New member, learning to drop in

[dofrenzy]

Hey all,

I turned 50 years old yesterday and I learned to "drop in" (sort of).  I was hoping to drop in on a quarter pipe but only worked my way up to a ramp. 

I have always wanted to drop in and tried once when I was about 15 years old but it didn't work out (I could drop in on a bike any day but not a skateboard).  So, it's always been a dream of mine, and although I count my ramp drop-in as a "real" drop-in, I won't be happy until I drop into a pipe (successfully) and also, I need to learn how to ollie.  I hope to own both of these tricks before I turn 51!!!! 

Anyway, old man alert.  I don't know anyone who skates or bikes so I feel like my only option is to crash the party here.  I hope to learn from you all and get some motivation. 

Of course, I did get some video.  I can't believe how EASY it looks.  I almost started crying as I got closer to a successful drop-in on the big ramp.  SUPER freakin' scary, but just trying to take baby steps. 

[DanTheDoucher]

Just gotta commit, dude.

The two drop-ins in the video weren't half bad.

[DanTheDoucher]

Also, how big is the ramp you are hoping to drop into?

[shit_for_brains]

We should probably close this place down huh

[SodaJerk]

Congratulations

[HugeBodBoyle]

FREE FALLIN'

[dofrenzy]

Also, how big is the ramp you are hoping to drop into?

Thank you for commenting Dan.  The ramp I want to drop into is the quarter pipe you see at the end of the video.  I know, it's practically the same as the big ramp.  I'll get there, I hope.

[DanTheDoucher]

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Also, how big is the ramp you are hoping to drop into?

[close]

Thank you for commenting Dan.  The ramp I want to drop into is the quarter pipe you see at the end of the video.  I know, it's practically the same as the big ramp.  I'll get there, I hope.

First of all, don't pay attention to any of the people who try to get you down on this site. They do this to everybody.

Secondly, just keep practicing on the smaller shit and work your way up. Honestly, just go to the park and cruise around. Get comfortable on the board and once your balance improves it will all get a lot easier.

[Suave]

same basic body language. slap the tail on the deck, lean forward and that's it. little secret, if you can drop in on one thing, you can drop in on all things. it's just mental.
how to ollie will take a little more practice but you'll get it.
hang in there [cat stuck in a tree poster].

[Francis Xavier]

We should probably close this place down huh

Post your drop in

[dofrenzy]

Congratulations

This actually means a lot to me.  Thank you. 

[dofrenzy]

We should probably close this place down huh

LOL.    Just keep your music down low and stay off my lawn and we should be OK.

[dofrenzy]

First of all, don't pay attention to any of the people who try to get you down on this site. They do this to everybody.

Secondly, just keep practicing on the smaller shit and work your way up. Honestly, just go to the park and cruise around. Get comfortable on the board and once your balance improves it will all get a lot easier.

Thanks again.  No worries on the haters.  If it gets too much for me I'll leave, but I've been a member of online forums since before they were born.....crap....I just sounded like an old man.  Ya know, when I was a kid the Internet was all uphill at 9600 baud!

I appreciate the advice and I plan to commit to that quarter pipe drop in.

[dofrenzy]

same basic body language. slap the tail on the deck, lean forward and that's it. little secret, if you can drop in on one thing, you can drop in on all things. it's just mental.
how to ollie will take a little more practice but you'll get it.
hang in there [cat stuck in a tree poster].

Thank you Suave.  "Lean forward and that's it"....it doesn't seem like much but wow, what a hurdle.

[bo golden]

seriously, loosen your trucks a smidge, it will help.

[Fred Savage]

Learn how to push man. Jeez

[Cool Ceith]

Definitely commit (falling forward > falling backward) and definitely wear a helmet!

[dofrenzy]

Learn how to push man. Jeez

What do you mean?

[dofrenzy]

Definitely commit (falling forward > falling backward) and definitely wear a helmet!

I never thought of it that way (falling forward being better than backward) but it does make sense.  I will keep that in mind for sure.

I am using my bike helmet right now, but there's a skate shop nearby (Civil Skateboard Shop) where I might get something more appropriate.

[dofrenzy]

seriously, loosen your trucks a smidge, it will help.

Wow, gear advice already!  I have a Powell Peralta board I got from Amazon many years ago.  No mods, no maintenance.  It hasn't been ridden much; just a bit on the street and no tricks (yet).

I would have thought tighter trucks might help, so I am glad you checked in here.  Thank you.

[Skoldbergscones]

You got it! Thanks for posting.

[DanTheDoucher]

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Learn how to push man. Jeez

[close]

What do you mean?

He means get comfortable cruising and pushing around the park before you get too involved with ramps and what-not.

[Elderly Gentleman]

Another old guy here (43).  I'm terrified to drop in on vert.  About 8' is the highest I've ever done.  Like was said before, COMMIT!!  It's pretty scary at first when you are staring down from the top, even on a 4' ramp.  But like they said, falling forward is way better than falling backward!  You have to commit and make sure the front wheels hit.  We usually tell kids at the park that are learning how to drop in to really "stomp" it down.  Make sure you push the front down. 

Once you get over the initial fear, it will be easy.  You can do this. 

[dofrenzy]

Another old guy here (43).  I'm terrified to drop in on vert.  About 8' is the highest I've ever done.  Like was said before, COMMIT!!  It's pretty scary at first when you are staring down from the top, even on a 4' ramp.  But like they said, falling forward is way better than falling backward!  You have to commit and make sure the front wheels hit.  We usually tell kids at the park that are learning how to drop in to really "stomp" it down.  Make sure you push the front down. 

Once you get over the initial fear, it will be easy.  You can do this.

Thank you Elderly Gentleman!  Yes, I figured out the stomp yesterday (eventually).  In fact, I think a poor stomp is what puts me off balance at the beginning of the video I posted.  I was a little slow on the stomp and the back wheels started to roll forward a bit as I dropped.  I got the feeling yesterday that I want to minimize that roll.
Thanks for checking in.  It is nice to know I am not alone.

8' drop in is huge as far as I'm concerned!  Nice work.

[dofrenzy]

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Learn how to push man. Jeez

[close]

What do you mean?

[close]

He means get comfortable cruising and pushing around the park before you get too involved with ramps and what-not.

Thanks for the explain.  It is excellent advice.  I know that a "drop in" was setting the bar a little high, so I was happy to get it done on the big ramp and will "learn how to push" and maybe some kick turns on the ramps (as the one other skater at the park also suggested) before I commit to a bigger drop in.  I just wanted something to show for my 50th I guess.

[conqueso]

welcome aboard good sir

[curbslayer]

ya definitely work on that push. the more comfortable you are pushing the more comfortable you will be in general. just work on that 

[cheetahsheets]

We should probably close this place down huh

U know it’s comments like those that make us all lose and therefore are not shalom. I hate this jock shit in skating, it’s so stupid. I don’t understand it from a pro perspective the most, like I’ve met enough pros where they have that mentality too and it’s kind of stupid. They limit the market and influence they have, which why would a company sponsor someone if they are gonna limit their market? Also why do companies want to limit their market by cool guying it? Like unless u have the clout of supreme with FA/Hockey u really are limiting yourself in terms of viability. The revive guys broke the code, yet have a horrible product, and some company needs to tap that market in a dope way and it’s depressing to see all these new companies try to “do it traditional” like those two, like do newer kids know their history? FA/Hockey are just world repeated, fuck all their graphics are tipoffs too. I love those guys, but if someone wants to do something revolutionary and really change the game they gotta go in the opposite direction. Personally I would rather read juicy details on the skate industry and hearing how people love things, but then don’t love things if they are exactly the same with different clothes. At the end of the day though I’m pretty juiced on a 50 year old dude who always wanted to drop in finally going for the commitment. I think every skater can relate to that, if you’ve never thought of a spot that scared you and going their on a mission to conquer it, then dare I say u have missed out on one of the greatest things skateboarding can bring you.

Shalom

[shit_for_brains]

Expand Quote

We should probably close this place down huh

[close]

U know it’s comments like those that make us all lose and therefore are not shalom. I hate this jock shit in skating, it’s so stupid. I don’t understand it from a pro perspective the most, like I’ve met enough pros where they have that mentality too and it’s kind of stupid. They limit the market and influence they have, which why would a company sponsor someone if they are gonna limit their market? Also why do companies want to limit their market by cool guying it? Like unless u have the clout of supreme with FA/Hockey u really are limiting yourself in terms of viability. The revive guys broke the code, yet have a horrible product, and some company needs to tap that market in a dope way and it’s depressing to see all these new companies try to “do it traditional” like those two, like do newer kids know their history? FA/Hockey are just world repeated, fuck all their graphics are tipoffs too. I love those guys, but if someone wants to do something revolutionary and really change the game they gotta go in the opposite direction. Personally I would rather read juicy details on the skate industry and hearing how people love things, but then don’t love things if they are exactly the same with different clothes. At the end of the day though I’m pretty juiced on a 50 year old dude who always wanted to drop in finally going for the commitment. I think every skater can relate to that, if you’ve never thought of a spot that scared you and going their on a mission to conquer it, then dare I say u have missed out on one of the greatest things skateboarding can bring you.

Shalom

What do you personally think the odds of me reading this are

[somedudefromnj]

This thread actually got me hyped. A 50 year olds first drop in is the shit I wish everyone I ever knew got to experience

to the guy saying we should close this place down- eat a dingleberry

Like someone said before get comfortable riding your board, and definitely pump the mini a bunch to get a feel for the ramp.

If its a quarter pipe and not a half pipe id say if you can drop in on one, you can pretty much drop in on them all. A rule ive always had is never put your board on the coping if you arent gonna drop in, so go to the ramp and put your board on the coping