How to choose a skateboard for beginners?

Today's skateboarding is a very popular sport among young people, because it is directly related to high speed, desperate dexterity and really cool tricks.

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

• Deck - This is exactly the board on which you have to stand while masterly riding.
• Truck - This is a special type of suspension, thanks to which the wheels are fixed on the deck. In the skateboard, the tracks will play the role of a rudder, while reacting to each tilt of the deck.
• Wheels Skateboards are small in size and have high rigidity.
• Bearings - they should be chosen very carefully. It is from them that the period of rotation of the wheels and the distance that a skate can pass just from a single light push will depend.
• Griptate - This is a special "skin", its manufacturer glues on top of the board, and it, in turn, prevents the rider from slipping while moving.

There are several skate classifications:

• classic view of the skateboard: a board that has 4 wheels that are placed on the axles of 2 on each side is perfect for those who are just starting to ride;
• longboard: a rather long version of the skate, it is often chosen by fans of accelerated descents;
• Snakeboard: 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: a plastic board for a neat ride in city conditions, lightweight, has not too much bend on one side only.

Views and names can also directly depend on the riding style that you have chosen for yourself.

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

• Werth. On this device, you can easily ride in special places with high sides - these are the so-called ramps. For riding, a rather wide deck with a suspension is very reliable and weighted.

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

• Longboard. It is chosen for riding in the same style: on this elongated board you can ride faster and almost without breaking off the surface of the earth. Tricks are carried out on 2 wheels as accurately as possible. Here, the length of the product can even reach 1.5 m. Such options are not very convenient for use in the city, and therefore it is better to buy boards with a length of up to 81 cm for performing various tricks. But they will not hold on to the gained speed for as long as this sometimes necessary.

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

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

For children-skaters there is a special ranking of parameters based on their growth:

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

The best skateboards in the world are produced by such eminent 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 an original and easily recognizable design. Any skateboard of the above brands will cost any money. It is on these skates that famous skateboarders, who have tremendous sporting authority, ride.

The deck of this product is created from Canadian maple, which increases its wear resistance and service life. Baker offers a choice of consumers a lot of its boards. They can be selected "for themselves" taking into account their growth and preferences in design. The main parameters: wheels with a diameter of 52 mm, bearings - class Abec 5.

Positive points:

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

A model for the most confident riders, with an unusual design. The deck is made of Chinese maple wood and therefore can easily withstand a rider weighing up to 100 kg and even more - according to user reviews. Wheels have excellent rigidity. The bearings are of class Abec 5.

Positive sides:

• shockproof and wear-resistant suspension;
• it is easy to maneuver with a skateboard and it is quite fast;
• will not bend under the weight of the skateboarder;
• can be found at almost all points selling sports goods.

It is considered one of the most popular models in this segment. Not very large and originally designed product is suitable for children 7-8 years old, and adolescents weighing up to 80-85 kg. There are 2 models: Original - 22 inches long, and Nickel - 28 inches long.

Pros:

• silent running of the product;
• excellently gaining speed;
• smooth ride;
• very durable, but you can not jump;
• compact, sometimes sold with a special case;
• easy to find parts.

Soundboard made of 100% wood. By all standards, it is considered a classic longboard, and all its functions are fully implemented. Abec 7 RS bearings made of metal.

Positive features:

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

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

• Soundboard. To immediately get a convenient and good skate, you need to pay priority attention to its deck. It is considered the basis of this product popular among modern youth and is often produced from wood or cheaper plastic, there are fiberglass products or aluminum fixtures. The option of aluminum can be found very rarely, 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, Canadian maple. The most popular are 7-layer decks, although with special desire you can find devices with 6 and 11 layers for sale.

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

• Suspension. Truckes are usually made of a special aluminum alloy, but you can also see iron options that are painted in some catchy color. Tracks are best selected for the width of the deck. To improve controllability, tracks can be narrower than a skateboard, but not wider.

• Wheels. Most often they are made of polyurethane. They are different in many respects - sizes, degree of rigidity. Such wheels are excellently suited for those skateboarders who love high-speed stunts, since they are durable, but you will feel any hole or roughness on them on them.

Skateboards with soft types of wheels drive more slowly, but at the same time they guarantee the best comfort and high maneuverability on any kind of road, even with the most disgusting asphalt or dirt surface. For this reason, before choosing the wheels for this device, it is worth deciding on the type of coating on which you intend to ride continuously.

• Bearings. In terms of size, these spare parts can be matched to all types of wheels. Each wheel needs 2 bearings. Among themselves, they will differ only in the level of assembly and speed capabilities. Aves standard products are usually placed on skateboards. The higher the number after these letters will be, the more speed skate you are considering.

• Brand It is best to purchase products from famous brands. Skateboards of reputable manufacturers will not differ much in their quality, so the main rule is not to buy boards unknown to you.

• Shelf life. It is worth making sure that the board you have chosen does not gather dust in the store for several years, because of this its quality will fall right before our eyes. Wood may dry out, resulting in damage to the product as soon as possible.

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

For quick movement through the streets, it is best to purchase a longboard. Due to the solid size 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 with wheels of medium stiffness, as well as larger widths, so that all road bumps can be easily passed, and at the same time increase the life of the product.

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

• the length of the product will not be of particular importance, but for older children (12 or 14 years old), it is better to choose devices that are more authentic - it is better to immediately select such a product by height and weight;
• choose the product released this year: the more years the board, the faster and stronger it will deform after each use;
• wheels should not be excessively rigid - solid wheels will allow to develop significant speed, but will 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. Along with buying a skate, a child should choose a helmet, good knee pads and elbow pieces, as well as special wrist restraints.

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

• Small parameters significantly reduce the stability of the skate. As a result, due to its ease, it becomes traumatic (especially for children under 8 years old).
• Skateboards created separately for boys and for girls are not as popular as 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 you will need to acquire an adult skateboard.
• Learning to ride a regular version of a skateboard, getting on a special board is not always easy. It will take a long time to relearn, and this is much more difficult than learning to ride again.

To learn how to choose the first skateboard for beginners, see the next video.