Here’s your skate-ready checklist: • Helmet + pads (knees, elbows, wrists) – super important for confidence, safety and learning how to fall well (yes, falling is part of skating!). Check out our blog post on safety gear (/post/skateboarding-safety-gear-the-ultimate-guide)for more info and links. • Your board if you have one. Even if you’re not sure about it, bring it along – we can check the setup and give you tips. ✨ Equipment hire: For group sessions, you can add on board + helmet + pads rental at checkout when booking. For private sessions, everything is included in the price. • Clothing you don’t mind scuffing – sturdy fabrics that won’t rip easily work best as we will learn to fall and roll around on the floor! • Flat-soled shoes (skate shoes, Vans, Converse, etc.) for good grip and control. Avoid chunky running shoes, flatforms or walking boots. • Water! Everyone always forgets this one, but skating is sweaty work. • Good vibes ☀️

Yes! You'll see many images on the website featuring women as I also run Bristol Girls Longboard (https://www.instagram.com/bristolgirlslongboard/)and Longboard Girls Crew UK (https://www.instagram.com/longboardgirlscrewuk/)but we also teach many guys.

Classes are between 1 and 1.5 hours. Adult private classes are 1.5 hours to deep dive Kids private classes are 75 mins (for shorter attention spans and tired brains!) Course sessions are 1.5 hours but we often go over time by 15 mins.

Absolutely! For group sessions, you can add on board + helmet + pads rental at checkout when booking. For private sessions, equipment hire is already included in the price. If you do have your own board, bring it along anyway even if you’re unsure about it. We can help check your setup and give you tips to make it work better for you, allowing you to practice at home.

If the weather looks bad before your session, we’ll get in touch and either change the location to a covered spot, reschedule or refund you in full. If we’ve already started and the weather turns, we’ll do our best to keep things safe and fun, but we can’t offer refunds once a class is underway.

Yes. Evenings and weekends are popular, so weekdays often have more availability in the calendar. The skateparks and spots are usually quieter too, which makes them calmer and ideal for learning and building confidence. You can book your private class directly into the calendar here(https://www.soulfulskateco.com/adult-private-classes) Or get in touch (https://www.soulfulskateco.com/contact)if you’d like to chat first or book something bespoke.

Yes, friends and family are welcome to watch the lessons! They're welcome to take photos and videos too. Often friends and family later book a session because standing on the side watching longboarding isn't as fun as joining in 😉

I get this question a lot so I created a handy Google Maps Legend showing you where's good for different longboarding disciplines Have a read of our blog post (https://www.lightsoulventures.com/post/bristol-best-longboarding-skate-spots)on the best spots to longboard and surfskate And browse the locations we teach at across Bath and Bristol on our Locations Page.(/ssc-locations)

Please don't buy from Amazon! You'll also find low quality longboard and surfskate setups in the large skate brands. Instead, support your local skateshop and visit Vandem Longboard Shop (https://vandemlongboardshop.co.uk/)online or in person (Bristol). Danielle used to work at Vandem so we are biased, but they are also our best partner, we support each other to share more skate joy with as many people as possible. Vandem is the UK's longest running & most knowledgeable longboard (https://vandemlongboardshop.co.uk/collections/longboards)& surfskate retailer.(https://vandemlongboardshop.co.uk/collections/surf-skates) Skater owned & run & since 2001. The longboard shop in Bristol (https://vandemlongboardshop.co.uk/pages/longboard-shop-uk)is open to skaters of all ages and abilities. If you purchase via Vandem, please mention 'Soulful Skate Co.' on your order so we can receive a small commission and also order more awesome skate gear for you!

Have a read of this document (https://docs.google.com/document/d/1n3l8kupHmft8diz5yPgodeDS_QZpVEf25AnoUHAu6bg/edit?usp=sharing)and help you understand more. And check out these amazing guides (https://vandemlongboardshop.co.uk/pages/longboard-buyers-guide)from our partner Vandem Longboard Shop and more on their Youtube (https://www.youtube.com/@vandemmfg/playlists)channel. For example: https://youtu.be/BYtSC8fnBQA?feature=shared If you want to come and learn about board maintenance, join one of our Crafternoon: Board maintenance and deck art workshops.(https://www.soulfulskateco.com/booking-calendar/crafternoon-board-care-deck-art?utm_medium=page_links)

Our Longboard partner, Lush Longboards have produced some brilliant old school how to guides (https://lushlongboards.com/how-to-longboard/)which are much easier than pressing pause on Youtube constantly! We're working on an online course, watch this space...👀