Can You Skate When It’s Windy?
To most people this seems like a silly question, but strong wind can be a real pain while skating. Skating in the wind sucks because even the most simple tricks become more difficult.
Skateboarding when the weather is very windy has its own challenges. The wind can be enough to push you off-balance while in the air, but also can make setting up for a trick difficult. Naturally, you can still skate when it’s very windy but it adds another factor of difficulty. Skating with the wind to you’re back if possible to minimize the effect.
I personally think you should skate in the wind, but if it’s inconsistent and has really strong gusts then it can be incredibly frustrating. This can be particularly true if you are struggling to land a new trick and the wind just makes it more difficult.
At the point where it becomes difficult or frustrating to skate, you should look for indoor options like a parking garage or an indoor skate park. A little wind isn’t going to mess you up, but strong winds can ruin the fun of a session.
If you are wondering if you can skate when it’s cold, then check out my full guide on cold weather skating here.
Tips to Deal With The Wind While Skating
Wear a Windbreaker
The windbreaker here is more or less to make you more comfortable as you skate. They also look pretty cool and stylish. There are actually a few skate companies that sell windbreakers as well such as Creature and Santa Cruz.
The windbreaker is just a lightweight jacket that helps stop wind chill and keeps you warm without needing a heavy jacket. The wind will still push you off balance and will still be just as hard to deal with as you’re turning and trying tricks.
But, might as well be comfortable while you fall for the fourteenth time.
Skate With The Wind
This suggestion sounds like something out of a Studio Ghibli movie. Maybe this article should be titled “Nausicaa and the Southern Cali Valley”.
Regardless, skating with the wind on your back can help you not be pushed from side to side and will help you land tricks. It might be fun to even feel like you have an extra push along as you skate. Just make sure you can in a straight line!
If the wind is inconsistent in the direction it blows and is turbulent then this technique won’t work. Also if the run-up to a ledge or rail isn’t in line with the wind, then you’re out of luck.
Don’t Expect Too Much
The best tip I have here is to not expect too much. You’re likely not training to become the next competition skater so having a session where you’ve skating with heavy wind won’t ruin you.
Just be happy it isn’t raining and that you can get out there on a skateboard. If you keep your expectations low then you won’t be disappointed and will have a fun time. Skateboarding isn’t just about landing technical tricks and skating with a clean style.
Be patient with yourself and understand that if you struggle landing tricks today, you haven’t regressed. Skating while something is pushing you is hard.
Have Fun With It
The last tip is just to have fun and make the best of it.
You might be able to do unique tricks that you couldn’t do if the wind wasn’t blowing away. You can play a game of skate with your buddies and laugh at their bad luck with the wind gusts right as they try their trick. Bring a kite and try and fly it while skating your board.
Just enjoy your time.
For all that you know, that windy session with your buddies could become a great memory. Be flexible enough to let that happen.
If you want to find the best online skateboarding communities to ask silly questions like this, then check out my guide to the best online skating communities.
Where to Skate While It’s Too Windy
Indoor Skate Park
Indoor skateparks are your best option to escape the wind and other nasty weather. These are obviously designed to be skated, usually have a good community of skaters, and just have a better vibe than a lot of street spots. No one will try and kick you out either.
Most big cities will have at least one indoor skate park, but you might need to drive a bit out of your way to get there. This is just the reality for most skaters. If an indoor park is an hour or two away, then you might be better off just waiting for better weather.
Search Google to find a local skatepark near you and if you have one then sign up. Don’t be shy. Even if you’ve never been to a skatepark before or are a beginner, you will gain so much from skating at a park with more experienced skaters.
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Parking Garage
Parking garages are perfect as there is cover from the rain and wind, and often you can carve down to different levels. A parking garage will typically be almost as cold as the outside weather so don’t expect anything warm here. It will save you from a windchill though and usually is a few degrees warmer than outside in general.
I find that I’m more likely to get kicked out of a parking garage than a parking lot. Also, pop tricks tend to echo inside and make a lot of noise. Parking garages might be a good option to try but just be warned that you might be kicked out.
However, even if you can get in a few good hours of skating then that’s a success.
Your Garage
You sometimes have to do what you have to do.
I might get some flak for even writing this, but many people started skating in their garage. Alexis Sablone, for instance, is now an Olympic skateboarder who started by skating in her garage because there was no one to skate with in her small town.
Your garage isn’t perfect by any means, but you can practice flat ground tricks in there. The biggest pitfall is that you don’t have space to actually move around and so you usually practice your tricks stationary. This doesn’t always translate well to doing the trick while moving.
But, if the weather outside isn’t good then this might be the best option.
Tight and Enclosed Spaces: Somewhere That Lessens The Wind
This is a general example because it can really fit so many stops.
If you can find somewhere that is somewhat enclosed by buildings or a hill, then it will stop some of the wind and make skating much easier. For example, maybe this means a little skate spot at the end of an alley, or a city spot surrounded by large buildings.
Try and get creative and even skate near a back building if it means cutting the wind down some.
Can You Longboard in the Wind?
Skating in the wind can be difficult, but what about longboarding in the wind?
Longboarding in windy weather is perfectly fine and the wind will have only a minimal effect of your riding. Unless you are doing tricks or dancing on your longboard, then a windy day is still a fantastic day to go longboarding. Just be sure to bring a windbreaker or warm clothes as windchill can make an otherwise pleasant day feel cold.
So if the wind is gusting, longboarding can be a good back up option for those who still want to get on a board. I actually love the feeling of strong wind so to me a windy day is perfect for a cruise. Keep that in mind.
Examples of People Making The Most of a Windy Day
Some people have not only managed to not let too much wind get them down, but they have made the most of the situation. Check out one guy who made his longboard into a windsurfing board. It’s a super cool and fun DIY build.
Here is another group of guys still going for a session while the wind is blowing away. They are pretty funny and can land some pretty satisfying tricks. Check it out.
If you want to see 25 of the most painfully true skateboarding memes, check out my curated meme list here.
Conclusion
So that’s it.
Don’t expect too much while skating in heavy wind, but don’t let that stop you. Light winds won’t make any difference and you shouldn’t bother reading this article if that’s the case.
Wear a windbreaker if you want to be stylish and warm. Otherwise, just be happy that you can still skate. Everyday is a good day to skate, even if you need to go somewhere inside.
Anyway, thanks for reading, and look out for more content from Board and Wheels.
