How to Backside Boardslide

Part 1: Yet another trick goes into the arsenal.

Dateline: 8 November 2000

A boardslide is the act of approaching a ledge, curb or rail and hopping the board onto the structure so that by way of a forward momentum you and the board are propelled across it in a slide whilst the board and not the wheels, are flush with the object.

In order to do this trick properly you must know how to ollie to at least the height of the obstacle you are trying to slide. If you don't know how to ollie, learn how to do so right now. Don't attempt the boardslide before doing this. Broken skulls heal slowly or not at all.

Another tip would be to maybe work on your 180 ollies first, but this is not a necessity.

The Backside Approach

To approach something backside means that you approach with your backside facing the obstacle. In other words, your toes should point away from the curb and your heels should be toward it.

Skate toward a curb or rail at a backside advance. You must be going at a relatively swift speed so that you slide the curb instead of getting stuck in the middle and falling on your posterior end.

For greater speed you should advance at as shallow an angle as possible. The more parallel to the curb you are, the faster you'll slide but if the angle is larger than say about 30 degrees, it'll be easier to turn onto the curb. The latter is probably better at first for the beginner.

The Slide

Put your feet in ollie position. When you reach the obstacle ollie onto it while executing a 90 degree turn in the air. You're just about parallel on approach but by the time you land it, the board will be perpendicular, your chest will be facing forward and you can kiss your graphics goodbye.

Good riddance dear flame boy.

Upon landing, make sure that you keep the weight in the heels of your feet. Extend your arms, bend your knees, but stay vertical. Don't lean back at all as this can cause the board to slip out from under you, but do keep a pressure in the heels and off the toes while proceeding to slide the board the length of the obstacle.

To slide farther, skate faster.

Balance is imperative. It might be better, therefore, to start on a curb that's a bit thicker in an effort to master the feel. If you're going fast enough the board should slide across the curb. If it doesn't you're either going to slow or there is too much friction between the board and the curb in which case you should try waxing before attempting it again.

By all means, use some common sense and check the surface before attempting this trick. A rougher surface makes for a higher degree of friction. If it's rough, wax it, wax it, wax it or reap the consequences. Some have suggested the use of a bar of soap in case of a lack of wax but I have never tried this. If it works for you let me know.

The Dismount

The best way to get off the obstacle is to the slide to the end and drop off with a twist of the hips that lands evenly and in it's original parallel position so that you can skate straight away. If there's a corner or something though you'll need to ollie up over it or kick out before you get there.

That's about it. You slid it. Good job.