Decoding the Skateboarder Slang: 20 Terms Every Skater Should Know

Skateboarding culture has its own unique slang and terminology that can be intimidating for outsiders to understand. Here are 20 skateboarder slang terms that every skateboarder should know:

1. Stoked: Excited, enthusiastic about something, usually used to express excitement about an upcoming session or trick.
2. Gnarly: A term used to describe a difficult or dangerous trick or obstacle.
3. Sick: A term used to describe a really good trick or rider.
4. Bails: When a rider falls off their skateboard.
5. Ripper: A skilled and talented rider.
6. Shred: To ride with a high level of skill and style.
7. Kooks: A term used to describe someone who is new to skateboarding and doesn't know the culture or rules.
8. Slam: A hard fall.
9. Sketchy: A term used to describe something that is difficult or dangerous.
10. Steeze: Style and grace when performing a trick.
11. Grom: A young Skateboarder.
12. Darkslide: A trick where the rider grinds on the side of the rail that is opposite of the direction they are facing.
13. Ollie: A basic jumping trick in which the rider pops the tail of the board with their back foot and slides their front foot up the board to make the board jump into the air.
14. Pop Shove-it: A trick where the rider pops the tail of the board and spins it 360 degrees.
15. Heelflip: A trick where the rider pops the tail of the board and spins it 360 degrees while keeping the front foot on the board.
16. Nose grind: A trick where the rider grinds the nose of the board along a rail or other obstacle.
17. Kickflip: A trick where the rider pops the tail of the board and spins it 360 degrees while keeping the front foot off the board.
18. 50-50 grind: A trick where the rider grinds on a rail or other obstacle with the trucks of the board parallel to the obstacle.
19. Smith grind: A trick where the rider grinds on a rail or other obstacle with the trucks of the board perpendicular to the obstacle.
20. No-comply: A trick where the rider pops the tail of the board and spins it 180 degrees while keeping the front foot off the board.

Learning these terms will help you understand the lingo and culture of skateboarding, and will allow you to communicate with other Skateboarders more effectively. Remember that Skateboarding is a community and when you understand the language it will help you be part of it. Happy shredding!