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.
Beginner Trick Skateboard
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!
Skateboard Buying Guide
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