How To Build Confidence as a Beginner Skateboarder

Getting into skateboarding can be one of the most exciting yet intimidating experiences. There's a certain thrill that comes with stepping onto a board for the first time, but again, it's often met with a blend of excitement and fear. Don't trip! That feeling is totally normal. 

But I will say this—confidence is key when it comes to skateboarding. And gaining this confidence is something every beginner can build with time, some proper effort, and the right mindset. The rewards that follow are truly endless, too. Thinking about picking up skateboarding? Here are a few ways you can grow your confidence as a beginner.

Start With the Basics

The first step to building confidence is mastering the basics. Don’t rush into all the gnarly tricks or heavy terrain. Instead, focus on things like simply standing on your board, pushing and even stopping. From there, you can practice turning, tic-tacs and eventually start easing into the basics, like ollies and 180s. The point is to get as comfortable as you can early on because comfort leads to confidence! 

Learning these basic skills will give you a sense of control right from the start, which is pretty much essential for feeling confident as you continue progress. There's no rush! Comfort. Control. Confidence. Boom! 

Get the Right Gear

Having the right gear can make a huge difference in how confident you feel when you're first starting out, which is why it's smart to ditch the Wal-Mart and Amazon boards and get something proper. The best place to do this is your local skate shop. 

You'll want a quality board that works with your size and style, for starters. Again, hit your local shop, and they'll get you hooked up! Some pads and a helmet are important when you start out as well, at the very least, a helmet. Spoiler alert—you are going to fall. Probably a lot. It's all just part of it! So, you're better safe than sorry. 

Lastly, I'd suggest getting a strong, comfortable, durable pair of skate shoes as well. There's no shortage of options out there these days. Head to your local and try on a few pairs. Your sole-mate is out there somewhere. Point is, when you’re properly equipped, you’ll naturally feel more secure and ready to try new tricks. It's all about that confidence! 

Find Somewhere to Practice

As we mentioned earlier, confidence and comfort work really well together when it comes to skateboarding. Having a safe spot to practice with minor distractions is super important when you're starting out. Where that place is will be different for everyone, but if you have a smooth, flat surface (like empty parking lots, driveways, or even local skateparks) to practice, it'll make all the difference. 

That said, I'd also avoid crowded skateparks or rough terrain until you’re more comfortable on your board. Just find somewhere you can focus and progress at your own speed—the rest will follow. 

Set Small Goals at First

You certainly don't need me to tell you that your progress won't happen overnight. Again, there's no rush. But it can be super helpful to set little goals along the way (and celebrate every victory all the same). 

Did you perfect your push? Feeling more confident with speed? Ollies getting higher? Learning how to drop in? Are you already mastering 360 flips!? 

Whatever it is, celebrate each accomplishment, no matter how minor. Building confidence is about recognizing and appreciating your progress. Simple as that. 

Learn From Others

I've been skateboarding for over 20 years and I'm still constantly learning from others! It's one of the coolest things about this tight-knit community of ours. Watching other skateboarders can be super inspiring (and educational). 

Whether it’s the hometown hero at your local skatepark, lurking YouTube tutorials online, your friends, family—whoever! Never be intimidated to observe how experienced skaters skate. Trust me, we're all doing it. Take mental notes of their techniques and try to apply them to your own skating. Be careful not to fully compare yourself and get discouraged, though. Remember—no rush. But yeah, it never hurts to pick up a pointer or two from your local rippers! 

Film Yourself (To Learn From Mistakes) 

Filming your sessions—or, at the very least, certain tricks—can be a great way to track improvement and learn from your mistakes. Plus, when you look back on older clips, you’ll naturally see how far you’ve come, which can be a huge confidence boost. Keep a close eye on what's working and what isn't. 

And remember that every fall, bail or missed trick is an opportunity to learn. Don't dwell! Just learn. Leaning too far forward? Foot placement off? Analyze, adjust, and keep ripping! It's all part of the process. 

Stay Consistent

Above all, confidence comes with consistency. You gotta make time to skate regularly, even if it’s just for 15–20 minutes a day. The more time you spend on your board, the more comfortable and confident you’ll feel. No debate. 

Skateboarding is nothing if you aren't having fun, so keep that in mind as well. Enjoy yourself! Embrace the challenges! And never let fear or self-doubt take away from the joy of cruising around or learning something new. Confidence will come naturally when you focus on enjoying the process. I promise. 

So, what have we learned? Most importantly, building confidence as a beginner takes time. It also requires patience and persistence. Start with the basics, get the right gear, find a legit spot to practice and keep at it. Be patient. We all start somewhere. Otherwise ... get out there and let 'er rip!