Q&A for How to Ride a Ripstick

The unusual method of propulsion you need to ride a RipStik may take longer to master than the basic pushoff style that you use on a skateboard. Additionally, many people find it easier to balance on skateboards.

The RipStik isn’t really designed to be extended. You’d have to remove the torsion bar and replace it with a new, longer one.

The Mini is smaller and easier to maneuver, making it ideal for kids and beginners.

Start off on flat ground and build your speed, then keep it going as you ride uphill. Don't go uphill until you are completely sure you are comfortable riding it.

The pointed part, not the part that flares at the end. If you are unsure, place the ripstik on the floor and push it the way you think is forward. If it goes fairly straight, it is the front. If it goes crazy, it is the back.

It depends on how steep the hill is. If it is a pretty steep hill, you probably want to go slower, so stay straight. If it is a small hill, then you can wiggle. Be safe going up and down hills.

The ripstik is hard to learn because of balance and getting the steps in the right order. After a while, it will become natural.

More your feet to the left and right repeatedly, in a sort of wiggling motion.

To wiggle faster, make smaller wiggles. If you go too fast, you lose accuracy, but you will get better with practice.

Kick off and ride until you fall, then once you can ride for a long while learn to wiggle.

Always look at the ground and ahead. Start off slowly, then as you get better, add speed. It takes quite a bit of practice to get the action sorted.

Put your front foot on first, then kick off. This will give you momentum, then when you have your balance down you want to wiggle your back foot back and forth, which gives the ripstik speed.

It generally stops suddenly or gets stuck on the stones, so this is usually a bad idea. Normal skateboard rules apply.

Yes, but you will end up being slow. Sometimes it even makes learning how to use a ripstick harder. You should push unless you already know how to ride well.

No, although it may determine how easy or hard it is to control.

Try stepping on to the ripstick while holding on to a wall first to get the feel of it.

You just have to stop wiggling if you want to stop. If you're coming down a hill though, you may need to use your foot to stop your momentum.

Simply step off. The ripstick can’t balance on its own, and when you step off, it will stop.

Just keep wiggling on it, and eventually you will build up more speed. The bigger the wiggle, the more power you get out of it.

It's best if you push off first with your back foot. Doing this gives you some momentum forward and then you can start moving your feet back and forth like wiggling.

It sure is! However, when you are first learning, find a road that doesn't have much traffic or look for an empty parking lot. This way, you aren't distracted by other people moving around you.

Absolutely! Use proper safety gear including helmets and kneepads to prevent injury.

Yes! Safety is always important!

Just step off, since the ripstick can't balance on its own, it won't roll away.

You can't do that; the wheels will get stuck in the rocks.

Step on the Hoverboard one foot at a time. Once you're on it, just lean in the direction in which you want to go.

Wear all the necessary equipment: a helmet, knee pads, and shoes. Also, hold on to a wall or other sturdy object and practice keeping your balance.

Purchase your ripstick from Amazon.

It will probably take a few hours to a few days to learn.

You have to wiggle your feet, which will help you move forward instead of stopping.