If you are new to the aggressive skating scene, the advice and guidelines in this article will help you survive your first few trips to the skate park. We will cover topics like what items and protective gear you might want to bring with you, making sure your skates are ready to shred, the skate park lingo and etiquette you should know, and some basic beginner tips so you can start feeling comfortable at any park.

Skate parks may seem like disorganized mayhem, especially when they get crowded, but underneath that chaos is a commonly-accepted code of behavior. These guidelines are pretty universal from park to park and, if followed, will help keep everyone safe and having fun. Know that not everyone will follow these basic courtesies, but you should!

• Be mindful of everyone around you. Keep your head on a swivel and know your surroundings at all times. There is no shortage of ways to get taken out at a skate park.
• Everyone gets a turn. Wait patiently while others take theirs and don't hog the obstacle or park when you get yours. Sharing is caring.
• Treat everyone with respect. Skates, bike, skateboard, scooter, or sneakers, just be kind. Talk to people and make friends, or don't...just don't be a jerk!

We have also thrown together a short list of some of the vocabulary most often heard around a skate park. You'll probably pick these up as you go, but knowing these ahead of time could speed your learning curve and boost your confidence.

• Transition - the curved section between horizontal and vertical on a ramp, bowl, or other surface
• Deck - the flat surface around the top of bowls, ramps, and the skate park in general
• Coping - the material at the top of a wall or ramp that is used for grinds, stalls, and drop-ins
• Drop-in - starting from the very top edge of a ramp or bowl and quite literally dropping into the transition
• Snake - someone who interrupts another skater who started before them (wait your turn!)
• Grind - tricks in which the skater slides along a surface using their trucks or attached grind blocks
• Stall - tricks in which the skater comes to a stop on a ledge or section of coping
• Carving - changing direction by leaning or turning on a transition
• Pumping - building momentum using forwards and backwards skating on a transition

• Protective Gear - a no brainer. More on this in a bit...
• Water & Snacks - stay hydrated! Snacks are great for a mid-session chill.
• Skate Tool - nobody likes losing a wheel or toe stop.
• Cell Phone - like you leave home without it anyway.
• First Aid Kit - scrapes are very, very common. Keep antiseptic nearby!
• Sun-Protection - "yes, Mom"
• Don't forget your skates!

We know it is hard to resist throwing your skates on right away and letting loose, but now is the time to check your skates and make sure they are as ready to roll as you are. Check your toe stops, axle nuts, and kingpin nuts to make sure they are secure. (You did pack a skate tool, right?) Check out the video below and we also recommend reading up on Preventative Skate Maintenance in our Learning Center.

It is surprisingly easy to fracture a bone or get a concussion, but it is much easier to just wear certified protective gear. First and foremost, please ALWAYS wear a helmet. We strongly recommend knee pads and wrist guards, as those are the most common points of contact in a fall, as well as elbow pads to a slightly lesser extent. Finally, hip pads are fantastic for breaking falls, protecting your tailbone, and inspiring confidence.

Don’t push yourself too fast or too far out of your comfort zone and remember that everyone progresses at their own pace. If you are just starting out, practice on smooth, flat surfaces first before going vertical or trying anything technical. Be confident in your skating fundamentals - things like rolling forwards and backwards, stopping, jumping, rotating, and especially falling. No matter what, bend your knees and stay low!

Start at the bottom of a ramp, bowl, or pipe and simply skate around the area (at your own comfort level) to get a feel for the transition. As you get more comfortable, try pumping in a straight line back and forth, or riding around turning on the transition. As your confidence and park skating ability grow, you'll find yourself getting higher and higher into the transition.

Eventually, you will be able to reach the coping, and if you can do that then you might be ready to try dropping in from the deck. If you’re not confident in your skills yet, try smaller slopes and ask someone to demonstrate.

Remember that everyone has their own skating style and is doing things at their own pace. Park skating is an incredible way to show off your individuality, so find your flow and grow your own way. The ultimate goal is to have fun!