Is Height A Big Problem In Learning Skateboarding?
Many tall newbies in skateboarding might have questioned “Can Tall People Skateboard?”. In fact, skateboarding is not more challenging for tall riders. Skaters who are taller, on the other hand, should need some changes to make sure that they enjoy the best ride possible and avoid injuries.
In this post, you will read about how height affects your skateboarding learning and what you should prepare for this challenging sport.
What Are The Effects Of Height On Skateboarding?
First of all, let’s see how height influences your skateboarding learning.
The Effects Of Height On Skateboarding
Many people think that skateboarders appear to defy gravity. For non-skaters or normal people, skateboarding is a real marvel. Skateboarders do not ride against the center of gravity but rather use it to their advantage.
Skateboarding does not have any height or weight restrictions. All it takes is your work, patience, and perseverance to overcome many falls.
Let’s take a look at some of the world’s best skateboarders, such as Tony Hawk and Andrew Reynolds. They are all remarkably tall, but they manage to perform incredible tricks on skateboards.
Tony Hawk
One essential tip for tall riders is opting for a longer and wider board. If you are new and still have no idea about a high-quality skateboard, check out the best skateboard brands on the market to ensure the finest experience.
How Do Skaters Use Physics?
Building Blocks
Skaters do not need to have a qualified science degree. It is simply a matter of using momentum and gravity. Taking the Ollie trick as an example, one of the most fundamental skateboard tricks is the Ollie. It serves as the foundation for a variety of more complex tricks.
Technically, an Ollie is a jump. It is a leap in which the rider and the board stay together while flying through the air.
The weight of the rider, the force of gravity on the skateboard, and the force of the ground pushing up all work together in an Ollie.
Ollie trick
When these forces come together, they counteract each other. As a result, there is no net force. That being said, the board does not gather momentum, and instead, rolls alongside the skater.
So, in this case, it is not your height but your whole-body coordination to do the trick.
Center Gravity
The center of gravity appears in almost every aspect of skateboarding. The center of gravity (center of mass) means the imaginary place where gravity acts on an item.
Attempt to balance a pencil on your index finger. You are unable to balance it on the pencil’s ends. You must hold the middle or the center of gravity of the object.
What if you had to balance a human on a big finger? The center is his body. Most of the time, the belly button is the center of gravity.
Without a doubt, the center of gravity of a person is determined by their height. The center of gravity of shorter persons is lower and vice versa.
The center of mass plays an important role in most skateboarding tricks. For instance, if the skater wants to perform an Ollie trick, he will lower his center of gravity by bending his knees.
Tall skaters must compensate for their higher center of gravity. However, it will be much easier thanks to practice and the correct equipment.
More Height, More Protection
However, being taller does not mean skaters have more benefits. Taller people need more protective gear to prevent injuries.
Higher Chances Of Getting Injured
For taller skateboarders, skateboarding is neither less difficult nor more challenging. Taller athletes, on the other hand, are more prone to injury.
Dr. Eeric Truumees, a Texas orthopedic specialist, once talked about the threats of being active while tall. He also highlighted that taller persons are more likely to get injured.
In addition, tall persons frequently experience more serious damage compared to their shorter fellows. Why? According to Dr. Truumees, many researchers have pointed out that tall persons take more time to react.
Due to their significant height, taller skateboarders are more prone to falling. They also have a longer distance to fall, increasing the risk of serious injury.
The Suitable Equipment
The use of proper equipment can help to reduce the likelihood of a serious accident.
A perfect skateboard will completely change the game. Consider your height and, in extreme situations, your shoe size when selecting a skateboard.
Skateboarding sneakers
A tall person cannot simply take up any skateboard and begin skating. Skateboards are available in a variety of deck sizes that correspond to a person’s height.
Most adults above 5’6” can ride any board between 8.0′′ and 8.5′′, or even 9′′ if they prefer maximum stability.
A skateboard’s width should be proportional to the skater’s height. So, taller riders will need a larger, wider board.
It is highly recommended that you use skateboarding shoes. Skate shoes are more than just a fashionable look. They have been specifically made to fit skateboards better.
Conclusion
In conclusion, there are no shortcuts when it comes to mastering a sport. Taller people have certain disadvantages and advantages in learning skateboarding. However, if you are into skateboarding, just do it.
Trust in your abilities, relax, and enjoy the process of self-education. Hard work pays off!
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