The motorized skateboard was first introduced in 1975. It was gas powered but it paved the way for the electric skateboard many years later. Like the original skateboard, shifting your bodyweight maneuvers and steers the electric skateboard. The only difference in the boards is the manner in which they are powered. The electric skateboard is a cleaner form of motorization and runs up to 20 mph. The electric skateboard is also available in off-road versions which can traverse through all kinds of terrain, from grass, dirt, gravel, and hard sand. Learning to ride an electric skateboard may take a little bit of practice and know-how. Before you attempt riding one, learn some of the basics for a better understanding.
Before you begin to ride an electric skateboard, you will want to be sure you have all the correct protective gear. It’s important to protect all major parts of your body that are more susceptible to injury if you fall.
• Knee pads
• Shoulder pads
• Proper footwear
Correct posture is important in having control over your board. Correct stance requires that you stand with your leading foot toward the front of the board, opposite the motor. It should point slightly outward and be along the narrow part of the board. Your back foot should be positioned square with your hips and both should be approximately shoulder width apart.
The general rule to riding is to keep your mind open and relax. Riding any skateboard requires a relaxed frame of mind. Of course, paying attention to detail and what is going on around you at all times, is important. But the general frame of mind should be to stay relaxed while focused. When you are relaxed, your body will easily guide the board where you want it to go. When you are tense, you are more likely to make unexpected jerky motions which will throw you off kilter.
Pay attention to your stops. The last thing you want is to have to brake hard. You don’t want to run-up on a stop at an excessive speed so that you lose control over the board, or thrown off. Give yourself plenty of braking time so that you come to a slow and steady stop.
Accelerating takes practice. Slow and steady is the trick. Don’t be too eager to reach the top speed of 20mph too quickly; ease into it. It takes having full body control to get to where you can get your board up to full throttle steadily but quickly and gracefully. Your body will soon learn to cope with the speed adjustments and each time you ride it will be a smoother transition from start to full speed ahead. Just remember to start slow and ease into your speed.
Certain electric skateboards can be ridden in light rain to even a bit heavier rainy weather but anything more can be bad on your board. Many are splash resistant but you have to be smart about your decisions with what you will expose your board to.