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Get good at pushing, rolling around on different stuff, turning and carving. this is the foundation of your skating so take time on it. If your pushing is bad it doesn't matter how many tricks you can do you will not look good on a board.
Watch Stereo 'A Visual Sound'. This is what good style on a board looks like.
Try to stay relaxed.
Have fun.
Don't be embarrassed about being a beginner in front of other skaters. No one will give a shot, everyone learnt once and most will probably be very open to sharing tips.
The amazing resource beginners have now is that they can video themselves. So much easier to see where you are going wrong.
sacredhart-
^ Excellent advice here.
Things I found useful -- Bend your fucking knees, even if it feels like you're pretending to do a shit. You'll be more stable and in control "but at the very least you'll have less distance to fall" - A pro skater from the San Francisco Bay Area.
- Ride everywhere you can, as much as possible, over shit surfaces if necessary. Commute (now it's dry and warmer) if it's not too far, it'll drastically improve your pushing.
- Learn all the things that might not be considered 'real' tricks, for example foot drag, throw downs, carving into corners, no-comply pick ups, kick-turns, tic-tacs, strawberry milkshakes, just jumping on the board (no ollie) whilst moving, manuals, pushing switch. - All things that even if you can't ollie (I can barely), will make you feel like less of an imposter and give you greater confidence on the board.
- Make sure your first aid kit is topped up, you will fall, it's part of the process, otherwise you're not trying or you're not riding.
- The community is generally welcoming and people are keen to help if you're struggling. The amount of off-hand advice I've got that immediately improved my skating is invaluable. - whilst on this point, when pushing, if you keep your front foot behind the front bolts, you'll be more stable and less likely to go flying if / when you hit a death pebble / fart stone.
I've been tempted to go to Hop-King's adult beginners night on Mondays if anyone is also keen?
- Bend your fucking knees, even if it feels like you're pretending to do a shit. You'll be more stable and in control "but at the very least you'll have less distance to fall" - A pro skater from the San Francisco Bay Area.
monkdagola
Bought my first skateboard, 25 years after last playing on one as a kid - any good resources/tips for a 30-something learner?