Skating, a popular sport and recreational activity, has its own vibrant culture and unique language. From tricks to gear, there’s a whole world of skateboarding slang that can be both exciting and confusing for newcomers. Lucky for you, our team of avid skaters has put together a list of the top slang terms for skating that will have you shredding the streets like a pro in no time. Get ready to learn the lingo and impress your skate crew with your newfound knowledge!
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1. Stoked
To be extremely enthusiastic or excited about something, often used to describe the feeling of anticipation or joy before or during a skateboarding session.
- For example, “I’m so stoked to try out this new trick!”
- A skater might say, “I’m stoked to hit the skate park with my friends this weekend.”
- Another might exclaim, “I’m stoked that I landed that trick on my first try!”
2. Shred
To skate with great speed, power, and style, often used to describe someone who is performing impressive tricks or maneuvers.
- For instance, “He’s shredding the halfpipe with amazing skill!”
- A skater might say, “I’m going to shred this rail and land a sick trick.”
- Another might comment, “She’s shredding it out there, landing every trick flawlessly!”
3. Deck
The board component of a skateboard, typically made of wood or composite materials, on which a skater stands and performs tricks.
- For example, “I just got a new deck with a cool graphic on it!”
- A skater might say, “I prefer a wider deck for more stability.”
- Another might comment, “His deck has a lot of pop, perfect for ollies!”
4. Trucks
The metal parts of a skateboard that connect the wheels to the deck, allowing for turning and stability.
- For instance, “I need to tighten my trucks for better control.”
- A skater might say, “My trucks are too loose, I need to adjust them.”
- Another might comment, “These new trucks feel great, I can carve so smoothly!”
5. Wheels
The circular components of a skateboard that come into contact with the ground and allow for movement and maneuverability.
- For example, “I just got some new wheels that have great grip.”
- A skater might say, “These wheels are too hard, I need softer ones for a smoother ride.”
- Another might comment, “His wheels are so worn down, he needs to replace them soon!”
6. Flatground
Refers to skateboarding tricks performed on a flat surface, such as a parking lot or a sidewalk. These tricks are typically done without any obstacles or ramps.
- For example, a skater might say, “I’ve been practicing my flatground tricks all day.”
- Another might comment, “He has amazing balance on flatground.”
- A video caption might read, “Check out this sick flatground session!”
7. Gnarly
Used to describe something that is impressive, extreme, or challenging in the world of skating. It can refer to tricks, skate spots, or the overall style of a skater.
- For instance, a skater might exclaim, “That was a gnarly kickflip!”
- Someone might comment, “That skatepark has a gnarly bowl.”
- A video title might say, “Skater attempts gnarly rail slide!”
8. Rad
Used to describe something that is excellent, awesome, or cool in the skateboarding world. It is often used to express admiration or excitement.
- For example, a skater might say, “That trick was rad!”
- Someone might comment, “Rad skatepark, dude!”
- A video description might read, “Watch this rad skateboarder shred the streets!”
9. Pop
Refers to the ability of a skateboarder to perform high jumps or ollies. It is often used to describe how well a skater can get their board off the ground.
- For instance, a skater might say, “He has amazing pop on his ollies.”
- A comment might read, “She lacks pop in her tricks.”
- A video caption might say, “Check out the pop on this skater’s kickflips!”
10. Rip
Used to describe the act of skateboarding aggressively or with great skill. It implies that the skater is performing tricks with speed, power, and style.
- For example, a skater might say, “He can really rip on a halfpipe.”
- Someone might comment, “She’s ripping through that skatepark!”
- A video title might say, “Watch this skater rip it up at the competition!”
11. Skate sesh
This term refers to a planned or impromptu skateboarding session where skaters gather to skate and have fun together. It can take place at a skatepark, street spot, or any other location suitable for skateboarding.
- For example, “Hey, let’s meet up at the skatepark for a skate sesh this afternoon!”
- A skater might post on social media, “Having a skate sesh at my favorite spot, come join if you’re in the area!”
- During a skate sesh, skaters might take turns trying tricks and encouraging each other.
12. Pop shove-it
A skateboarding trick where the skater pops the tail of the skateboard while simultaneously using their front foot to scoop and spin the board 180 degrees in the opposite direction. The trick requires a combination of popping the tail and a quick flicking motion with the front foot to execute the spin.
- For instance, “He landed a clean pop shove-it down the stairs!”
- A skater might ask for advice, “Any tips on getting more height on my pop shove-its?”
- During a skate video, a commentator might say, “Check out that stylish pop shove-it by the pro skater!”
13. Nollie
A skateboarding trick where the skater pops the nose of the skateboard while using their front foot to initiate an ollie motion. Instead of popping the tail like in a regular ollie, the skater pops the nose to lift the front wheels off the ground.
- For example, “She landed a smooth nollie over the gap!”
- A skater might discuss the difficulty of the trick, “Nollies are harder to control than regular ollies.”
- During a skate competition, a judge might comment, “That nollie was executed with great precision and style!”
14. Fakie
A term used to describe riding a skateboard with the opposite stance, meaning the skater’s back foot is on the nose of the board and the front foot is on the tail. It involves riding in the opposite direction from the regular stance.
- For instance, “He effortlessly transitioned from riding regular to riding fakie.”
- A skater might ask for tips on fakie tricks, “What are some cool fakie tricks to learn?”
- During a skate video, a commentator might say, “Watch how he seamlessly switches from riding regular to riding fakie!”
15. Street
A term used to describe skateboarding in urban environments, typically on streets, sidewalks, stairs, handrails, and other architectural features found in cities. Street skateboarding often involves performing tricks and maneuvers on urban obstacles.
- For example, “He’s known for his impressive street skateboarding skills.”
- A skater might discuss the challenges of street skateboarding, “Finding good spots for street skating can be a real treasure hunt.”
- During a skateboarding documentary, a narrator might say, “Street skateboarding has evolved into a vibrant and influential subculture within the skateboarding community.”
16. Session
A session refers to a period of time when skateboarders gather to skate together or practice tricks. It can be at a skatepark, a street spot, or any other location suitable for skateboarding.
- For example, “Let’s meet up for a skate session at the local skatepark.”
- A skater might say, “I had an amazing session today. Landed a new trick!”
- When discussing skateboarding plans, someone might ask, “Are you going to the evening session tomorrow?”
17. Skatepark
A skatepark is a designated area or facility where skateboarders can skate and perform tricks. It usually consists of ramps, rails, and other obstacles that cater to different skill levels.
- For instance, “The new skatepark in town has a great bowl for bowl skating.”
- A skater might recommend, “If you’re into street skating, you should check out the skatepark downtown.”
- When planning a skateboarding session, someone might suggest, “Let’s meet up at the local skatepark and work on our tricks.”