How to boardslide

A boardslide is sliding along a rail or ledge on the middle of your deck, between the trucks, with the board turned sideways across the obstacle. It's one of the first slides most people learn, and it's the base for lots of rail and ledge tricks.

Frontside vs backside

For slides, frontside and backside describe how you approach the obstacle, not which way you spin:

• Backside boardslide: you approach with the rail behind you, on your heel side. You ollie, turn 90 degrees, and slide facing forward, looking down the rail.
• Frontside boardslide: you approach with the rail in front of you, on your toe side. You ollie, turn 90 degrees, and slide with your back facing the direction you're going.

In both, the nose goes over the rail first. Many skaters start with one or the other; try both low and slow and see which feels calmer.

Choose your spot

Start on a low flat bar or a waxed curb. Low height, and you can step off easily if something goes wrong. A flat bar is often easier than a ledge for boardslides, because the board sits right on it.

The approach

1. Roll toward the bar at a slight angle, almost parallel, at a steady speed.
2. Feet in ollie position: back foot on the tail, front foot behind the front bolts.
3. For backside, the bar is on your heel side. For frontside, it's on your toe side.

Getting on

1. Ollie just before you reach the bar, high enough for the front truck to clear it.
2. Turn 90 degrees in the air so the board swings across the bar. Shoulders lead, the board follows.
3. Land with the bar under the middle of the deck, between your feet. Both feet over the bolts.
4. Bend your knees to absorb it.

Sliding

• Keep your weight right over the bar, centered between your feet.
• Don't lean back or away from the direction you're going.
• Keep your shoulders in line with the bar and your eyes on the end of it.

Getting off

1. At the end of the bar, turn your shoulders back the way you came in.
2. The board follows, turning back to forward as it leaves the bar.
3. Land with bent knees over the bolts and roll away.

A worked example: slipping out to the side

Mia's backside boardslides keep sliding out toward her heels, and she lands on the ground next to the bar. She films one and sees she's leaning back, away from the bar. On her next try, she keeps her shoulders right over the bar and her weight centered. The board stays on, and she slides to the end.

Fixes for the usual problems

• Sliding out: you're leaning away. Keep your weight right over the bar.
• Front truck hits the bar: ollie higher and turn a bit later.
• Board doesn't turn enough: commit to the full 90 with your shoulders.
• Sticking: you need a bit more speed, or wax.
• Coming off too early: keep your eyes on the end of the bar.

Ledges vs rails

A boardslide on a ledge feels different from one on a rail. On a ledge, the board sits on the edge, and the rest of the deck hangs over the flat top. That gives you more room but more friction, so ledges usually need wax. On a flat bar, the bar sits right under the middle of the deck, which makes it easier to feel centered.

Steps: building up

1. Practice the 90-degree turn on flat ground: ollie and turn a quarter-turn.
2. On a very low flat bar, approach slowly and set the board on it, sliding a little.
3. Add speed a bit at a time.
4. Slide the whole bar.
5. Try the other direction once one feels easy.

Common mistakes

• Starting on something too high. Low flat bars first.
• Leaning back. The most common slip-out.
• Half-turning. Turn the full 90.
• Too slow. Boardslides need steady speed.

FAQ

Is a boardslide a grind?

No. A grind is on the trucks. A slide is on the deck.

What's a lipslide?

Similar, but the tail goes over the rail first instead of the nose.

Is frontside or backside easier?

It depends on the person. Backside lets you face forward; frontside lets you see the bar on the way in.

Do I need wax?

On a flat bar, often not. On a curb or ledge, a little wax helps.

Next: How to rock to fakie

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