a skateboarding trick that involves the flipping or spinning of the board in the air. This skateboard trick was originally developed by Rodney Mullen, who then called it the Magic Flip. Among the most popular variations of the flip are the heelflip, kickflip, Casper Flip, Anti-Casper Flip, Backside Flip, Big Spin, Cab Flip, Disco Kickflip, Ghetto Bird, Hardflip, Hospital Flip, Impossible, Late Flip, Mother Flip, Pop Shove-it, Sal Flip, Salabanzi, Sex Change and the Scissor Flip.
4. The Grab – as these tricks are named, grabs involve holding the skateboard, usually during aerials. Grabs are quite useful in keeping the skateboarder on the board during in mid-flight. Examples of grabs are the Airwalk grab, Backside grab, cannonball grab, Crail grab, Christ Air, Early grab, Frontside grab, Gorilla grab, Indy grab, Japan grab, Melon grab, Mosquito grab, Nose grab, Roast Beef, Seatbelt grab, Tail grab and the Tucknee.
5. The Grind – this is a kind of trick where a skateboarder would hide on hangers of the skateboard truck. This trick can be done on any smooth object where the truck can slide. Some of the variations of the grind are the Barley grind, Crooked grind, Darkslide, Fandangle, Freeble grind, Gurl grind, Hurricane, Losi grind, Nosegrind, Novacaine, Overcrook grind, Pole Jam, Salad grind, Smith grind, Sugarcane, Suski grind, Willy Grind, and Csmit grind.
6. The Slide – sliding is somewhat like the grind, but instead of gliding through the trick, this involves gliding using the board itself. Some important slides are the Bertlemann slide, Bluntslide, Boardslide, Booger slide, Crail slide, Ces slide, Darkslide, Lipslide, Noselide, Powerslide, and the Tailslide.
7. Lip Tricks – this skateboarding trick is done on mini ramps, quarterpipes, and half pipes. They are called so because they need to balance on ramp lips. Notable lip tricks are the Andrecht Invert, Axle stall, Blunt, Disaster, Egg Plant, Fakie-Bonk-off, Frontside Invert, Good Buddy, Ho-Ho, New Deal, Nose pick, Nose stall, Pivot, Pogo, Rock and Roll, Smithvert, Tail Stall, Staple Gun, Stelmasky Plant, Sweeper, Tail Block, Tucknee Invert, and the Woolly Mammoth.
There are many other skateboarding tricks out there, and many others are still being developed. To know more about skateboarding tricks, you should check out one of the best books out there, Secrets of Skateboarding, and you can find it here.
Skateboard tricks can be hard to perfect, so be sure to check that book out to master those tricks.
Skateboard tricks
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