As the world of skateboarding continues to evolve, its unique culture and terminology have become an integral part of its identity. From the coolest skateboarding terms to the most challenging skate tricks, understanding the slang and jargon used by skaters is essential for anyone looking to immerse themselves in this exciting sport. Whether you’re a seasoned pro or just starting out, navigating the complex world of skateboarding vocabulary can seem daunting, but fear not – we’ve got you covered.

Skateboarder Slang: Understanding the Lingo

We’re stoked to share our knowledge of skateboarder slang, helping you navigate the world of skate culture.

• Ripper:

  A skilled and talented rider who consistently lands tricks with ease and style.

• Shred:

  To ride with a high level of skill and style, often referring to a smooth and effortless performance.

• Kooks:

  A term used to describe someone who is new to skateboarding and doesn’t know the culture or rules.

• Slam:

  A hard fall, often resulting in injury or damage to the board.

• Grind:

  To slide along the edge of a surface, typically a rail or ledge, using the trucks of the board.

• Ollie:

  A fundamental trick where the rider pops the board off the ground without using hands.

• Kickflip:

  A type of flip trick where the board spins on its vertical axis, initiated by flicking the tail.

• Nose:

  The front part of the skateboard deck.

• Tail:

  The back part of the skateboard deck.

• Pop:

  The height or distance achieved by the board when ollied or kicked.

• Stance:

  The position of the feet on the board, with regular stance being left foot forward and goofy stance being right foot forward.

• Switch:

  Riding with the non-dominant foot forward, requiring adjustment to balance and control.

• Carve:

  To turn by leaning the board onto its edges, creating a smooth arc.

• Manual:

  Balancing on the rear wheels while the front wheels are lifted off the ground.

• 180:

  A rotation of 180 degrees, often performed during tricks or transitions.

• 360:

  A rotation of 360 degrees, showcasing advanced skills and control.

Skateboarding culture is rich in terminology, and understanding these slang words will help you connect with fellow riders and enhance your overall experience.

At Kickflip Boards , we’re passionate about sharing knowledge and promoting the sport, so stay tuned for more insights and tutorials!

What do skateboarders call falling?

We’ve all been there – wiping out on our boards and landing on our backsides. But what do we call this unfortunate event? In the world of skateboarding, falling is commonly referred to as “bailing” or “wiping out.”

• Bail: A bail occurs when you intentionally jump off the board while attempting a trick, usually to avoid injury.
• Wipeout: A wipeout happens when you lose control of the board and crash, often resulting in a nasty fall.

As a skater, it’s essential to learn how to fall safely and properly. This means rolling with the impact, absorbing the shock, and minimizing the risk of injury. By mastering the art of falling, you’ll be able to get back on your board faster and continue shredding the gnar.

At Kickflip Boards , we believe that falling is an inevitable part of the learning process. That’s why we offer a variety of resources and tutorials to help you improve your skills and stay safe on the board.

1. Check out our skate tips and tricks section for valuable advice on how to fall safely and effectively.
2. Learn how to maintain your board to prevent accidents and injuries.
3. Join our skate community to connect with other skaters, share tips, and learn from their experiences.

Remember, falling is a normal part of the skateboarding journey. Don’t be discouraged if you wipe out – just get back on your board and keep shredding!

What Skaters Call Stairs

We’ve all seen them – those steep inclines that challenge our balance and test our bravery.

• Skaters refer to these structures as stair sets.
• A common abbreviation for a three-level stair set is “Set of 3” or “Three levels.”
• A five-level stair set is often abbreviated as “Set of 5” or “Five levels.”

These stair sets in a skate park aren’t meant for sitting or walking up, but rather for jumping down and performing flat tricks.

At Kickflip Boards, we’re passionate about helping skaters enhance their skills and stay connected with the skate culture.

Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned pro, our platform provides valuable insights into skateboarding techniques, gear recommendations, and the latest trends in the sport.

Some popular skate parks feature stair sets with varying heights, making them ideal for practicing jumps and tricks.

When skating stairs, it’s essential to wear protective gear, including a helmet, knee pads, and elbow pads.

Remember to always warm up before attempting any trick, and start with smaller stair sets before progressing to more challenging ones.

With practice and patience, you’ll be landing complex tricks in no time!

For more information on skateboarding techniques and safety guidelines, check out our article on skateboarding safety tips .

Additionally, you can explore our guide on skate park features to learn more about the different obstacles and amenities found in skate parks.

Stay safe, have fun, and keep shredding!

Skate Tricks Terminology

The world of skateboarding has its own unique language, with various terms used to describe different tricks.

• Basic Tricks: These are fundamental moves that every skater should master, including ollies, kickturns, and heelflips.
• Flip Tricks: Flips involve rotating the board 360 degrees or more while airborne, resulting in tricks like kickflips, heelflips, and varials.
• Shove-it Tricks: Shove-its involve pushing the tail of the board to initiate a spin, leading to tricks like shove-its and lipslides.
• Grind and Slide Tricks: Grinds and slides involve sliding along rails, ledges, or other obstacles, resulting in tricks like grinds, slides, and smith grinds.
• Air Tricks: Air tricks involve jumping and performing flips or spins in mid-air, leading to tricks like airs, manuals, and nose manuals.
• Park Tricks: Park tricks are performed in skate parks and involve navigating ramps, bowls, and other obstacles, resulting in tricks like 50-50 grinds and wallrides.
• Street Tricks: Street tricks are performed in urban environments and involve navigating stairs, handrails, and other street features, leading to tricks like staircases and handrail grinds.
• Flatground Tricks: Flatground tricks are performed on flat ground and involve spinning, flipping, and sliding, resulting in tricks like 180s and 360s.
• Technical Tricks: Technical tricks require precision and control, involving tricks like switch riding, tre flips, and hardflips.

Skaters often combine these basic tricks to create more complex maneuvers, showcasing their creativity and skill.

Understanding Skateboard Terminology

Familiarizing yourself with skate terminology will enhance your understanding of the sport and allow you to communicate effectively with fellow skaters.

1. Ollie: A fundamental move where the skater jumps off the ground without using their hands.
2. Kickturn: A turn initiated by kicking the tail of the board.
3. Heelflip: A flip trick where the heel of the foot strikes the board.
4. Varial: A variation of the kickflip, where the board spins twice before landing.
5. Shove-it: A trick where the tail of the board is pushed to initiate a spin.
6. Lipslide: A slide trick where the board slides along the edge of a rail or ledge.
7. Grind: A trick where the board is placed on a rail or ledge and slid along it.
8. Slide: A trick where the board is slid along a surface, often on wheels.
9. Smith Grind: A grind trick where the board is placed on a rail or ledge and slid along it, with the trucks facing downwards.

Mastering Skate Tricks Takes Time and Practice

Skate tricks require patience, dedication, and consistent practice to master.

Skateboard Terminology

We’re often asked what we call our trusty boards at Kickflip Boards, and the answer is simple – we call them decks.

• Deck:

  Also known as the shape, this is the main part of a skateboard, the portion that is used to skate on. Decks are typically made of 7 or 9 plies of maple, birch, or some other wood, laminated together and shaped into numerous board shapes.

• Types of Decks:

  Beyond just calling it a deck, there are various types of decks available, including:

  • Popsicle Stick Deck: A classic style featuring a symmetrical shape with a rounded nose and tail.
  • Drop-through Deck: A type of deck that has a lower center of gravity, making it easier to perform tricks.
  • Top Mount Deck: A deck with the trucks mounted on top of the deck, rather than through it.

• Why We Love Our Decks:

  At Kickflip Boards, we’re passionate about skateboarding and the culture surrounding it. We believe that every rider deserves a high-quality deck that meets their unique needs and preferences. That’s why we offer a wide selection of decks from top manufacturers, including Baker Skateboards and Real Skateboards .

• Maintenance Tips:

  To keep your deck in top condition, make sure to regularly clean and wax it. This will help prevent damage and extend its lifespan. You can find more information on deck maintenance on our maintenance tips page .

What is the Hardest Skate Trick Called?

The world of skateboarding is home to numerous challenging tricks, each requiring skill, patience, and dedication to master.

• Kickflip : A fundamental trick that involves flipping the board with the foot, making it a great starting point for beginners.
• Ollie : A basic jump technique that allows skaters to propel themselves off the ground, essential for various tricks.
• Heelflip : Similar to the kickflip, but performed with the heel of the foot, adding an extra layer of difficulty.
• Varial Kickflip : A variation of the kickflip, where the board spins twice before landing, increasing the level of complexity.
• 360 Flip : A trick that involves spinning the board 360 degrees while performing a flip, pushing the limits of technical skill.
• Hardflip : A variation of the kickflip, where the board flips in the opposite direction, requiring precise timing and control.
• Double Cork : An advanced trick involving two corkscrews, showcasing exceptional balance and aerial awareness.
• McTwist : A combination of a 180-degree spin and a flip, demanding high-level coordination and spatial awareness.
• 900 : A trick that involves spinning the board 900 degrees, requiring immense power, speed, and precision.
• 1080 : An even more complex version of the 900, pushing the boundaries of what’s possible on a skateboard.

Among these, the 900 is often considered one of the most challenging tricks due to its high degree of rotation and the need for precise timing and control.

Conclusion:

The hardest skate trick is subjective and can vary depending on individual skill levels and preferences. However, the 900 remains a benchmark for extreme skateboarding, requiring a unique blend of physical ability, mental focus, and creative expression.