Best Tips to Learn Skateboard Dogtown

In the 1970s, a group of young surfers took their skills to the streets of Santa Monica and Venice, California, by hopping on skateboards and creating their own unique style of skateboarding. The area near the beach that the crew called home was often referred to as Dogtown. Mainly influenced by the free-flowing, fluid movements of surfing, Dogtown-style skateboarding introduced a whole new realm of skating tricks and movements that helped shape modern skateboard culture.

Best Tips to Learn Skateboard Dogtown

Equip yourself with properly fitted safety gear, including a helmet, knee and elbow pads. Skateboarding is a dangerous sport, especially when attempting to learn new styles or tricks. Purchase a skateboard suited for Dogtown-style skating. The individuals who made Dogtown famous developed boards specific to their style, which were typically wider than average production skateboards of the era, and at least 9 inches in width.

If you are not already an experienced skateboarder, first work to master the basics of skating. Determine which foot should lead your board. The foot that you would normally use to kick a ball should be at the rear, or tail, of the skateboard because it is typically the stronger leg and will provide more power for maneuvering the board. Practice pushing with your rear foot, turning by shifting your weight and moving the board until you are completely comfortable with riding and handling your skateboard.

Begin practicing skateboarding in a smooth, yet energetic fashion. Move quickly on the skateboard, bend your knees to a crouched position and stretch your arms out to one or both sides for balance, mimicking the kinds of moves seen in surfing.


Skate on rounded, bowl-like surfaces while working to achieve quick, fluid movements controlled by squatting your body and manipulating the board's movement with your body weight. Many of the Dogtown skaters were best known for their style formed in empty, round swimming pools. Working on surfaces that mimic drained pools, like bowls at a skate park, will help perfect your Dogtown skating style.

Practice carving the skateboard back and forth, in a serpentine motion, to gain speed without having to push off as often. Work on integrating tricks like the front side air, arguably first achieved by Dogtown skater Tony Alva, to your skating. Complete tricks with more concern for style, rather than technical completion. Laid-back, confident moves are the key to skating in a style reminiscent of the Dogtown legends.

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