How can a 31-year-old learn how to skateboard without looking foolish?

Just go and start mucking around on your skateboard, have fun with it, don't worry about what other people think. The worst that could happen is you fall over and some kids laugh at you.  In fact that probably will happen, so be prepared for that and you'll be fine.

I am nearly your age, and I've only just started as well. None of my friends skateboarded growing up, so it wasn't really part of my childhood. I think you'd be surprised by the reaction of a lot of skateboarders - they're usually friendly and I've even had a couple stop by and give me a few pointers to help me along, even though I'm obviously on a cheap, crappy imitation plastic skateboard. But hey, it was a gift, and it's what I got, so it's what I'll use. I completely understand what you mean about looking like a dick, so here are a few of my tips: don't dress in all the skate brands or try too hard to look the part. Basically don't go for the 'all the gear but no idea' look. Look like a beginner. Be humble. Practice somewhere where the pro skaters won't be: a quieter park, a side street where no one hangs out. On the flip side, seasoned skateboarders can be helpful tutors, rather than just trying to figure it all out yourself off terrible youtube videos (how I'm learning) If you want to practise in the skate parks, practise when all the kids are in school/uni, etc. I will sometimes go really early, when all are still all in bed or hungover. I get intimidated by kids half or quarter my age. Skateboarding classes. London has a few around, perhaps your town does too youtube videos I've talked to a few of my friends who have boarded since they were little, all of them said 'just keep practising, we've also fallen off a million times before' I think it's great that people try to learn new things after they've 'grown up' so just keep getting back on that board. Starting is always better than not trying at all. Let's face it: I'll never be the level of those kids. It's been nearly a year and still all I can do is just go in a straight line. That's it. I can't stop properly, turn and definitely no tricks. I fall all the time. But the thrill of just going straight with the wind in my hair far outweighs the feeling of knowing all the kids must think I'm an idiot.

I started at the age of 41 and probably looked like a complete jerk, but I didn't care the least - I was too focused on maintaining my balance on the board :)In my experience most skateboarders (in skateparks) are quite friendly or hardly notice you or the other people in the park as long as you don't get in their way.A good way of not getting into someone's way is to go the skatepark early. Like 6 to 9 am.If you want to read more about my experiences so far, see ?

The reality is that you can be the best skater in the world and still fall. Skateboarding is an artform that is applied through persistence, perseverance, and resiliency. I've been skating for 10 years and for the most part am extremely comfortable in the board but cracks and rocks and rough ground can sneak up on you no matter how good you are. I live in boston where there are constantly people with eyes on you as you skate. Falling is inevitable and hecklers are inevitable. But if you are looking for exceptance from skateboarding peers you need only try. At 31 if you are putting forth the effort and not getting in the way of other skaters doing their tricks, that to me is inspiring. Skateboarding is great like that, just put forty the effort, go out in a limb, make a fool of yourself falling but keep at it and you will feel respect soon enough. Seeing someone work really hard to learn an ollie and finally accomplish that to me us just as exciting, motivating, and inspiring as watching a seasoned vet huck themselves down a 20 stair handrail. Besides as long as you're having fun who gives a sh*t!

I doesn't matter how old you are! Be prepared to look like a fool but the best thing is too laugh at yourself when you fall! So everybody will be laughing with you, not at you. I'd recommend finding a team, some guys who want to teach you how to, especially how to fall right and not brake yourself into pieces.