# Skateboarding? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [May 28, 2002, 5:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/skateboarding/111207 "2002-05-28T17:38:01Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 7\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Barbarian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e19adc/32.png) [@Barbarian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Barbarian)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2002, 5:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/skateboarding/111207/1 "2002-05-28T17:38:01Z")
I’m moving a lot closer to work this week (Yea!) but since walking 6 blocks before dawn is so incredibly dull, I’m thinking of talking up a new wheeled way of getting around. I’d bicycle, but 6 blocks is kinda overkill… so I’m thinking of learning to skateboard. But since I’m not a tween I don’t wanna spend too much time looking like a dork falling on my ass. Anyone got any advice? Aside from wearing safety equipment, that is… Most of the skateboard sites I’ve looked at focus on gear and tricks-- I just don’t want to fall down. ---
**Author:** ![breaknrun](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/bbce88/32.png) [@breaknrun](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/breaknrun)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2002, 5:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/skateboarding/111207/2 "2002-05-28T17:51:25Z")
Why not get one of those scooters instead? I don’t mean the motorized kind, obviously. Easier to keep from falling down then and doesn’t look any more dorky than a skateboard. Requires less saftely equipment too probably. Either that or a pogo stick. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![DougC](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/7feea3/32.png) [@DougC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DougC)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2002, 6:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/skateboarding/111207/3 "2002-05-28T18:31:56Z")
- - - I always found roller skates to be a far better way of getting anywhere than a skateboard. - DougC ---
**Author:** ![Barbarian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e19adc/32.png) [@Barbarian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Barbarian)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2002, 6:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/skateboarding/111207/4 "2002-05-28T18:46:22Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by breaknrun \* > \*\*Why not get one of those scooters instead? I don’t mean the motorized kind, obviously. \*\* I already _own_ the motorized kind! And my wife will be taking it work. I thought about it, but it looks too easy. I’d rather learn something new, in my lifelong goal to be able to control everything on wheels… ---
**Author:** ![kferr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/71e660/32.png) [@kferr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kferr)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2002, 11:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/skateboarding/111207/5 "2002-05-29T11:10:40Z")
Go for a unicycle! ---
**Author:** ![Mojo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/85f322/32.png) [@Mojo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mojo)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2002, 11:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/skateboarding/111207/6 "2002-05-29T11:44:46Z")
If you’re seriously looking at skateboards and haven’t ridden before, try a longboard. They’re much easier to cruise around on. ---
**Author:** ![Smashed\_Ice\_Cream](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ed8c4c/32.png) [@Smashed\_Ice\_Cream](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smashed_Ice_Cream)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2002, 5:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/skateboarding/111207/7 "2002-05-29T17:27:39Z")
I’m with **mojo** on the longboard suggestion. I learned to skateboard when I was about 25 or so, still young enough to figure it out. Longboards are a lot more stable, so you have room for error in figuring out exactly where to stand. It’s definitely not as easy as it looks. Also - make sure the sidewalks are pretty smooth terrain - 6 blocks can feel like 6 miles if you’re skating over a bumpy path. I’d recommend having someone who already can ride to show you - it’s hard to explain exactly how. Also give yourself more time to learn than you think you’ll need. It took me weeks to stand and move simultaneously - and I’m no stranger to board sports. But it is fun, and I use it for transportation a lot, myself.