After skating for a very long time I realized the "fear" of falling is generally more aggravating than the actual act of falling. Just go for it. I'd get a good stretch in before hitting any large transitions though. I'd hate to twist something and not be able to surf (if we ever get waves again).
Bub...there's a thread on the erBB about dudes getting back into skating transition as adults, and how many broken ankles they ended up with. I'll see if I can find it. I don't mean to be a doubting thomas, or skeptical seldom...but be weary. As a youth, we had no parks in my area, which lead me to 100% street skating. Got me a board a year ago, and now with all these parks around I was tempted. Then I saw that thread. For me, personally, I could still ollie/180/shuv-it...so I just cruise and stick to that. Also have my dog pull me.
I was trying to get into skating this past Spring. A few really fun concrete parks around here that are super smooth and fun to ride. I tore my MCL and PCL in June and am just getting back to normal now. Had bad foot position when I was trying to get up on coping, going fast, and back leg fell off and front stayed on and kept going. I am super tempted to try again but, man, the falling hurts! leading up to my ligament tears I got the biggest bruise ever on my thigh from falling on a rock to fakie and permanently bent my middle finger. Seems for every 3-4 sessions one I was coming back hurt. Lasted about 3 months before the tear happened. Same situation as seldom seen, no parks when I was a kid so didn't get too into it and wanted to get that surf feeling back now that I am 3 hours from the beach. Think I will stick with trying to stay fit and healthy so I can surf instead of trying to emulate the feeling. Falling while surfing is so much better. If you want to stick with skating be ready for some real injuries that may take you out of moving normally for several months.
damn u people make me feel like skating again.i honestly haven't skated in probably 10 yrs.im a way better skater than a surfer,i grew up skating everyday,didnt grow up surfing,that came later in life.i remember I was living in woodbridge and a little black kid was trying to skate on a crappy Walmart board so I gave him mine,and that's the last time I had a board.i know I could still land a 360flip in my workboots.. any of u people remember "soap" shoes,they had a grinding pad in the center....lol those were the days
also u should wear pads if ur a beginner.dont worry about looking like a phag,concrete hurts,its a lot better sliding down a bowl on knee pads then ur knees lol.a helmet is wise too.i went to do a kickflip over a little island in a parking lot(the little islands with the trees between spots) and the back wheel caught the edge of the curb and I catapaulted forward,wearing a tanktop,got road rash all over my arm,shoulder,bloody elbow,bloody knee.u can Ollie off a 3 stair and break ur arm.it may look easy on youtube,but id say skating is 1000 times harder than surfing
