How to choose a skateboard for beginners?

Skateboarding today is a very popular sport among young people, because it is directly related to high speed, desperate agility and really cool tricks.

To find the right skateboard for yourself, it is worth knowing exactly what parts it can consist of.

• Soundboard - this is exactly the board on which you have to stand when riding virtuoso.
• Tracks - this is a special type of suspension, thanks to which the wheels are fixed to the deck. In a skateboard, the tracks will act as a rudder, responding to each tilt of the deck.
• Wheels skate boards are small in size and have high rigidity.
• Bearings - they should be chosen very carefully. It is on them that the period of rotation of the wheels and the distance that the skate can travel from just a single light push will depend.
• Griptate - this is a special "skin", its manufacturer glues it on top of the board, and it, in turn, prevents the rider's legs from sliding during movement.

There are several classifications of skateboards:

• classic type of skate: a board that has 4 wheels that are placed on axles 2 on each side is perfect for those who are just starting to ride;
• longboard: a rather long version of the skate; fans of accelerated descents most often choose it;
• snakeboard: a double-type board with 2 wheels has a slightly curved shape and a decent level of handling;
• mini cruiser: a shortened skate with rather massive wheels and also a curved deck;
• penny board: plastic board for a neat ride in city conditions, lightweight, has not too much bend on only one side.

The types and names may also directly depend on the riding style that you have chosen for yourself.

• Straight. These are well-known tricks, various types of jumps on steps, riding on low curbs, as well as railings. This style is only suitable when you have the opportunity to ride on the most even road surface in special areas strictly intended for movement on skateboards. Such a board should have a deep bend.

• Vert. On such a device, you can easily ride in special places with high sides - these are the so-called ramps. A fairly wide deck with a very reliable and weighted suspension is chosen for driving.

• Freestyle. All virtuoso tricks are done on a perfectly flat road, where there are no obstacles, and therefore you can buy almost any board for riding here. But you can also find a special board designed for this style or mini-decks.

• Longboard... Chosen to ride in the same style, this extra long board allows you to ride faster and with little to no need to get off the ground. The tricks are carried out on 2 wheels as accurately as possible. Here, the length of the product can even reach 1.5 m.This kind of options are not entirely convenient for use in the city, and therefore, for the implementation of various tricks, it is better to buy boards with a length of up to 81 cm.But on them the gained speed will not last as long as this sometimes necessary.

• Downhill: device for rapid descent. The board is elongated and the wheels are almost huge for a skateboard.

Professionals recommend purchasing a skate for those children who are already 7-8 years old: by this age, the coordination of the little man's body movements is almost formed, and therefore he will be able to maintain balance and begin to master his first tricks without difficulty.

For child skaters, there is a special ranking of parameters based on their height:

• Micro: for children under the age of 5-6 years old and up to 100 cm in height;
• Mini: from 6 to about 8 years old, height up to 140 cm;
• Mid-size: from 9 to 12 years old, growth up to half a meter;
• Decks: products for riders over 13 years old.

The best skateboards in the world are produced by such famous brands as Santa Cruz and Blind, Element and Shorty's. Their products are distinguished by such advantages as lightness and increased strength, as well as original and easily recognizable design. Any skateboard of the above brands will be worth any money. It is on these skateboards that famous skateboarders who have great sports authority ride.

The deck of this product is crafted from Canadian maple, which increases its durability and lifespan. Baker offers many of its boards for consumers to choose from. You can choose them "for yourself", taking into account your height and preferences in design. Main parameters: wheels with a diameter of 52 mm, bearings - class Abec 5.

Positive points:

• light weight;
• on such a device you will get a great “click” and you will be able to balance on wheels due to the acceptable shape of the tail;
• on this board you can fearlessly carry out tricks of any complexity - it is not afraid of blows.

A model for the most confident riders, while it has an unusual design. The deck is made of Chinese maple wood and therefore can easily withstand a rider weighing up to 100 kg or more, according to user reviews. The wheels have excellent rigidity. Bearings are of Abec grade 5.

Positive sides:

• shock-resistant and wear-resistant suspension;
• the skateboard is easy to maneuver and is fast enough;
• will not sag under the weight of a skateboarder;
• can be found in almost all outlets selling sporting goods.

It is considered one of the most popular models in this segment. A not very large and original designed product is suitable for both children 7-8 years old and teenagers weighing up to 80-85 kg. There are 2 models: Original is 22 "long and Nickel is 28" long.

Pros:

• quiet running of the product;
• superbly picks up the speed limit;
• smooth ride;
• very durable, but you cannot jump;
• compact, sometimes sold with a special case;
• easy to find parts.

Deck made of 100% wood. By all standards, it is considered a classic longboard, and all its functions are performed in full. Metal Abec 7 RS bearings.

Positive traits:

• easy to control and maneuver;
• convenient to carry or carry;
• excellent assembly;
• smooth running even on very poor road surfaces.

It is extremely important to choose the right board for a beginner as much as possible, which will allow him to quickly master the rules of skateboarding and will give only the most joyful emotions.

• Soundboard. In order to immediately acquire a comfortable and good skate, you need to pay primary attention to its deck. It is considered the basis of this popular product among modern youth and is often made of wood or cheaper plastic, there are also fiberglass products or aluminum fixtures. The aluminum version is very rare, since it has a fairly high price.

The best solution, according to the general opinion of professional athletes, can be considered a deck made of quality wood, for example, from Canadian maple. The most popular are 7-layer decks, although if you special desire, you can find devices with 6 and 11 layers on the market.

• Skin. In appearance, it is almost sandpaper, which has a base with glue. It is realized in the form of a sheet in the form of a rectangle, which, after gluing to the deck, is neatly cut around its entire perimeter.

• Suspension. Tracks are usually made from a special aluminum alloy, but you can also see iron versions that are painted in some catchy color. It is best to select the tracks according to the width of the deck. To improve handling, the tracks can be narrower than the skate, but not wider.

• Wheels. Most often they are made from polyurethane. They are different in many ways - size, degree of rigidity. These wheels are perfect for those skateboarders who love speed tricks, as they are durable, but you will feel any dimples or bumps on the road on them.

Skateboards with soft wheel types run slower, but still provide the best comfort and high maneuverability on all types of roads, even on the most disgusting asphalt or unpaved surfaces. For this reason, before choosing wheels for a given device, it is worth deciding on the type of surface on which you intend to continuously ride.

• Bearings. According to their dimensions, these spare parts can be matched to all types of wheels. Each wheel requires 2 bearings. Between themselves, they will differ only in the level of assembly and speed capabilities. Skateboards are usually equipped with products of the Aves standard. The higher the number after these letters, the faster you are considering skating.

• Brand. It is best to purchase products from well-known brands. Skateboards from reputable manufacturers will not differ much in their quality, so the basic rule is not to buy boards from firms you do not know.

• Shelf life. It is worth making sure that the board you have chosen does not gather dust in the store for several years, because this will cause its quality to decline right before our eyes. The wood can dry out, which will lead to damage to the product as soon as possible.

For beginners from among adults, you can choose a simplified version of the traditional skate - it is the most convenient for quick learning. It is best to choose a light board - from 7 layers of wood (for example, beech or birch).

For fast movement on the streets, it is best to purchase a longboard. Due to the solid dimensions of the board and wheels, you can get to a certain place much faster. Here it is better to choose a suspension with shock absorbers and wheels of medium hardness, as well as a larger width, in order to easily pass all road irregularities, and at the same time increase the service life of the product.

A child's device will differ from an adult in its smaller size and design. When choosing a skateboard for your kid, it is worth considering a number of characteristics:

• the length of the product will not matter much, but for older children (12 or 14 years old), it is better to choose more authentic accessories - it is better to select such a product immediately by height and weight;
• choose a product released this year: the more the board is, the faster and more it will deform after each use;
• the wheels do not have to be overly rigid - hard wheels will allow for significant speed, but provide the worst grip.

When learning to ride a skateboard, falls will be inevitable, therefore it is better to immediately purchase protective equipment for children. Together with the purchase of a skateboard, a child should choose a helmet, good knee pads and elbow pads, as well as special braces for the wrists.

Choosing a skateboard for teens and children can have its downsides.

• Small parameters significantly reduce the stability of the skate. As a result, due to its lightness, it becomes traumatic (especially for children under 8 years old).
• Skateboards created separately for boys and girls are not as in demand as the standard options. For this reason, not all brands are engaged in their release. As a result, they are sometimes impossible to find in stores and their quality will not always be at a decent level.
• Children grow up quickly, and after a certain time it will be necessary to purchase an adult skateboard as well.
• Having learned to ride a regular version of a skateboard, it is not always easy to get on a special board. It will take a long time to retrain, and this is much more difficult than learning to ride again.

For information on how to choose the first skateboard for beginners, see the next video.