| Learning how to grind is a major step forward for | | | | Nowadays there are so many different variations on |
| anyone learning how to skateboard. Not only is it the | | | | the original grind trick. Some of the most popular and |
| coolest looking skateboard trick, but it's also the | | | | common ones are; |
| most enjoyable and fun trick to do, and that's what | | | | - The 50-50 grind I mentioned can be done either |
| it's all about! | | | | frontside or backside depending on whether you're |
| How many times have you seen some grind a rail, | | | | facing towards (frontside) or away from (backside) |
| bench, edge or curb and thought to yourself, 'Man, I | | | | the rail at the time you grind it. The backside 50-50 is |
| wish I could do that...'? Well guess what, you can! It | | | | slightly more difficult, but really exciting when you nail |
| DOES take practice, and you'll need to learn some | | | | it for the first time |
| basics first, but you can learn how to grind if you | | | | - When in 'The 50-50 Grind' position if you lean back |
| really put your mind towards it. | | | | and push the rail with your hand to help the grind go |
| A grind is when the trucks of your skateboard slide | | | | for longer, this is called 'The Layback Grind'. It's a cool |
| or grind along a surface without the wheels touching | | | | way to enhance the grinding experience once you're |
| it. The trucks are usually made of metal, and they | | | | full of confidence and your balance is good. |
| are the axles that hold the wheels in place. | | | | - There are two other common ways to grind, which |
| Originally performed by skaters around the rim of | | | | are called 'The 5-0 Grind' and 'The Nosegrind'. These |
| backyard swimming pools, today grinding most | | | | two variations involve only one set of trucks |
| commonly grinding takes place on a specially built | | | | touching the rail while the other trucks are lifted into |
| grind-rail which can be found at any good skate park. | | | | a suspended position above the rail. When grinding on |
| Additionally you can do a grind on any object that | | | | just the back trucks with the front ones lifted in the |
| fits between the wheels of your skateboard. Before | | | | air it is called 'The 5-0 Grind'. |
| attempting to grind though it's important to learn how | | | | - As its name suggests, when the front trucks are |
| to grind properly, in order to reduce the risk of injury | | | | the only grinding point, this is called 'The Nosegrind', |
| and of course ensure you're giving yourself the best | | | | both of these two grind variations require great |
| opportunity to learn and progress as quickly as | | | | balance. You'll really want to know how to |
| possible. | | | | skateboard quite well before attempting either of |
| Although there are many variations on the grind trick, | | | | these to moves! Grinding is an unreal feeling when |
| the most basic maneuver worth learning is called the | | | | you can do it confidently. It opens up a world of |
| 50-50 grind. This involves approaching almost parallel | | | | opportunities for you to explore and maybe you'll |
| to the rail at a slight angle and then doing an ollie | | | | even be able to invent your own type of the grind |
| onto the middle of the rail with both trucks in the | | | | trick. Learning how to grind is a huge step forward, |
| centre of the rail. It may sound difficult but with | | | | and when you have mastered it, you'll be able to |
| practice and discipline around technique, you can | | | | show everyone how to skateboard like a pro! |
| achieve it, and once you do the sky is the limit! | | | | |