Whether you're a beginner or an experienced skater, it goes without saying that skateboarding can be a dangerous passtime. Standard safety equipment is recommended and includes a helmet and knee, elbow, wrist and palm protectors.
Skateboarding in the rain is not a good idea. Wet conditions make it much more difficult to control the skateboard, meaning you are more likely to injure yourself. Furthermore, water can cause the deck to soften and warp, while bearings may become clogged or rusty.
Decks are composed of 5-9 layers. The best quality skateboards are made of Canadian maple, which offers excellent strength and flexibility, although beginners often go for the cheaper Chinese maple, beech or oak. Skateboards made from laminate or PVC are even cheaper, but are not suitable for doing tricks.
Trucks connect the wheels to the deck and allow you to steer the skateboard. They should be chosen according to the width of the deck and the style of skating you want to do. As trucks are one of the heaviest parts of a skateboard, it is good idea to get lighter trucks, such as those with hollow axles or made from titanium, especially if you plan to do tricks.
Trucks come in three basic sizes:
Smaller wheels are lighter, but they are also slower and less comfortable on uneven surfaces.
Diameter:
Hardness:
Softer wheels behave better on rough surfaces as they absorb vibration, but they are also slower. Harder wheels are faster and are better suited to smooth concrete surfaces, making them the ideal choice for skateparks.
Bearings ensure that the wheels spin smoothly. Bearing quality is measured on the 1-9 ABEC scale, where 9 indicates the highest quality bearings. The higher the bearing quality, the faster and smoother your ride will be. Anything marked ABEC 5 and above can be considered good quality.
Deck size
Skateboard decks are rectangular with rounded ends that angle upwards. They vary in size and material used.
The width and length of a skateboard has a big influence on its rideability. Wider boards are suitable for beginners, larger riders with larger feet, and for skating ramps. Conversely, narrower skaterboards are suitable for smaller riders and for more technical skateboarding, such as flatground tricks.