I would like to end 2012 and begin 2013 with a blog about an Adventure in RipSticking I had while leaving Golden Gate Park after a few magical hours of ripping thru the park, on Sunday December 30th. Because the skate area was filled, more than normally, with roller skaters, and being aware of how protective folks appear to be of their turf, I decided to carry my board and walk around the skate area to exit the park, instead of riding it.
As I reached the end of the skate area, I noticed that a child had fallen. He was riding (or learning to ride) a DLX Ripstick (i.e. deluxe size). I suggested that he be very careful, because he can really hurt himself on this thing if he is not careful.
The young lady with him, apparently noticed that I was carrying a board like his, asked me if I rode them. … Why is it that people see me with the board, and still ask me if i can ride, or if it is mine? Yes, I am an anomaly. 🙂
Anyway, she then asked if I could give him any pointers on how to ride. After he got up and rode around for me (and fell again), I offered that I thought he was riding like he should be riding now as a beginner. I told them that all new riders that I have seen, including myself, have the same fast swerve in the beginning. I invited them to visit Adventures in RipStickin and see the video of me teaching my grandson to ride.
Not being one of those folks who thinks quickly on their feet, especially after riding 3 hours in the zone, I have since thought about what pointers I could have given him in hindsight. While I do not recommend that anyone take up riding Ripsticking, in further thinking about this, I would suggest to him (and his parents) to:
- ALWAYS WEAR YOUR SAFTY EQUIPMENT (Helmet and wrist guards, at least). In life we often have to fall to learn and get better at stuff. Ripstickin is no different – Be prepared to learn a lot at first. 🙂
- Find a Safe, relatively Flat, and empty Space to practice. Practice where you have the room to focus on riding the board, without the distractions of a lot of other people around. School yards, tennis or basketball courts are perfect practice areas.
If you must continue to practice at the GG Skate area, then go early in the morning when there are fewer distractions. And always have a parent or guardian with you!
- Practice your mount. When you mount the board, you want your feet to be as close to the middle of the widest parts of the board as possible. Your heel should be the same distance from the center bar of the board as the front of your foot. If your heel or toe is closer to the center of the ripstick than the bottom of the front of your foot, it will twist the board and may sweep it from under you.
When you perfect your mount those types of falls should go away.
- Get the smaller board – Learn on the regular one, then move up to bigger board. I actually learned on the smaller board. My grandson also learned on the regular board.
Hope this helps. Have a wonderful 2013, and beyond!
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