| Even if you don’t become the next Tony Hawk, | | | | real camera pro and editor so you can start posting |
| a multi-millionaire with video games featuring you as | | | | your own clips online. |
| the main character, you can learn how to skateboard | | | | Attitude steps count, too |
| like a pro. It is not impossible as long as you have a | | | | Have fun – You skateboard because you love it, |
| clear understanding of what you are getting into, and | | | | right? If you are motivated by anything other than |
| how long it could take. You can’t be impatient if | | | | serious love of the board, you won’t make it to |
| you want to be at the top level of any activity, | | | | the top. And if that serious love of the board |
| whether sports, career or hobby. | | | | doesn’t have a big component of fun in it, you |
| If you happen to love skateboarding, and really are | | | | won’t make it even halfway. You won’t |
| committed to doing whatever it takes to skateboard | | | | become a top skateboarder because you want a |
| like a pro, or possibly even become one, then read | | | | glamour life traveling around the world on your |
| the following steps. There is no magic to it, and there | | | | sponsor’s credit card. The joy in what you do, |
| really are no secrets either. And to clear up any | | | | whatever it is, is infectious, and if you start moving |
| possible understanding about the headline, you can | | | | up the ranks, it can make you really attractive to |
| easily see how to skateboard like a pro, as the title | | | | those sponsors. |
| says. There are plenty of books and websites to | | | | First things first – Again, it seems like a |
| show you, and it’s easy to collect as many | | | | no-brainer, but if you don’t have your priorities in |
| printed or “virtual” lessons as you need to | | | | order, you won’t make it. Practice, board |
| get going with your practice. However, it will not be | | | | knowledge, proper safety, correct exercise routines, |
| easy to succeed at it, because anything good (and | | | | healthy diet, clean living – all of this is part of the |
| hard to do) takes time. | | | | pro skater package. Keep things in order, and |
| Now, it would take many thousands of pages of | | | | don’t forget that the only discipline that works is |
| writing and diagrams to teach you the 180 ollie, a | | | | self-discipline. No one can do this for you, or give you |
| shifty ollie, a frontside 360 and all the other moves. | | | | what you have to practice for. The only way is hard |
| You can get all of that information at your own | | | | work. |
| speed, and when you’re ready. For now, | | | | Stay balanced – Despite the fact that it is a hard |
| we’re talking about the basic action steps and | | | | road full of hard work and long hours and road rash |
| attitudes that will get you a solid start. And this much | | | | and ankle sprains, you still have to keep balanced. |
| is true, also, that the more disciplined, motivated and | | | | Having fun, loving what you do, working hard, staying |
| passionate you are, the easier it will seem. Even | | | | on track – all of these seemingly different things |
| when you’re doing hard work, you don’t | | | | really can work together and get you where you |
| mind as much when you are sold out on the goal | | | | want to go. It’s not easy to accomplish your |
| you’re working toward. | | | | dream, but it is easy enough to find out what to do. |
| Action steps to pro skateboarding | | | | The difference with winners, as opposed to quitters, |
| Practice – Sure, it should go without saying, but in | | | | is that the winners take the difficulties as challenges |
| this day and age people seem to think that reading | | | | to overcome, not obstacles to bounce off of. |
| “a” book or watching “one” skater | | | | Is it really you? |
| video is all it takes. The fact is that it takes practice, | | | | If you are really cut out to be a pro skater, you will |
| practice, and more practice. And after all that | | | | be able to tackle all these steps and still be cool, still |
| practice, you have to do one more thing – | | | | be yourself. Being centered and balanced, with family |
| practice some more. You should skate to work, | | | | and friends behind you, is a powerful combination for |
| skate to school and back, hit the skateboard parks | | | | success. These are the things that will help you in the |
| as much as possible and take your board with your | | | | long run and keep you going when times get hard, |
| at all times. You should be prepared to get in some | | | | you become exhausted or you encounter new |
| skate time anywhere that skateboarding is allowed. | | | | troubles along the way. |
| Safety – Pros are smart enough to protect their | | | | If you do start getting good, and standing out from |
| heads and limbs. You must always wear a helmet and | | | | the crowd skating around you, acting like you’re |
| pads (knees, elbows, perhaps gloves, too). Since you | | | | “all that” and being rude will only make you |
| are on a mission, you will be excited at what | | | | enemies. No matter how great your skateboarding |
| you’re doing and may forget that the major part | | | | skills become, there are always others who are just |
| of learning is making mistakes. Remember, making | | | | as good or better, so keep your ego in check. This is |
| mistakes when learning pro skateboarding techniques | | | | often difficult for young people who are also facing a |
| means falling down. Since you're going to experiment | | | | lot of life changes during their teens and early 20s. |
| and try all kinds of new things, your need to protect | | | | The bottom line is that you can learn to do anything |
| yourself. | | | | you set your mind to, but you first have to find out |
| Watch videos, and make them, too – There are | | | | if it’s “in your blood.” It needs to be |
| tons of YouTube clips and skateboarding videos to | | | | more important than any other goal or activity if you |
| watch and study. Every one of the top pro | | | | want to work your way to the top of the pro ranks, |
| skateboarders has videos, lots of them. While | | | | and that’s true in business, entertainment and |
| you’re learning all the moves, have a friend | | | | sports. For skateboarders working their way up, |
| videotape what you’re doing so you can study | | | | there will be dozens of moves to master, terms to |
| yourself. Keep making videos as your skills keep | | | | know and techniques of their own to develop. With |
| getting better. Eventually, you may need to hire a | | | | hard work and persistence, you really can do it. |