Picking up a new hobby can be a daunting task, and getting involved in skateboarding is no different. Going into a skate shop for the first time is intimidating and no one wants to be the “newbie.” There are only a couple things to consider when picking up a skateboard: What will be its purpose and where do I go to purchase one?

A skateboard has two common purposes: a mode of transportation and something you can perform tricks on. Depending on which one you choose, it can greatly alter the appearance of your board. A board with the sole purpose of getting from place to place should be wider for stability. The deck – also known as the board – should exceed 8 inches in width with trucks that are flush with the width of the deck.

Additionally, a more important contributor to a “cruiser” board is soft wheels. Large, soft wheels make riding on almost any terrain easier whether it is a rough tar pavement or packed dirt. Wheels are sized according to their diameter in millimeters – a large wheel would exceed 54 mm.

A skateboard for the purpose of doing tricks can vary on preference. They can be as skinny as 7.5 inches to as wide as 8.8 inches and again you would want trucks that fit flush with the board.

Unfortunately, the sizing for trucks varies depending on the company. For example, “Independent Trucks” bases truck size in millimeters while a company like “Ace” has sizes like “02” or “33” and the number isn’t based on millimeters, but a knowledgeable skate shop employee can help you with that.

As far as wheels go, hard white wheels are preferable; a “street” board usually has wheels between 50 to 54 mm.

Once a purpose is established, the next thing to consider is where to buy it.

Most malls I’ve been to have a place to purchase a skateboard, but what the mall rarely has is an expert. Skater owned and operated skate shops are the cornerstone of most skateboard scenes and for good reason. It’s a place for skaters to collect and talk about the current state of the industry or what is going on around town. However, the best part is in most cases shops employ someone who truly loves skateboarding and can answer any question you might have.

This is not to say that a shop is not intimidating because it can be. Approaching a strange group you’re unfamiliar with is scary, but going to their club house seems unheard of. The beauty of skateboarding is that it is all inclusive and you’ll find in a lot of cases you are not as different from them as you think.

Learning the ins and outs of a skateboard composition and where to acquire one is a small part of the big picture. The ultimate goal whenever stepping on a skateboard is to have fun and to lose yourself in an experience that few indulge in.

 

Anthony can be reached at: [email protected]