Skateboarding costs, safety and who's in charge in the UK

• What you need first: Nothing. No licence is needed to ride.
• What's next: Riding track: the Cruiser Award, then competitions. Coaching track: Get Rolling.

Prices

• Private lesson: a one-hour private lesson with a board and pads is usually £32 to £60. Park entry alone isn't a lesson.
• Private coaching: usually £32 to £60 an hour.
• Coaching award: usually £200 to £450. Skateboard GB lists £200 for Get Rolling and £400 for Coaching Skills (checked October 2026).
• Skateboard GB membership: Skateboarder £17.50 a year, Coach £50 a year, Supporter £10 a year (checked October 2026).

Who's in charge

• England: Skateboard GB runs the national coaching awards and competitions, and picks the British Olympic team. It calls itself the governing body for England, but Sport England's list shows no recognised governing body for skateboarding in England.
• Scotland: Skateboard Scotland is the recognised governing body in Scotland, named on the sports councils' recognition list.
• Northern Ireland and Wales: Skateboard GB works with Skateboard NI, and says a Welsh governing body is soon to be formed. Sport Wales lists no body for skateboarding.

Kit

• Skateboard GB always recommends a helmet. Pads help, especially wrist guards.
• Buy from a specialist skate shop, not a toy shop.
• Skate shoes, or flat-soled trainers.

At the skatepark

Skateboard GB says skateparks have an unwritten code of conduct and publishes a skatepark etiquette guide. Don't go to a skatepark until you can roll confidently, unless it's for a lesson.

Welfare

Skateboard GB coaches need an Enhanced DBS check and safeguarding training before they're certified. To report a welfare concern, use its safeguarding page.

Source: About, Memberships, Learn to skate guide, Skateboard lessons, Skateboard etiquette, Get Rolling booking, course list and Safeguarding, Skateboard GB; Home, Skateboard Scotland; National governing bodies, Sport England; Recognised sports, Sport Wales; Recognition master list, September 2025, Sport NI; Head injury and concussion, NHS; FAQ, Skateboard GB; checked October 2026.

Governing body: Skateboard GB runs the national coaching awards and competitions in England, and Skateboard Scotland is the recognised governing body in Scotland. Both are the official places to find out more.

Typical prices, checked October 2026. The club or coach sets and bills the price.

The club map lists some of the UK clubs for this sport. It is a starting point, so check with the club before you travel. To have a coach found for you, use the enquiry form.