Penny boards, with their vibrant colors and compact size, are often seen as the quintessential cruiser, perfect for zipping around town or enjoying a leisurely skate. But a question often arises among aspiring skaters and curious onlookers alike: Can Penny boards do tricks? The answer is a resounding, albeit nuanced, yes. While they may not be the primary choice for professional street skaters aiming for complex flip tricks or massive gaps, Penny boards are surprisingly capable of a range of maneuvers that can be considered “tricks,” especially for beginners and intermediate riders. This article will delve deep into the capabilities of Penny boards, exploring what types of tricks they excel at, what limitations they have, and how riders can maximize their trick potential.
Understanding the Penny Board Design and its Implications for Tricks
To truly understand whether Penny boards can do tricks, we need to examine their fundamental design. Penny boards are short, plastic skateboards, typically measuring around 22 inches for the original and 27 inches for the nickel model. This compact nature is their defining characteristic and also dictates their trick-performing potential.
Deck Construction and Flexibility
Penny boards are constructed from a durable, yet slightly flexible, plastic. This plastic deck offers a degree of shock absorption, making for a comfortable ride. However, this flexibility can also be a double-edged sword when it comes to tricks. While it might absorb some impact during landings, it also means the deck can flex and bend under pressure, potentially hindering precise foot placement and control required for advanced maneuvers. Traditional skateboards, on the other hand, are made from multiple layers of maple wood, providing a stiffer deck that offers more responsiveness and stability for tricks.
Wheel Size and Durometer
Penny boards come equipped with relatively large, soft wheels (often around 83A durometer). These soft wheels are excellent for cruising over rough surfaces and absorbing vibrations, contributing to a smooth ride. However, for performing tricks, especially those involving ollies and flip tricks, larger, softer wheels can be a disadvantage. They have more inertia, making them harder to get off the ground for an ollie, and their softness can create more friction when attempting to spin the board for flip tricks. Harder, smaller wheels found on traditional skateboards offer less resistance and can be flicked more easily for intricate tricks.
Trucks and Bushings
The trucks on a Penny board are typically narrower and designed for turning stability. While they allow for responsive carving and cruising, they might not offer the same level of adjustability and stability as the trucks on a dedicated trick skateboard. The bushings, the rubbery components that allow the trucks to turn, are also often softer, contributing to a more carvy feel rather than the locked-in stability needed for landing complex tricks.
What Tricks Can Penny Boards Actually Do?
Despite their limitations, Penny boards are not entirely incapable of performing tricks. Many fundamental skateboarding maneuvers are within their reach, especially for riders who are willing to adapt their technique and understand the board’s characteristics.
Cruising-Focused Tricks and Maneuvers
The inherent design of the Penny board lends itself well to tricks that are extensions of its cruising capabilities. These are often less about aerial acrobatics and more about stylish maneuvering.
- Carving: Penny boards excel at carving. Riders can lean into turns, creating smooth, flowing arcs. This can be considered a trick in itself, especially when executed with style and control, linking multiple carves together.
- Pumping: This technique involves using your body weight to generate momentum and speed without pushing off the ground. Penny boards are ideal for pumping due to their responsive trucks and comfortable deck.
- Manuals: A manual is a balancing act where the rider keeps the back wheels on the ground while balancing on the front trucks. Penny boards, with their shorter wheelbase, can be easier to manual than longer boards, though the softer wheels might require a slightly different technique to maintain balance.
- Tic-Tacs: A tic-tac is a small, rapid turning motion achieved by rocking the board back and forth on its tail. Penny boards, with their quick turning radius, are very adept at tic-tacs, which can be used to navigate tight spaces or add flair to a ride.
Introduction to Basic Ollie-Based Tricks
While not ideal, it is possible to learn and perform basic ollies on a Penny board. An ollie is the fundamental trick in skateboarding, involving lifting the board into the air without using your hands.
- Learning the Ollie: The process of learning an ollie on a Penny board will be different from a traditional skateboard. The softer, larger wheels can make it harder to pop the tail and get the board airborne. Riders will need to focus on a strong pop and a precise foot slide to get the board to rise.
- Ollie Over Small Obstacles: Once an ollie is mastered, a Penny board can be used to ollie over small obstacles like cracks in the pavement or tiny pebbles. The limitations in height and pop will prevent clearing larger obstacles.
- Basic Jumps and Grinds (with limitations): With practice, riders might be able to perform very basic jumps off curbs or even attempt to grind on very low, smooth ledges. However, the plastic deck and the wheel/truck setup are not designed for the stress of grinding, and attempting this can lead to damage.
Exploring More Advanced Maneuvers (with caveats)
As riders progress, they might find themselves pushing the boundaries of what a Penny board can do. Some more advanced maneuvers might be possible, but often with significant modifications or limitations.
- Shuv-its: A shuv-it involves spinning the board 180 degrees underneath your feet while staying in the air. While the smaller deck size might seem advantageous for spinning, the softer wheels can hinder the flick needed to get the board to rotate cleanly.
- Power Slides: Power slides, where the rider intentionally slides the board sideways, can be attempted. However, the soft wheels will offer more grip, making it harder to initiate and control a slide compared to harder wheels.
- Dancing and Freestyle Elements: For riders who enjoy more expressive skating, Penny boards can be used for simple dancing maneuvers, step-offs, and board grabs that don’t involve significant aerials.
Limitations and When a Penny Board Might Not Be Enough
It’s crucial to acknowledge that Penny boards are not designed to replace dedicated trick skateboards. For certain types of tricks, they present significant challenges and limitations.
The Challenge of Flip Tricks
Advanced flip tricks like kickflips, heelflips, and their variations require a precise flick of the foot to get the board to spin. The softer, larger wheels of a Penny board create more resistance, making it difficult to achieve the clean rotation needed. The flexible plastic deck can also absorb some of the flick’s energy, further complicating these maneuvers.
Aerials and Gaps
Penny boards are not built for significant aerial maneuvers. The smaller deck size, the less responsive trucks, and the wheel setup make it incredibly difficult to achieve the height and control needed for ollies over substantial obstacles or for landing bigger gaps. The plastic construction is also not designed to withstand the repeated impact of landing hard from height.
Street and Park Skating
If your goal is to skate at a skatepark, perform complex grinds on rails, or tackle street obstacles like stairs and handrails, a Penny board is not the appropriate tool. Traditional skateboards with their harder wheels, stiffer decks, and specifically designed trucks are essential for these disciplines.
Tips for Maximizing Trick Potential on a Penny Board
Even with its limitations, a rider can significantly enhance their ability to perform tricks on a Penny board by following these tips:
Master the Fundamentals
Before even thinking about tricks, ensure you are comfortable riding your Penny board. Focus on balance, pushing, turning, and stopping. Being stable on the board is the foundation for all tricks.
Practice Patience and Persistence
Learning tricks takes time and dedication, regardless of the board. Be patient with yourself, especially when trying maneuvers that are not ideally suited to the Penny board’s design. Consistent practice is key.
Adapt Your Technique
You’ll need to adapt your technique to compensate for the Penny board’s characteristics. For ollies, focus on a powerful tail pop and a quick foot slide. For flip tricks (if attempting), experiment with different foot positions and flicking techniques.
Consider Modifications (with caution)
Some riders opt for modifications to improve their Penny board’s trick performance.
- Softer Bushing Swap: Replacing the stock bushings with slightly harder ones can make the trucks more stable for tricks while still allowing for decent turning.
- Wheel Hardness: While less common for Penny boards, some experiment with slightly harder wheels (though this defeats some of the cruising advantage).
It’s important to note that significant modifications can alter the fundamental feel and purpose of a Penny board and might not always yield the desired results for trick skating.
Focus on What the Board Excels At
Embrace the Penny board’s strengths. Focus on stylish carving, pumping, manuals, and tic-tacs. These are all legitimate and enjoyable forms of skateboarding that the Penny board handles exceptionally well.
Conclusion: The Penny Board as a Gateway, Not the Destination for Tricks
So, can Penny boards do tricks? Yes, they can. They are capable of a surprising array of maneuvers, particularly those that build upon their cruising heritage. For beginners, a Penny board can be an excellent introduction to the basics of skateboarding, allowing them to develop balance and learn foundational movements. They are perfect for learning to balance, carve, and even attempt basic ollies.
However, for those who aspire to master advanced flip tricks, technical street skating, or aggressive park riding, a Penny board will likely become a limiting factor. Eventually, serious trick skaters will want to transition to a more specialized skateboard designed for those disciplines.
Ultimately, the question of whether a Penny board can do tricks depends on your definition of “tricks” and your riding aspirations. If you’re looking for a fun, accessible way to cruise and explore the basics of skateboarding with a touch of flair, your Penny board is more than capable. If your sights are set on the X Games, you might need to look elsewhere for your primary ride. But don’t underestimate the versatility of the tiny cruiser; with creativity and persistence, you might be surprised at what you can achieve on your Penny board.
Can Penny Boards Actually Do Tricks?
Yes, Penny Boards can absolutely do tricks, though their design inherently makes them more suited to some tricks than others. Their smaller size, shorter wheelbase, and softer wheels contribute to a nimble feel, allowing for quick turns and responsive maneuvering. This agility is ideal for freestyle riding, where riders focus on flowing movements and incorporating turns, manuals, and even some basic flip tricks.
While not built for the same heavy-duty ollies or complex flip combinations as a standard skateboard, Penny Boards excel at tricks that leverage their unique characteristics. Think of powerslides, carving, tic-tacs, and manuals as primary trick categories where Penny Boards shine. Their slightly larger deck size compared to some mini-cruisers also offers a bit more stability for landing these maneuvers.
What Types of Tricks are Penny Boards Best Suited For?
Penny Boards are particularly well-suited for cruising-oriented tricks and those that emphasize agility and quick redirection. This includes sharp carving turns, powerslides where the rider intentionally slides the tail out, and manuals (riding on the back wheels) which are made easier by the shorter wheelbase. Tic-tacs, a rapid pumping motion using subtle weight shifts to turn without pushing, are also a signature trick for Penny Boards.
Beyond these, skilled riders can even incorporate basic flip tricks like a kickflip or heelflip, although the smaller deck and softer, larger wheels can make these more challenging to execute and land consistently compared to a traditional skateboard. The key is to adapt your technique to the board’s unique construction.
Are Penny Boards Good for Beginners Wanting to Learn Tricks?
Penny Boards can be a good starting point for beginners interested in learning fundamental balance and control, which are the building blocks for most tricks. Their compact size makes them easy to carry and maneuver at low speeds, fostering confidence in controlling the board. Learning to carve and turn smoothly on a Penny Board is an excellent introduction to board control.
However, for beginners specifically aiming to learn traditional skateboard tricks like ollies and flip tricks, a standard skateboard might offer a more direct learning curve. The larger deck, smaller wheels, and stiffer bushings on a regular skateboard are designed for those specific maneuvers. Penny Boards can be a fun diversion for learning to ride, but transitioning to a standard skateboard might be necessary for more advanced street or park skating tricks.
What are the Limitations of Penny Boards When It Comes to Tricks?
The primary limitation of Penny Boards for tricks stems from their design. The soft, larger wheels are fantastic for smooth cruising over rough surfaces but offer less pop and control for ollies and flip tricks compared to the smaller, harder wheels on a traditional skateboard. The shorter wheelbase, while agile, can also make landing tricks that require significant board rotation or stability more difficult.
Furthermore, the plastic deck, while durable for cruising, may not withstand the repeated impact of aggressive trick attempts as well as a maple deck. This can lead to stress fractures or breakages. Therefore, while you can perform many tricks on a Penny Board, pushing the boundaries of complex or high-impact maneuvers will likely be met with greater difficulty and potential for damage.
How Does the Size of a Penny Board Affect Trick Performance?
The compact size of a Penny Board significantly influences its trick performance by enhancing its maneuverability and responsiveness. The shorter wheelbase allows for tighter turning radii and quicker adjustments, making it ideal for freestyle maneuvers and weaving through obstacles. This nimbleness is also beneficial for learning and executing tricks like manuals and powerslides, where precise control is key.
Conversely, the smaller deck size can present challenges for tricks that require more foot space for positioning and popping, such as ollies and advanced flip tricks. Landing these tricks on a smaller platform demands greater precision and balance, and the reduced surface area can make catching and controlling the board more difficult for riders accustomed to larger decks.
Can You Ollie on a Penny Board?
Yes, it is possible to ollie on a Penny Board, but it’s generally more challenging than on a standard skateboard. The softer, larger wheels of a Penny Board absorb more impact and don’t provide the same “pop” as the harder, smaller wheels of a traditional skateboard. Additionally, the plastic deck may flex differently, further impacting the ability to generate sufficient upward momentum.
Achieving an ollie on a Penny Board requires a different technique, often involving a more deliberate snap of the ankle and a stronger flick of the front foot to compensate for the lack of aggressive pop from the wheels and deck. While it might not reach the same height as an ollie on a regular skateboard, with practice, many riders can successfully learn to ollie on their Penny Boards for basic maneuvers or transitions.
Are Penny Boards Durable Enough for Trick Riding?
Penny Boards are generally quite durable for cruising and light trick riding. The injection-molded plastic decks are designed to be flexible and resistant to breaking from typical riding stresses. This makes them robust for everyday use and for performing tricks that don’t involve significant impact, like carving, manuals, and powerslides.
However, for aggressive street skating or park riding involving frequent, high-impact tricks such as large ollies, gaps, or grinds, a Penny Board’s durability may be pushed to its limits. While they can handle some trick riding, they are not engineered for the same level of abuse as a traditional maple skateboard deck, which is specifically built to withstand the forces associated with such advanced maneuvers.