Ryan Tyler has been skating for a number of years. Here's his tips on joining the scene in South East Wales.

When most people hear the word skateboarding, they think of young children sitting on a skateboard, rolling down a hill - or teenagers who use the word 'rad' and 'gnarly'. Skateboarding is much more. It's a sport in which many compete and make a career, but most of all it's a way of life.

Skateboarding is fun

Living in the Welsh Valleys, skateboarding was a refreshing change to the sports you are expected to play, namely football and rugby.

When I go skating with my mates, there's never much competition. We just have a laugh and there is no pressure. This is what I like about skating. You can have fun and it doesn't matter what level you are. Most skaters are easy to get on with and pretty laid back.

I started out with a cheap skateboard costing me about £15, and skated with some friends who were already into the sport. I skated mainly in local car parks and just outside my home.

After skating for about two years it suddenly become a craze and everyone seemed into it. I met up with a lot of new skaters and we started to skate in different places.

Where to skate

Some of the best skate spots in South East Wales are in and around Caerphilly and Cardiff. There are many street spots, although you are not always allowed to skate. On wet days, most skaters will go to a skate park. The local ones are in Cardiff, Porth, Aberbargoed and Newport.

How much does it cost?

A good skateboard, trucks, wheels and bearings will cost you about £120. I replace my deck (skateboard) every 6 weeks, trucks every year and wheels and bearings every 2-3 months.

A pair of skate trainers will cost between £40 and £90. Using the wrong trainers can damage your feet! A good skate shoe is more padded and harder wearing than a normal trainer. I have new skate shoes every 2 months, so it is not a cheap sport.

If you are looking to start skating I would suggest you visit a local skate shop and purchase a cheaper set-up (around £50), rather than going all out and spending £120 on something you may not actually end up liking. Ask in the shop where the local skaters go and just have a try.

Although you will see a lot of skaters don't wear protection I would not advise it. The better you become at skating the worse the falls get!