How to Ride the Skateboard Pennyboard Like a Pro
How to Ride the Skateboard Pennyboard Like a Pro
Blog Article
The Pennyboard is a compact and lightweight skateboard known for its small size, smooth ride, and agile handling. Originally designed as a mini version of the traditional skateboard, the Pennyboard has become a favorite among skaters of all skill levels. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced rider, mastering the Pennyboard can take your skating to the next level. In this article, we’ll guide you through the steps to ride your Pennyboard like a pro.
1. Get Comfortable with the Board
Before you start riding your Pennyboard, it's important to get familiar with it. Since the Pennyboard is smaller than a traditional skateboard, it requires a slightly different riding technique.
- Foot Placement: The Pennyboard is only around 22 inches long, so foot placement is key. Stand with one foot in front of the board (your front foot) and the other foot ready to push (your back foot). When you push off, your back foot will propel you forward while your front foot stays balanced on the board.
- Find Your Stance: You need to determine whether you're regular (left foot forward) or goofy (right foot forward). The easiest way to figure this out is to stand on the board and see which foot feels more comfortable in the front position. Your dominant foot should be placed in the back when pushing.
2. Learn to Push Off
One of the most important skills to master on the Pennyboard is how to push off properly. Since the board is small and lightweight, pushing requires precision.
- Start with Your Front Foot: Place your front foot on the board near the front trucks (the metal parts connecting the wheels).
- Push with Your Back Foot: Use your back foot to push off the ground, applying pressure to propel the board forward. Push with smooth, controlled movements, making sure to keep your balance centered over the board. Keep your body upright and avoid leaning too far forward or backward.
- Keep Your Speed: Once you’ve pushed off, keep your front foot planted on the board while your back foot is ready to push again. You’ll need to make a few quick pushes to build up speed.
3. Balance and Control
Unlike a larger skateboard, the Pennyboard has a smaller deck, which makes it more sensitive to changes in your body weight and balance. Maintaining balance and control is essential to riding like a pro.
- Use Your Knees: To stay balanced, keep your knees slightly bent. This will give you more flexibility to absorb any bumps or changes in terrain.
- Weight Distribution: Shift your weight to control the board’s direction. If you lean forward, the board will move faster, and if you lean back, the board will slow down. Try to keep your weight centered to maintain balance.
- Relax Your Body: Avoid stiffening up your body, as this can make it harder to maintain control. Relax your arms and legs, and keep a loose, natural posture while riding.
4. Master Turning
Turning on a Pennyboard requires a combination of balance and technique. Because of the board’s small size, turning is quicker and more responsive compared to larger skateboards.
- Carving: The most basic way to turn on a Pennyboard is by carving. To carve, gently lean your body to one side while keeping your feet firmly planted. This will cause the board to turn in that direction. Make sure to lean into the turn smoothly to avoid tipping over.
- Lean and Push: For sharper turns, shift your weight more aggressively toward the direction you want to go. Apply pressure to the back wheels to pivot the board around the front wheels, making the turn tighter.
- Speed Control: To make gradual turns at high speeds, you can use your body to lean slightly forward or backward to adjust your speed before executing a turn.
5. Stopping Safely
Learning how to stop safely is just as important as learning how to ride. Since the Pennyboard is smaller, stopping requires more technique and control.
- Foot Brake: The easiest way to stop on a Pennyboard is to use the foot brake technique. To do this, lift your back foot off the board and place it gently on the ground behind you. Apply pressure slowly to the ground to slow down the board. Be sure to keep your balance centered and your body in an upright position to avoid falling.
- Heel Drag: For a more controlled stop, use the heel drag technique. To do this, position your front foot at the nose of the board and use your back foot to drag your heel along the ground. This will slow the board down gradually.
- Jump Off: If you need to stop quickly, you can always jump off the board and let it come to a stop on its own. Just make sure you’re in a safe, open area and are confident in your ability to jump off without losing your balance.
6. Advanced Tricks and Maneuvers
Once you’ve mastered the basics, you can start practicing advanced tricks and maneuvers. The Pennyboard is perfect for learning new skills due to its lightweight design and responsive feel.
- Ollies: An ollie is a fundamental trick where you pop the board into the air using your back foot while lifting your front foot. With the Pennyboard, you’ll need to practice timing and foot placement, as the board is smaller and more sensitive.
- Shuvits: A shuvit involves spinning the board 180 degrees beneath you while your body stays still. This trick is perfect for adding some flair to your ride.
- Slides: Once you’ve mastered basic turning and carving, you can start practicing slides. To do a slide, use your body weight to initiate a sharp turn and then allow the back wheels to break traction with the ground, sliding the board sideways.
7. Riding on Different Terrains
The Pennyboard is best suited for smooth surfaces, but with the right technique, you can ride on a variety of terrains.
- Smooth Pavement: The Pennyboard excels on smooth pavement, where it can glide easily with little effort. Use this to practice speed and turning.
- Rough Roads: The Pennyboard may feel a bit less stable on rough or bumpy roads due to its smaller wheels. However, with practice, you can adjust your riding style to handle these surfaces better.
- Downhill Riding: Riding downhill on a Pennyboard can be exciting but requires a lot of control. Make sure you have mastered basic turning and stopping techniques before attempting downhill riding.
8. Maintain Your Pennyboard
To keep your Pennyboard performing at its best, regular maintenance is key.
- Check the Wheels: Inspect the wheels regularly for wear and tear. If they’re too worn down, replace them to ensure a smooth ride.
- Tighten the Trucks: Ensure that the trucks are tightened to your desired level of responsiveness. If they’re too loose, the board may feel unstable; if they’re too tight, turning will be difficult.
- Clean the Bearings: Keeping the bearings clean will ensure that your Pennyboard rolls smoothly and doesn’t slow down unexpectedly.
Conclusion: Ride Like a Pro
Mastering the Pennyboard requires practice, patience, and a focus on balance, technique, and control. By following the steps outlined above, you’ll be able to ride your Pennyboard with confidence, whether you're cruising the streets or performing tricks. As you continue to improve, you’ll find that the Pennyboard offers an exciting and rewarding experience, with plenty of opportunities to learn and grow as a skater. Keep practicing, and soon enough, you’ll be riding like a pro! Report this page