o Skateboarding!

Basic how to guide and fundamentals of Skateboarding

Skateboard Anatomy

The Skateboard consists of four major parts:

1. The Deck 2. Trucks 3. Wheels 4. Grip Tape

The deck (Skateboard, board)

• Length
• There are two general length classifications of skateboard: Traditional/Street: under 33 in; and Longboard; over 35 in
• Traditional decks are the most common, and most versatile, while long boards are generally used for cruising only and provide the rider a very "surfy" feel
• Length choice is a purely personal decision, although a general rule states that smaller skaters should choose shorter boards (for control)
• Width
• Street decks range between 7.5 in and 8.25 in, although some decks are wider or narrower
• Width choice is also a purely personal decision, although smaller skaters (especially smaller footed skaters) will find a deck under 8 in makes it easier to learn tricks
• Concave
• Most decks (except for some longboards) have a raised nose, tail, and sides. This is called the concave.
• The depth and overall shape of the concave has a dramatic effect on the response of the skateboard to the skater
• The deeper the concave, the more aggressive the skater can be with their tricks
• The shallower the concave, the more forgiving the deck is for newer skaters
• Shape
• All of the above characteristics are commonly referred to as the deck shape
• While each characteristic plays a role in overall deck feel, it is the combination of all these factors from which a buying decision is made

Materials

• Wood
• The most common deck material is wood
• Almost all wood deck skateboards are made from Canadian Maple
• Each deck maker uses a varying number of plys (layers), usually no less than 5 and no more than 9
• Plastic
• Some less expensive skateboards utilize plastic for the deck. While this material is cheaper and more durable than wood, it does not offer the same responsivness.
• Other materials
• More recent materials of skateboard design include aluminum and fiberglass/carbon composites
• These materials are being used to try to improve upon the durability of wood, while maintaining its characteristics (pop/responsiveness)

The Trucks

Size

• Size is determined purely by deck width (although some skaters prefer certain truck widths)
• Most trucks range between 4.75 in and 5.5 in
• A slightly wider truck will offer a more stable landing platform and shorter turning radius, but is heavier
• Certain trucks can be found up to 7 in. This size truck is strictly used in conjunction with longboards.

Material

• Every truck is made from various versions of alloy metal (although some inexpensive skateboards use plastic)
• Increasingly, truck manufacturers are experimenting with space age metals in their alloy, like titanium
• The goal is to maintain the strength of the truck while reducing the weight
• Trucks also incorporate a bushing, which is the mechanism by which a truck turns. These bushings are available in varying degrees of hardness, which effect the ease by which a skateboard turns.

The Wheels

All skateboard wheels are made from polyurethane. However, the composition and color of skateboard wheels varies greatly.

Size

• Small/Street
• Most common skateboard wheels are between 52 mm and 60 mm
• Smaller riders might find the small wheels to be lighter and easier to control, however, wheel size is very much a rider preference item
  
  
• Large/Longboard
• Larger wheels (above 60 mm) are almost exclusive to longboards
• They are very fast and usually wider than smaller wheels

Hardness

• Hard/Street
• All street skateboard wheels are considerably hard. This hardness is rated in a measurement called durometer.
• Any wheel over 90a is considered hard
• The harder the wheels, the more pop a skater can get, but the harder they land
• Soft/Longboard
• Large wheels are also usually soft wheels (less than 90a durometer)
• The softness of these wheels creates a much smoother ride and offers more traction than a harder/smaller wheel
• These wheels are what allow a longboard skateboard to "surf" the earth

Do It with Responsibility & Respect

Skateboarding California - Google Maps

View Larger Map