| If you are interested in skateboarding, the most | | | | ramps frequently, choose wheels with around a 97a |
| important thing to do is buy the best skateboard you | | | | hardness. Start with larger wheels; smaller wheels will |
| can find. Before purchasing your first skateboard, try | | | | put your skateboard lower to the ground, and make |
| out your friends' skateboards, or ask other boarders | | | | it easier to do some tricks, but they are harder to |
| about what they do and don't like about theirs. | | | | learn on. |
| Before purchasing your skateboard, make sure that | | | | There are technically three different kinds of boards: |
| you know what to look for. The deck (or 'board') is | | | | street, ramp, and longboards. Street and ramp are |
| the most important part. Most are made of plywood. | | | | nearly the same; the size of wheels is usually the |
| The biggest difference here is between 7-ply boards | | | | determinant between whether a board is good for |
| and 9-ply. 9-ply are usually cheaper, but also heavier | | | | street riding or ramp riding. Longboards are longer |
| and difficult to work with. Cheaper decks are made | | | | than regular skateboards, and are used for downhill |
| of plastic, although these will not hold up to heavy | | | | racing or transportation, not tricks. |
| use. Fiberglass or carbon board are both good choices | | | | Name brands are not very important when buying |
| that will be long-lasting. | | | | skateboards, though you should still ask your friends |
| The average skateboard measures 8 inches wide. If | | | | which brands they recommend. Blank boards will not |
| you are just learning how to ride, consider a wider | | | | have a brand name emblazoned across the deck, so |
| board, as these are more stable. However, the extra | | | | you can customize it by adding your own design. |
| width does make it more difficult to perform many | | | | These graphics can make a pro deck expensive, but |
| skateboard tricks. If you are planning to use a | | | | they will get all scratched up as you learn to use the |
| skateboard mainly for transportation, this extra width | | | | board. |
| can provide extra stability. | | | | Skateboards can cost over a hundred dollars, |
| Most decks have a raised front and sides. A deeper | | | | especially if you upgrade the wheels, trucks, and |
| concave will help the user perform more dramatic | | | | bearings, although you can start with a fairly |
| tricks, but a shallow concave is much easier to learn | | | | inexpensive basic board, especially if you aren't sure if |
| on. Still, some are too shallow. These flat and straight | | | | skateboarding is for you. Another reason to choose |
| boards are hard to learn on, and you may become | | | | an inexpensive board for your first skateboard is that |
| frustrated because you can't do much with your | | | | you may fall a lot in the process of learning, and you |
| board. | | | | can end up ruining your nice expensive skateboard. |
| The wheels are usually made of hard plastic. The | | | | As a beginner, choose a full skateboard setup; there |
| harder the wheel, the harder it will be to ride. Most | | | | is no reason for you to build a skateboard piece by |
| skateboards are a 90a hardness, but pros use 100a | | | | piece. |
| hardness. If you want to use skateboard parks and | | | | |