Learning how to skimboard has become an obsession in my household! At 7-years-old, my son was been watching skimboarding videos nonstop, learning the basic techniques and tips from pro skimboarders, then practicing hours on end. That’s the best way to learn, right?! But before I agreed to buy his first kids skimboard, he needed to research how to skimboard safely.
Skimboarding is physically demanding. Like skateboarding, you’re going to fall and injuries are common! So it was important that my son had beginner skimboard knowledge before we invested in his first board.
How to Skimboard
When learning how to skimboard, you want to first start out on a large area of glassy, wet sand. Before even thinking of going into waves, you’ve got to get acquainted with your board’s speed and movement. Some websites even caution for beginner skimboarders to wear a helmet like you would in skateboarding. Here are a few tips my son followed before skimboarding:
- Learn the basics of tides and how they move at your favorite beach/break
- Practice your stance on a flat surface before heading out to the beach
- Practice falling on your butt without arms extended
- Try skimming on the sand before attempting to wave skim.
- Perfect your landing – back foot on the back of the skimboard, low and stable
- Study your stride and get on the board one foot at a time
- Use wax or traction pads for skimboards
- Skimboard at a beach free of rocks and with a strong shore break
Skimboarding for Kids
Skimboarding
The mechanics of skimboarding aren’t too complicated but don’t underestimate the intense physicality of the sport. You will fall…. a lot! Here is a very basic explanation of how to skimboard, as well as a fun video my son and I made together. He sends his gratitude for watching along!
Step 1 – Running: Place one on the back tail of your skimboard and one hand on the side, about halfway, holding it front of your body while you wait for a wave to wash up. As the wave recedes leaving a thin coat of water, start running towards the break.
Step 2 – Dropping: release your board flat out in front of you, giving it a forward push. You’ll get to know your board’s speed and the optimal tempo and distance at which to drop your board.
Step 3 – Landing: The best skimboard techniques all advice you against hopping right on top of the board… and we agree! You will land on your butt most times. The better way is to “run” onto the board one foot at a time and propels your speed forward too.
Beginner Skimboard Tips
Best Skimboards
We started to read a bunch of skimboard reviews, but when we walked into a surf shop and saw all the skimboards for sale, we bought one that worked best for my son while still being a great deal. It’s a simple wooden board that didn’t cost me a ton of money and allows him to learn while not worrying about beating it up. I think this is best for kids.
Skimboards come in various shapes, sizes and materials. The cheapest skimboards are made of wood, while the more expensive pro skimboards are made of carbon fiber and can be priced as high as $500. You’ll want the skimboard to be about chest height.
In addition to the actual skimboard, you’ll want to get some wax or skimboard traction pads to use as board grips. Apply the wax at the back and a stripe down the middle where your feet land.
Skimboarding for Kids
Now that this kid has mastered basic skimboarding techniques, he’s onto bigger goals! Skimboarding tricks like catching waves, twists and he’s been obsessive about skimboarding the wedge. Although the kid’s skimboard is getting a beating, and we’ll have to upgrade soon, he’s happy.
