Don't make these mistakes
We all made them. You don't have to. The classic mistakes of each discipline, with the concrete fix right next to them. Mistake #0 is universal: buying the wrong size — that's what the calculator is for.
Skateboarding
| The mistake | The fix |
|---|
| The supermarket "toy" board | Wheels that don't spin + trucks that don't turn = guaranteed quitting. An entry-level branded complete (or a good used one) costs a little more and changes everything |
| Running shoes or air-sole sneakers | Flat vulcanized-style soles: you feel the board and your ankle doesn't fold |
| Not learning how to fall | Practice falling BEFORE it happens: roll over your shoulder, don't stab stiff arms at the ground. Wrist guards for the first months |
| Starting anywhere with a slope | Smooth, FLAT ground. Ramps come on their own once pushing and turning are automatic |
| Trucks cranked super tight "so it won't turn" | Turning is the control. Adjust them so they turn without wheelbite, not so they don't turn |
Snowboarding
| The mistake | The fix |
|---|
| Boots a size up "for comfort" | Mistake #1. Boots fit snug, toes brushing: the liner packs out half a size on its own. Big boots = dancing ankle = zero control and sprains |
| Renting by height alone | The board is chosen by WEIGHT. Give weight, height and boot size — or show the oracle's card |
| Day one without wrist guards | The wrist is the #1 novice injury (guards cut it ~85%). Wrist guards + helmet, no debate |
| Hitting the hard runs on day two | Progression isn't shame: it's what lets you come back tomorrow. Master the falling leaf on both edges first |
| No sunscreen "because it's cold" | Snow reflects the sun: it burns you twice, from below too. Sunscreen and goggles always |
Longboarding & surfskate
| The mistake | The fix |
|---|
| Buying by looks without knowing the use | Surfskate, cruiser, dancer and downhill boards share almost nothing. Define the use first (the guide sorts it out) |
| Bombing a hill before you can brake | The mistake that sends people to the hospital. Master the footbrake (dragging your sole) on flat ground BEFORE any slope |
| Small hard skate wheels on a longboard | Big soft wheels (65+ mm, 78a): they roll over pebbles instead of face-planting you |
| Surfskate system fully loose | Too loose = a board with a mind of its own. Start firm and loosen gradually |
Surfing
| The mistake | The fix |
|---|
| Starting on a shortboard "like the photos" | It doesn't float, doesn't paddle, doesn't forgive. Big soft-top = standing on day one instead of month one |
| No leash "because it looks cooler" | The leash is your flotation and everyone else's safety: a loose board in the lineup is a missile |
| Not reading the ocean before paddling out | 10 minutes from the shore: where it breaks, where the current pulls, where the locals paddle out. Ask about offshore wind |
| Dropping in without priority | Closest to the peak owns the wave. Paddling inside someone is the fastest way to get hated (and hurt) |
| A hard fiberglass board in a crowded beginner lineup | In whitewater full of beginners, soft foam protects everyone — starting with you |
FAQ
- Are supermarket skateboards OK?
- No: they don't spin, don't turn, don't forgive. An entry-level branded complete or a good used one costs a little more and changes everything.
- The most common snowboard rental mistake?
- Boots a size up "for comfort" and a board chosen by height. Snug boots, board by weight, and wrist guards on day one.
- Can I learn to surf on a shortboard?
- You'll get frustrated. Big soft-top and whitewater: you stand up on day one.
- What do I learn first on a longboard?
- Braking (footbrake), on flat ground, before touching a hill.
Advice based on common practice and the sport's safety guides. A guide, not gospel: nothing beats a lesson with someone who truly knows — your first snowboard or surf lesson pays for itself in bruises saved.