Skateboarding – it looks so easy doesn’t it?
Our eldest son decided a couple of years ago that he wanted to learn the art of skateboarding. He had seen the pro’s make it look so easy on the tv and he decided that it looked fun too. I mean how hard can it be to propel yourself at such speeds with what appears to be little or not effort?
I was happy for him to get one on the basis that he can do it when his dad is about. We originally started off with pushing him along to get the feel of the balance and the steering. Whilst it’s like a scooter…it’s not. I could see myself being the engine and pushing him around the entire village, whilst looking after our other son whizzing about on his scooter and our 2 dogs.
We also haven’t pushed him to do it (except when he is getting frustrated and we are on the opposite end of the village to our house and he either carries it home himself or valiantly continues skateboarding home!) The boys are given an option of scooters or bikes if we are heading out and then every now and then, our eldest son asks if he can take his skateboard out.
We’re really lucky in that our little village doesn’t have any through traffic and is set in the shape of a square. So, most of the time you can take up the whole road in the knowledge that the majority of people coming through it are coming or going from home. We also generally tend to have the boys in high vis vests and believe me, these have come in handy on more than one occasion. Generally, folks tend to slow right down if they see them.
Last weekend, with a break in the sudden onslaught of rain and wind, we took the opportunity to get some fresh air and he asked if he could go skateboarding. There are a couple of gentle slopes where you can use gravity to do most of the work. He is able to gently push himself along and it’s a slow process to build up speed from his own leg pushes, but he does really well on the hills. He’s learnt the art of jumping off and running to avoid a fall now and can turn left and right and go around the corners.
It will be great when he has the power to full speed along and not have to concentrate too much on all the aspects of skateboarding and enjoy the view. What is lovely is that he is enjoying it at his own pace.
Good for him! It’s great when they can learn something at their own pace and enjoy it. My kids usually choose their scooters over their bikes and none of them has ever tried skateboarding.
Sarah MumofThree World recently posted…Can you Loom to the Moon?
Ours usually choose bikes over scooters lol
My kids are into the skateboarding thing but they mostly just like picking up speed on the hills. They do sometimes choose to take them to the cycle trail for a skate though. It’s great that he’s learning at his own speed and is getting more confident on it though. Thanks for linking up to Country Kids.
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He likes picking up the speed on the hills too Fiona – but if he could learn the power of pushing with his legs he can enjoy the straights too 😉
My 8 year old can just about manage a scooter. Don’t think she would be very good with a skateboard! #countrykids
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How is she on a bike? We found the scooters helped with the balance bikes
We haven’t moved on to skateboards, yet… The 5yo was asking about them the other day! Scooters and bikes will do me for the moment 🙂 #CountryKids
Sara (@mumturnedmom) recently posted…The B&W Photography Project: 9/11 Memorial
My advice would be to hold off yet on the skateboard. Mind you, we did get them these things that are a cross between a skateboard and a scooter which are fab!
Awww thats so nice that he never gives up on learning it. It is tricky as my husband said. Before he is learning it he is falling a lot anf his bum hurts but when you know how to ride them it can be sweet =) #countrykids
Merlinda Little (@pixiedusk) recently posted…Sunday B&W Photo
Bless him, it sounds like he has discovered a new love. Skateboarding champion of the future 🙂
#countrykids
That he has…now it’s just me that has to mentally prepare for the ‘walk’ lol! 🙂
It’s great to see a parent out there teaching their child how to skateboard. I’m a huge extreme sports enthusiast and love skateboarding with my own kids. Good luck with your new little ripper!!!
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