Was trying to relearn them today, and realized most skaters don’t even know what they are doing themselves (because the good ones are so natural they don’t break the movement down) and this are shit at explaining it.
90% of people say you just ‘smash that shit’ or some bullshit like that, the people who have a clue will say something about being ‘lightfooted’.
The approach angle and speed are all well explained. Same with the carving motion.
But when it comes to hitting the curb, you don’t force it on, it won’t work. Especially do not straighten your legs trying to increase the force of impact.
You have to ‘unweight’ your feet as you go on. Front foot first, then the back.
This is not ‘lifting up the front trucks’, it is merely taking most of the pressure off the front foot, allowing the front trucks to bump up, then the back foot, and get the rear ones on. Then you grip, get your weight to the rear, and enjoy the ride.
It’s a very quick and subtle movement, which is why you don’t catch it watching the videos (and why most people don’t notice themselves doing it) but it is the most important one.
A bit like then you unweight the board to nollie bump a crack that’s sticking up.
The next most important movement is turning the hips in the direction of the slappy, like you are carving a bowl, and lean into the turn a fair bit, like you are carving coping.
When you get these points right, it is effortless.