The Best Skateboard Equipment

Skateboard Trick Tips For Everyone

2010-03-07T17:21:00.000-08:00

By Francis Murphy

These skateboard trick tips are for those who have learnt the basics of skateboarding such as rolling and standing as well as balancing and turning. They require patience and skill and probably an adventurous spirit. These skateboard trick tips are for those who want to learn more complicated moves and steps and those who want to stylize their skateboarding. The trick tips in this article are crowd pleasers as well as attention and applause-getters.

The first thing to consider is different ways of getting on the board. For this skateboard trick, one gets on the skateboard before it lands on the ground. It sounds easy and on television may look 'cool' but is more dangerous than it seems. You need to be able to gauge when to jump on so that you land perfectly and safely. It also takes balancing with both feet and a good body stance.

Then, of course, one of the most important skateboard trick tips is one that teaches you how to stop on your skateboard. Other than the normal and conventional way to stop, this skateboard trick is done by spinning your board to the side and coming to an abrupt stop. This is usually done when you're going fast on your skateboard and suddenly need to stop or decide to stop. Also, another way of stopping is to have your whole body pointing the direction of your skateboard and then putting your weight to the front and moving the leg in the back outwards and then towards the ground.

Another skateboard trick is one that requires the skater to do a turn on the ground. Here the skater goes down low on the skateboard and has his hand on the ground for balance. This is one of the more challenging tricks and after the move has the skater up and on the skateboard in the same low stance that he or she started in. After completing the move, the skater can go back to his or her original position.

Why is Skateboarding So Widely Accepted in California?

2010-03-04T17:19:00.000-08:00

By John Pauls

There are plenty of places out there where skateboarders get a bad rap, but not in California. This sport is widely accepted there due to how their culture was developed. Keep in mind that the weather is mild all year long there so being outdoors on a daily basis is something most people are able to do. You will see people not only on their skateboards but also rollerblades too.

Skateboarding is very similar to surfing with the exception that one takes place on land and the other in the water. Since surfing is a way of life out there in California it wasn't a far stretch for them to accept skateboarding. In fact, many of the trends that have taken place within this sport started there.

California is also home to quite a few sponsored skateboarding competitions. They take place on many levels in different locations. You can go online to find a complete schedule for them. They have quite a fan base locally and many of these events attract people from all over to come support their favorite participants.

As people watch such events though they develop more of a passion for the sport itself. That is why they will take it up as a participant too instead of only being a spectator. Believe it or not, in California you can find paid instructors for skateboarding lessons. They make their own schedules and the good ones have quite a list of people that want to learn from them. You may want to consider signing up for classes if you need help getting things going.

They do offer an Amateur Skateboard League for those that aren't ready for the big leagues want to be a part of the process nonetheless. California is also big when it comes to the topic of safety for this sport too. You will see many people wearing the right gear for it and not worrying that others around them are going to think they look stupid for doing so. Such messages for safety come from the Amateur Skateboard League in California and you will see them in many locations out there. They include billboards, magazines, and on signs in areas where people often skate.

California has always been more of an open area than others out there. They seem to offer many different sports that people can take part in and skateboarding is among them. They don't put too many limitations on where people can use them as long as caution and common sense are used as well. Skateboarders hate it when they are limited in regards to where they can go. When they are in California though it is so inviting for the sport that they feel very excited to be there.

Of course there are areas of California where skateboarding isn't as developed or as accepted. Finding out where you are able to enjoy this sport freely though doesn't take much uncovering. You will find tons of people doing it in given areas and you will come across some of the best looking skate parks you have laid eyes upon.

Since this sport is so popular there you will have not trouble locating shops selling skateboards and all the parts or accessories you could possibly need. The prices are also very good due to the stiff competition that they are up against. You can find some of the best designs in skateboards offered in California. Many of these shops also offer customized skateboards so they can help you to create any look you may possibly want.

Does My Skateboard Require Routine Maintenance?

2010-03-01T17:17:00.000-08:00

By John Pauls

Your skateboard is going to last much longer if you take some time to perform routine maintenance. Many people don't take the time for it though and then the quality of their performance goes downhill. If you use your skateboard on a regular basis then doing this type of maintenance becomes even more important. Unless you are able to afford to get a new skateboard as you need one then you should make this a part of your schedule for it. The process isn't difficult and it doesn't take very much time either.

The grip tape on the deck is one area that you want to pay attention to. Chances are this is the one item you will need to inspect and replace the most. It doesn't cost very much and it doesn't take long at all for you to be able to apply fresh grip tape to the deck. At the same time though you will find that you are able to get plenty of additional benefit out of it. When you use your skateboard daily you may not realize that the effectiveness of the grip tape isn't as powerful as it used to be. Once you change it though you will notice a huge difference.

For safety reasons you should complete routine maintenance on your skateboard on a regular basis. You don't want the trucks or the wheels to become loose. If that occurs you will likely notice a wobble and that you don't have as much control while on the skateboard as you once did. Ignoring those early warning signs can result in a serous accident while on your skateboard though. Take some time to check that all of these pieces of the skateboard are tight. Then you won't have to worry about it.

Your wheels may start to wear out after plenty of use as well. When this occurs you need to get new ones. You can buy what you need from a sporting goods store or online. The cost of new wheels for a skateboard is very affordable. You can also put them on yourself in very little time. This will make a huge difference in the overall operation of your skateboard too.

The bearings of your skateboard also need some routine maintenance from time to time. You can usually tell as they will slower than normal. If there is debris in them they may make a strange noise when you ride as well. Many people try to clean their bearings without removing them from the skateboard. Yet this really doesn't offer them the level of maintenance that they really need.

Keep in mind that you want to use clean towels to wipe them off. There are also special products you can buy to lubricate them. Don't just reach for anything in your garage as many products including WD-40 aren't a good match for your skateboard bearings. Make sure you get rid of all the dirt and the debris before you lubricate them though. If you don't what you didn't remove will not be permanently stuck to the bearings.

If you really enjoy riding your skateboard then take care of it. A bit of your time to evaluate these things and to update them when necessary will help you get the most out of the experience. A skateboard that is well maintained will last you much longer no matter what the quality of it happens to be. Taking care of your equipment is a key part of the skateboarding sport. Make sure you give it the attention it deserves.

Tips For Buying a Customized Skateboard

2010-02-26T17:15:00.000-08:00

By John Pauls

If you find that skateboarding is something you will be spending lots of time doing, invest in a customized skateboard. This is one that has all of the elements that you love your way. Sure, you can go out there and buy a stock skateboard but you will find that it isn't fine tuned to your benefit. The more you learn about skateboarding the more you can bring to the table for your own design.

Buying a customized skateboard isn't highly recommended when you are first starting out. You won't have enough knowledge at that point in time to make a wise decision. You can end up spending too much money and not get the best results. Some parents think they are doing their child a favor by getting them a customized skateboard as a present. If you are going to go this route, allow your child to help you with the input about what to order them.

Find the right location to have your skateboard customized. This can be a local dealership, a location that you discovered while at a skating event, or a place you found online. Communication is the key element involved in getting what you want. You should feel very comfortable with the person you are working with. If you don't feel they have your concept in mind or they aren't listening then find someone that will.

To ensure that the person creating your customized skateboard is on the right track, bring pictures along with you. They can be obtained by a variety of resources. You can mix and match them to create the ideal skateboard for you. Put a great deal of thought in how you would like the deck to look. This can be designed anyway that you want it to be. Make it a reflection of who you are so that your unique personality can shine through with it.

Explore what they have done for other people in the way of customized skateboards as well. If you find someone with a board you love, ask them for information on who completed the work for them. They will appreciate the word of mouth referral. You will also have the benefit of knowing that provider offers top quality work.

Never settle for less than what you really want. Take your time to compare prices so you can get the best deal possible. Some customized skateboards are created by well known individuals. That fact alone can increase the price substantially. However, you don't want to trust the importance of such work to just anyone.

You definitely want the finished product to be professional. The quality of the skateboard overall needs to be wonderful. You don't want to it to be something that doesn't stand up to the test of time. Remember that while you do want to get a good return on your investment - you get what you pay for. It can be worth it to invest more but to know the quality of your skateboard is very good.

For those of you not sure what you really want or need from a customized skateboard, wait until you know. Ask for tips and information from those that create them. Tell them what you will be using the board for and get some ideas. Most of them will be glad to help you with finalizing your plans and making them reality.

If you follow all of these tips, you will be able to have a customized skateboard that you are very proud to ride. You will also feel more comfortable on something that you helped to design. It can take some time from the initial thought until your customized skateboard is done. While it can be hard to wait, be patient as the end result is going to be well worth it.

Best Size Skateboard Wheel - Tips For Choosing Wheels For Your Skateboard

2010-02-23T17:14:00.000-08:00

By Ilse Hagen

Skateboarding is a fun activity that is not merely for recreation or sport but also for transportation purposes. In order to make your skateboard fulfill its rightful tasks for you, you need to make sure that it is made of sturdy and durable materials on the board itself and most specifically on the wheels.

Hardness matters

Skateboard wheels are rigid yet small and they propel your skateboard. You can usually find them in polyurethane variants in sizes ranging from 48mm to 100mm, but they are also available in different degrees of hardness that are measured using the durometer A scale. The softest are 75a while the hardest are at 99a. Hardness higher than 100 are measured in B or D scales.

The best size skateboard wheel should have the right durometer based on your skill level. So if you are an adult, you can choose an all-around 97a so you can freely skate in most parks and streets as well as ramps and pools. Wheels that are measured above this particular durometer are basically difficult for average skaters but you can move on to higher durometer if you are already a pro.

Size matters

Imagine a fully-grown adult using a child's skateboard and performing tricks with it. This situation is actually dangerous because the rule of thumb here is: the best size skateboard wheel should be according to your body size. Teens and kids can use the 52mm-55mm while bigger riders can use the 56mm to 60mm. Basically, anything that exceeds 60mm is already a specialty wheel that won't be suitable for most skateboard parks.

Your purpose for skateboarding

The best size skateboard wheel is also something that can help fulfil your purpose for skateboarding like slalom racing, vert skating, and performing skating tricks. There are also wheels meant for specific types of skateboards like longboards for more efficiency in cruising and transportation.

Important information

Complete information on the best size skateboard wheel is available PickyGuide, the authority in free consumer advice. Access top-ranked, best-reviewed, and most competitively priced skateboard wheels in PickyGuide's recommended products section.

More Girls That Ever Before Are Taking Part in Skateboarding

2010-02-20T17:12:00.000-08:00

By John Pauls

In the past, girls that took part in skateboarding were considered to be Tom Boys. However, this particular sport has taken on a new light with girls, especially those from about 10 to 14 years of age. The fact that society is now more accepting of girls taking part in such activities certainly helps. Many families have several boys too which means their sisters have grown up around skateboarding and often find it to be interesting.

While many girls are comfortable skateboarding with male siblings or friends, others aren't. They feel that they are left out or that there is just too much to prove among the males. This is why you will often see groups of girls skateboarding together. They can encourage each other and help with building self confidence. In many regards, girls are more coordinated at this age and they are more patient. Therefore skateboarding can come easier for them to pick up than it might for males in their same age group.

There is support to be found in many forms too for girls interested in skateboarding. There are websites and even magazines dedicated to answering their questions and providing them with information. Such products are evidence that there are plenty of people out there that love the idea of girls getting involved. Even many of the male professional skateboarders have made comments about it. They often offer interviews and tips for females as well to encourage them to take part in it.

While the industry of skateboards and accessories is still mainly geared towards males, there is more of a selection for girls than before. The fact that anyone can have a skateboard custom made for them or they can buy the pieces and make it on their own gives them more options as well. Don't underestimate the skills that some of these girls develop when it comes to skateboarding as their speed and their ability to perform tricks just might blow you away.

However, there are complete lines of skateboards, accessories, and even safety gear that is developed specifically for girls. There are also more camps for these girls to meet each other and even competitions that are only open to girls. The fact that more of them are being able to take part in the sport of skateboarding means that it is continuing to grow in new directions.

The producers of such products are starting to see that they have shut out a great source of sales for too long. They had been forcing those girls interested in skateboarding to buy products that were made with males in mind. By taking a second look though and offering new products, they have found their sales increasing and girls becoming very happy with the selection out there.

If you find that your selection of such items are limited locally, make sure you go online. There are some companies out there that only make skateboards and gear for girls. There is no shortage of selection for great prices online. You may not have any idea of just how many great items exist until you start looking for them.

Any girl that is interested in skateboarding should look into it further and find out if it is for them. Too many of them though are still intimidated by the male dominance of the sport. Finding the right way to learn and taking the time to find the right skateboarding equipment though is a great way to get started. Don't be held back by the norms of society but instead follow your passion to be a part of skateboarding.

Why Should You Have a Skateboarding Logo? Primary Reason - Brand, Personalize, and Decorate

2010-02-17T17:09:00.000-08:00

By Adam Leeds

Almost no one actually knows where these skateboarding originated or the exact time it was designed! Eventually people came to know Skateboarding and they made it a practice of using customized platforms along with wooden box. This is an interesting game that is specially and dearly loved by little children of the 1950's. With increased interest and growing trends, skateboarding logos are becoming increasingly popular and they hit the business market with a quick and rapid growth.

Skateboarding logos are a kind of graphical representation of sign that is used for decorating the skateboards. With the improved interest, the skateboards are easily available in several different sizes, colors, along with decorative accessories signing along with skateboarding logos. Skateboarding logos are the one simple adoring accessory that will make the sport vehicle even more attractive and inspiring. Usually, the skateboarding logos are neither printed nor pasted to give a complete chic look to the skateboard. With intent to meet the wide-cut expectations of the individuals, the skateboarding logos will come with an assorted range of size, color and various themes. Generally, skateboard logos will come under different forms of representation, right from comic to some grand, sophisticated, and classy ones!

Of course, everyone will know your standard and personality on seeing your logos if you get into skateboarding. The logo you select will speak about your richness and professionalism! Individuals, who dearly love humor and fun, will dearly give their selection of getting comic and fun-tucking logos, whereas the business professionals will dearly prefer to purchase the standard, professional logos. It is really important to be very choosy, while you purchase a skateboard logo. Your character and persona will be simply dealt with your selective skateboarding logos. A skateboard logo has always been the dear loved favorite icon for little kids. The skateboard logo will come with ultimately mesmerizing colors and thereby gives a sparkling look. Most of the logo designs will be classy designed and they match the expectation of the young teens.

The skateboard logos will come at an affordable rate and moreover they are easily accessible in any online shopping store. The manufacturers have started introduced assorted range of logo designs that will match the expectations and demands of the individuals. Usually, purchasing the logos at online shopping stores will be absolutely good, because you can choose a wide range of collections meeting your expectations ahead. Undoubtedly, the classy logo types will be the best and simple method to adore your vehicle in a smart affordable way.

Inexpensive Skateboards Not Cheap

2010-02-14T17:07:00.000-08:00

By Dean Novosat

If you are just getting started in skateboarding and don’t have a lot of money to spend on a new board, you may think that buying a cheap skateboard is the way to go. However, don't be fooled. Cheap is not the same as inexpensive. While there are many cheap skateboards out there, many of them are of low-quality and will not withstand constant use or advanced tricks. There are inexpensive skateboards that are well-made and are quite a bargain. Let's look at two definitions before we go further:

Cheap: costing very little; low in price; small cost; may be low in quality
Inexpensive: not costly; a good value

So, from our definitions, a cheap skateboard may be more costly than an inexpensive one.

Cheap Skateboards

A cheap skateboard is one that is constructed from poor-quality materials. These are typically sold at mass market retailers like some chain stores. They may be priced low or they may be priced higher than a better-quality board. These cheap boards will have a deck made of cheap plastic or wood, will not have the fit and finish of the deck, trucks, and wheels of a better board, and will use inferior trucks and wheels.

Inexpensive Skateboards

An inexpensive skateboard will be made of higher-quality materials than a cheap skateboard. It will have a deck that is made of high-quality plastic, wood, or composite materials. It will also feature good quality trucks and wheels.

Some Examples of Inexpensive Skateboards

Powell is one company that makes inexpensive skateboards. They have several complete boards (deck, trucks, and wheels) for under $50. These are an excellent value if you are just getting started in skateboarding. Another company that makes a good-quality inexpensive skateboard is Speed Demons. They have a few models under $60 and even more in the $60-$80 range. One type of board we don't like is the Yocaher skateboard. These boards are around $35 and feature bland graphics and, in our opinion, a design that is not up to par with today's standards.

If you are looking for exciting graphics and a good-quality board, we like World Industries boards. You can pick one up for under $60, they have decent decks and mediocre trucks and wheels, but they are a good example of an inexpensive skateboard that should serve you well in the beginning and until you are ready to invest in a better board.

Skateboarderpro Takes On The Online Skateboard Biz

2010-02-11T17:05:00.000-08:00

By Jeff Schultz

The last few years, say over the last 10, the business revolving around the "skate culture" has exploded. A couple years ago I attended an ASR conference in San Diego and was blown away by the sheer volume of industry that has built itself up around the remains of the 80's skateboard revival. It's the third coming of the skate industry as the phoenix has indeed risen and there is no stopping this juggernaut. Hard goods, soft goods, you name it, there were hundreds of exhibitors, many with giant brand recognition all vying for a slice of this huge lucrative skate culture market.

The whole conference was just dripping with "hipness" I was beginning to get self-conscious that I wasn't cool enough as it was dawning on me the huge opportunity available to so many different segments. Lots of stash is definitely being made. Skateboarding is not just for kids, it's a major cultural movement with a huge periphery. It's not just about selling skateboard hardware; decks wheels etc. It's selling an entire culture now...and it's selling like hotcakes.

I was down at the conference with a good friend who owns a small skateboard manufacturing company and I was along to help a bit on the marketing and to try to raise the company's profile a bit. Like a lot of other industries, the skateboard business has evolved into a distribution pipeline that is rather strictly controlled by a few established companies that supply all the major product. If you're a retailer, you need these guys bad because they've got the gear the buying public wants. If you're an upstart retailer it can be almost impossible to get the key products because another more established retailer in your area has the deal with the distributor. So a good deal of smaller retailers languish trying to flog unknown product, and the sad thing is that in many cases, this unknown product may be just as good or exceed the quality of the name brands.

This is where my friend's dilemma comes in; he's a manufacturer trying to get distribution. Up until now, he's been flogging his own stuff the best he can by dealing direct with smaller retailers in his home territory. But with North American manufacturing costs being what they are and being forced to compete with cheaper made chinese product that the dominant distributors flood the market with he's seeing his profits dwindle. At this point now, in order for him to succeed he needs wider distribution. He needs to be in stores all over North America and most importantly, he needs Internet distribution.

When I look around at the retailers on the Internet, there are some very cool sites, some with brick and mortar realities, but more that are strictly online ventures. Nevertheless, they almost all fall prey to the distributors. Not every shop has every big name product. For example, if distributor A has big name X & Y, and he's your supplier, if your customer wants product Z, which just happens to be distributor B's major line, that customer is going to another shop and there's not much you as the retailer can do because you're never going to get product Z as long as you sell X & Y from your guy. In some industries this is not such a problem because one product can be just as good quality-wise as the next and the customer base is not so brand fixated. But in the skate biz brand and image are kings and they come a dime a dozen. With slews of competing products, highly geared for brand recognition, quality is almost a secondary concern with most of the kids consuming these products. The skateboard consumer wants the latest and the greatest and who lets them know what these products are? Enter the skateboard pro. The professionals in the sport today are truly amazing athletes, defying fear and gravity to perform sometimes unbelievably complex and technical maneuvers. Look for skateboarding coming to an Olympics near you very soon, no joke.

This sport has gained major credibility over the last decade. Read credibility as 'ka ching' factor. Flip through the pages of one of the many mainstream skateboard magazines and you'll have a hard time finding the articles hidden beneath all the advertising. And just like many other tournament based sports, these young pros are making their money with endorsements. Younguns like Ryan Sheckler, Paul Rodriguez, Terry Kennedy, and Rob Dyrdek are hoovering up large dollars wearing their sponsor's clothes, and riding their sponsor's equipment. These skateboard pros are living, breathing billboards for the clamoring skateboard consumer base, which is now almost a world wide market.

With so many "name" products out there and companies changing skate pros like underwear there seems to be a couple of interesting opportunities here. Enter Skateboarderpro.com, a new site I recently stumbled upon that features a rotating top ten of hot pro skaters. There's some Youtube links to some videos but there's also a complete list of the skateboard gear these guys are sponsors for with direct links to buy the stuff online at a claimed "researched" cheapest price. I've seen some online retailers who organize their inventory by pro skater but because they don't get all the big names due to their supplier deals some of the breakdowns of what they can get are pretty lame. Skateboarderpro has it all. Pick your favorite pro from the top ten and instantly see links to EVERYTHING that rider uses, from deck to trucks, wheels, bearings, even the shoes. Skateboarderpro researches a variety of online retailers and puts it all together on one site. If you want to buy the exact setup say, Danny Way is riding, you don't have to search around and order form 3 different sites. Skateboarderpro utilizes an Amazon aStore to combine the entire transaction into one shopping cart so it really is a skateboard enthusiast shopper's dream.

The second opportunity I eluded to earlier is, with the skate culture endlessly gaining momentum, and sponsor companies eagerly searching for the next "pro" to exploit, the career choice of "professional skateboarder" is quickly becoming a reality for every pimply faced kid down at the local skatepark. Skateboarderpro.com has an offering for this as well with a new book, "GO PRO, The Definitive Guide On How To Become A Professional Skateboarder". A quick check around the interweb and you'll see there's not much in-depth info available on the actual mechanics involved in becoming a pro skater, so I'd be eager to see what this book had to offer if I was dreaming of one day winning the X Games on a vert ramp. Unfortunately, I'm definitely over forty and my trips to the skatepark these days are fettered with fits of panic interspersed with fleeting moments of glee as I valiantly attempt to find some flow without eating some concrete. I think my dreams of going pro are long gone but I might check the book for my son, and hip my skateboard manufacturing friend to Skateboarderpro.com

Centennial Skateboard Park In Trouble Near Aurora Colorado

2010-02-08T17:02:00.000-08:00

By Dianne Anderson

For some reason unknown to kids and adults alike who just want to get their skate on, someone has been vandalizing this spacious skatepark complete with benches and shade for adults to keep an eye on their children skateboarding and bicycling. Whoever it is continues to place graffiti and obscene messages all over the skating area of the park. During the past month police on bicycles began to patrol the area looking for the vandals or anyone else who might be causing a disturbance at this park.

Most recently it has gotten to the point to where the authorities have actually placed crime scene tape around the skatepark to keep all skateboarders out of the park. This act has caused the many honest skateboarders who aren’t out to destroy skateparks to have to resort to going to the next closest park, Wheel Park in Aurora, which in turn creates an over crowded skatepark! This is truly an unfortunate performance on the part of the perpetrator or perpetrators of these destructive acts to the new skatepark in Centennial.

It is most calamitous to see this brand new skatepark in trouble due to a few ill responsible individuals who have little or no respect for property or the rights of others. Street and Vert skateboarders alike need a decent place to skate in order to skate freely without invading upon another business owner’s property or disturbing the peace of the public. When a skatepark is built complete with all the ramps, rails and bowls needed to accomplish this, it is a shame that a few undeserving individuals would find a need to try to destroy it.

What Are the Most Difficult Skateboarding Tricks?

2010-02-05T17:00:00.000-08:00

By John Pauls

There are various skateboarding tricks out there that a person can choose to perform. They range in degree of difficult from beginners to advanced. Some people find mastering a particular trick easy while others struggle for a very long time to learn it correctly. The challenge of it all can be part of the thrill though because you can see yourself getting better and moving forward.

The most difficult skateboarding trick out there has been performed by very few. It is the Triple 360 Flip. This is a very intense move that takes a great deal of time and skill to master. Today there are only a handful of people that can successfully complete the Triple 360 Flip. It continues to be one of the tricks that people strive to master. There are lots of injuries and accidents that result from all of their efforts though.

Most people will give up before they learn it though. For those that continue to strive towards that goal, they will have plenty to be proud of when they do successfully learn how to perform the Triple 360 Flip. There are plenty of common mistakes for this trick so explore what not to do as well so you can get it right.

The 900 is a move that was completed by Tony Hawk in 1999 but even he has to admit it is extremely difficult. In fact, Hawk has a patent on it but was struggling to get it done. The theory he had was more complex than the body's ability to perform it. While many thought he should give up the idea he continued to practice it and to develop a way to make it happen.

During the X Games in 1999 he was able to successfully do it. Now, this didn't occur overnight as many people think though. He had failed at performing that trick 11 other times. If you aren't familiar with this trick, you have to complete 2 ½ revolutions. This wasn't a one time thing either as he showed again in the 2001 X Games that he still has this trick under his wing.

Most people out there are familiar with the name of Tony Hawk whether they are into skateboarding or not. He is well known for his amazing tricks, delightful personality, help with non profit organizations, and even his video games. However, he is believed to be the best when it comes to performing the most difficult skateboarding tricks. In this particular sport it doesn't matter how many tricks you can do, but the level of difficulty involved with them.

The Ollie is a very old and very common trick on a skateboard. Yet one other very difficult one is the Ollie 360 Nose Heelflip. You definitely have to learn how to shift your weight into a particular area of the board when you land. Otherwise you won't be able to continue the rotations like you should. You also have to be careful not to put too much of your weight on the back of the board.

Due to how hard many of these difficult skateboarding tricks are, you likely won't see them being done on the streets by the kids around. Instead you will see them performed by those that are in competitions. If you want to see the best of the best, go online and find out where these events will be held. You can watch some of them on TV but to see the action right in front of you is something you will love. If you have no desire to learn the most difficult skateboarding tricks, you can keep yourself entertained by watching other people perform them.

Play Free Skateboarding Games Online

2010-02-02T16:58:00.000-08:00

By John Pauls

Internet access is something most people have in their homes these days. Why not use it to have some fun? You can play free skateboarding games online. For those of you that can't justify spending money to buy video games then this is a great option. There are plenty of fun games to play and the graphics are amazing. The only problem is that you won't want to leave the computer for a while to do anything else!

Of course that is a small problem to deal with. Parents can encourage their children to complete their chores and school work with the promise of computer time later on that they can use to play free skateboarding games. This type of leverage is something that can turn these things into a winning situation for everyone involved instead of a constant power struggle around the house.

Many of these free sites will require you to sign up for an account with them. That only takes a couple of minutes though and then you can be on your way to enjoying the fun. They mainly offer such games to collect your name and email address anyway. Then they can freely send you information about products that they offer. You can just delete those emails though and continue to play the games. You aren't under any obligation to buy anything from them just because you enjoy their skateboarding games.

Since there are so many of them, make sure you explore many sites. You should create a folder in your favorites too where you can save all of those games. That way you don't forget where they are later on. You can also play them with other people that come over and share your same interest in skateboarding.

You will find skateboarding games where you get points for doing various tricks and jumps. Others have people shooting at you or you racing to get from point A to point B. Each game can have its own story to go with it so take the time to familiarize yourself with it. There should be complete rules and information on how to operate the controls for the game from your computer keyboard as well.

Many of them have quick buttons you can use to get movements. For example the keys Z, C, and X often allow you to do different tricks. You can do combos by clicking on two keys at the same time. Have some fun with experimenting to discover what moves you can do with each of these games. Even if you haven't played such games before you will get better each time that you practice.

There should also be information online about tips and tricks you can incorporate for a skateboarding game as well. Other players often freely post such information so you just have to use a search engine to find it. This can give you a huge advantage too when you are playing your skateboarding games against someone else. You don't have to tell them that a great deal of your skill and strategy was developed by conducting research online about the game!

There are plenty of fun skateboarding games you can enjoy online. They are a great source of entertainment and a way for you to release some stress. Many people play them when it is too cold outside to actually engage in skateboarding themselves. It helps to kill the time until the warmer part of the year comes around once again. New games are added all the time so what are you waiting for? Enjoy them at no cost and fulfill your desire to be taking part in skateboarding at some level.

Three of the Greatest Skateboarders in History

2010-01-30T16:49:00.000-08:00

By Duke McCallister

Just as hockey, Hollywood and traditional mainstream sports has its heroes and legends, so does skateboarding. Over many years, skateboarding has moved from a fringe activity into an accepted corner of mainstream life and culture. The reason for this amazing transition is because of the dedicated and talented boarders who have mastered and performed brilliant tricks and dazzling displays throughout time. However, there are a few skateboarders who have literally transcended skateboarding and are just as popular, well-known and as respected in the half-pipe as they are in the boardroom or on the red carpet.

With that in mind, below is a list of skateboarders who are more than just skateboarders. It could have been for their pursuits on their decks, or perhaps they had the foresight to view skateboarding as a platform to bigger and better things. But, for one reason or another, the people featured in this article have moved beyond the skateboarding world and are immensely respected outside of it, while maintaining their credibility within it as well.

i - Tony Hawk

First of all, is there not a better name for a skateboarder than Tony Hawk? Probably the most popular skateboarder to ever grace a deck, Tony Hawk is a rare combination of athlete, businessman and showman. As a pure skateboarder, he was the first person to ever complete a 900 degree rotation while in mid-air - often considered the holy grail of skateboarding tricks. As a performer, his stunts, tricks and displays have wowed crowds both young and old from all corners of the globe. And as an captain of industry, his name and image can be found on skateboarding products, video games, films and much more. A true multi-media mogul who got his start on a skateboard, Tony Hawk was - and still is - a talented visionary who broke skateboarding into mainstream culture.

ii - Rodney Mullen

Nicknamed "the Mutt", Rodney Mullen is often considered one of the forefathers of street skateboarding, in which an urban environment serves as both an artistic canvas and a physical challenge too. If you've ever heard of a skateboarding move called "the Ollie", it was Rodney Mullen who is credited with its invention. An old-school skater from the 1970s, Rodney Mullen is still going strong today, performing and developing new skateboarding decks and equipment. When talking about Rodney Mullen, it is often said that he's forgotten more tricks than he's invented - which is high praise considering he's created over 20 skateboarding tricks on his own.

iii - Robert "Bob" Burnquist

Born in Brazil, Bob Burnquist began skateboarding when he was eleven years old and became a professional skateboarder at the unreal age of fifteen. Perhaps Bob's greatest achievement came at the 2001 X-Games. He was sitting in second place, and he needed to perform a flawless skateboard run in order to have any chance of winning. Not only did he execute perfectly, but he amazed the crowd in attendance with an array of new and innovative tricks. These moves were so extraordinary that they didn't even have names attached to them. As a result, he scored the highest marks ever in the X-Games, thus winning the competition.

Why Skateboarding is Fun

2010-01-27T16:47:00.000-08:00

By Duke McCallister

One of the most enjoyable, fun and entertaining activities that anyone can participate in is skateboarding. Now, for the uninformed or uninitiated, skateboarding may, on the surface, appear to be a complicated and difficult hobby to master. And while it's true that, for professional or high-end skateboarders, their skills and abilities are as a result of many years of practice and patience, that does not prohibit anyone from taking up and getting in on the skateboarding revolution. As a matter of fact, skateboarding is more popular and more accessible today than it has ever been during any point in its history.

There are many reasons why people take up skateboarding, and there are many reasons as to why skateboarding is fun. For starters, skateboarding supplies a sense of thrill and excitement that other sports or activities simply can't provide. There's nothing quite like the feeling of standing on a narrow wooden board as you're racing down an urban landscape or grabbing some air in a skate park. Now, that doesn't mean that when you first step onto a skateboard deck that you should immediately try to attempt to complete a 1080 rotation. What it does mean that, over time, as you begin to feel more comfortable on your skateboard, you'll also begin to realize just why people turn to skateboarding for intense physical action and excitement.

Another reason why skateboarding is fun is because, compared to other hobbies or recreational activities, skateboarding is relatively inexpensive to enter and pursue. Sports such as ice hockey require a tremendous amount of time, effort and dedication in order to truly excel at it. And while the same can be said and applied to skateboarding, you can really participate in it at your own pace. Additionally, with something like ice hockey, you also can only enjoy ice hockey inside an ice hockey arena - which may or may not exist in your community. With skateboarding, there really isn't any limitation as to where or when you can hop on your board or deck and go for a ride.

Furthermore, skateboarding is a way to sort of "go against the grain" when it comes to the established culture. Even though skateboard decks have gained a strong foothold in mainstream life, there is still a certain counterculture or rebellious attitude when it comes to being a skateboarder. It's actually a funny dichotomy: all across the country, skateboard parks and half-pipes are being built in public locations such as parks, thus providing a testament to its popularity. At the same time, these popular and public locations are being visited by people who are considered "rebels". A third aspect is that, more and more people are deciding that skateboarding is a fun and exciting activity to get into.

A great way to get around town, build confidence and get or stay in shape, there are many fun aspects towards skateboarding. Children - and adults of all ages - are now discovering what skateboarders have known for many years: being a skateboarder comes with many different external benefits which may not be so noticeable at first, but which are fairly obvious and logical at the same time.

Online Skateboard Gear Shop Started By Eleven Year Old

2010-01-24T16:43:00.000-08:00

By Dianne Anderson

The son of a skateboarder, Spencer Semien was on a skateboard himself by the time he was three years old.

“All of a sudden, skateboarding became his passion,” says his mother, Marla Sneed.

As any parent knows, a child’s passion can be quite expensive and Spencer needed a part-time job to support his skateboarding activities. He already had an interest in computers and, in fact, had built a personal web site, so building one devoted to skateboarding was the logical next step. With the help of his mother and a Denver-area skateboard shop, the 11-year old got his site up and running. The official launch date was Oct. 21 of last year.

First and foremost, the site markets skateboarding equipment to intermediate-level skaters and higher. Skaters can purchase pre-built complete decks (that’s a fully assembled skateboard) as well as individual parts and accessories, everything from wheels, to grip tape, (intended to give the skater a surer foothold on the board), to skateboard repair tools, to the latest in safety equipment.

And those that switch from skateboarding in the warm weather to snowboarding in the winter haven’t been neglected; the site also provides a snowboarding section with a selection of snowboards and protective gear.

In addition to serving as an equipment supply headquarters, the site provides a full range of skateboarding services.
Site visitors can access a technical support page, which provides information on which skateboard might best serve their needs, or study (and purchase) plans for building a skateboarding ramp of their own.

Site visitors can access a technical support page, which provides information on which skateboard might best serve their needs, or study (and purchase) plans for building a skateboarding ramp of their own.

For today’s skaters, the site makes use of video technology. Video clips allowing aspiring skaters to study tricks performed by people Spencer has chosen as “worthy of being sponsored” by his website are represented. After many days of viewing “sponsor me” videos, a select few were chosen to receive recognition and free merchandise from this site.

The site also caters to visitors who aren’t skaters, such as parents of skaters or those who want to become more knowledgeable about a friend’s favorite pastime. A history section details the evolution of skateboarding, from the early 1900s to the present day, with the focus being on the evolution of the actual skateboard and skateboarding competitions, but also taking care to address the issues that have plagued the sport through the years, specifically, issues dealing with safety.

As hard as it might be for today’s corps of skaters to believe, there was a time when no one thought about putting on a helmet and protective padding before getting on a skateboard. And in the late ‘70s, many public skateboard parks were shut down because of liability issues. Rather than whitewash all these issues, the site points them out.

By perhaps clearing up some misconceptions about skateboarding, this site seems to be working to increase its bottom line, while embarking on enhancing the growth of the sport.

For this reason alone, the site is something Spencer Semien and his mother should be very proud of.

What You Need to Know to Skateboard

2010-01-21T16:40:00.000-08:00

By Adam Licata

Beginners Skateboarding Guide

Do you love to skateboard? Well if you do this is the site for you. Lets start with the basics. What kind of skateboarder are you? Street or vert? Or are you new to skateboarding or do not skateboard? Well To start out just so you know. A vert skater is a skateboarder who only skates half pipes. . . or those big ramps you see at a skate park. A street skateboarder obviously only skates on the street.

3 Basic Tricks

1. Ollie - This is the most essential trick to know... why you ask? Well this trick is when a skateboarder jumps up with the board.

2. 50-50

3. Kickflip - This is when the skateboarder will make the board turn a complete 360 spin upside down in the air. Now lets talk about 2 big names in skateboarding. I will name one street skater and one vert skater.

Pro Skaters Intro

1. First I will talk about the street skater. His name is Rodney Mullen-A very well known skateboarder for a long time. You should check this guy out if you haven't. He is a insane skateboarder. . . he does flips and handstands with the board and things you wont think is real. Check him out on YouTube. Next will be the vert skater. . . his name is the one and only Tony Hawk-The only skateboarder ever to do a 900. I am sure you want to know what that 900 is. The 900 is done on a half pipe and is when a skateboarder turns 2 and a half in the air. He still skates today even at the age of 49. Tony Own has 10 video games in his name. He is also has been around the skateboarding world for a long time. Check him out on YouTube as well.

Top 10 Skateboard Manufacturers A-Z-

1. Alien workshop.
2. Blind
3. Birdhouse
4. Element
5. Girl
6. Habitat
7. LIB
8. Plan B
9. Toy Machine
10. Zero

Skateboard Parts

1. Deck
2. Trucks
3. Wheels
4. Hardware
5. Bearings

Deck-This is the board itself. . . usually consist of 7 layers of wood.

Trucks-The trucks are what hold the both the wheels and deck together.

Wheels-These are what make the skateboard move

Hardware-This is all the nuts and bolts that hold the trucks to the board.

Bearings-These are what make the wheels spin

Skate park-A place made for skateboarding... sometimes indoor and others are outdoor. Also this is where you can skateboard and meet other skaters.

Advanced Tricks

1. Impossible
2. Hard Flip
3. 360 Flip
4. Inward Heel Flip
5. Laser flip

History-Skateboarding started in the 60. Did not become popular until the 70s. The group that helped bring skateboarding to what it is today was a group called the Z-boys.

Today and skateboarding-Skateboarding is a lot more advance today then it was 20 years ago. Today's skaters are some of the most amazing athletes you will ever see. The way they ollie those stair sets and how they grind those huge rails. But remember even the pros mess up. They get hurt just like me and you.

Skateboarding Trick Tips

2010-01-18T16:38:00.000-08:00

By Dave E Lewis

Skateboarding has become very popular again after loosing a bit of popularity in the eighties and nineties. It all started in the seventies with west coast surfers who where looking for a way to carry on with their surfing during the winter months and invented the first skateboard.

If you are looking to get into skateboarding for the first time there are a number of things that you must look for to make your skateboarding hobby enjoyable for many years to come. Try to buy the best skateboard that you can afford as many of the cheap boards available are not very good quality and will make learning the basics and any tricks like a skateboard kick flip harder for you. Also a cheap board will not last as long as a quality skateboard and you might find yourself replacing it sooner than you think.

Also think what type of skateboarding you want to do. Do you want to do bowl riding or just ride on the streets. Do you want to do downhill racing or do you want to learn tricks like a skateboard kick flip or other stunts. There are many places that you can learn some skateboarding trick tips from online once you have got your new board. You should consider all this and do some research before you buy your first board.

If you are a total beginner I would recommend getting a free style board to begin with. This will be the easiest board for you to learn the basics of skateboarding and will be good for most of your needs in the beginning. A freestyle board will have a wide deck with a kick tail and come with medium width trucks and soft to medium grade wheels which is perfect for a beginner. Once you get some skateboarding trick tips you will find that this type of board will be perfect for doing tricks on. You can get a good complete freestyle skateboard for around $100 which will be of good quality and will take all the knocks that you will inevitably give it when learning the basics. You could also build your own board by buying the component parts like the deck, trucks and wheels separately and putting it all together yourself. This would give you a unique skateboard that would be different from everyone else's which counts for a lot in the skateboarding world!

Also join some of the online skateboarding forums. These will give you a wealth of information and give you tips on buying your first skateboard and give you son great skateboarding trick tips. You might even make some new skateboarding friends!

Also I would recommend getting a good helmet and some elbow and knee pads. These will save you from a lot of cuts and bruises when you are starting out. It may not be cool to wear all the safety gear but when starting out you will fall off your skateboard a lot and it can be the difference between giving up this great sport or carrying on and learning the joys of skateboarding for many years to come.

Skateboards Give You The Freedom To Fly Past

2010-01-15T16:36:00.000-08:00

By Manny Charro Ramirez

The skateboard is a certain device which was conceived as a means of surfing outside of water. The history of skateboards cannot be specifically traced back to a certain age but is indeed very fascinating. Some hold the belief that the art of skateboarding began on the beaches of California while some other hold other that the background of skateboarding can be traced to some other place. In the recent times however skateboards are seen as an emblem of youthful energy and vigour. In the early era of 1930s the kids in the United States attached the roller skates to a board which measured up to two to four inches. But it was not before 1958 that the modern range of skateboards was invented.

Talking about the design of the skateboards it can be easily claimed that they were inspired from that of surfboards. In the initial phase they were quite similar to that of the surfboards but in the following times there was a change in the design due to that of the commodities. The first range of skateboards was manufactured in the year 1965. They were thick by one inch and had in them rubber wheels and also cast iron trucks. With varied range of skateboards available the skateboarders are also able to classify themselves accordingly like free style skateboarders, high jump skateboarders, downhill skateboarders, long jump skateboarders and so on.

Today with the popularity of skateboarding especially in the Western parts of the world the surfing enthusiasts are developing a special fascination over the skateboards and this is leading to an increase in the manufacture of skateboards of different types. There are also certain trivia attached to that of the skateboard. In the year 1993, on 17th August Thomas Welsh was issued patent # 5,236,208 for a skateboard which would be platform steerable. Following that Allan Ollie Gelfand invented Ollie which was again a trick of skateboarding where in the skateboarder would jump into the air with the skateboard completely attached to his feet. Though there was a lapse in the popularity of the skateboards in the 70s and 80s it has made a huge comeback again both in the arena of pastime and sport in the contemporary times. In the United States skateboarding ranks sixth when it comes to the talk of the sports which has the largest number of participants. In the coming years also it is likely to remain the major attraction as well as the centerpiece of the youth culture of America.

Skateboarding Tips and Tricks

2010-01-12T16:34:00.000-08:00

By Megan Vollmer

Skateboarding is a world wide sport and does take a lot of practice to learn the tricks you need to fully understand the sport of skateboarding.

The first trick that a learning skateboarder should learn how to do is the ollie. This is the most important skateboarding trick a new learner should learn first, in order to do a kick flip, pop shove it, and pretty much every other skateboarding trick.

To ollie, you need to put your front foot in the middle of your board and your back foot on the tail, and bend your knees. Then you snap the tail of your board down, and then jump. After you jump, you need to move your front foot up to the truck bolts at the front of your board to even out.

To ollie high takes much practice but the beginning skateboarder should learn this trick first before they move onto more complicated tricks. The more you practice the better you will get.

A pop shove-it is when your board does a 180 spin in the air. To pop shove-it you ollie, then you move your back foot in backward sweeping motion, then you move your front foot forward just a little bit, after the board does a 180 the skateboarder will catch the board with their feet and finally they have completed a pop shove-it trick on their skateboard.

To kick flip, you put your back foot on the tail of your board and your front foot behind the front truck bolts, just like you would do for the ollie. Except you have to have your front foot at an angle. As you ollie, move your front foot to the where the board starts to rise, next you flick your foot to the side, and then you bring your foot back and after the board has went all the way around you will catch the board with your feet. Finally, the trick is completed.

The kick flip is one of the hardest tricks to learn, so it will take a lot of practice for the beginner to get this trick down but, practice makes perfect in the sport of skateboarding.

The beginning skateboarder should wear proper protective gear to protect themselves before trying any trick on a skateboard. This can be a dangerous sport and can result in injury if the skateboarder does not land the trick the correct way.

Amazing Skateboarding Recordshttp://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gif

2010-01-09T16:30:00.000-08:00

By John Pauls

Skateboarding is an amazing sport, and one that not all of use are able to do. Even those that have been skating for quite some time may find it hard to do complicated moves. Therefore it is important to give some recognition for those amazing skateboarding records out there. While other people will continue to strive to beat them, the bar has been set quite high.

Rob Thomson took 2 1/2 years to skateboard and it took him 850 days. He holds the record for the longest journey taken on a skateboard. This is approximately 7,500 miles that he covered along this incredible journey. He completely worn out three pairs of shoes, plenty of skating wheels, and two decks by the time he was finished as well.

Ted McDonald wanted to get a record for his skateboarding trip too, but he didn't have the same amount of time to put in. He skated though for 24 hours and completed 242 miles barefoot. At least he didn't go through multiple pairs of shoes like Thomson did right?

There are a couple of individuals out there that also hold multiple records. Danny Way has a few of them that are definitely worth mentioning here. First, he successfully accomplished jumping the Great Wall of China, a feat that no one had done before on just a skateboard. Second, he holds the record for the longest jump ever, and at 79 feet it is going to be very hard for someone to take over this title.

Rob Dyrdek holds more than 20 skateboarding records according to the Guinness Book of World Records. Most of them he was able to accomplish in 2007 when the Guinness Book of World Records held such a competition. Some of the events he is the top dog for include the longest 50/50 rail grind at a distance of 100 feet, 215 ollies in a row without stopping, and the highest skateboarding jump into water using a ramp which he set with 10 feet and 8 inches.

The highest ollie recorded and verified is at 44 ½ inches by Danny Wainwright. There have been videos out there circulating of other people doing ollies that could be up to 50 inches. However, they haven't been verified and so they don't get the credit some feel they deserve.

For more than a decade Gary Hardwick has been able to maintain the record he set for the fastest speed. He reached 63 miles per hour in 1998 while racing in Arizona. There is a separate record for doing the same thing with a jet pack on. This goes to Billy Copeland and he was able to reach a speed of 70 miles per hour this way.

Perhaps the one really well known record out there is by Tony Hawk. He made history in 1999 at the X Games performing what he referred to as the 900. Basically this is a complete 300 rotation three times in a row. That is an extremely difficult trick to accomplish. There are still only a handful of professionals out there that have mastered it well enough to use it in their performances.

It is important to note that all of the amazing skateboarding records out there have been verified. Other people claim that they have done better in certain tasks, but their information wasn't able to be verified. Therefore the current records will stand as they are. If you think you have what it takes to break a given skateboarding record, make sure you find out the right procedures for having your efforts recorded. That way you too can get yourself the recognition you deserve for this sport.

Baker Skateboard - Keep Fit With a Baker Skateboard

2010-01-06T15:03:00.000-08:00

By Manuel Manolo

Skateboarding is a sport which has been around for almost three decades. It is a simple, fun and a non complicated sport. It is also a popular and a modern sport. It is liked by kids, teenagers and adults too. It is believed that skateboarding is actually derived from surfing and has its roots in Hawaii. Some believe it was a fun hobby which was started by some kid's. But for whatever reasons this sport took off for, it took the world by storm.

By the 1980's the skateboarders got its first modern skateboard. Slowly the other skateboarding products were introduced into the skateboarding scene creating quite a stir world wide. And in all this Baker skateboard products have always stood out and shone like a trophy for all it skateboarder fans. Whether it is a amateur skateboarder or a professional skateboarder, they trust products from the Baker skateboard company.

Skateboarding is great way to keep fit, instead of going to a boring gym or going for long walks at the park or go for a swim why not work put in a fun way and why not kick start your new fitness program with a Baker Skateboards. They are many great looking superior quality skateboards available and in the least possible prices. The team at the Baker skateboard company knows what a beginner skateboarder would need and what a professional skateboarder will need. There is always something new available for all its skateboarder fans.

Skateboard accessories are a must to give a complete look to the skateboarder and who understands this better than the Baker skateboard company. One can look cool and funky in Baker logos, Baker protective gears, Baker Skateboard apparels and much more. To maintain your skateboard Baker has high quality maintenance tools for you, such as skateboard bearings and lubes, skateboard rails, skateboard wheels, skateboard wax and skateboard nuts and bolts. Baker also organizes major skating events, publishes skating magazines and is a pioneer in the skateboarding fashion. Baker has encouraged many families to enjoy skateboarding and they are avid Baker fans. You will find many families get together at the skate park and what do you see them using? All kinds of Baker products! Skateboarding is simply fun whether it is a mode of transportation or is taken a profession or if it taken as a hobby. These days it has been adopted by many people to keep fit and healthy. With such great skateboarding product like Baker Skateboards, it is but natural that the number of skateboarders is increasing by huge numbers. Kids, teenagers, adults from all walks of life are bitten by the skateboard bug. Why don't you try a hand at skateboarding and start with a skateboard from Baker?

With a Baker skateboard, whether you are a novice or a professional, you will feel self confident and will look forward to showing off your board amongst your peers. Baker is a reputed brand, so try it out and get going on your skateboard.

Buying Skateboard Accessories

2010-01-03T15:01:00.000-08:00

By Camille Parker

Accessories are essential to complete any sports gear. Numerous skateboard accessories are available at online stores and in market which not only enhance your skateboarding experience but also help in protecting you from injuries. Skateboard accessories also help in making the skateboards attractive. The funky skateboard clothing is very popular amongst skateboarders. Some skateboard accessories are optional while it is important to buy others. Lots of top brands are manufacturing and marketing skateboard accessories at affordable and competitive prices. Here are some accessories which are really popular:

• Skateboard Logos and Decals: The logos and decals are used extensively by skateboarders for decorating their skateboards. Skateboard logos and decals are available in various shapes, sizes, and colors and these can be placed anywhere on the skateboard. You can also go for customized designs to suit your personality. Some of the leading brands that offer skateboard logos are Baker, Alien Workshop, Black Label, Bones, Destructo, etc.

• Protective Gear: A protective gear is mandatory to protect you from minor injuries and accidents. Whenever you go out for skateboarding, do take care that you are never without your protective gear. A skateboard safety gear includes ankle brace, skateboarding gloves, skateboarding helmet and skateboarding pads. The protective gear is helpful in case of falls and helps in protecting a skater from cuts, bruises, sprains, and abrasions.

• Skateboard Apparel: Dressing up in proper skateboard clothing is essential to enjoy skateboarding comfortably. It is also a style statement in itself to dress up in funky skateboard clothing. You can impress your friends and other skateboarders with your colorful skateboard apparel. Skateboard apparel comprises skateboarding hats, T-shirts, jackets, sweat shirts, shorts, trousers, etc. Various top brands like Alien Workshop, Fourstar, World Industries, Habitat and many more manufacturers appealing apparel for skateboarders.

• Skateboard Maintenance Accessories: Maintenance of a skateboard is equally important to enjoy a safe and smooth ride. Periodic maintenance of skateboard is essential for optimum performance. Various skateboard maintenance kits and accessories are available to help you in maintaining your skateboard. Some of these are skate tools, skateboard bearing lube, skateboard rails and skateboard wax. Skate tools can be used to replace the non working or worn out components of your skateboard. Bearing lube can be used for cleaning and lubricating the bearings whereas skateboard wax can be used for lubrication purposes.

High Times of Skateboarding

2009-12-31T14:58:00.000-08:00

By Megan Vollmer

When you're learning a new trick, it usually takes a while to pull it off. It takes a huge amount of practice, and a lot of failed attempts and bailouts before you ultimately land that great new trick, and begin to do the trick on a regular basis.

When you land a trick for the first time though, the high of adrenaline that you feel is just absolutely phenomenal. I love skateboarding for the adrenaline high. That adrenaline high time while skateboarding is enough to make me want to keep continue to skateboard.

Skateboarding is a very extreme sport and can be very dangerous, and that danger again produces that ultimate adrenaline high for me. Doing the tricks and actually landing them correctly is yet another ultimate adrenaline high I get from skateboarding.

There's a fantastic feeling that comes with skateboarding, and as you shoot along with the wind rushing through your hair; you pop up into the air, and land back on your skateboard, and the adrenaline rushes right through you. The adrenaline you feel is awesome, and there is no greater feeling in the world than a skateboarding adrenaline rush.

Skateboarding for the adrenaline rush truly is amazing to me. For me mastering a new or complicated trick for the first time is where the best adrenaline rush comes from. It does not matter to me whether I am pulling off a new trick, or rocking out the old ones. If I am skateboarding, the adrenaline will still be pumping through me for minutes after completing or trying to complete a new trick no matter if I land wrong, and for me this is what attracts me to skateboarding.

It takes a lot of time and effort to become a good skateboarder, and to pull off some of the hardest tricks in the sport it still takes years of practice to become a professional skateboarder. Tony Hawk was the biggest influence on me to try skateboarding, ever since the first time I got on deck, the adrenaline was rushing through me and that pushes me to try to become a professional skateboarder. By watching the X-games on ESPN I was instantly hooked on Tony Hawk and since that day I have been trying to become a professional skateboarder myself.

Tips For Building Your Own Skateboard

2009-12-28T14:56:00.000-08:00

By John Pauls

The quality of skateboard you want may be out of your reach right now. However, if you are willing to put some effort into it you can get what you want. The process of building your own skateboard doesn't have to be complicated. At the same time it offers you a way to get the quality without investing a great deal of money in it. You will also have plenty of pride too knowing that with your own hands you created this lovely piece of work.

There are plenty of ideas you can find online to help you with building your own skateboard. You can find plans so you can identify the materials you need to purchase. You can also be creative and come up with your own plan for the skateboard you are going to buy. There are many places online where you can buy the materials you want. Take the time to carefully compare prices so you get the best deals. You want to compare quality too though so don't overlook this important aspect.

Select every aspect for building your own skateboard carefully. Start by evaluating what you will use it for the most. Then you can select the right deck size that is right for your size and what you want to do. Smaller decks work best for tricks while longer ones are best for use at skate parks and at high speeds. Don't forget the grip tape so that you have plenty of traction while on your skateboard. It comes in many colors so you may want to look around to see what your options are.

You will need two trucks for your skateboard. Take the type of wheels you plan to use into consideration too. If they are going to be very high then you will need to go with higher trucks as well. Your skateboard is going to need two bearings for the inside of each wheel. Without them in place your skateboard will still look great. Yet you aren't going to get the rolling action that allows you to move around on it.

While you may want to rush the process so you can get out there and use your skateboard, avoid the urge. Instead you want to take your time and make sure everything falls into place accurately. That way you will have a skateboard that is both reliable and safe for you to be on. This is the type of project you can complete though in a couple of days so don't worry about how long it is going to take you. Risers are optional and you may want to consider them. This will give you more of a lift between the bottom of your skateboard and the surface of the wheels.

You will need some durable bolts and nuts - eight of each in all. This will allow you to completely assemble all of your parts for building your own skateboard. The sizes you will need depend on the other materials you have chosen to use. It is important that you get the right size of bolts and nuts too. Otherwise you risk your skateboard not remaining together like it should.

When it comes to building your own skateboard, you only need some basic skills. You also only need basic tools that you likely already have at home. Have fun with this particular type of project. It is a great way to have a wonderful skateboard that is well beyond what you can afford to buy already put together. You can expect to get plenty of comments about your skateboard too. This is because it will look more original than what most people are used to seeing.

How a Skateboard Deck is Built

2009-12-25T14:54:00.000-08:00

By Raphael Clarke

A regular skateboard deck is made out of a maple tree. Maple trees are felled and then sent through a processing plant. A handful of rectangular pieces of veneer are made out of the tree. These strips of veneer will be stacked to create the skateboard deck.

Once the veneer has been shipped to the manufacturer, the veneer strips are thoroughly inspected. Any pieces that are too imperfect to create a skateboard will be thrown away or recycled. The strips of veneer are then sorted into two different types, one with the grain running horizontally along the rectangle, and the other with the grain running against the veneer.

The pieces of veneer are then sent through a machine that will apply glue to the thin sheets. This glue is just your typical, water-based wood glue. It holds very well after being removed from the press, and ensures that your skateboard won't come apart.

Once the glue is on the veneer, the pieces are stacked to create the beginnings of a skate deck. Almost all skateboard decks are seven ply skateboard decks. This simply means that seven layers of veneer were stacked to create the deck.

Next, the pieces of veneer are layered to give the most strength to the board, with the first piece being a piece of veneer where the grain goes vertically along the board, and the second strip being one where the grain runs horizontally.

After the veneer is stacked properly, it's ready to go into the skateboard press. Depending on what kind of skateboard is being created, the layered veneer will be processed in different machines. An old school shape and a new school shape have to be pressed with different machines, because the noses and tails are completely different.

The skateboard press turns the flat strips of veneer into something with a bit more shape. After being pressed, the skateboard decks are left to dry for twenty four hours or longer. If the decks weren't left to dry before further processing, they would likely warp and not be skateable.

After drying, the decks are processed. Many skateboard manufacturers shape a deck using a machine that uses a finished board as a template for cutting the excess wood off of a skateboard deck.

Once the skateboard has been cut from the pressed veneer, eight holes are drilled for attaching trucks. A machine similar to the device above is used for this. By utilizing a single deck as a template, skateboard makers can create lots of skateboard decks that are almost identical in form and size.

After shaping the deck, the sharp rails are smoothed out manually by a worker. Many skateboard manufacturers have a sanding drum that the workers use to remove the sharp edge on the deck. This makes the deck appear cleaner, and also prevents injuries to skaters and other objects by removing the sharp edges of the deck. Rounding the edges also can prevent the skateboard from splintering if it collides with a wall or similar.

The deck is not complete without a graphic. Skateboard manufacturers screen print deck graphics onto a sheet of plastic, and then transfer the graphic to the skateboard using heat. The extra plastic is removed to showcase the graphic on the base of the deck.

Once the graphic has been transferred to the board, the skateboard deck is treated with a layer of lacquer that will help to preserve the board and also the image on the bottom. This lacquer also gives a pretty sheen to the deck, and brings out the color of the wood. The deck is then boxed up and sent out to one of the many skateshops around the world, for an excited skater to purchase and enjoy.

Skateboarding Legend Tony Hawk

2009-12-22T14:52:00.000-08:00

By Scott Robson

The world of skateboarding just wouldn't be the same without legendary skateboarder Tony Hawk. An inspiration for many new skaters, he has taken the sport to new limits, setting dozens of records for his amazing skateboard tricks.

Though Hawk is clearly a leader in the sport, it is important to remember that he started off where all skateboarders did. At one time, Tony Hawk had to learn how to skateboard, like all other skateboarders. He has put a lot of hard work into becoming the top pro skateboarder that he is today.

Born in San Diego, California, he first began skateboarding at the age of 8 after his older brother bought him a used skateboard. His father, a retired U.S. Navy officer, built a ramp in their backyard for Tony to practice. He won his first skateboarding contest just three years later, and turned pro at the young age of fourteen. Since then he has won dozens of major competitions in the world of skateboarding, becoming a top name in the sport.

Tony Hawk is known for completing the first 900, or spinning around for two and a half rotations while on a skateboard. This feat was accomplished at the 1999 X-Games, the world's largest alternative sports competition. It took twelve attempts for him to land this trick during the 1999 competition; he again successfully completed the 900 during the X Games in 2001.

Tony Hawk is best known as a vert skateboarder, meaning that he uses ramps and bowls rather than skating on flat ground. Vert skateboarding is known as being very difficult; it can take quite a while just to learn how to drop in to the bowl, making his tricks all the more impressive.

Tony Hawk is known not only for his skateboarding tricks, but also for his video game line distributed by Activision. These realistic games provide an opportunity to practice tricks virtually by taking on the persona of a pro skateboarder. The series debuted in 1999, and there have been 11 titles to date, including the Pro Skater and Underground series and the latest game, 2009's "Tony Hawk: Ride."

His skateboarding-related activities extend beyond competitions and video games. In 2002 Hawk started the Boom Boom Huck Jam, a live show featuring displays in motocross, skateboarding, and BMX. He has also appeared in many films, including "Police Academy 4" in 1987, "Gleaming the Cube" in 1989, "Jackass: The Movie" with Bam Margera, Lords of Dogtown about the history of skateboarding, and several other movies.

He has also donated money to help build skate parks across the country and provide skateboards for kids who can't afford them. He has spent years encouraging others to take part in the sport he loves. He often interacts with his younger fans at competitions and other appearances, and is known as somewhat of an ambassador in the sport.

Tony Hawk is among the best-known names in the world of skateboarding, and for good reason. His story, competition record, impressive tricks, and other skateboarding activities have earned him a place in the history of the sport.

How Far Will Skateboarders Go to Get a World Record?

2009-12-19T14:50:00.000-08:00

By Scott Robson

Because skateboarding is a relatively new sport, the range of possible tricks is still expanding each and every year. With large competitions like the X Games, there's a good chance that at least one record will be broken during the event. Many of these world records can be seen in videos online and elsewhere thanks to the public nature of these events.

The world of skateboarding is full of pro skateboarders who are driven to push the bar with their tricks. Pro skateboarders are constantly working to improve their performance, shooting for more complicated tricks, bigger air, and more flips. Here are a few of the most well-known skateboarding records to date:

Longest skateboard. Although the lengths of the standard skateboard and the longboard are fairly standardized by now, there are some variations. For example, in 2005 three boys created and rode the world's longest skateboard. Over 30 feet in length, it required all three riders at once to control the full length.

Distance. Many people use skateboards as their primary mode of transportation, riding several miles every week, although there are others who have made a name for themselves based on how far they have ridden. In 2008, Ted McDonald rode barefoot for 242 miles in 24 hours. Rob Thomson is another skateboarder known for distance. He skateboarded approximately 7,500 miles over two and a half years.

Speed. The fastest speed that can be attained on a skateboard has been measured at 63 miles per hour, set by Gary Hardwick back in 1998. However, there are multiple reports of faster, unmeasured speeds, of up to 80 miles per hour.

Spins. Spins are incorporated into many skateboarding tricks. In 2000 Richie Carasco broke the record for consecutive 360 degree spins, with 142. Tony Hawk is known for many records, including the first 900 degree spin, or two and a half complete rotations without landing, a feat that was first seen at the 1999 X Games. The elusive 900 degree spin is the goal of many pro skateboarders, as is the 1080 spin, which has not yet been attained.

Jumps. High jumps and jumps over long distances are something practiced by most professional skateboarders. In 2005, Danny Way became the first person to jump over the Great Wall of China on a skateboard. He is also know for many other skateboarding world records, such as the greatest distance jump (79 feet). Danny Way also invented the Mega Ramp used to set both of these records; this structure is likely the largest skate ramp every built. Danny Way's other records include height out of a skateboard ramp (23.5 feet).

Ollies. The Ollie, in which the skateboarder flips the skateboard under them while in the middle of a jump, is arguably the most popular skateboarding trick. Although the record for the highest Ollie is officially 44.5 inches, set by Danny Wainwright, there are many claims of higher Ollies, up to 50 inches. In 2007, Rob Dyrdek completed the most Ollies in a row, with 215. In fact, Rob Dyrdek holds over 20 world skateboarding records, such as the longest rail grind (100 feet), and the highest jump into water with a ramp, at 10 feet and 8 inches.

Skateboard Tricks

2009-12-16T14:48:00.000-08:00

By Thomas Morva

As skateboarders gather experience, they start attempting advanced tricks and maneuvers. Of these, the most popular are the aerials. Ollie is one of the most advanced and popular skateboard tricks. Legend has it that it was invented by Alan Ollie Gelfand. By using this technique the skateboarder jumps over, onto or up to an obstacle. Throughout the exercise the board appears to stick to the skateboarder’s feet. The Ollie is the basic skateboard trick, from which others can follow. But remember, it is not at all easy and takes long hours of practice to learn!

The board flip is another maneuver that is very popular. In a well-performed board flip, the skater completes a landing back onto the deck after the board turns one or more time under the rider’s feet while both are in the air. Board flips can be of various types.

Another common and popular trick is known as a grind. A grind is performed by directing one and sometimes both trucks onto an object that has a distinct edge. The object may be a curb, railing, or pipe. The rider and skateboard are on the move, while the metal hanger scrapes along the edge. The grind is completed when the rider pops the trucks off the surface and re-engages the wheels.

A half-pipe offers a stiff challenge to skateboarders. Riders propel themselves up and down the curves of the trough while inside a half-pipe. In some of the half pipes the walls are almost completely vertical, where skateboarders can show difficult maneuvers, usually called vert skating (short form of vertical skating). In vert skating, skateboarders propel their boards to the top of either wall, perpendicular to the ground. They perform skateboard tricks on each side while riding back and forth. Skateboarders also perform other moves such as hand plants, foot plants, inverts, and flips. The McTwist is considered to be the most radical of vert maneuvers.

Buying Your First Skateboard

2009-12-13T14:46:00.000-08:00

By Adam Bunn

So you've decided to start skateboarding. Good for you. You've probably seen some cool skate videos, played a bit of Tony Hawks pro skater or just hung around with other skaters at your local skate spot, and decided it's time you got in on the action yourself. By it's very nature, skateboarding is a very creative and individual sport, and you can take it in a lot of different directions, but there is one thing you will need and that's a skateboard.

I'm going to run through the major things you need to consider when buying a skateboard so you can make a better decision about what you buy and where you buy it from. This information is aimed at budding street/flatland skaters. I am not familiar with the requirements for vert skating.

After reading this guide, why not check out Board Crazy to read about some skateboarding tricks?
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1. Cost

One thing you should know straight off is that skateboards can be extremely expensive. Straight off the bat you can pay triple figures for a pro deck and that doesn't even include wheels, trucks and bearings (all of which also come at a premium if you want quality gear).

You should try and blank your mind to all that great stuff. To begin with, you need something basic and functional. Something fairly disposable is ideal so if you decide skating isn't for you or you end up ruining the skateboard in the process of learning (which you probably will) you haven't paid the earth for no reason.

Aim to pay around £40 for a complete brand new beginner setup - any more and you're paying for something you don't need, much less and you are buying junk.

2. Deck

By far the best kind of deck to go for is a 'blank' - a deck with no graphics. The graphics and the branding are what make pro decks so expensive, and if you do any decent amount of skateboarding on it they will scratch off pretty quickly. You will usually get these with grip tape already on, or you can get any skate shop to do it. It's not even very difficult to do yourself.

Try and get a 7-ply deck - this means it's laminated with 7 layers of wood. 9-ply decks are heavier and more unwieldy, and a good sign that they are cheaply made. Try and also pay attention to the shape of the deck. If it's quite flat and straight it's no good - you need a decent amount of curve to the kicktails.

3. Trucks

The trucks on the first deck I bought snapped the first time I tried to ollie. Watch out for this - buy from a proper skateboard dealer (whether online or in a shop), not a high street sports shop/department store! If you look at the trucks on skateboards in these kinds of shop you can tell that the metal is of bad quality because it seems overly shiny and light. As tempting as the prices may be, walk away.

4. Bearings & Wheels

Bearings are what keep your wheels spinning when you stop pushing - they determine how fast your skateboard is. Bearing speed is measured by the ABEC value. The slowest bearings are 'AA' bearings, skateboards from high street shops come with these and they are BAD! With AA bearings, you will probably not be able to roll down a hill let alone on the flat. From there, you've got various bearing ratings including ABEC 3, 5, 7 and 9.

Go for ABEC 3 or ABEC 5 bearings at the absolute maximum. Though you want to be able to roll quite freely, getting bearings that are too fast is a bad idea for beginners. It makes riding more intimidating and landing tricks much more difficult as the skateboard is more likely to slip from under your feet.

Fore beginners, wheels are less of a consideration. Fairly standard wheels of 55mm will suffice until you decide which direction to take your skating. The wheels that come with a basic complete set are fine.

Summary

To summarise your ideal first skateboard will be a complete consisting of a blank 7 ply deck, strong trucks, basic wheels and ABEC 3 or 5 bearings. But before you go out and buy brand new, ask around among skaters you already know - often, a second hand dk from an experienced skater will be even better, as it will have been comfortably worn in and there is a fair chance you can pick up a bargain.

Skateboarding Accidents Can Be Prevented - A Little Common Sense Advice Goes a Long Way

2009-12-10T14:44:00.000-08:00

By John Montana

Skateboarding accidents can be minimized

Skateboarders are passionate about their sport!! And yet very often people ask the question; why would anyone want to participate in this dangerous sport where there are so many skateboard crashes. Many people have the skewed view that boarders are basically just 'skateboarding accidents that are waiting to happen'.

Many parents are wary to let their children participate in this relatively new sport, as they fear the inevitable skateboarding accidents that will come along. In reality there is inherent danger in any form of sports and especially contact sports and it all depends on how you go about it. Another myth that is still perpetuated today is that girls should never participate in skateboarding, as it is too risky, yet girls love this sport. The numbers of girls participating in this sport is growing steadily today.

Reduce injuries

Skateboarding accidents are part of this action sport, and that is just a fact! However, there is a lot you can do to make sure that you do not become seriously or unnecessarily injured in skateboarding crashes. The place to start is to look at the appropriate safety gear all skateboarders should wear at all times. A well-fitting helmet is

non-negotiable; you should never get on a skateboard without it.

Make sure that it is snug yet completely comfortable to wear and does not restrict your movements. The body parts that usually take the brunt when any skater is involved in skateboarding accidents are the knees and elbows. Get the appropriate pads for both the knees and elbows, as you will save yourself a lot of pain and discomfort. The onus rests on parents to make sure that their children wear safety gear at all times.

Learn And Practice The Tricks You Learn

Everyone wants to learn and perform the tricks they see the professionals do. However, you should learn the tricks completely before trying to perform them. Don't just look at them, and think you will be able to do them with ease. Even the professionals have had skateboarding accidents as they got to the level they are now at. The key here is to get the tricks and practice them every day. Accept that you are going to have skateboarding crashes along the way. But the more you practice, the more proficient you will become and Skateboarding Accidents will be a thing of the past.

Adults should heed their own advice

Ironically, the biggest culprits for negligence that lead to skateboarding accidents and skateboarding crashes are adults. They are quick to preach to children about safety gear and the need for it, but then they go and disregard their own advice. This leads to spectacular falls, broken bones and more. Instead, adults should take the responsibility and lead by example as there is no more powerful way of getting the safety message across to the younger generation. Unfortunately the media has a field day whenever a skateboarding accident occurs and a skateboarder is injured in any kind of accident related to the sport. This sends out the wrong message and leads to a negative image for the sport.

Be realistic about the sport

Yes, skateboarding can be dangerous if tackled without training, experience and a logical mindset. Too often parents hold their children back from this wonderful and fun sport for fear of skateboarding accidents as they see the breathtaking tricks and stunts performed by the professional skateboarders. It takes many years for any skaters to become that proficient, and along the way all the professionals have experienced skateboard accidents but lived to tell the tale. As a matter of fact, being an adult and a parent does not prevent anyone from taking up skateboarding. Put on the correct safety gear; pick up a skateboard and join the kids out there and you will learn that smart skateboarders know how to prevent serious damage when skateboard accidents happen.

Choose the Right Skateboard and Learn Some Basic Skateboard Tricks

2009-12-07T14:40:00.000-08:00

By Tony Wheeler

Experienced skateboarders realize that in order for maximum performance, the type of skateboard they ride makes every bit of difference effecting their ability to complete basic skateboard tricks.

According to many inexperienced skateboarders, all skateboards might appear to be created the same. The fact is, there are a few different types of skateboards to choose from. These skateboards differ in length and in concavity depths. There are two main types of skateboards: long and short. The different shapes of both long and short skateboards make an extreme difference in how the skateboard rides overall. To complete advanced tricks, the skateboard must be concave, referring to the curve of the board in relation to the raised nose and tail of the skateboard. A concave board is especially important for performing difficult tricks, such as an ollie. A skateboard ollie is a jump that begins by tapping the tail of the skateboard and sliding the foot to the front of the board in the air. Skateboards consist of three main parts:the deck, which is the part that the rider stands on, and the wheels and trucks, which are located on the underside of the deck.

The two most common skateboards are called the traditional skateboard and the long board. They differ in the length of the deck. Traditional skateboards are the most common type used for tricks. These boards are generally shorter than 33 inches (84cm). Long boards are usually over 35 inches (89cm) and are mainly used for cruising.

Skateboard concavity ranges from shallow to deep. Certain long board skateboards are designed only for cruising and may not have enough concavity for tricks. The depth of the curve is important for mastering tricks and ramps, and a deeper curve allows for more precision tricks. Beginners should always start out with shallower skateboards for safety reasons and ease of learning. Deeply concave skateboards are usually more expensive, more difficult to master and are more easily damaged.

A less important difference between skateboards is the materials that they are made from. Wood is the most common material, but is also the most easy to damage. Experienced skateboarders prefer their skateboards to be made of wood due to the responsiveness that the board offers. Less expensive skateboards can be made of plastic, fiberglass or aluminum. As you can see, there are many elements involved in choosing the best skateboard for your needs and skill level. Keep practicing and don't give up!

Thank you for taking the time to read this article. We Hope this information helps you in your quest to advance in thisfun and challenging sport.

Good Luck!

Skateboarding Basics

2009-12-04T14:38:00.000-08:00

By Dan Talley

Skateboarding has been around since the 1950s, although no one really knows who invented the very first skateboard. Several people may have developed it at the same time. The wood part of the skateboard is known as the deck, and it has drastically changed over the years. The very first skateboard consisted of a heavy plank of wood attached to a set of roller skate wheels. It has developed into a strong, but rather lightweight design which includes seven to nine layers of wood or fiberglass. The typical price range for a skateboard deck is 30 to 60 dollars depending on which brand is selected. A thin layer of sandpaper like material which is known as grip tape is applied to the top surface of the deck. This material creates enough friction for the rider to perform tricks without slipping off. The two metal parts which attach the wheels to the deck are known as the trucks. They allow the person to steer the board. In addition they can be used to perform various tricks. The level of steering is controlled by a set of rubber cushions, known as bushings. They are inserted into each truck. A softer set of bushings will make the steering loose, and a harder set of bushings will make the steering tight. Each skateboard has four wheels, two wheels per truck. This is what makes the skateboard move. There is a wide variety of wheels available. Big, soft wheels provide a smooth ride, but are substantially slower than small, hard wheels. Each wheel contains two slots which are used for the bearings. They are what make the wheels spin on the truck axle. It is important to keep these well lubricated, or it may become difficult to gain speed. The nuts and bolts which attach the trucks to the deck are known as the hardware. In order to securely fasten the trucks to the deck four nuts and four bolts are required per truck.

The first step to take before riding a skateboard is to ensure all of the parts are securely connected to each other. Once each part is examined, safety equipment can be put on. The helmet is the most basic form of protection. This is normally a requirement if attending a skate park. Additional protective gear can be worn such as, knee pads and elbow pads if desired. There are two different ways to stand on a board which are called regular and goofy. Regular stance is when the skateboarders left foot is placed in the middle of the deck, and right foot is at the back. Goofy is just the opposite, someone who is goofy places their right foot in the center of the deck and their left foot at the back. Riding a skateboard opposite to someone's dominant stance is known as switch stance. Riding a board in normal stance, while rolling backwards with the tail facing forward is called Fakie. When the rider becomes comfortable balancing on the skateboard they can start rolling. Normally when someone gains speed on a skateboard, their front foot is placed in the center of the board while their back foot pushes off the ground. Some people prefer placing their back foot towards the back of the deck while pushing off with their front foot, this is called Mongo.

The next step is learning how to steer and stop a skateboard. A person who rides in regular stance must apply weight onto their heels in order for the skateboard to turn left. When turning right the weight must be applied to the toes. Another technique used for turning is known as the tic-tac. Slight weight is put onto the back of the board in order to gently lift the nose of the board off the ground just long enough to shift the position of the skateboard. The skateboard can be turned right or left using this technique. The tic-tac is generally used by skateboarders with tight trucks, because it is faster to turn using this method. If the tic-tac is done multiple times alternating from right to left, speed can be produced. There are a number of different ways to stop the skateboard. The most basic method a skateboarder can use to stop the board is by lifting their back foot off the board and placing it on the ground. A more advanced maneuver is called the Powerslide. The skateboarder must rotate the board 90 degrees and come to a complete stop. Force must be applied to their back foot while leaning backwards to avoid falling forward onto the ground. This method takes a lot of practice in order to perfect.

Finally the skateboarder can begin learning tricks. The Ollie is the most basic trick to learn, which consists of the skateboard coming completely off the ground, leveling out, and landing back onto the ground. To begin the skateboarder places their feet in a comfortable stance. By slamming their back foot towards the ground the skateboard will come halfway into the air. Simultaneously sliding their front foot from the middle of the board towards the top will allow the board to level out in the air. If successful the skateboarder will land onto the ground and roll away smoothly. This trick usually takes a while to learn because of the inexperience the rider has on a skateboard. In order to become a good skateboarder each trick learned should be practiced until mastered. The Ollie should be practiced over various objects to achieve a greater height. After the skateboarder has learned the Ollie, many more tricks can be learned and mastered.

Skateboarding has evolved from a two by four piece of lumber attached to roller skate wheels, to an advanced design which hundreds of companies produce every day. This activity continues to grow and become more popular among people of all ages. Many newcomers become easily frustrated and quit, but if practiced for years it can be one of best experiences.

Illinois Skateboard Shops - Where to Find Them

2009-12-01T14:36:00.000-08:00

By Ian Pennington

Whether it's wheels, trucks, bearings, decks, griptape, skate tools, hats, shirts, shoes, hoodies, helmets and other protective gear, or other accessories which a skateboarder enthusiast may be looking for, it is likely to be found in one of many popular skateboard shops in illinois. Like any other sport, skateboarding requires a little equipment, and that's something more than one Illinois retailer is ready to provide.

Skaters who have visited skateparks such as Inwood Skatepark in Joliet, Illinois may be familiar with Jerics Skate Shop, a skateboarding retailer which has locations in Joliet and Plainfield. Like any other one of the skateboard shops in illinois, Jerics Skate Shop has a full selection of items which every skateboarder and skateboarding enthusiast has come to expect from a retailer specializing in the necessities of the sport. Jerics carries a large selection of complete boards, decks, trucks, wheels, longboards, and clothing; Videos are available, too, and Jerics even offers skateboarding lessons at a starting price of about twenty dollars. Jerics Skate Shop in Joliet can be found on 2233 W. Jefferson St. in Joliet, Illinois, and can be reached at (815)741-3305. Jerics Skate Shop in Plainfield is located at 15420 Route 59 in Plainfield, Illinois, and can be called at (815) 439-5717.

Natives of Peoria, Illinois, may be more accustomed to Airwaves Sk8works just south of Northwoods Mall at 2519 W Reservoir Blvd. Peoria skaters headed to Airwaves will find all the skateboarding accessories they may need as well as hats, shirts, hoodies, wallets, and backpacks from familiar brands such as Enjoi, Birdhouse, Flip, Habitat, Girl, and more. Airwaves also offers skaters a complete range of helmets and safety gear in addition to the accouterments many of them may need in order to complete their deck. Helmets, elbow pads, knee pads, wrist guards, shoe inserts, and shoes are all items which are regularly kept in stock. Airwaves Sk8works is open from 12:30 to 8:30 Monday through Friday, until 7:30 on Saturday, until 5:30 on Sunday, and can be reached by phone at (309)681-1800.

Chicago skaters will be likely to search out the whereabouts of FA Skateboard Shop at 567 South Arthur Ave. in Arlington Heights, another location in terms of skateboard shops in illinois in which shoppers familiar with skateboarding can find popular items. Skateboards, snowboards, shoes, and other items are available at the Arlington Heights skateboard shop, and FA Skateboard Shop can be called at (847) 392-3377.

For many supporters and participants of the skateboarding, buying or maintaining a skateboard, as well as purchasing some of the accessories which go with it, is a necessary part of the process which requires a trip to a retailer for a few much desired supplies. The least that a skateboarder may need is the skateboard itself, consisting of the deck, griptape, trucks, wheels, and bearings, and many skateboard shops in Illinois exist to provide the needed equipment.

Choosing the Right Skateboard Setup

2009-11-28T17:33:00.000-08:00

By Bradley J Anderson

Since we opened the skate shop, we get a lot of repeat questions about what kind of setup we recommend so here is a guide to help you choose what skateboard setup is right for you. This article is mainly aimed at skaters from the UK as we will be previewing some of the top UK skate brands. If you are not from the UK, don't worry, there's still plenty of helpful tips here!

Firstly, you need to decide what level of rider you are. Below is a breakdown of three categories; Absolute beginner, Beginner and Seasoned rider. If you are a pro then you obviously don't need to read this: )

Skateboards for Absolute Beginners

If you are just starting out, one thing you must avoid is spending too much on a skateboard. Afterall, chances are you will only be using it to stand on, push off and ride at best. Pick one you the look of and is generally under £50. There's a massive temptation to go for a top deck with the coolest graphics that all your mates ride.....don't bother just yet. There are plenty of skateboards out there that will help you on your way.

Go for a complete setup. By that I mean a fully assembled and ready to ride skateboard. Most of these come pretty much in a standard size although if you are under the age of 12 or a bit on the small size, go for a mini skateboard. Stateside Skates make some top minis!

All in all, most completes are there for beginners so get buying, get practicing and most of all have fun!

Skateboards for Beginners

If you have just started out and are thinking about a better / more expensive setup, you might want to stick to the completes or even build your own skateboard. At our skate shop we sell a lot of Enuff products to beginner skaters and those who are looking for a good setup at a reasonable price.

The decks from Enuff are top quality and are now even stronger than before. The trucks and the wheels are also good quality, so these skateboards are ideal for beginners looking for a good quality skateboard.

If you are really getting into skateboarding and want to spend a little more on a complete setup, there are completes out there for you, company's like Birdhouse and element. These completes will set you back around £100 or more but are a great buy if you want a quality skateboard.

If you are building your own skateboard, remember to buy the deck that suits you. Don't just go for the deck with the nicest graphics as most of them come in a variety of sizes. Generally, the bigger you are, the bigger the deck you will need.

Skateboards for Seasoned Riders

When it comes to a setup for the better riders out there, we are often asked which setup is best. There is no real answer as when you get into the higher price band of decks, they are pretty much all good quality decks. If you are bothered about saving some of that hard earned cash, sticking with the UK skate brands such as Death, Rogue, Heroin and Landscape is a great idea. These decks are usually under £50 and are made in the same way as all the US branded decks, and because dealers have to import the US brands, this gets added onto the cost.

When choosing an undercarriage setup, it's all about experimenting with different things. There are tons of top quality truck manufacturers out there. Force, Independent and Ace trucks are good quality and come in a wide variety of sizes. Sticking to wheels around the £20 - £40 mark is all you need. Look out for some of the Urethane wheels with no flat spot guarantees too!

What You Should Know About Vintage Skateboard Prices

2009-11-25T17:31:00.000-08:00

By Brian Garvin and Jeff W

During the nineteen sixties, and again in the nineteen eighties, a craze for skateboarding swept the nation. During that time Vintage Skateboard Prices made a huge impact on everyone and unless you had the real thing then none of the other teenagers wanted to know you. Teenagers today, just as then, are back riding skateboards again, and anyone who knows their stuff won't settle for anything less than a vintage skateboard.

Back in the day, Vintage Skateboard Prices like the Powell Peralta Ray "Bones" Rodriguez board were really high. It wasn't uncommon to pay $400.00 for a board with rails, nose guard and all the other bells and whistles. But one of these boards last a skateboarder right through their teenage years, even if they used it all day everyday and were fully immersed into the skate culture. In the sixties through the eighties high school kids skateboarded everywhere. Some of the boards that were around at that time were really wide and favored by a lot of kids because it was easier to pull some stunts on the wider boards.

Over the years skateboarding has become more mainstream; it is not just the sport of kids. Nowadays there are skateboarding events at the twice annual X Games and some of the stunts that skateboarders pull have made skateboarding an extreme event.

So consider what these boards were used for, Vintage Skateboard Prices were really no object. Kids would get part time jobs, mow lawns or do odd construction jobs and whatever it took to raise the money to buy themselves their dream Vintage Board.

Some of the skateboards of yesteryear are now selling at auction rooms for big bucks and the Vintage Skateboard Prices up to a thousand dollars for a nice board that is still in usable condition. In the sixties and the eighties skateboards were not an expensive item, not so today, the new version of vintage skateboard, the Vision is now on sale at Amazon.

The Vision range is set to be the new must have board for today's kids, who, just like their parents and grandparents before them, love their boards. Now, as then, you have to have the right skateboard just any old skateboard won't do, but nowadays the Vintage Skateboard Prices for one of these boards are in excess of $100 for the new boards. Vision Skateboards are made to withstand plenty of wear, and it is true that with these boards, as with many other things, that you get what you pay for.

Vision have a number of different vintage skateboards out at the moment including the Vision Skateboards Psycho stick - Natural or the Vision Skateboards MG Complete - White, both have Vintage Skateboard Prices of $136.49, so not cheap. There is also the Vision Decks Gator Hypno Pink Complete and the Vision Decks Ken Park lll Complete, both at $136.49. The Vision range of new millennium vintage skateboards have Vintage Skateboard Prices that are a lot more than the vintage decks of yester year, but you can bet your life, that just like then, kids will want the vintage above every other deck.

Skateboarding Accessories

2009-11-22T17:29:00.000-08:00

By John Ray

With all the new companies making skateboard decks and accessories its hard to know which brands are the best. If you have been skating for awhile you have already found out that it really comes down to personal prefrence. But you have to start somehwere and why waste money.

A complete skateboard consists of several different parts. The deck, griptape, trucks, wheels and berings. Also there is hardware which means the nuts and bolts that hold the trucks onto the deck and the wheels onto the trucks.

Which brands are the best. Well like I said eairler its your own prefrence, but if you stick with it is also a good idea to buy brands like Shorties, Tensor, Lucky, Independent. Companies like shorties make complete kits you can buy at your local skate shop or online, it will have everything you need to tune up your board. Tensor makes awsome trucks which last a good while even with lots of grinding. Lucky makes some of the best berrings you can find. Independent make decks but most of all kick ass trucks.Independant trucks have been known for a very long time to be one of the most durable trucks you can buy.

Just ask around. Asking people what they think is your best bet. Dont buy something just because it looks cool, it probley break the next day. Go to your local skateshop talk to one of the guys there that actually skates. See what he uses.

Buying Skateboards Online

2009-11-19T17:27:00.000-08:00

By Sonjia Matas

If you are in the market for a new skateboard or longboard, buying online could be a good decision. When you buy skateboards online you will very likely have access to a great deal, more variety than if you went shopping for one in your present location. And just imagine how much easier it is to find skateboards for sale from your computer. You don't have to worry about what the time is, or that the shop may shut before you have time to get there.

Online skateboard stores often advertise discount skateboards, so you could actually save quite a bit. Just watch that the freight does not increase your total sales price, though. Many reputable online stores deliver their goods free of charge. Also, look for the prefix of https on the URL to ensure safe purchase.

So whether you want a complete skateboard or just skateboard decks, try finding your skateboard online. What should you watch for when purchasing a longboard or skateboard online? You will need to carefully read the specifications so that you get the right size and type. You will also want to know the width, thickness and what material it is made from to get the best longboard.

Brand is important too, so do your research to become familiar with the best brand names, such as Sector 9 longboards. Sector 9 Longboards is based in San Diego, California and have been making longboards since 1993, but they export to many countries. When you stick with a reputable name brand you know that your purchase will be of good quality.

A Guide to Buying Your First Skateboard

2009-11-16T17:00:00.000-08:00

By Jon Weld

Buying your first skateboard can be more difficult than you may expect. There is a huge range of skateboards available from a number of sources and a wide variety of prices. The first thing to consider is safety. It is important to stay safe when skateboarding. Don't buy a cheap skateboard from the toy shop. These boards are mass produced and often use inferior material compared to the boards built by the specialist manufacturers. You should also get appropriate gloves, wrist guards, elbow pads, kneepads and a helmet. This gear will minimise your risk of injury and most skateparks require you to wear safety gear.

As a beginner it is best to buy a complete skateboard. This is a skateboard that is preassembled and ready to use. The other choice is to buy all the parts you need and create a custom made skateboard tailored to your own needs. This is not a good choice for a beginner as you will be learning and developing a skating style you won't have the experience to make the best decisions. Better to buy the best complete board you can afford from a reputable company. In the UK you should be able to get a decent beginners board for about £40. Do your research. Go to your local skateshop and ask for advice try a few boards, speak with other skaters and skatepark staff and the Internet is also good for researching prices etc.

In general beginners tend to prefer a longer wider board. This type of board provides you with more stability while you are learning and as you improve and get more experienced, you can choose a board more suited your skating style.

Kids and Skateboarding

2009-11-13T16:58:00.000-08:00

By Scott Robson

Skateboarding is a popular sport, particularly with the younger crowd. Many of today's most famous professional skateboarders turned pro when they were just teens, and some started skateboarding when they were only in preschool. Children of all ages can get involved in skateboarders, and today more and more young children are showing interest in the sport.

If your children want to skateboard, you may be trying to weigh their desires, as well as benefits like increased balance and exercise, against safety issues or feelings of skateboarding as a "counterculture" sport. Be aware that minor bumps and bruises are to be expected with this sport, as with nearly every other sport out there, but skateboarding is still a fun and exciting way to exercise.

If you're not quite ready to let your kids skateboard, consider fingerboards or handboards, miniature versions of skateboards. Other ways to expose your kids to the world of skateboards without worrying about safety issues include skateboarding video games, of which several popular titles exist, as well as watching skateboarding performances or competitions. Your kids may also want to wear skate shoes or other apparel from skateboarding brands. These activities can help them get involved with the skateboarding community without worrying about their safety.

If you decide that your kids are ready for skateboarding, you should take them to purchase a skateboarding as well as all of the necessary padded gear, including a helmet. When first allowing your children to skateboard, be sure to instruct them on how the skateboard should be used. Make them aware of the potential dangers. The truth is, it is very possible to fall when skateboarding, especially when trying to perform tricks.

It is very important to make sure your children are always wearing protective gear when skateboarding. Your children will probably not want to wear their pads, especially if their friends are not wearing them. Elbow and knee pads can prevent scrapes and broken bones, and of course, a helmet is a necessity. Make sure that they know wearing this padding is necessary if they want to be able to skateboard. Although children should be given a choice in many matters concerning them, protective gear is not an area where you should compromise.

You should supervise your children after they get their skateboard to make sure that they are using it safely and aren't attempting tricks for which they don't yet have the skills. It also makes sense to help your children understand their skill level; young children may become frustrated when they can't perform the same tricks, or may hurt themselves trying. Help them achieve a balance between safety and confidence that allows them to try the tricks they feel able to complete. Skateboarding DVDs can also help them learn new tricks, but be sure to get one with tricks that are matched to their skill level.

Skateboarding is a fun activity enjoyed by children and adults worldwide. It is a great physical activity and a way to get some exercise outdoors. You can let your children skateboard in your yard or take them to skate parks where they can practice their skills with friends. There are also skateboarding competitions for skateboarders of all ages. Get involved in your kids' activities; take an interest in their new hobby and watch them perform the tricks they learn.

Cheap Skateboards - Are They Safe and Economical?

2009-11-10T16:56:00.000-08:00

By Roger Chapman

My kids are driving me nuts - they all want skateboards and not having a money tree at the bottom of the garden is big problem so my question is "Are Cheap Skateboards OK to Buy and Ride?"

Skateboarding is very popular and there are loads of cheaper skateboards out there. Some just look cheap, but some have trusted brand names, or even pro-skateboarder endorsements. So, how do you tell if a relatively cheaper skateboard that you've found at your local store, sports shop or even Ebay is a good skateboard or not?

From experience, it usually depends on how serious you are about your skateboarding. If you want to casually skate every once is a while, then some of these cheaper skateboards might work out just fine. However, it might be a false economy if you end up taking it more seriously, as you will almost certainly have to buy a second, pro-grade skateboard. In addition to this, you won't be able to blame your lack of progress on the board, (bad workman and tools comes to mind!)

Quality does make a huge difference. But how do you know if the cheaper skateboard you're looking at is garbage or not? Here are a few things to look out for:

* Wheels - Take a look at the wheels on the skateboard. Are they plastic? If so, throw the board away and keep walking - plastic wheels will give you a horrible skateboarding experience. Skateboard wheels should be made of urethane. Plastic wheels won't grip the ground, and you will slide out of control, conversely rubber wheels will rip apart. As with a car the wheels are the footprint, and the only point of contact with the ground, so you want to ensure that these are of good quality.
* Bearings - Make sure the wheels spin freely. If the bearings are stamped with any information, see if there is an ABEC rating. If there is, then they should be OK. If the wheels don't spin freely, or there's any grinding sound, then you will just end up replacing you skateboard bearings sooner rather than later if you buy this skateboard.
* Trucks - or the "axles" of the skateboard. These should be made of a fairly sturdy metal. There should be rubber bushes inside the trucks - make sure they are rubber and not plastic. Try standing on the skateboard and leaning toe edge and heel edge . The board should flex a little each way, but not too much.
* Deck - If you are inexperienced then this can be a difficult part to check. Basically, you want to make sure the deck is made from layers of wood pressed together, and that the edges are rounded and well treated. The graphics on the bottom can look cheaply painted on - that's not a problem! Look at the edges of the deck and make sure that it looks like the board is made from several layers (called "laminates"). You can also stand on the skateboard, put both feet near the middle, and gently bounce up and down (and I mean gently - if the board is garbage and cracks, you don't want to have to buy it because you broke it!). The board should flex under your weight, but not too much.
* Price - Now this is the tricky one. If the cheaper skateboards you are looking at is under £15 or $30 US I would keep looking because quality skateboards are made from quality materials, and it's almost impossible to imagine a complete skateboard being made for less than that and there's a great chance you'll soon be replacing parts. However, if you're OK with that, then one of these cheap skateboards might be OK for you.

Good hunting and stay upright!

Skateboarding Gift Ideas

2009-11-07T16:54:00.000-08:00

By Scott Robson

Shopping for a teenage guy? As you've probably realized by now, teenage boys are hard to shop for. The changing trends make it hard to choose something they will love. Most teenage boys today love to skateboard. So do girls, in fact, and many people who have passed their teenage years. This very popular sport is growing each and every year, and more and more companies are producing skate gear. If you're looking for a great gift for a skateboarder, consider the following options:

1) Skateboarding clothes. Many skateboarders wear skateboard shoes and other apparel from popular skate brands every day, even when they aren't skating. A backpack or beanie hat with skateboarding company logos also makes a great gift. Skateboarding clothes can be found in skate shops, sporting goods stores, and even some department stores. This look is very popular, even for those who don't skate at all.

2) A skateboard. If you do know what kind of skateboard the recipient wants, buying a new skateboard is probably the best gift you can give. However, be sure you know exactly what you're looking for. The brand and size of the board makes a big difference to skateboarders. If in doubt, choose a gift certificate, or place a picture of a skateboard in a box and tell them you'll purchase the board of their choice.

3) Skateboarding equipment or gift certificates. Though you may feel that you don't know enough about the sport to buy a complete skateboard for a gift, there are plenty of skateboard accessories that every skater needs, like grip tape. Worried about the skateboarder's safety? Select a helmet and a set of pads. This may not be the coolest gift, but at least it will keep your skateboarder safe. You could even pick up a gift certificate to a local skate shop so that they can find their own equipment if you feel bewildered by the choices that you see.

4) Magazine subscriptions. Popular skateboarding magazines profile pro skateboarders, demonstrate new tricks, and review the latest skateboarding equipment. A subscription to one of these magazines is sure to be enjoyed all year round; the magazine will probably even get passed around to all of the recipient's skateboarding friends. This is a great choice if you're not sure what equipment they already have for skateboarding.

5) A skateboard rack. Are you tired of tripping over your kid's skateboard every time you enter their room? Keep it off the floor by giving a skateboard rack for the next gift-giving occasion. Skateboard racks are a perfect choice for most skateboarders, as it's something they will rarely buy themselves, but something that every skateboarder can use. Skateboards left on the ground may get tripped over or even broken. Skateboards cost a lot of money; riders should protect them by keeping them off the ground using a skateboard rack.

Since skateboarding has become more popular, there is a good chance that someone you know would love a gift of skateboarding accessories. Show the recipient that you support their favorite hobby by picking out one of these must-have skateboarding items. From skateboarding clothes to a rack to hold their new skateboard, these skateboarding accessories are sure to please.

Skateboarding 101

2009-11-04T16:51:00.000-08:00

By Erich V England

For two generations skateboarding has developed into what is recognized today as one of the most strong sports; during the last 40 years America has had the pleasure of experiencing a cultural revolution because of skateboarding. Figures such as Tony Hawk and Rodney Mullen have been household names since skateboarding's inception into the main stream over two decades ago. During that time the tricks, both vert and street, have become more extreme and dangerous.

Original skateboards are reminiscent of today's longboards, which are composed of longer decks and larger wheels. The founders and most prominent skateboarders, specifically Tony Hawk, began to capitalize on their fame, becoming rich off of their hobby. Like Element, Zero, Toy Machine, and others, Baker Skateboards produces both skateboarding hardware and clothing. Although Baker Skateboards is new on the skateboarding scene, it is commonly held as one of the most durable skateboard decks. Wheels have a variety of variables that affect their quality, such as size, stickiness, and durability.

These factors can affect the speed of the skateboard; some wheels are better suited for vert skating than street skating. The smaller the wheel, the easier it is to become stuck, often offsetting their worth as better ollieing wheels. Larger wheels roll both longer and faster, allowing for longer periods of time without pushes. Larger wheels are used mainly on longboards and are suited for the intention on cruising, rather than street skating. The types of bearings that a complete skateboard uses has an enormous impact on the functionality of the skateboard; without well maintained bearings the entire skateboard can either suddenly catch, throwing you forward, or can roll very slowly. The current method for comparing skateboard bearings is called Abec.

The skateboard truck is also an integral part of a complete skateboard, the portion of the skateboard which attaches the wheels to the skateboard deck. The ideal truck is best chosen last with relation to the wheels and deck. The trucks should be within ¼" of the decks width. The height of the deck is also dependent on the wheels that you choose. Lower trucks work better with smaller wheels and are preferred for flip tricks; bigger wheels mandate elevated trucks, which are preferred for long distance travel, speed, and stability. Durable trucks are also essential if they are needed for grinding. There are specific trucks which aid in grinding, as well as different colors, designs, and materials to support anyone's personalized tastes.

There are other components of a complete skateboard and there are a plethora of accessories to customize both yourself and your skateboard.

How To Survive As A Skateboarder With No Money

2009-11-01T16:47:00.000-08:00

By Keith Patrick

BEGINNER If you're trying to come up as a skateboarder, we're guessing you don't have any money. Actually, even if you've already come up, you probably still don't have any money. These nine steps will help find out how not to go broke.

1 COUCH SURF If you're broke, a rent check is the one thing you aren't trying to write. So, hopefully there's someone out there that likes you enough- or will pity you enough- to lend you their couch for a couple nights. But once your drool stains start crusting up the upholstery or there's a grimy body imprint starting to form, it's time to bounce. Just make sure to check under the couch cushions for change before you leave. That's bus fare to the next love seat.

2 SELL YOURSELF TO SCIENCE The Red Cross pretty much over saturated the blood donating market, and with only five percent of dude-juice applicants actually getting accepted, your payout chances are looking less than grim. But don't underestimate the power of bodily experimentation. Find a research center (usually at a college) and sign up for side effects study on that new pill pending approval. Don't be afraid if your hair falls out of your fifteen-year-old heart temporarily stops ticking. That's just free room and board at the local hospital.

3 SELL YOUR PRODUCT If you're willing to live like a vagabond in the name of skateboarding, chances are you're at least getting flowed some product from a company. And that product as some serous street value. There're been stories on pros and industry heads alike swap-meeting product at skate spots, starting eBay accounts, or panhandling whatever they got to whoever wants it. But if your sponsor finds out, that's reason enough for them to drop your not-even-amateur-yet ass.

4 GET A GIRLFRIEND You know when you've seen that Bimmer-driving, Abercrombie & Fitch- wearing, designer-purse-carrying blondie with the guy who looks the son of the Geico cavemen? Well, my friend, that cave-child could be you. There're lots of ladies out there who know the best way to get back at their over-controlling parents is by dating sh-tbags like yourself. If you can tolerate mind-numbing conversation over games of croquet at "Daddy's," you'll soon be on your way to freeloading paradise.

5 CASTING CALLS Whenever skateboarding is written into a Hollywood script, there's an actual skater out there who's gonna be needed on set. Whether it's a 30-second commercial, or an extra in a full-length film, getting the part could get you paid hundreds, or thousands, just for a couple days' work. Just beware. If you do get the part, don't be surprised if they demand you do G-turns and flatground handplants while you chase Ronald McDonald, and smile and say, "I'm lovein' it."

6 BORROW MONEY (And Don't Pay It Back) I have this theory: We've all had to lend out money sometime in our life. And we've all had to borrow money sometime in our life. And all of the times we've had to borrow money, we've all had times when we didn't pay back the money. So everybody's even, right? Yeah, your credit card company won't think so either. (Or anybody else, for that matter)

7 UNDER-A-DOLLAR DIET A 10-cent package of Top Ramen + 25-cent packet of cherry Kool Aid + a 50-cent frozen burrito = you feeding yourself for under a buck with some change to spare. And while you're already at 7-Eleven doing your grocery shopping, remember what Big Brother taught us years ago. Stick a handful of candy bars inside a Big Gulp Slurpee cup- and then fill it up. You got yourself a five-for-one dessert the clerk never saw coming.

8 FREE SAMPLES So, you spent your last dollar on last night's Top Ramen cuisine, did you? No problem. Find the nearest Trader Joe's, Whole Foods, or Costco (ask for a one-day trial pass if a membership is needed) and take a step into free food sample heaven. Lasagna, lobster bisque, organic orange juice... we're talking five-star meal here. Get those sample stands on a steady rotation and 50 cups and mini spoons later; you'll have yourself a skater's Thanksgiving feast.

9 GET A JOB If you're trying to get a paying sponsor, this will definitely take away from your skate time and should always be used as a last resort. But if all else fails, you might have to give it a shot. And make sure the job you find is right for you (which probably eliminates 98 percent of the jobs out there). Whatever job it is, you'll need to still have time to perform the previous eight suggestions in this article, 'cause seriously, what's the point of having a job if it's only going to get you another one?

Skateboarding - 'How To' Guide

2009-10-29T16:19:00.000-07:00

By Edgar Dapremont

I don't remember skateboarding when I was young. We made our own scooters and we had the old type skates that you fastened to your shoes and had four wheels.

Skateboarding is definitely a modern day sport that has now jumped almost two generations because my neighbors and their kids are skateboarding down my street. Yes I even see some grandparents enjoying themselves. It looks dangerous to me and I can't get interested in it at my age. There are obviously a lot of people who find it quite good exercise and a lot of fun as well as a way to spend time with their kids. There are plenty of grandparents and parents, who recognize the terms Quicksilver and half-pipe but I must admit I am not one of them.

The one thing you will notice, however, is that this is more expensive than it was 30 and 40 years ago. I thought stuff was expensive in the seventies but now if you want to enjoy this sport you have to pay quite a bit more. Of course, everything is a lot more expensive than it was 30 years ago. My first Ford Maverick was $2200 dollars fully loaded in 1970.

Skateboards are expensive and like everything else they break. If you remember the day when you just bought a new board if yours was damaged, then you are dreaming. New Boards are even more expensive. That's exactly why an overall guide to setting up your board and repairing will save the skateboard owner (or his or her parents) money.

Proper Attire For Skateboarding

2009-10-26T16:16:00.000-07:00

By Camille Parker

Skateboarding is such a fascinating sport that it has been ranked sixth under the category of sports having highest number of participants. One of the reasons for it being so popular is the involvement of stunts in it. However, during stunts, the chances of unexpected falls are also there. So, while skateboarding, wearing proper attire becomes very essential for personal safety. The items included in the attire list for skateboarding are specially designed in order to maintain the comfort and safety of the skateboarders and these are different from the ordinary ones. Following is the list and description of some items that are required while skateboarding:

Proper Clothing: Proper skateboard clothing is very important if you want to enjoy your ride while being relaxed and comfortable. Your clothes should be such that you are able to balance your movements while skating. Loose fit pants with the bottom falling above the sneaker are recommended. Make sure that your pants fit well at the waist as a person not only looks odd while pulling up their pants; it also poses a serious safety hazard while skating. Your shirt or T-shirt should neither be too tight nor too loose.

Skate shoes: Skate shoes play a very important role in making your skateboarding experience comfortable and safe. Skate shoes are provided with a large flat bottom so that your feet are able to grasp the board in a better way. Beginners can buy the shoes having heel airbags and gel pads for additional security. Before going for a ride make sure that your laces are tied up properly because if they get entangled with the wheels, you might fall.

Helmets: Wearing a helmet while skateboarding is essential to protect your head from serious injuries. Before buying a helmet, see to it that it fits perfectly and you feel comfortable in it. Choosing the color of a helmet matching with your clothing will give you a smarter look.

Other safety gears: While practicing skateboarding, use of all safety gears is very important. Safety gears like knee pads, elbow pads, wrist guards, gloves, etc work to protect your specific body parts from the injuries. Knee pads and elbow pads are made from the soft and the superior quality fabric and are usually worn under your clothes. Choose these safety gears according to your body size.

Skateboards - Feel the Rush Inside You!

2009-10-23T16:14:00.000-07:00

By Manny Charro Ramirez

It is hard to believe that skateboard was originated from the soap box in the time between 1930 and 1940s. Though there are some other opinion about the origin of skate boards, the popularity of skate boarding is beyond any question.

Day by day the stunt loving people are doing unbelievable performance with it. Even the US army is using skateboards in their training in a program called 'Urban warrior 99'.

Skateboards are generally made with a plywood board along with quad wheel, quad truck and bearing system. There is no exact rules and regulations about the making of skateboards. The rider decides the design and functionality based on his required performances. Longboard is another type of skateboard having larger and softer wheels.

Deck, trucks, bearings, hardware and wheels are the basic parts to design a skateboard. Decks are made with cross-laminated layup of Canadian maple. Other materials are used to increase the deck's rigidity and strength. Decks are generally 28 to 33 inches long and 7 to 10.5 inches wide .Long boards have a longer deck than skateboard. Grip tape is used on the surface of the skateboard to grip rider's foot more strongly. Two metal trucks attach with the deck and wheel. They are mainly aluminum alloy. The top part of the truck named base plate and the hanger beneath it. The wheels are at different sizes, made with polyurethane. Small sizes of wheels are 48-54 mm and the bigger sizes are 65-90 mm based on the rider's choice.

There are 18.5 million of skateboarders around the world .Among them 74 percent are male and 85 percent are under the age of 18.the image of skateboarders are not quite well in the society .They are portrayed as rebellious, bad boy even most of them are not like that. They are just having harmless fun and sportsmanship among them. It was banned in Norway during the period between 1978 and 1989.The reason for that was the increased rate of personal injuries of the riders. Even now, the skate parks are discouraged by the neighbors as they fear the outcome would be drugs and crimes.

Skateboards can be used for transportation but it is highly discouraged as the risk of having serious head injuries are quite possible. Skateboarders often plays cat and mouse with cops .Because skateboarders often cause violation of rules.

It is the nature of the youth to do something ridiculous, something illegal and even dangerous. Skateboarding is a modern game but its popularity is increasing exponentially. Standing on a rolling wood, doing extreme performance is the cause of skateboard's awesomeness.

Why Skateboarding is So Popular

2009-10-20T16:12:00.000-07:00

By Camille Parker

Skateboarding is one of the most popular sports in X games. The X games are held annually and focus on extreme action sports. Skateboarding has become a rage amongst the youngsters. The speed, creativity, and the skills required to do skateboard tricks make it an interesting as well as challenging sport. This game is all about thrill, passion, and speed. Here are a few reasons for the popularity of this exciting sport.

• Health Benefits: Like all other sports and games skateboarding too has numerous health benefits. The sedentary lifestyle nowadays has caused an increase in obesity and other health related diseases amongst the youngsters. Skateboarding helps in increasing fitness levels while helping the skaters in losing excess weight and getting in shape. It improves the physical and cardiovascular health of the skaters. So, if you are looking forward to indulge in some activity which is entertaining as well as promotes fitness, then skateboarding is perfect for you.

• Great way to make friends: Skateboarding is also a great way to make new friends and meet like minded people. Once you take up skateboarding, you will surely meet other skaters and it will not only increase your friend circle but you will also get to learn new tips and tricks pertaining to the sport. You can also train with a skateboarding partner which will help you in enhancing your performance and motivation levels.

• Can be taken professionally: Skateboarding is no longer only a recreational activity, it has been taken up professionally by many skateboarding enthusiasts. For becoming a professional skateboarder, you will need to practice regularly and have a proper training schedule. You can also learn the tricks of the trade by learning from a trainer. A trainer can help you in learning the basics of skateboarding which is essential before you try to attempt any difficult tricks. Many professional skaters train youngsters to help them in becoming professional skateboarders.

• Economical Sport: Skateboarding is relatively inexpensive compared to most other sports. The only thing you need to invest in before taking up this thrilling sport is a skateboard. Skateboards are easily available at affordable prices and as a beginner you need not invest in an expensive skateboard. You also do not require buying too many accessories. Just buy a basic protective gear and a skateboard to start with.

Skateboard Buying Guide

2009-10-17T16:10:00.000-07:00

By Brad Jakes

Skateboarding is a great recreational physical activity that has gained huge popularity in the past few years. Many people do not try it, thinking it to be a dangerous sport. Little do these people know that if they are careful, they can easily avert injuries while skateboarding. Skating in the appropriate areas, using the right skateboard and wearing pads for protection allows you to evade many injuries. In fact, skateboarding enhances your overall flexibility and fitness. It is also good for cardiovascular fitness.

A good and right skateboard is mandatory for safe skateboarding. Standard dimensions of a standard skateboard are a length that varies between 30 and 33 inches and breadth between 7 and 9 inches, while longboard skateboards can be up to 47 inches in length. Generally, the decks are made of Canadian maple which is seven-ply hard. Trucks are mounted at the board's underside that comprise in axles to which the wheels are attached.

The rage for skateboarding has increased tremendously among the youngsters as they love the thrill and excitement in trying out various stunts and tricks of skateboarding. The board is pushed by one foot while the other stays over the board. Though skateboarding is an exciting sport, many people also employ it to cover short distances.

Mark and Bill Richards from California were the people who introduced skateboard marketing. Both of them started off selling pieces of wood with the wheels of roller skate attached. The sales were made in the Val Surf outlets owned by them. Kevlar, fiberglass, plastic, bamboo, carbon fiber, resin and many other materials were also used to make skateboards in 1970s in an effort to make them more flexible and durable.

How to buy the right skateboard?

So, once you have decided to buy a skateboard for yourself, it is important to take into consideration a few things so as to make the right choice. Width of skateboards is one of the foremost things that need your attention at this time. In case, you are a little short in height like somewhere around 5 feet, a board that has a width of maximum 8 inches would be a good idea. For people with the height of almost 6 feet, the width of their board should be a minimum of 8 inches. The right choice of skateboard would ensure that you feel proportionate and comfortable when you try to stand over it.

Trucks that should be paired with your skateboard are the next thing that should be taken into account. Trucks are also available in varying widths. Turning radius of a skater is shortened if the trucks are wide and the landing over the surface is also quite stable in that case. Thin trucks are lighter in weight and thereby make it easy for skaters to do their stunts and tricks. Also, when you try to grind or slide alongside any edge with your skateboard by employing your trucks rather than your deck or wheels, you must ensure that main bolt in truck does not create any trouble for you by sticking up with grinding surface.

Wheels of the board should also be considered while buying a skateboard. The hardness levels and size of wheels vary a great deal. A small wheel that is around 55 millimeters in size or less and is quite hard is an appropriate choice for skaters who love street skateboarding. You can also look for a hard and larger wheel that is in the size ranging from 55 millimeters to 65 millimeters. However, if you are a complete longboard enthusiast, there are exclusive wheels available for longboards. These wheels are usually the largest and are in the size that varies between 65 millimeter and 100 millimeter for a comfortable and easily balanced ride. Longboard skateboards can be a choice for those who are mainly interested in using it for transport and cruising purposes.

Skateboard bearings also play a crucial role in ride and performance for skateboarding tricks. It is these bearings that are responsible to keep the wheels spinning while you have stopped to make an effort to push the board anymore. ABEC is the value according to which the speed of the bearing or rather your skateboard is determined.

"AA" bearings refer to the slowest kind of bearings. Generally, if you purchase cheap skateboards from any shop rather than a skate specialist, you might have to put up with sub-standard bearings that will restrict the board's performance. It is best to go for bearings with either ABEC 5 or 7, which have better ratings.

Sometimes super-fast bearings are not the best choice for an absolute beginner who wants to learn tricks. This makes riding a skateboard a little dangerous and may also cause landing tricks to be more difficult for you as the skateboard may slip away from your feet every now and then.

Modern skateboard graphics give skateboards a professional look and increase the fun factor. The shape of deck will also help you choose the right skateboard for you. A decent mounted curve near the kicktail can be a smart choice, especially for tricks or riding ramps and bowls.

Where to purchase?

To ensure complete safety, it is better not to buy cheap skateboards from superstores and toy stores. An Online skateboard shop is often the best option available nowadays. Simply browse through the online catalogue and the board will be delivered at your doorstep. The longboards and skateboards purchased from superstores might be poorly made with wheels and trucks that could break easily.

Also, you can't upgrade these boards. That is to say, in case one of their parts fails, you would need to buy a new board altogether. If you cannot afford to buy an expensive skateboard, you need not resort to such cheap skateboards. Simply go for moderately priced boards at askateboard shop online. You can also find an array of longboards and mountain boards at skateboard shops online. So, now that you know how to choose the right skateboard and where to purchase your board, what are you waiting for? Hurry and grab one today!

Skateboards Buying Guide

2009-10-14T16:06:00.000-07:00

By Camille Parker

Skateboarding is fun and inexpensive and you do not require a team to go skateboarding. It is more than a fun activity as it benefits your body in many ways You will increase your muscle endurance, flexibility, and burn as much calories as are burnt by running but without affecting your joints. You can also customize your skateboard according to your personal needs and requirements, but if you are a beginner, it is recommended that you should prefer pre-built complete skateboards. Following are some guidelines to help you in buying an appropriate skateboard for enjoying various skateboarding tricks:

Style and comfort

Before buying a skateboard, it is very important to decide the style of skateboard according to the type of skating preferred. Skateboards come in three styles- street, park (or ramp), and longboards. Street and ramp skateboards are almost same and the difference lies in the size of the wheels. Buy a street skateboard if your skating involves flip tricks or grinds, and you like skating on the streets. If you like skating at the skate park or vert ramps, then prefer buying the ramp style skateboard. Longboards are used for either downhill racing or transportation and sidewalk surfing. It's important that the skates offer comfort and rigid ankle support.

Choosing the deck

Before choosing a deck, knowing its size and style is very important. Ramp tricks can be made easier with the help of a wider deck but flip tricks are difficult to perform with it. Flip tricks or street skating can be easily performed with the skateboards having smaller decks. But a person who wants to learn both the styles (street and ramps) should look for a skateboard deck that is neither too wide nor too narrow. If you want to use skateboards for transportation purpose, then prefer buying the bigger boards.

Selecting the wheels and trucks

Choosing the right size and hardness of your skateboard wheels is very important. The size and hardness of the skateboard wheels may vary according to the type of skating preferred. For performing tricks like kickflips and ollies, the street skaters prefer small and hard wheels. Hard wheels are also preferable for vert skating. The size of trucks to be used depends upon the size of wheels and deck. Trucks of greater height require higher wheels and your truck size should be within 1/4" of the size of the deck.

Buying a Great Skateboarding Equipment Gift

2009-10-11T16:04:00.000-07:00

By David Vanbergen

As I write this, we are coming up on the Christmas season, but this skateboarding equipment gift buying guide can be used or referred to year round because it isn't just Christmas time when we need to buy gifts for people. Since skateboarding and all extreme sports are becoming so popular, there is a good chance that you will need to buy a skateboarding equipment gift for somebody who skateboards, snowboards, rollerblades or does one of the many emerging extreme sports made so popular by ESPN and the X-Games.

I am going to start with a list of ideas (in no particular order) then expand a little on some of them. Remember, a lot of skateboarding equipment like skateboard shoes are popular with all extreme sport athletes and are used every day even when not skating.

* Skateboard Shoes
* Complete Skateboard
* Skateboarding Equipment like helmets and pads
* Magazine Subscription
* Beanie with Company Logo
* Baseball Cap with Company Logo
* Sweatshirt or T-Shirt
* Backpack or Bag
* Gift Card

If you know what kind of skateboard your skater wants, buying him or her a new skateboard is probably the best gift you can give. Before you go out and buy a skateboard, though, you need to know what you are buying. Don't be shy, just ask what they like. Their friends can probably tell you what they like if it isn't obvious by the clothes they already wear or posters hanging in their room. You need to know what brand they want. Even though their isn't a lot of physical difference from one skateboard company to another, it makes a world of difference to the person that will be skating on it. You also need to know what size they want. There are different widths of skateboards. Wider boards are typically for skating ramps and narrower boards are for doing street skating and tricks on the ground. Again, the best thing to do is ask. Get some general information and you can apply it to whatever skateboarding equipment choice you make.

Another good choice for skateboarding equipment that any skater will appreciate is skateboard shoes. They can wear them every day even when they are not skating. The one bit of advice I have here is to make sure you know exactly what they want or need. You may want to cut out a picture of a skateboard shoe and put it in a box with a note saying you will go out with them and pay for the pair of shoes they pick out. You can put a limit on the price if you need, but for the most part, skateboard shoes are pretty reasonable compared to many other specialty sport shoes.

Skate clothing is probably the most popular gift. It is easier to buy and you can get lots of different things for under $30 which you can't really do with a skateboard or shoes. All you need to know is what brands the person likes and what size to get. In both cases, even if you don't know the exact size or favorite brand the item can still be worn.

If you are worried about injury, you can help to protect the skateboarder you are buying for by getting them some safety equipment. I know it might not be cool, but buying a helmet, elbow pads, or knee pads will be appreciated every time they wreck. If they are skateboarding and doing tricks, it will happen. Now the only trick is to get them to wear this skateboarding equipment.

A skateboarding magazine is another good choice. As I have said a couple times, ask what they have or want. You want to make sure they don't already have a subscription to the magazine you want to get them. This is another gift in that under $30 category.

I am going to close with one more idea that is sure to give them what they actually want. I am talking about a gift card. You can get one for a shoe store so they can pick out shoes, a sporting goods store where they can get clothing or skateboarding equipment, or you can even get them for skateboard shops. Many people don't think this is very personal, but if you really don't know what they want or like, a gift card lets them pick out whatever skateboarding equipment they want. I know I never worried about a gift card being too impersonal.

Buying Your First Skateboard

2009-10-08T21:43:00.000-07:00

So you've decided to start skateboarding. You've probably seen some cool skate videos, played a bit of Tony Hawks pro skater or just hung around with other skaters at your local skate spot, and decided it's time you got in on the action yourself. I'm going to run through the major things you need to consider when buying a skateboard so you can make a better decision about what you buy and where you buy it from. This information is aimed at budding street/flatland skaters. I am not familiar with the requirements for vert skating.
After reading this guide, why not check out Board Crazy to read about some skateboarding tricks?
ec

1. Cost
One thing you should know straight off is that skateboards can be extremely expensive. Straight off the bat you can pay triple figures for a pro deck and that doesn't even include wheels, trucks and bearings (all of which also come at a premium if you want quality gear).
To begin with, you need something basic and functional. Something fairly disposable is ideal so if you decide skating isn't for you or you end up ruining the skateboard in the process of learning (which you probably will) you haven't paid the earth for no reason.
Aim to pay around £40 for a complete brand new beginner setup - any more and you're paying for something you don't need, much less and you are buying junk.

2. Deck
By far the best kind of deck to go for is a 'blank' - a deck with no graphics. The graphics and the branding are what make pro decks so expensive, and if you do any decent amount of skateboarding on it they will scratch off pretty quickly. Try and get a 7-ply deck - this means it's laminated with 7 layers of wood. 9-ply decks are heavier and more unwieldy, and a good sign that they are cheaply made. Try and also pay attention to the shape of the deck. If it's quite flat and straight it's no good - you need a decent amount of curve to the kicktails.

3. Trucks
The trucks on the first deck I bought snapped the first time I tried to ollie. Watch out for this - buy from a proper skateboard dealer (whether online or in a shop), not a high street sports shop/department store! If you look at the trucks on skateboards in these kinds of shop you can tell that the metal is of bad quality because it seems overly shiny and light.

4. Bearings & Wheels
Bearings are what keep your wheels spinning when you stop pushing - they determine how fast your skateboard is. Bearing speed is measured by the ABEC value. The slowest bearings are 'AA' bearings, skateboards from high street shops come with these and they are BAD! From there, you've got various bearing ratings including ABEC 3, 5, 7 and 9.
Go for ABEC 3 or ABEC 5 bearings at the absolute maximum. It makes riding more intimidating and landing tricks much more difficult as the skateboard is more likely to slip from under your feet.
Fore beginners, wheels are less of a consideration. Fairly standard wheels of 55mm will suffice until you decide which direction to take your skating.

5.Summary
To summarise your ideal first skateboard will be a complete consisting of a blank 7 ply deck, strong trucks, basic wheels and ABEC 3 or 5 bearings.

Plastic, Composite, Wood Skateboards and Skateboard Trucks
Plastic skateboards are made of several different types of plastics and are relatively easy to make in large quantities by using injection molding manufacturing processes. Most plastic skateboards are considered cheap compared to the wooden skateboards.

Most riders like a fairly firm board for tricks with only a little give in the center for hard landings and spring action. All Carbon boards and composite construction boards can hold up to the scrutiny of comparison and some riders prefer them.

Skateboard Trucks that hold the wheels are one of the most important components of modern day skateboards. Generally they consist of an axle, triangular shaped hanger and a king-pin bolt. The trucks are bolted to the face-plate, which is bolted to the skateboard.

The king-pin can be loosened slightly to allow for more or less rigidity making the skateboard able to turn easier or ride stiffer for steering. The trucks on both wooden boards and plastic use the same basic principles and strategies however generally speaking the best trucks will be found attached to the more quality wooden boards. In the future skateboards will be made of carbon nano-tube construction and they will most likely fly; Hover Boards.

How To Find The Cheapest Skateboard Gear Online For The Best Price

2009-10-05T21:41:00.000-07:00

Read up on the history of the sport, the tricks, the boards, the gear. Work out what sort of skateboarding you want to do. Do you want to skateboard at a ramp, or on the street? Your answers will play a big role in choosing the type of board that will be best for you.

So, once you decide on the type of skateboarding you want to do you'll be able to better match the type of deck (board) that's for you. There are so many skateboard decks to choose from. They come in various shapes and sizes and differing weights and strengths. There are flatter decks or more concave decks. There's a deck for everyone.

Skateboard manufacturing companies are always looking to improve board design, so you'll find decks made of plastic or fiberglass, but the most popular type of deck is a wooden deck.
The brand names abound: Element, Tony Hawk (the Michael Jordan of skateboarding), Girl, Habitat, Santa Cruz, Toy and Enjoi, to name a new. An Internet search will bring up the relevant websites. Browse through and read about board technology, sizes, shapes.

The most popular deck is the standard 7 ply maple deck. The Habitat "Skylite" board is made of 5 ply maple, which makes it lighter, while the Element "Fiberlight" has a strip of fiberglass, which according to the company website, makes it able to better "withstand intense abuse".

Wider decks (over 8") are more suitable for transition/vert work, while street tricks demand a narrower board. If you just want to cruise around a wider board is more comfortable.
Skateboards have wheels, and wheels come in a variety of colors, sizes and degrees of hardness. Read up on wheel diameter (height of wheel) and durometer (hardness of wheel). In short, remember that wheel size means speed and wheel hardness means stability.

Shopping for skateboarding deals online is so easy if you take your time. Type "skateboard offers" into your favorite search engine and start browsing and comparing prices. Sites like Skateboard.com and Skatewarehouse.com are good places to start.

Speciality shoes will make your riding experience easier and safer. Skate shoes have a large flat bottom which is better able to grip the board. Some have heel airbags and gel pads for added safety. It's not silly, it's smart.

The New Definition of Fashionable Beach
Before David Hasselhof, Pamela Anderson, and company invaded the beach scene, swimming was just a mere sport for fin-gifted and beach-side born people. But when Baywatch hit the shores of America, Asia, Europe, Australia, and even Africa, swimming was put in another light- a fashion ground. Wave after wave, the phenomenal success and popularity of the life-saving, life guard chronicle, beach world drama changed the way people view swimming and beaching. Baywatch introduced groundbreaking swimming clothing styles which was limited to traditional bikini styles pre-Baywatch era, alternative ways of being sexy and edgy under the scourging yet enticing heat of the sun, and it even propelled to greater heights of popularity the sport of surfing. It painted all shores red and spelled every beach as hot and sexy, and the world heeded.

Although it has already bitten the dust and bid the limelight goodbye, the waves that it made continue to hit every shore of this world. It's phenomenal success and influence even spread wider, leading to a domino effect of new generations of fashionable beach lifestyle. From flashy red, skimpy bikinis for women and butt-exposing shorts for men, the whole concept of fashionable swimming is now encapsulated just by one word--Billabong.

Call it a post-Baywatch trend or a double-the-sales marketing spin, Billabong is the new name of sexiness, sportiness, and aquatic lifestyle to beat. Billabong is a word that came from the land down under. The aborigines of Australia often searched for billabongs to find food and sometimes water. But now, the term Billabong is a name for a popular brand of men's and women's surf clothing and beach apparel.

The product lines include swim wear, watches, jewelery, wet suits, neoprene gloves and boots, surf caps, bags and backpacks, travel bags, beach bags, shoulder bags, wallets, belts, caps, thongs, towels, CD holders, beach mats, surfboard covers, body board covers, Von Zipper sunglasses, Element skateboards, and many others. The most popular ones are the T-shirts, board shorts, backpacks, and swim wear.

Billabong brought yet another big wave of sizzling hot beach *clothing and apparel* in many shores around the world with its 2006 Summer Collection. The highlight of the collection are the swimsuits, shorts, rash guards, shirts, vests, hats, pants, and even skirts dresses (casual for women). Selling like hot cakes, the board shorts and casual or lifestyle shorts are a big craze for both men and women. With more than 30 stylish and sexy designs, the Billabong board shorts come in many different colors (plain and printed alike) to fit the very varied taste of its market.

The top favorite among beach hunks are the Kauai board shorts, hombre board shorts, rival board shorts, and the Royal Flush board shorts. Women, on the other hand, are raving about Vogen board shorts, boardie capri, Golden Ticket board shorts, Floater board shorts, and boardie shorts. The petal bikini, starfish bikini, and wildflower bikini are the most-worn bikinis among women of different ages. With all the good finds in the 2006 summer collection, you won't run short of finding the best beach attire to sport each time you hit the shores. Wear any of Billabong's clothing item or apparel and you'll sure to wear that Baywatch babe or hunk-sizzling hotness.

World's Longest Longboard Skateboard

2009-10-02T21:38:00.000-07:00

Thanks to “Nervous Ned” on Silverfish I found someone who would actually road an 100 INCH beast. Ned said that it was in 2005 at the New Jersey Fatboy Garage Fest. A guy called George won the “longest board” contest by riding a homemade 100 inch board (carving, board walking, sliding, and racing), and i think he actually came in third place in the downhill race somehow. it was amazing watching him drifting 90 degree corners around the garage. he won pie that day. Im sure this kid looks no older then 17, decent effort for the board! Congrats George! After writing this post I found the official “Longest Longboard Skateboard World Record.

After the two previous Longboard Skateboard World Records I talked about were impressive and I thought they would not get any longer. Here is the official longest longboard ever built!

Longboard
Well check out this one! Introducing the worlds Largest Longboard “Texas Rolling Thunder” - 80?A massive solid wood juggernaut - 80? Long with dual tandem trucks Titanium bearings. Rock steady on downhill rolls. Comes complete with custom soul kryptonic wheels.
I tried hunting the “World’s Shortest Shortboard” but it seems no one has taken that title yet. World’s Longest Longboard wins..! If any one has a video of a mentally long longboard or a stupidly short shortboard, send them in here!

Advanced Longboarding
Long-boarding, the smoothest way to learn a new sport, work your muscles, and build quick goals for your self to help relax yourself in a fun, painless way. It requires descent speed. 5mph to 15mph is just fine. The soft wheel can grip well, so don't feel intimidated by the hard, loud noise of a regular skateboard.

Let's start off with buying a long-board.
Since your just starting, we recommend a Star-lite Long-board. They are high quality, and start at a relaxing price of just $30. But beware, once you break it, it's time to buy a much higher quality long-board.

Long-boards are like large skateboards. They provide wider trucks (The specialized Axles), Soft Polyurethane wheels, very smooth rolling Bearings (mechanical inner ball wheel for extra roll), and a longer and wider deck (Skateboard). They are about 6" longer than regular skateboards.

Let's get into the concept of Carving with a long-board.
Carving is a wide long turn with ease, and flow. The force pulls through you, and delivers a cool feeling. It's basically long turns put in together. When turning, you are going to lean with the board the way you want to turn, after holding the turn a good amount of time (2-4 seconds) Transition your body leaning the other direction into the same angle and time to get the right feel.

Why Are Kids So Crazy About Skateboarding?

2009-09-29T21:35:00.000-07:00

Many people take up skateboarding as a simple means of transportation. It is portable, fairly inexpensive, and faster than walking. Skateboarding goes beyond rolling on the ground, though, as many people have witnessed. Driving down the street, it is not unlikely you will see skateboarders defying basic physics, as they slide down handrails, stairs, benches and other various locations commonly found around town. Who do these stunts generally appeal to? Adrenaline junkies. Why? Just for the thrill of it!

Addicted to the excitement, the inevitable danger, and being invariably involved, adrenaline junkies are eager to learn tricks that push boundaries. Because certain skateboards are better designed for certain stunts, and certain stunts are more stimulating than others to different people, it is important to experiment with different skateboard designs. This can include using a skateboard with a different number of wheels, unique type of wheel, or boards of different dynamics. With each unique design comes new possibilities. Injury risk is more of an encourager than a deterrent, as it fuels desire to push boundaries.

Chances are that you have noticed "no skating" signs around town, because it is often illegal to skate in and around the city. With all the skateboard parks scattered around America, it seems that skateboarders are often seeking new places to seek new thrills. The thrill of a skateboard park soon diminishes once they have mastered what it has to offer, and once that trill is diminished, they seek new thrills. From wood skate wheels, to the motorized skateboard, skateboarders can use various designs to reach a variety of heights, speeds, and techniques.

Skateboarders enjoy the challenge of learning new tricks to beat the champions while at the same time enjoy watching the champions perform tricks they have not yet learned themselves.

Ironically enough, risk of injury is one thing skateboarders thrive off of. Unique designs, different environments/possibilities, breaking the law, mastering new tricks, and risk of injury are all pieces which create a whole. The whole is what many people call "adrenaline junkies", or thrill seekers.

The Skateboarder is a Unique and Fascinating Person
Skateboarding has grown in popularity over the last several years and anyone that rides a skateboard can be called a skateboarder. Most skateboarders are males although a few females engage in the sport as well. A skateboarder not only engages in the art of skating around on a board, they engage in a lifestyle. Skateboarders can be seen everywhere from shopping mall parking lots to city sidewalks. The first skateboarders had to make their own skateboards which was usually very simple and made from planks with wheels attached. Eventually, some of the more enthusiastic skateboarders decided it was time to design, create and manufacture new and improved skateboards. Teens were greatly attracted to these news boards because it allowed them to learn more tricks and daring stunts.

All skateboarder’s regardless of how they view themselves is so in love with this sport that skateboarding is all they think about. All skateboarders get along and the more experienced skaters are always interested in helping beginners and giving tips. With the exception of competitions, skateboarders just love to hang out and ride together. Still tricks and stunts is a big part of it and skateboarders have to learn and progress at their own pace. They learn to deal with the accidents and injuries that accompany this sport and learn how to push beyond their limits.

Buy a skateboard or design your own to your taste and start practicing. As a skateboarder you also want to make sure you wear the right clothing and shoes while riding. There are a lot of accessories available many of which you should consider using for safety reasons such as helmets, knee and elbow pads. Other accessories just look good and help to get you in the sprit of skateboarding like T-shirts, stickers, backpacks and more.

Skateboarders are normally in great shape because they really have to exert some energy to perform this sport. It’s fun, changeling, builds confidence and teaches persistence.

Buying Your First Skateboard

2009-09-26T21:33:00.000-07:00

So you've decided to start skateboarding. You've probably seen some cool skate videos, played a bit of Tony Hawks pro skater or just hung around with other skaters at your local skate spot, and decided it's time you got in on the action yourself. I'm going to run through the major things you need to consider when buying a skateboard so you can make a better decision about what you buy and where you buy it from. This information is aimed at budding street/flatland skaters. I am not familiar with the requirements for vert skating.
After reading this guide, why not check out Board Crazy to read about some skateboarding tricks?
ec

1. Cost
One thing you should know straight off is that skateboards can be extremely expensive. Straight off the bat you can pay triple figures for a pro deck and that doesn't even include wheels, trucks and bearings (all of which also come at a premium if you want quality gear).
To begin with, you need something basic and functional. Something fairly disposable is ideal so if you decide skating isn't for you or you end up ruining the skateboard in the process of learning (which you probably will) you haven't paid the earth for no reason.
Aim to pay around £40 for a complete brand new beginner setup - any more and you're paying for something you don't need, much less and you are buying junk.

2. Deck
By far the best kind of deck to go for is a 'blank' - a deck with no graphics. The graphics and the branding are what make pro decks so expensive, and if you do any decent amount of skateboarding on it they will scratch off pretty quickly. Try and get a 7-ply deck - this means it's laminated with 7 layers of wood. 9-ply decks are heavier and more unwieldy, and a good sign that they are cheaply made. Try and also pay attention to the shape of the deck. If it's quite flat and straight it's no good - you need a decent amount of curve to the kicktails.

3. Trucks
The trucks on the first deck I bought snapped the first time I tried to ollie. Watch out for this - buy from a proper skateboard dealer (whether online or in a shop), not a high street sports shop/department store! If you look at the trucks on skateboards in these kinds of shop you can tell that the metal is of bad quality because it seems overly shiny and light.

4. Bearings & Wheels
Bearings are what keep your wheels spinning when you stop pushing - they determine how fast your skateboard is. Bearing speed is measured by the ABEC value. The slowest bearings are 'AA' bearings, skateboards from high street shops come with these and they are BAD! From there, you've got various bearing ratings including ABEC 3, 5, 7 and 9.
Go for ABEC 3 or ABEC 5 bearings at the absolute maximum. It makes riding more intimidating and landing tricks much more difficult as the skateboard is more likely to slip from under your feet.
Fore beginners, wheels are less of a consideration. Fairly standard wheels of 55mm will suffice until you decide which direction to take your skating.

5.Summary
To summarise your ideal first skateboard will be a complete consisting of a blank 7 ply deck, strong trucks, basic wheels and ABEC 3 or 5 bearings.

Cheap Skateboards - Are They Safe and Economical?
My kids are driving me nuts - they all want skateboards and not having a money tree at the bottom of the garden is big problem so my question is "Are Cheap Skateboards OK to Buy and Ride?"

Skateboarding is very popular and there are loads of cheaper skateboards out there. Some just look cheap, but some have trusted brand names, or even pro-skateboarder endorsements. So, how do you tell if a relatively cheaper skateboard that you've found at your local store, sports shop or even Ebay is a good skateboard or not?

From experience, it usually depends on how serious you are about your skateboarding. If you want to casually skate every once is a while, then some of these cheaper skateboards might work out just fine. Quality does make a huge difference. But how do you know if the cheaper skateboard you're looking at is garbage or not? Wheels - Take a look at the wheels on the skateboard. Are they plastic? If so, throw the board away and keep walking - plastic wheels will give you a horrible skateboarding experience. Skateboard wheels should be made of urethane. Plastic wheels won't grip the ground, and you will slide out of control, conversely rubber wheels will rip apart. Bearings - Make sure the wheels spin freely. If the bearings are stamped with any information, see if there is an ABEC rating. If the wheels don't spin freely, or there's any grinding sound, then you will just end up replacing you skateboard bearings sooner rather than later if you buy this skateboard.

Trucks - or the "axles" of the skateboard. There should be rubber bushes inside the trucks - make sure they are rubber and not plastic. Try standing on the skateboard and leaning toe edge and heel edge . Deck - If you are inexperienced then this can be a difficult part to check. The graphics on the bottom can look cheaply painted on - that's not a problem! Look at the edges of the deck and make sure that it looks like the board is made from several layers (called "laminates"). You can also stand on the skateboard, put both feet near the middle, and gently bounce up and down (and I mean gently - if the board is garbage and cracks, you don't want to have to buy it because you broke it!). The board should flex under your weight, but not too much.

If the cheaper skateboards you are looking at is under £15 or $30 US I would keep looking because quality skateboards are made from quality materials, and it's almost impossible to imagine a complete skateboard being made for less than that and there's a great chance you'll soon be replacing parts. However, if you're OK with that, then one of these cheap skateboards might be OK for you.
Good hunting and stay upright!

The Basics of Skateboarding

2009-09-23T21:31:00.000-07:00

Skateboarding began in the late 1940s. Scooters were popular then, but expensive. Later, they decided to remove the handle and ride on just the wooden platform.
Soon after, some surfers began to ride on skateboards. Skateboarding is now a popular sport in countries throughout the world. Competitions attracting hundreds of professional and amateur competitors, of both sexes, are held in countries around the world. Skate parks have been built in cities and towns everywhere. Skateboard design is improving all the time. Extreme sports (X games) featuring skateboarding draw huge crowds.

There are two types of skateboarding: Street and ramp.
Street skateboarding is done anywhere but on a ramp. Tricks are performed on streets and roads, in car parks and school grounds, wherever the surface is flat and safe.
Skate parks are an ideal venue for all kinds of skateboarding. They have super smooth surfaces as well as ramps, steers, kerbs, and fun boxes. Street skateboarders jump, flip, and grind over and on all kinds of surfaces and objects. Street skateboarding also includes skateboard racing.

Skateboard racing involves riders pushing off from a starting position, then racing one another down a winding and sloping piece of roadway. Ramp skating is carried out on either vert ramps or on mini ramps. Vert ramps are giant U-shaped ramps which are over 4 m long and have a vertical portion at the upper end of each side. Mini ramps are smaller than vert ramps and do not have any vertical part in the transition. Skateboarding can be dangerous. Skateboarders should follow the following basic rules to keep themselves and others safe and injury free:
1) choose flat, safe ground on which to learn the basic skills
2) skate in control at all times
3) wear protective gear, including helmets, wrist guards, and knee and elbow pads
4) skate with friends, in case of accidents
5) keep your board and protective gear in good working order

A Simple History Of Skateboarding For Girls
When you think of skateboarding you think boys clad in helmets and knee pads doing impressive acrobatic-like moves with a board. Skateboarding may seem like a boys sport, but, according to Barb Odanaka, author of Skateboarding Mom, back in the 1970s both girls and boys did skateboarding and it was no big deal. When in the 1980s skateboarding went "urban" or "hard-core", she says, girls seemed to stop riding.

Today, most parents still think that skateboarding is for boys, but girls are getting back on the boards with a vengeance. A quick Internet search for "girls" or "women" and "skateboarding" will bring up lots of information targeted specifically towards girls interested in skateboarding. There are plenty of competitions to challenge girls, such as the All Girl Skate Jam, the Ride Like A Girl skate contest and the World Cup Skateboarding, amongst others.

Skateboarding bizarrely has its roots in surfboarding. The very first skateboards were curious inventions. A wooden board or box with roller skates strapped to it comprised of the very first, albeit primitive, skateboard, equipment for a sport in its infancy!

In 1975 the very first skateboarding contest was held at the Ocean Festival in Del Mar, California. In 1978, Alan Gelfand invented a maneuver, called the "Ollie Pop". Tony Hawk is another famous name in skateboarding; at age 16 he became the world's best skateboarder.

The sport is still evolving and companies are now manufacturing high technology boards. Online shops like Skateboard.com and Skatewarehouse.com sell skateboards for girls, boards that are lighter and more flexible. In fact, Girl, is the name of a company that manufactures skateboards. Skateboard decks for girls are works of art.

Skateboarding is a great sport and a great way to keep fit. Some tricks require a ramp (transition tricks) others are performed on flat ground or off curbs (street tricks). Typing "skateboard tricks" into your favorite Internet search engine will bring up lots of websites with definitions, descriptions, tips and even videos to help you learn and perform skateboarding tricks.

How To Find The Cheapest Skateboard Gear Online For The Best Price

2009-09-20T21:28:00.000-07:00

Skateboards

2009-09-17T21:25:00.000-07:00

In simple terms, a skateboard is a narrow platform with wheels attached to it. A great attraction for the youth, skateboarding became popular during the last century as an offshoot of surfing. In its early days, skateboarding was known as sidewalk surfing. Used both for recreation and travel, skateboards are used on pavement or any other surface that helps a smooth ride. Skateboards can be costly, with the price going up for top-of-the-range models.

A skateboard comprises four wheels attached to two axles. The axles are known as trucks, and are mounted to the bottom of a wooden board called a deck. Usually, the decks are about 79 cm long and 20 cm wide. They are made of seven layers of Canadian maple veneer, which are pressed and glued together. Skateboard makers alternate the direction of the wood grain of each layer so that the deck does not split along the natural grain lines of the wood. Metallic decks, or decks made of composite materials, are rather rare. For downhill riding and street riding you should use longer skateboards, while the shorter ones are more suitable for tricks and maneuvers.

To perform tricks and stunts, skateboarders use the leverage from the kicked ends. The deck usually has abrasive grip tape on top, providing traction that prevents the rider from slipping off. The wheels are attached to each end of the axle. Generally, trucks are made of lightweight aluminum and allow a slight movement between the base plate and hanger. Such flexibility ensures that riders can turn the skateboard by shifting their weight.

Making Skateboards of The Future Fly
When trying to make any object fly one needs to employ the sciences of physics and aerodynamics and it sure pays to know a little about engineering as well. When looking at building the first flying skateboard which would be fully controllable by the rider just like a high-tech skateboard we looked to our Online Think Tank for answers. At first we noticed that there were two basic mindsets in Hovering that are currently dividing the camps. Old School blowing low pressure underneath like a hover craft. Use of the "Coanda Effect" the type of airflows helicopters use amongst other techniques to get them to fly. After discussing this a while several folks considered anti-gravity devices through frequency manipulations. Others came up with turbulent eddie flows to pull the board and rider up like a Tornadic Cell sucks in trailers at a trailer park.

One gentleman came up with an idea to use a combination of Deflection Lift, Coanda Effect, Low Pressure and air thickening by way of molecular alignment of air molecules by way of ionization directional frequency strategies. Indeed perhaps a combination of strategies is inline with realization of flying skateboards, after all they need to lift a lot of weight considering their size and move it along very rapidly if they are to be any fun and excite the rider; allowing them to do new tricks and keep the crowd on their feet. Flying skateboards are on their way and they are coming fast, jump on!

The History Of Skateboarding

2009-09-14T21:07:00.000-07:00

The history of skateboarding has its roots in surfing. Did you ever wonder why skateboarding and surfing looked so similar? You can't talk about the history of skateboarding without mentioning the first skateboards. Today, you can find boards of different sizes with different features and pictures. The early skateboards were simply boards on wheels. The users experimented with the design until they came up with something that would allow them to "surf" in the streets. As a result, no one person invented the first skateboard; it was a more collective effort.

Companies started to manufacture skateboards, making the sport available to more than just those who made their own boards. There were even skateboarding competitions early on.
The popularity of skateboarding faded briefly as the initial fad wore off. The revival happened after new skateboarding tricks were invented. But today, skateboarding is more popular than ever. There are skateboarding competitions, specialized boards, clothing, and shoes. Skateboarding parks exist all over the world, even in the smallest of European villages.
Now, skateboarding is a more serious sport. Though it was once considered a fad, the sport is so popular that there are skate shops everywhere selling gear. There is even a skateboarding culture where skateboarding is more than a sport, it's a way of life. You will need to embrace the lifestyle and dedicate time each day to practice.

Skateboarding Tricks
Skateboarding is about the stunts. There are so many skateboarding tricks, and some are easier to master, some are harder. How do you take your skateboarding to the next level and start performing some skateboarding tricks? First, you need to purchase the right gear. Experts advise against purchasing a board from the department store because you can find good deals at skateboarding shops. If you are a beginner, you will probably fall a lot, especially once you begin to do your first skateboarding tricks.

Once you find your skateboard, your shoes, and some safety equipment, its time to start learning how to balance and move on the board. It will seem easy to balance while the board isn't moving, but once you move, it can be a challenge to sustain your balance. When you master that, you can start visiting the parks to start learning some skateboarding tricks. The first tricks you may want to learn are "grinds," "board glides," and "gaps." If you need some help learning the skateboarding tricks, you can ask a knowledgeable friend or maybe find someone to give you lessons. To learn skateboarding tricks, you first need to find the proper equipment. You'll need skateboarding shoes, a board, and safety gear. Once you master the basics, you can start to learn more complicated skateboarding tricks.

Everything You Ever Wanted To Know About Skateboarding
Skateboarding has its own culture. Skateboarders, in general, have their own style. Their clothing is individualized. They may sport tattoos and piercings. They practice their craft on their favorite skateboards in shopping malls, on stairs, in their driveways. Some places have skateboarding parks where people who are passionate can practice tricks and socialize with their friends. Well, if you want to get into skateboarding, the first thing to do is buy a skateboard. Pick a board that fits your own personal style, because that is a large part of what skateboarding is all about. You should also pick up some safety gear; you'll probably fall a lot at first.

There is no dress code for skateboarding. Just wear something comfortable. If you want to get into skateboarding, don't feel as if you need to dress like a typical skater if that isn't your style. The point is to find a unique way to express yourself, not to fit into a group. People will respect you more for your individuality.

Get someone who's been skateboarding for a while to help you. It can take a while to learn how to balance on the skateboard and maintain that balance as you are riding. Once you master that, you can start to learn some tricks.

How to Buy a Skateboard

2009-09-11T20:12:00.000-07:00

The skateboard is one of the more recent additions to the fascination of the youth of the 21st Century. Most adolescents fall in love with a skateboard after watching the pros in action. The skateboarding is indeed very attractive to all young people because it is daring, it is creative and it definitely is full of action.

As soon as you find yourself in love with this new sport, you would definitely look forward to buy a skateboard for yourself. In case you do not, there following few lines would be helpful since you would find here a mini guide of sorts:
1. Be ready for the cost - a skateboard - a quality skateboard - does not come cheap; and remember, cheap skateboard have no quality. Hence, if you want to have a good head start in this sport, be ready to loosen your purse strings and pay what it takes to get a good quality skateboard.

2. Choosing your deck the best choice here would be one without any logos or graphics, as these are usually coming from designer labels and accordingly the cost would be multiplied accordingly. As it is the designs would fade away pretty soon owing to the fact that a decent amount of skateboarding would scratch it off soon enough. You should buy 7 ply or 9 ply deck for best results (this means that there are 7 or 9 layers of ply respectively) and pay close attention to its shape. A good skateboard should be decently curved in the kicktails.

3. Pay Attention to the Trucks - this is a very important trait for the beginners. Pay close attention to the trucks. Beware of the cheap imitation of skateboards. Always buy from reputed retail outlets after closely verifying the details.

4. The Importance of Bearings and Wheels - the bearing are very important in the way you would be able to master your skateboard. The speed of your skateboard is measured by a specific value - called the ABEC value. This lowest measurement here is the AA value - which indicates that the skateboard can hardly pull itself along. 5. New Vs Used skateboards - though a new skateboard would be the best choice for everyone, sometimes it would be good if you buy one from a pro. The used and -broken-in - skateboard would not only be available at a bargain price, but also be excellent for you to practice on.

Skateboard Protective Gear - Learn How To Pick The Right Skate Pads – Helmet
What Skateboard Protective Gear Do I Need?
1. A Good Quality Skateboard Helmet
The consequences of a serious head injury make skateboard helmet safety your first priority. Skateboarders fall a lot, especially as you learn new moves and tricks. Depending upon your speed, distance to the ground, ground hardness (a wooden ramp vs. a concrete barrier), and other factors, you can suffer a serious head injury.
Important skateboard protective gear notice: there is currently no US law that requires manufacturers to meet a specific safety standard for a skateboard helmet. The ASTM certification is voluntary, not mandatory. So, a skateboard helmet may or may not carry the ASTM certification.
If you are in the market for a skateboard helmet, look for these features:
Buy a helmet from a reputable manufacturer, such as Bell, ProTec, SixSixOne or Giro. The established companies have the resources to design and warrant their skate helmets.
Check to see if the helmet is ASTM F-1492 certified, as proven by an ASTM certification sticker on the inside of the helmet. Don't mess with skateboard helmet safety. Get yourself a good quality skateboard helmet.

2. Skateboard Knee Pads / Skateboard Elbow Pads
A good pair of skateboard knee pads and skateboard elbow pads will help absorb impacts and prevent nasty abrasions from sliding on rough surfaces. Skate Pads Combo Packs are an inexpensive way to outfit yourself with knee and skateboard elbow pads, and several also include skate wrist guards.

3. Skate Wrist Guards
Skateboard injury statistics show that wrist injuries are the most common skateboarding injury. This places large impact forces on your wrists and causes lots of injuries.
Good quality skate wrist guards will help prevent a wrist injury. The two basic types are:
Skate wrist guards with no fingers
Skateboard gloves with integrated wrist guards

4. A Pair of Padded Skate Shorts
Padded skate shorts help protect your butt, tailbone, hips, and thighs from impact and abrasions. Padded skate shorts are very popular with our customers, as they make falling much less painful and reduce soreness. Trust us, you'll really appreciate padded skate shorts after a day on the street or at the skate park!

5. Skateboard Ankle and Shin Guards
This checklist will help you select the right skate pads and skateboard protective gear.