How To Monkey Crawl In Skimboarding?
Do you ever look at other skimboarders in awe as they effortlessly ‘monkey crawl’ their way onto their skimboards? So, how to do monkey crawl in skimboarding?
If you have been looking for some fantastic tips to master this fun and thrilling technique, your wish has come true. We will spill the beans on how you can 'monkey crawl' onto your skimboard with finesse in this post.
So without wasting any more time, let us get started on how to be a surfer monkey:
What Is Monkey Crawl?
When referring to skimboarding, monkey crawl is the name given to a unique approach of getting onto your skimboard. To achieve this, you first need to bend down and crawl your way onto the skimboard instead of the old-school fashion way of stepping onto it. Crawling actually helps you successfully mount your board if the weather is too windy or the water is too deep.
How To Master The Monkey Crawl Technique?
Whenever you decide to learn a new trick or technique, it is best to take things slow in the beginning. You don’t want to end up hurting yourself. Now, let’s look at the steps involved in becoming a pro at monkey crawling:
Location:
The first step is to choose the correct location to give you ample open space where you can run-drop and slide for a few seconds. This technique will allow you to get an idea of all the movements involved.
Heading Off:
Once the location is sorted, the next step is learning how to bend down while placing the board on the floor. This part is super tricky as you need to quickly place your fingers on the top of the board to avoid them being stuck once you make contact with the ground. Best is to release the skimboard in deep water to avoid any injuries with your fingers.
An effective method is to bend over and then start your crawl with your hands on top of the skimboard. This will give you the proper technique to push the board and crawl without having to worry about changing the position of your fingers.
Proper Hand Placement:
The next step is to have the proper hand placement. By having a pushing start, place your hands where you intend to place your feet. As your skimboard pushes across the water, you can place your hands in a close position you feel comfortable.
Ideal Orientation:
You can never underestimate the importance of your skimboard’s orientation. Pushing your board at a 45 angle will allow you to have a more comfortable and smoother transition.
Feet Placement:
The last step in crawling onto the board involves placing your feet on top of the board. To achieve this successfully, place your right or left foot (regular or goofy) on the front of the board when you are riding it. Then place the other foot onto the board, lean forward, release your hands from the board and keep your knees bent as you continue riding.
Final Words:
There you have it, learning to do the monkey crawl can be tricky, but by following the above step-by-step method, you can learn the basics in no time.