Skateboarding, Like Life, Requires Balance...

Jenni wrote in and asked, "I'm just learning how to longboard and I'm finding that when I remove my back foot to push I lose balance and sometimes will fall forward a bit or to either side..." Bummer! Having poor balance makes skateboarding very tough. I think I have pretty great balance, but when I got onto my friend's Nintendo Wii balance board, it made fun of me, asking me if I have a hard time walking. Jerk machine! So how to we get better balance?

Practice!

That's the key. Like everything else in skateboarding, you just need more time doing it. But, there ARE things you can do to improve your balance.

• Cruise around more - this is the easiest, most natural fix. Ride your skateboard or longboard around, and you WILL improve your balance.
• Home balance training - things like standing on one foot with your eyes closed, for as long as you can (it's actually pretty tough!). Things like this will help improve your sense of balance, and will strengthen the little muscles that help it all happen.
• Use a balance board - the best one of these I've ever used is the Indo Board, but there are several out there. Practice on one of these while watching TV, talking on the phone, anything at all! They work wonders.

I hope this helps! If you have any ideas of your own, share them below!