Skateboards

A skateboard is a wheeled transportation device that recreates the movement of a surfboard on land. However that's only the start. Skateboards allow an incredible amount of movement and potential. There are so many creative ways to use a skateboard, it’s only limited by imagination.

There are three main components that make a skateboard.

The Deck is the wooden part that we stand on. Often made from a dense slow-grown wood such as Canadian Maple but can also include other types of wood or materials. Decks have a concave shape along their length which greatly increases strength and stiffness. They nearly always have steeply angled ends. This angle improves the ability to perform tricks. A modern skateboard may look symmetrical but in fact has an identifiable nose (front) and tail (back). Each time one of these touch the ground it is gradually worn away and over time will get shorter in length. At some point it will have reduced in length so much that it becomes difficult to use. At that time it is neccessasry to buy a new deck.

Trucks are the metal components underneath the skateboard that hold the wheels in place. They are made from Aluminum and Chromoly Steel. Trucks have lots of attributes that affect performance such as height, weight, width, turning circle etc. The most important purpose of a truck is to allow the skateboard to change direction or carve like a surfboard. Each brand of truck has a different sized turning circle. Some trucks can turn in a very small circle whilst some turn in a much bigger circle. Trucks are arguably the most important component on a skateboard. They contribute more to how your skateboard feels than anything else. A set of trucks can last a long time and they become very familiar. Changing trucks can have a significant effect.

The ability to roll freely on a skateboard is so important. The better your skateboard rolls, the more time you have to stand with both feet on your board and think about what to do next. The Wheels and Bearings allow this to happen. Wheels are made from Polyurethane. A durable and flexible material that comes in varying degrees of quality. Wheel quality is much more important than the bearing. Whilst speed is affected by both wheels and bearings. 60% is due to the wheel and only 40% is due to the bearing. The impact of a more expensive premium wheel is instantly noticable. Wheels will gradually reduce in diameter, getting smaller and slower until they need to be replaced.

For most new skaters the sensible thing is to buy a ready made pre built complete skateboard. They tend to be more affordable and are ready to ride. They require little to no assembly or adjustment.

All of our skateboards have been carefully selected by us. They come from respected, recognised skateboarding brands using quality components and materials. These skateboards will roll freely and easily allow the user to change of direction. They will give a new skateboarder the best opportunity to progress and most importantly have fun.

Once you’ve been skateboarding for a little while and you become aware of how things feel. At that point it's recommended to start considering specific components that will perfom better based on your needs and type of skating.

Skateboarding is actually quite diverse with various ways to participate. There are different types of skateboards designed for different things.

If the thought of learning tricks is interesting or exciting then you should go for a traditional popsicle type of skateboard. These are the most common type and offer the greatest potential. They have an elongated nose and tail to help ‘pop’ tricks off the ground. The wheels are harder, better suited for smoother surfaces and for doing tricks.

If on the other hand you dream of sunshine, palm trees and California cruising then you should consider a cruiser or longboard.

These are specifically designed for travelling. Cruisers and longboards have bigger softer wheels that are better at absorbing the bumps in the road but make performing tricks much more difficult. Longboards can vary greatly in length and are designed to provide a large more stable platform to stand on. These are better suited for transportation and much less suitable for tricks or using at a skatepark.

Skateboard size is not necessarily tied to personal attributes like shoe size or height. More often it's simply a personal preference. It takes time to realise the perfect size, it’s important to experiment a little. When the deck needs replacing maybe try something different. A new brand perhaps, new size, new shape. Small changes can yield big results.

Unless very young, try not to worry too much about size at the beginning. A skateboard of between 7.75 and 8.25 would be fine for most new skaters. Just know that narrower is lighter, wider provides more room but is heavier.

A mini skateboard is recommended for skaters under the age of 8. Mini's are nearly always under 7.5 inches wide and are proportionally shrunk down to suit someone smaller. The are both shorter and narrower. This makes it easier for younger skaters to use and progress.

We've been selling skateboards for over 40 years. We’re incredibly fussy about what we’re willing to sell to another skateboarder. We wouldn't offer something if we didn’t think it would work. All of our complete skateboards would be suitable for a new skater, including even the most affordable options. More expensive skateboards will use higher grade components and materials. They will perform better, feel faster or last longer before needing to be replaced.

A skateboard tool is important. They include all of the necessary fittings to adjust everything on your skateboard. It’s a good idea to carry one with you for a while so that you can make adjustments on the fly.

It’s common for both new and experienced skaters to fall from time to time. Safety equipment can instil a sense of confidence at the beginning. Some skate parks insist on safety equipment for skaters under 16 years old.

Take a look at our helmets and pad sets.