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How To Ride A Ripstik For Beginners – 7 Easy Steps

The ripstik is a popular recreational and competitive sport and is a great way to get around. You can use it to commute to work or school, or just to have some fun. The sport has been featured on the cover of “Rollerblade” magazine, and in 2006, the Ripstik World Championships were held for the first time. That phenomenon can inspire many enthusiasts to wonder how to ride a ripstik for beginners.

The popularity of this sport is steeply on the rise, and you can find competitions worldwide. In this article, we will cover the basics on how to use a ripstik for beginners. So, this 7-spet ripstik riding and user guide includes techniques, safety, and precautions keeping the novices in mind. We will also cover some of the equipment you need to get started.

Here you go.

How To Ride A Ripstik For Beginners?

Get proper safety gear:

Riding a ripstik can be a lot of fun, but it’s essential to wear the proper safety gear before you start. Ripstik riders are often required to wear protective equipment. This can range from a standard helmet with a face shield to different gloves and arm guards. Full-length board socks commonly protect the feet and lower legs.

The first thing to get is a helmet. Ripstik helmets are hard hats with a built-in handlebar. You can buy them in a huge variety of styles and colors, but the only rule is that they have to protect your head as best they can. Ripstik helmets have a built-in pad, so they don’t need to be worn separately, but if you find that the helmet is uncomfortable or painful, you can buy a separate set of pads.

Other safety accessories are a good pair of pads and hand protectors for wearing on your knees and elbows. If you’re going to ride for a long time, you should wear pads on your knees and elbows. This is because when you ride a Ripstik for a long time, the strain can start to damage the tendons in your knees and elbows.

Make sure your clothing is appropriate for riding; avoid loose-fitting clothes that could get caught in the wheels. You should also wear pants that cover your ankles, as they can get caught on the wheels. You should also wear a jacket or a long-sleeved shirt to protect against the wind.

Make sure your shoes are appropriate for riding. Avoid shoes with stiff soles or those that are too slippery. You can also attach a pair of ski poles to the handlebars for additional stability and control on slopes. In particular, avoid wearing sandals or flip-flops.

Find the suitable surface:

The Ripstik skateboarding is a new sport to ride on either pavement or grass. It requires a flat surface with an even texture, so concrete or asphalt can do. Ripstiks are also suitable for riding on rocks and snow-covered hills as they are very stable and easy to control. They can be ridden indoors, on a treadmill, or in grassy fields and suitable for outdoor activities such as beach riding and skateboarding.

The rider will ride over cracks in the pavement, potholes, and broken concrete on pavement. The rider will ride over cracks in the sidewalk, gravel, and dirt on grass or snow.

Place your ripstik correctly on the surface:

Ripstiks are a great way to get around and have a lot of fun. To make sure you are safe while using your ripstick, it is important to place it properly on the surface. This means that you should ensure that the ripstick is perpendicular to the ground and use the correct amount of pressure when riding. This will ensure that you have the proper pressure on the wheels to maneuver in any terrain safely.

Read: Is ripstik a good workout?

Set Your Foot Properly on the Ripstik:

Ripstiks are a fun way to get around, but you need to make sure you’re using them properly if you want to stay safe. Follow the process below:

Your feet should land firmly to sit sturdily on the ground, not dangling in the air. Your knee bending should be at a 90-degree angle, and your feet should point outward. Your legs should be straight, pointing straight ahead of you while in motion.

Place your ripstik perpendicularly to the surface, with the front foot on the front of the board and the back foot at the back. Your feet should be parallel to the ground, with your toes pointed forward.

Apply pressure to the front foot to make the board move forward, and use your back foot to steer.

When you lean forward, you’ll be able to rotate the board. When you lean back, you will move your board sideways. When you lean forward and turn, the front of the board will go up, and the rear of the board will move down.

Avoid using your arms and shoulders when pushing off: they’re way too heavy. Instead, use the board itself!

Now, when you’re done sliding, lift your feet and slide backward to stop. Sliding is very similar to skating: you use the same two feet and knees and push off with your heel or toes. The main difference is that sliding uses gravity to move you forward instead of your power.

Start moving your feet back and forth:

Now, all you have to do is start moving your feet back and forth. Doing this will speed up the ripstik, and you can get where you are going faster. This will create momentum and speed up the ripstik. Soon, you’ll be zipping around town like a pro!

When riding a ripstik, there are other tricks to apply. The most common trick is to do a “wheelie.” A wheelie is when you go up on one foot and then down on the other. When doing wheelie tricks, you have to be careful not to fall off the ripstik.

Stop your ripstik properly:

Riding a ripstik is a great way to get around, but if you don’t stop it properly, you can end up hurting yourself. To prevent your ripstik, put your foot on the ground and push yourself backward with the other foot. You can also use your hand to slow yourself down if needed. Always remember to be careful when stopping, especially if you’re going fast.

The Ripstik is equipped with a brake lever to stop the vehicle. The lever is operated by pulling back on the handlebars, thus allowing you to come to a complete stop.

Grinding Speed and Turning

Grinding the RipStik is an essential skill and turning the right way is key.

Ripstik is a unique sport that combines the thrill of skiing or snowboarding with speed and agility. So, the faster you can grind, the more fun you will have on the slopes. Riding faster than the proper speed can cause injuries to the rider, and even death, due to falls or collisions with other skiers and snowboarders.

However, speed is directly related to skill, and many riders will have a hard time staying behind their own pace until and unless they master the skill of grinding speed. That is achievable only through continuous practice and with time.

The Ripstik is a unique type of skateboard with two V-shaped footplates attached to a long stick. The Ripstik can perform tricks by turning the footplates in different ways. Turning the wrong way can cause the Ripstik to spin out or flip over. To turn the Ripstik well, it is essential to use the correct technique and to turn in the right direction.

Once you have mastered stopping, you can then learn how to turn. Turning the wrong way can also lead to accidents, so be sure to turn the right way.

Precautions To Take While Riding A Ripstik

Riding a ripstik can be a fun and exhilarating experience, but it is essential to take precautions. Here are five critical things to keep in mind when riding a ripstik:

1) Make sure you wear the proper safety gear, including a helmet and pads.

2) Ride in an open area with plenty of room to maneuver.

3) Start slowly until you get the hang of it.

4) Be sure to pay attention to traffic when you are riding.

5) If you feel the need to slow down, be sure to do it gradually.

Wrap Up…

Ripstik riding is a fun, unique way to experience the outdoors. However, it does come with some risks and precautions for the rider to enjoy the experience safely. You have learned all the tricks and efficient methods that can help beginners most.

So, this guide planned on how to ride a ripstick for beginners should be your lookout if you are an aspirant skateboarder. This should cover the queries if you are wondering how to use ripstik for beginners.

The Most Important Short Track Speed Skating Facts

Amelia Reed Leave a Comment

Short track speed skating is a fast-paced and exciting sport competed on a shorter track than traditional long track speed skating. It is an exciting sport that has taken the world by storm very recently. The races are typically much shorter, lasting only a few minutes. It is one of the most dangerous winter sports, as collisions and falls are common.

Short track speed skating is an Olympic sport that debuted at the 1992 Olympics. There are several different short track speed skating disciplines, including the 500 meters, 1,000 meters, and 1,500 meters. It is a sport full of action and requires excellent athleticism. In this article, we will take a look at some of the facts about short track speed skating.

Short Track Speed Skating History

Short track speed skating has been around for centuries, but it wasn’t until the late 1800s that it became an organized sport. In the early days, the sport was known as “short track,” popular in Europe and North America. The first short track speed skating the competition was held in 1885, and the first world championships were held in 1896.

The sports first became an Olympic sport in 1988 as a demonstration event. In 1992, it was made into an official medal sport. The sport is unique because races are typically much shorter than traditional long-track speed skating events, making for more exciting and action-packed races.

Read: Factors to consider before choosing the right speed roller skate

Speedskating Short Track Variations

The sport consists of two main variations: individual and relay. Each skater races against the clock in an individual, while in a relay, four skaters race against other teams. This fast-paced and exciting sport often produces close finishes. Short track speed races are held on an oval track. The drivers race in pairs, such as one driver and one pusher.

Short Track Speed Skating Equipment

Skaters use a pair of skates, hockey helmets, protective pads, and gloves when participating in short track speed skating. Skaters also wear a set of traditional figure skates during the beginning of their training. They start to use hockey skates to get more comfortable with the sport.

The skates are sharp and have blades on the bottom to move quickly across the ice. The hockey helmets protect the skaters’ heads from injury, and the protective pads protect their bodies from getting hit by other skaters or the walls.

Short Track Speed Skate Points System And Format

Short track speed skating has been around for over 100 years. The points system is based on the Olympic system, with first-place earning 10 points, second place making 8 points, etc. The winner is the first person who crosses the close line in each race. If there is a tie, the skaters will have a race-off to determine the winner.

This is a two-person team event. In each race, both skaters start together and try to cross the finish line first. The skaters are positioned on opposite sides of the rink so they can’t see each other (but they can hear each other).

Short Track Speed Skating Olympic Events

This particular speed skating sport consists of different events, each with its own set of rules and requirements. The sport is one of the newest disciplines to be added to the Olympic Games, making its debut in 1992. There are four different events in short track speed skating: the 500 meters, the 1,000 meters, the 1,500 meters, and the 5,000 meters relay.

The individual women’s races consist of the same length as the men’s, but women’s relay is 3000 meters in length for women skaters. And mixed event participated both by men and women is of 2000 meters in length.

Short Track Speed Skating World Records

Fast and furious, this speed skating sport often produces world records. Here are some of the most impressive short track speed skating world records. The Short Track Speed Skating World Records are official world records sanctioned by the ISU. The records are based on results in competition, split into the short track and long track divisions with separate lists of record holders.

The short track speed skating world records for men and women are:

World Records (men):

The record for the 500m is held by American skater J.R. Celski, with 36.747 seconds. Canadian skater holds the 1,000m record, Charles Hamelin, with a time of 1:21.644 minutes. The 3,000m record is held by Canadian skater Sebastien Toutant, with a time of 9:02.942 minutes. The 5,000m record is held by French skater Olivier Jean-Marie, with a time of 15:29. 37 minutes.

World Records (women):

Some of the most impressive records are held by women. The 500 meter race is the most common distance race. In February of 2018, Korean short track speed skater Choi Min-Jeong set the world record in the women’s 500-meter race with a time of 41.034 seconds faster than the previous record by 0.012 seconds.

Choi Min-Jeong’s record was recognized by the International Skating Union and the Korean Olympic Committee. Choi Min-Jeong is also a member of the 2018 Winter Olympics team, which will compete in Pyeongchang.

How Long Is A Short Track Rink For Speed Skating?

Short track speed skating is a fast-paced, intense sport that is gaining popularity worldwide. It is a sport that consists of races on a short track; Olympic short track speed skating rink is 111.12 meters long and 28.35 meters wide. The race consists of four laps around the track, and the skaters can reach speeds of up to 40-50 miles per hour. Therefore, this challenging sport requires athleticism, agility, and quick reflexes.

Wrap Up

In conclusion, short track speed skating is an incredibly exciting and fast-paced sport that requires skill, athleticism, and strategy. If you are yet to enjoy it, I highly recommend checking out a race. And who knows, you might just be inspired to try it out for yourself. It is a great method to stay active and get in shape, and it is also a lot of fun.

If you feel interested in short track speed skating, or if you would like to try it out for yourself, these short track speed skating facts will be of great help for you.

Can You Do Tricks on a Cruiser Board?

Amelia Reed Leave a Comment

When cruising short distances, there’s hardly a more playful way than cruiser boards. The mid-length boards are longer than a skateboard but shorter than longboards and have the design to sail through the streets with ease, comfort, and fun.

But can you do tricks on a cruiser board?

The answer is both yes and no.

While your cruiser board is sure to give you a tough time over trying your favorite tricks because of its unique build, it’s not impossible to master.

You can very much pull off some moves by following a few specific techniques as long as you’re perfectly comfortable on a regular skateboard. And those techniques are what exactly we’ll show you in this article. So, keep reading.

Why is Doing Tricks on a Cruiser Board so Challenging?

Cruiser boards have a unique design ideal for riding down the city streets and similar pavements. You can use them for smoother local transport, but not (quite) for the tricks.

Tricks are challenging to do on cruiser boards mainly because of their shape. Compared to the popsicle decks’ aggressive noses, cruisers have considerably flatter ones, making foot movements pretty problematic.

Their decks are also heavier than that of regular skateboards, meaning you’ll have to put substantial effort to get them into the air. The difference in wheel grips also troubles specific maneuvers, with cruiser wheels being much softer than those in skateboards.

How to Perform Tricks on a Cruiser Board?

Despite the difficulty of performing tricks on a cruiser skateboard, there are still some common tricks that you can learn by following a few precise guidelines. Our list below includes six of the most demanding ones.

Powerslides: Gangster Arms Technique

We will begin by discussing PowerSlides. It’s one of those cruiser board tricks that can help you control your cruiser’s speed and stoppings or just give you sheer fun.

Learning Powerslide requires you to understand how your arms should act when doing it. Rotating your upper body while holding out your arms gives you complete control of the board’s movement. The trick is called ‘gangster arms.’

When you’re in a Powerslide, you should be holding one arm toward your hilltop. Then, when you’re ready to finish it, you’ll yank this same arm sharply toward your chest. Whichever way your upper body rotates, your legs will turn to the opposite.

Powerslides: Pre-Carving Technique

Whenever doing any skateboard trick, you should pay attention to your feet’ position. During a Heelside Powerslide, your feet should be directly above the trucks, and your heels should be hanging off the board’s edge. For a Toeside Powerslide, the correct foot placement is to have the rear foot at the tail base, just behind the bolts, with your front foot rested above the front truck.

Breaking traction is a powerslide’s second-biggest hurdle, but repositioning the board pointed forward is the toughest part of all.

To break traction on your wheels, you’ll want to hold the turn while extending your back leg to the sideways; this is the ‘pre-carving’ trick. When bringing the board back to the center, you should pivot it on the rear truck and pull back the board’s front underneath your feet.

Read: What to wear when skateboarding?

The 180

Powerslides and 180s share many techniques in-between. Your foot position remains the same; so do “gangster arms,” “pre-carving,” and pivoting. Only, to complete the 180, you slide your front truck behind you to the side instead of pulling it back in front.

However, one technique that we’re yet to discuss is a three-part motion that involves bending the legs, extending the body, and bending again.

It’s essential to consider these three steps as a single continuous motion where you don’t pause between them. A few also prefer to call it the ‘de-weighting’ technique. The objective of the three-part movement is to lighten your board’s load temporarily and allow it to slide more easily. Remember, de-weighting is equally crucial for Powerslides and the 180s.

You’ll inevitably end up going backward after completing 180 cruiser tricks, or you’ll switch as we call it. So, practicing switch riding can help you prepare for landing the 180, ensuring you won’t panic soon after. You must combine all of these things to create one combined motion:

Foot positioning
Pre-carving
Kick-out
De-weight
Gangster-arms
Pivot

The Ollie

Contrary to popular belief, you can do the Ollie on a street cruising skateboard with the proper technique.

Your rear foot must be on the tail tip, and you should place your front foot exactly centered on the board. Your back foot begins the ollie, and your front foot ends it. First, you must pop the tail on the ground and use the back foot to push your body up in the air.

The key here is the simultaneous movement of your front foot across the grip tape and toward the front truck. By doing so, you’ll easily prepare for your landing stomp by leveling off the board. Your front foot should be tilting onto its side when sliding towards the nose. A higher position on the front foot allows you to ollie higher.

So to do an ollie on your cruiser-

Position your feet
Pop tail, slide the front foot
Jump, Level the board off
Stomp the landing

When practicing ollies, pop down the tail and jump just high enough to get your body and the board in the air without sliding forward. By doing so, you make a tail-down landing on the back foot.

The Shuvit

Shuvits are one of the most fantastic cruiser skateboard tricks, as you can do it in every direction. In Shuvits, you begin like in a pivot, but you must jump after you start rotating. It allows the board to turn independently from your body.

Since street cruiser skateboards are directional boards, they have one big tail and one little up-turned nose. That’s why cruisers are easier to Shuvit on when going backward, as you can use the large tail instead of the small nose for the initiation, which is more straightforward. You barely have to ride reverse; it only requires that you place the board backward.

As in an Ollie, you should place your foot almost the same way. However, Shuvits will demand your front foot be a bit nearer to the front truck than an Ollie.

When practicing Shuvits, putting your board down on grass or a carpet will help prevent it from rolling away. And once you’re on the pavement, try to avoid pushing the tail down too forcefully while initiating the pivot. If you do so, the board may rise into the air and start rolling in directions other than the one you want.

Here are the four steps to Shuvit on a cruiser-

Similar foot placement as the ollie
Pivoting the board toward your preferred Shuvit direction
Jump to allow the board to execute the pivot independently
Stomp right on the truck’s top; bend your knees to gain more balance

Kickflipping

The kickflip on a cruiser differs slightly from the kickflip on a typical skateboard. It requires the exact foot placement and pop tail as in an Ollie.

A regular skateboard flip is initiated by catching the nose of the board with your front foot. But as you slide forward towards the cruiser’s nose, your front foot must flick out to its side. When doing the “flick,” point the foot down instead of pressing up against the nose.

Here are the steps to remember-

Pop tail and jump
Slide the front foot toward the front truck, and then flick out to its side
Wait for a complete revolution of the board.
Stomp both feet simultaneously back down on the ground to catch the board.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Are cruiser skateboards good for tricks?

Mostly, no. Their design only focuses on cruising down streets, pavements, and city environments.

How hard is it to do tricks on a cruiser?

Pretty hard, depending on your skills. Cruising boards are typically heavy, so getting your board off the ground is more of a challenge. Also, most cruiser decks have a different shape than popsicle decks, making them a little harder to maneuver when performing a specific trick.

Can you Ollie on a cruiser?

Yes, you can. It should be possible to do ollies on a cruiser using the four steps above following our method.

Can you still do tricks with cruiser wheels?

You can surely do tricks on your skateboard with cruiser wheels on, but we recommend using risers to prevent wheel bites. Depending on the wheel’s hardness, it may hit the board but keep spinning as long as the force is not too great. However, softer wheels can make things worse.

What can I do with a cruiser board?

Besides commuting and the tricky moves we’ve shared above, you can do several other tricks on your cruiser. If you understand foot positioning, pivots, pop tail, de-weighting, and such cruising movement standards, you can easily do staple gun, hippie jump, nose reverts, and flip-on.

On a Final Note

Before you go, here’s one thing we want you to remember- it’s unlikely that you’ll master your cruiser board right away even after you apply all the techniques listed above. Besides consistent practice, you should also pay attention to your weight balance, vision, and timing. Also, we recommend replacing your softer wheels with harder ones if you don’t get your desired push.