The boardslide is usually the first rail or ledge trick most skaters land, and it’s a gateway to almost every other slide trick that follows. Once your ollie is solid, boardslides come down to timing the jump onto the obstacle and controlling your slide, not raw skill you need to build from scratch.
What a Boardslide Is
A boardslide is when you ollie onto a rail, ledge, or box so the middle of your deck lands directly on top of the obstacle, then slide across it sideways before hopping back off. Your body faces the same direction the whole way — unlike a lipslide, you don’t rotate to get on.
What You Need Before Trying This
- A comfortable, consistent ollie at low-to-moderate height.
- A low, waxed flat rail, box, or ledge — not a high handrail. Check our guide on waxing a rail or ledge before you start; an unwaxed obstacle will catch your trucks and stop you cold.
- Comfort riding switch or fakie is a bonus for the landing, but not required to start.
How to Boardslide: Step by Step
1. Approach at a 90-Degree Angle
Roll up to the rail or ledge straight on, so your board will land perpendicular across it. Approach with moderate, steady speed — too slow and you’ll stall on top, too fast and it’s harder to control the slide.
2. Ollie and Turn 90 Degrees
Just before the obstacle, ollie and turn your shoulders, hips, and board a quarter turn so the deck is now sideways relative to your direction of travel. This is the same 90-degree ollie motion used in 50-50 grinds, just aimed at landing flat across the object instead of alongside it.
3. Land Centered With Your Trucks Clear
Aim to land with the rail or ledge under the middle of your board, between your feet, with both trucks hanging clear on either side. Keep your knees bent and your weight centered over the obstacle, not leaning forward or back.
4. Slide, Don’t Ride It Out
Let the wax and the obstacle do the work — stay balanced and let the board slide across rather than trying to steer it. Keep your shoulders square to the rail the entire way through.
5. Ollie Off the End
As you reach the end, pop a small ollie to release the trucks from the edge and rotate your board back a quarter turn to land rolling in your original direction. Bend your knees on landing to absorb the impact.
Common Mistakes
- Not turning enough in the air. If your board isn’t fully sideways when it lands, one truck catches the edge and stops the slide immediately.
- Skipping the wax. Even a light coat makes a huge difference in how smoothly your trucks glide.
- Leaning back. This is the most common way riders fall off backward mid-slide. Keep your weight centered and knees bent.
- Riding too slow. Not enough speed means you stall out on top of the obstacle instead of sliding across it.
Practicing Safely
Start on a low box or curb before moving to an actual rail, and always check that the ledge is properly waxed first. If you’re still working on your ollie height and consistency, our beginner tricks guide lays out a good order to build up to slide tricks like this one.
FAQ
Do I need to be able to ollie high to boardslide?
No. Most ledges and low rails only need a small ollie, just enough to clear the edge and land your trucks safely on either side.
Why do my trucks keep catching on the rail?
This is almost always wax or angle. Make sure the rail is properly waxed, and check that you’re turning a full 90 degrees in the air so your board lands flat and sideways, not at an angle.
What’s the difference between a boardslide and a lipslide?
A boardslide has you turning into the obstacle so your back is initially toward it as you slide. A lipslide is the mirror version, where you rotate the opposite direction and end up facing the obstacle as you get on.
Is a boardslide easier than a 50-50 grind?
Most riders find boardslides slightly easier to learn first because sliding on the deck is more forgiving than balancing on the trucks, which is what a 50-50 grind requires.
What size rail or box should I start on?
A low, flat box or curb around knee height or lower is ideal for your first attempts. Save handrails and taller ledges for after you’re consistently landing boardslides on smaller setups.
