Chelsea's Page

Hi Chelsea,

I'm not the greatest slider. To be honest I hate sliding because it trashes my gear. I treasure all my equipment and try to get the best out of it.

However I did get into it years ago and know a thing or 2 from experience.

 Some tips:

1. Be prepared to crash. Alot!!

Pad up with helmet gloves, knees and elbows, and an old backpack. This will save alot of skin from coming off your back. I've got a back protector. It's kinda like a turtle shell you strap on. under your shirt. 

2. The secret is to shift your weight off the board during a turn so the wheels lose traction.

When you turn you're actually leaning off the board at an angle. Lean out and let the slide puck take some of your weight and the 

3. Keep your back leg knee as close to the deck as possible. Your shin will be almost flat on deck even to the point where your shoe is sideways on the deck. This is important because if your back leg is straight your butt will poke out like a stink-bug, your body will be to far away from the board and you will get thrown off.

Easy way to start is to go into drop knee just before you initiate a slide. Your back knee will come down all the way and rest on the deck next to your front heel. It's like a speed a tuck. Don't steer until your down fully. Its important to keep your back knee as close to the deck as possible.

If you wanna go Toeside (natural stance turning right) grab the deck with left hand under front foot. Start to lean right and reach out with your right hand onto the road. If you're going fast enough you will be sliding.

If you wanna go Heelside (natural stance turning left) grab the deck with right hand about the middle of your back leg shin. Start to lean left and reach out with your left hand.

Try searching for Cliff Coleman videos on the tube. He's the godfather of sliding and has really good tips.

Try not to practice on your own. If you get hurt badly there's no-one there to help you. Been there b4. It sucks trust me.

Sliding in the wet is alot easier.

Avoid trying to slide on rough concrete like footpaths and bike tracks. Its near impossible sometimes and can be dangerous.

Some carparks have that nice smooth concrete and are usually a bit dusty which helps sliding too. Avoid anywhere with car traffic. Try finding a nice quiet culdesac on a hill and get a friend to watch for cars while your ride.

The best tip though is to ride with someone who can watch you and correct your mistakes.

I'm sorry I won't have time to show you in person. I barely get enough time to skate these days.

Good luck and keep safe

Fitz