Skateboarding has different elements to it. There’s a lot to the sport, requiring different decisions to be made in terms of body movement and what equipment to use. For instance, boards are designed in various diverse ways. The type of skateboarding you do heavily decides what kind of skateboard is used. Each one has singular characteristics, differing in length and speed. They’re meant to cater to a range of skill levels and skateboarding methods, as well as an array of varying budget needs.
Beginners are often advised to buy good quality boards on the lesser end of the price scale. That way they can invest in a more expensive one later, when they have mastered the basic elements and need more from their board. This can be clearly seen in the way that professionals upgrade regularly.
Two Main Types Of Skateboard
You can buy boards at many different outlets; toy stores, department and sporting goods stores, as well as specialty skate shops and websites online. These will all have a decent selection of equipment to choose between, from intricate to basic and advanced to beginner.
- Slalom boards – A choice of this variety is meant for the races they are named after. The boards have a shorter length which is more flexible, and capable of manoeuvring with ease. As the race requires speed, and the ability to wind ones way around numerous traffic cones, the board needs to be fast as well as agile.
- Long skateboard – When the design is elongated, it is meant mainly for downhill skating. These are best suited for beginners and those who just do it for fun. It is safer and more balanced than many other boards, although it is not created for tricks. However, it is excellent for practice, as its stability is beneficial to learning how to balance.
Other Differences To Consider
- Width – Thicker boards are better for balance, whilst the slimmer varieties are more conducive to manipulation and tricks.
- Kicks – This is the shape of the nose and tail, which allows the skater to perform stalls, slides and nose tricks. Most are made at an angle to allow for pop tricks.
- Wood – Most boards are created using hard rock maple. This is very hard, and strong whilst still being light and flexible. However, one drawback is its brittleness. Handle it too roughly and it will snap. More expensive boards are made from bamboo, which is hardier, lighter, and doesn’t break.
- Concave – For expert tricks, the board must be more concave which helps with difficult maneuvers such as the Ollie. Freestyle boards for beginners are often not as curved underneath, allowing for simpler practice and enjoyable cruising.
- Pop – Pop refers to how responsive a board is with edges and grip tape. This is usually seen with brand new decks, which have stiffer glue which allows you to go higher, with much less effort. A beginner can purchase a second hand board, as a good pop makes tricks much easier to accomplish. Bamboo has a great pop, but it is very pricey and recommended for advanced boarders only.
Choosing your board could be the difference between making that trick or landing on your butt.
