The Rainy Day Skateboarding Guide: How to Keep RollingWhen dark clouds gather and the rain starts to fall, most skateboarders accept the inevitable downtime. The fear of ruining bearings, snapping waterlogged decks, or simply losing traction keeps many in the garage. However, a rainy day does not have to be a lost day for skating. With a bit of ingenuity and preparation, skateboarding in the rain, or finding ways to avoid it entirely, can become a fun, rewarding challenge that actually makes you a better skater.
Embrace the Indoor and Covered Skate SpotsThe most obvious solution for a rainy day is finding cover. Covered parking garages are the holy grail of rainy-day skateboarding. These spaces are often expansive, have smooth concrete, and offer protection from the elements. When scouting a garage, prioritize finding a top level that is enclosed or finding an area far from dripping leaks. It is crucial to respect the security or property owners, so look for spots that are generally ignored or easily accessible without destroying property.Alternatively, look for covered plazas, bus stations, or school walkways. Even a small, dry ledge or a few stairs under a roof can provide hours of practice. These spots force you to get creative, perfecting tricks in tight spaces rather than relying on a massive, open skatepark. It forces a focus on precision and technical skills rather than just speed and distance.
Prepare Your Gear for Wet WeatherIf you are committed to riding in the rain, you must adapt your setup. Rain ruins standard equipment quickly. The most critical component to protect is your bearings. Replace expensive bearings with cheap, serviceable ones or packed with marine grease, which repels water and prevents rust. Water makes your grip tape slick, so some skaters apply extra coarse grip tape or use a lighter to slightly burn the edges to prevent peeling.A “rain board” is a smart investment. This is an old deck with worn-out wheels and trucks that you don’t mind ruining. The water will cause your deck to “waterlog,” making it heavy and losing its pop. Using an old setup allows you to keep riding without destroying your primary, expensive board.
Mastering Tricks on Slippery SurfacesSkating in the wet requires a totally different approach to technique. You cannot rely on the same friction for popping tricks. Instead, you must become smoother and more precise. The key is to keep your weight centered over the board. Slipping out is the biggest danger, so leaning too far forward or backward will result in a quick fall.Focus on skating smaller, tighter obstacles. The rain makes ollies higher and more satisfying, as you aren’t fighting to keep your feet on the board, but rather focusing on quick, snap-like movements. It is an excellent time to practice manual tricks or simply get used to controlling your board on a slick surface. Skating in the rain forces you to become more conscious of your balance, leading to better control when the sun comes out again.
The Essential Post-Rain MaintenanceThe most important part of rainy day skating is what you do after. As soon as you get home, dismantle your board. Wipe down the deck and trucks completely. Take the wheels off and dry them, and remove your bearings. To prevent rust, soak your bearings in a cleaning solution, dry them thoroughly, and re-lubricate them with a high-quality water-resistant lubricant. If you have been skating in heavy rain, it is almost guaranteed that the bearings will rust if left to dry on their own.Taking care of your gear allows you to embrace the rain rather than fear it. The rain changes the way a city looks and feels, turning a familiar concrete jungle into a new, challenging playground. By adapting your gear and technique, you can turn a dreary, gray afternoon into a productive, exciting, and truly memorable skateboarding session.
Ultimately, clever rainy-day skateboarding is about dedication, preparation, and perspective. It’s an opportunity to build unique skills and appreciate the sport from a different angle. While dry, sunny days are ideal, the skater who knows how to handle the wet is never truly held back by the weather. With the right approach, rain just becomes another obstacle to be conquered.
Leave a Reply