How to Start Competitive Skateboarding (Street and Park)

Skateboarding has long been a symbol of rebellious spirit and personal freedom, but in recent years, it has evolved into a highly competitive sport. As skateboarding continues to grow in popularity, especially with its inclusion in the Olympics, more people are looking to transition from casual riding to the competitive scene. Whether you're aiming to compete in street skateboarding or park skateboarding, the journey from beginner to competitor requires a combination of skill, strategy, and mental fortitude.

This guide will take you through the necessary steps to start competitive skateboarding, focusing on both street and park skateboarding. It will explore the foundational skills required, the different types of competitions, how to prepare physically and mentally, and strategies for improving and advancing your performance.

Understanding the Basics of Skateboarding

Types of Skateboarding: Street vs. Park

Before diving into the specifics of competitive skateboarding, it's important to understand the distinction between street and park skateboarding. These two styles of skateboarding have their own unique characteristics and challenges.

• Street Skateboarding: This style takes place in urban environments, utilizing elements like stairs, rails, curbs, ledges, and gaps. Street skaters typically focus on technical tricks and creativity, finding new ways to use the environment. The goal is to perform tricks that showcase technical skill, originality, and flow.
• Park Skateboarding: Park skating happens in skateparks, where riders use pre-designed obstacles like bowls, ramps, and halfpipes. Park skateboarding tends to focus on speed, style, and aerial tricks. Riders often perform big airs, grinds, slides, and transitions, which require a different set of skills compared to street skating.

In both cases, skateboarding is about creativity and pushing the limits of what's possible on a skateboard. However, knowing which style of skateboarding appeals to you will help guide your training and competition strategy.

Equipment: Choosing the Right Skateboard

Before you start competing, you'll need to invest in the right skateboard. The equipment used in street and park competitions varies slightly, and it's essential to choose the right setup that suits your style.

• Street Skateboard Setup: Street boards typically have a smaller deck size (7.5" to 8.0" in width) to allow for easier control and technical tricks. They often have harder wheels (99A) for better grip on smooth concrete and to handle street terrain. The trucks are usually lightweight and responsive to support flip tricks and grinds.
• Park Skateboard Setup: Park skateboards usually have slightly wider decks (8.0" to 8.5") for better stability when landing tricks at high speed. Softer wheels (around 85A-97A) are often preferred for park skating because they provide more grip on smooth concrete or transition areas, making it easier to carve and ride bowls. The trucks are typically heavier to provide better stability for high-speed turns and airs.

You'll also want to consider your personal preferences and riding style when selecting your skateboard. Be sure to check your skateboard's bearings, wheels, trucks, and deck regularly to ensure they are in good condition.

Mastering the Fundamentals

Before entering the competitive scene, you need to develop solid foundational skills. These fundamental skills will be crucial in both street and park competitions.

Balance and Stance

Balance is the cornerstone of all skateboarding, and achieving a strong, stable stance is essential. Skateboarding relies on the rider's ability to remain steady while performing complex maneuvers. Understanding your natural stance will help you build confidence and make it easier to learn new tricks.

• Regular Stance: This means leading with your left foot (if you are right-footed).
• Goofy Stance: This means leading with your right foot (if you are left-footed).

Knowing your stance and practicing it will make learning tricks and transitioning smoother. Focus on feeling comfortable on your board, learning how to shift your weight, and balancing both when moving forward and when grinding or jumping.

Basic Tricks and Progression

To become competitive, you need to master basic tricks first. These tricks serve as building blocks for more advanced skills and will allow you to flow better in your runs. Here's a progression of essential tricks to focus on:

For Street Skateboarding:

• Ollie: The foundation of all tricks, allowing you to jump into the air with your board.
• Kickflip: A trick that flips the board 360 degrees along its axis.
• Heelflip: Similar to a kickflip, but with the back foot flicking the board in the opposite direction.
• Grinds and Slides: Skating on rails or ledges, utilizing different techniques like frontside and backside grinds, as well as slides.

For Park Skateboarding:

• Axle Stall: A basic stall trick where the rider rides up the ramp and stops with both trucks touching the lip.
• Rock to Fakie: A trick where the rider rocks back on the coping of the ramp, then turns back down the transition.
• Grab Tricks: Airborne tricks like the mute grab, indy grab, or melon grab are critical for park skaters.
• Inverts and Aerials: Advanced air tricks where the skater is fully airborne and the board is manipulated mid-air.

Building Skill and Consistency

Consistency is key when it comes to performing well in competitions. After you've learned the basics, you need to practice until your tricks become second nature. This means dedicating time to not only executing tricks but also linking them together in combinations and flows. Keep working on improving your consistency in landing tricks, whether on the street or at the park.

Preparing for Competitions

Understanding Competition Formats

There are various types of skateboarding competitions, and understanding how they are judged will help you better prepare.

• Street Competitions: Street competitions typically involve a "run" format where skaters perform a series of tricks on the street course. The judges score based on difficulty, originality, and execution. A skater is usually given two to three runs, with the best score counting.
• Park Competitions: Park competitions generally involve riders performing tricks in a bowl or halfpipe for a set amount of time. Like street competitions, the judges score based on the tricks' difficulty, style, and execution. Skaters often have to showcase their ability to transition between ramps smoothly while throwing down technical and creative tricks.

In both formats, judges also pay attention to creativity, flow, and the overall style of the run. It's not just about landing tricks, but about making your performance look smooth and stylish.

Physical and Mental Preparation

The physical and mental aspects of skateboarding are just as important as technical skill. Competitive skateboarding requires high endurance, strength, and mental resilience.

• Physical Conditioning: Skateboarding is a full-body workout, requiring strong legs for pushing, jumping, and landing, as well as core stability for balance. Many competitive skateboarders supplement their training with exercises like squats, lunges, and core work. Flexibility training also helps to reduce injury risks.
• Mental Toughness: Competitive skating can be mentally exhausting. The pressure to perform, especially when you're up against other talented skaters, can affect your focus. Mental training, such as visualization techniques, meditation, and setting realistic goals, can help you stay composed during competitions.

Developing a positive mindset, being able to accept failure, and learning from mistakes will set you up for success in the competitive scene.

Training and Practice Regimen

A structured practice regimen is essential for improving your skateboarding skills. Your training should include:

• Warm-ups and Stretching: Always start your practice sessions with a proper warm-up to reduce the risk of injury.
• Drill Practice: Focus on specific tricks during your practice sessions. Work on perfecting your ollies, flips, slides, and grinds before moving to more difficult maneuvers.
• Run Practice: Set up mock competition runs to simulate the pressure of performing in front of judges. This will help you learn how to link tricks together and improve your timing and flow.
• Rest and Recovery: Skateboarding is physically demanding. Be sure to take time to rest and recover to prevent overtraining and injuries.

Entering Your First Competition

Once you feel confident in your skills, it's time to enter your first competition. Start small by entering local or regional contests. These competitions are less intimidating and provide an excellent opportunity to learn and grow.

Preparing for the Day of the Competition

• Get Plenty of Rest: Arrive at the competition well-rested and energized.
• Nutrition: Eating a balanced meal before the event will ensure that you have enough energy for your performance.
• Arrive Early: This gives you time to familiarize yourself with the course and warm up before competing.
• Stay Calm and Focused: During the competition, stay calm, focused, and remember to enjoy the experience. Don't put too much pressure on yourself.

Conclusion

Becoming a competitive skateboarder is a journey that requires dedication, practice, and a commitment to improvement. Whether you're focusing on street or park skateboarding, mastering the fundamentals, honing your skills, and developing mental and physical strength are all crucial to success. By understanding the nuances of the sport, preparing for competitions, and staying mentally and physically prepared, you can set yourself on the path to becoming a successful competitive skateboarder.

Remember, the key to succeeding in skateboarding competitions is to have fun, keep pushing your limits, and embrace the creativity and self-expression that skateboarding offers.

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