So, you’ve decided to get into skateboarding. Congrats! You’re about to embark on a journey full of scraped knees, sketchy landings, and the occasional moment of pure, gravity-defying bliss. But before you can start looking cool (or at least pretending to), you need a skateboard—and that’s where things get overwhelming.
Step 1: The Deck – A Fancy Piece of Wood That You’ll Love and Abuse
Fear not, dear reader. This guide will help you navigate the mysterious world of skateboards without making you feel like you’re solving a physics equation.
The deck is the flat wooden part of the skateboard—the thing you’ll be standing on (or falling off). When picking your first deck, size matters.
• Width: Stick to something between 7.75” to 8.5” (inches). Anything smaller is for children, and anything bigger is for pros who eat concrete for breakfast.
• Length: Don’t worry too much about this. Most are around 31-32 inches—not too big, not too small, just right.
• Concave: This refers to how curvy the board is. If you’re just starting, go for a medium or flat concave—enough curve for control, but not so much that your feet feel like they’re in a roller coaster.
Pro tip: If a deck looks super cool, that’s not a reason to buy it. (Okay, maybe it is. But at least check the size first.)
Step 2: Trucks – The Metal Thingies That Make Your Board Turn
Trucks are the metal T-shaped parts under your board that let you steer. Pick the wrong ones, and your skateboard will either feel like a tank or a wobbly shopping cart.
• Width Matters: Your trucks should match your deck width. Too wide? You’ll trip over them. Too narrow? Your board will look weird, and we can’t have that.
• Tight vs. Loose Trucks:
• Tight trucks = more stability, less turning.
• Loose trucks = easier turning, but get ready for some wobbly fun.
Step 3: Wheels – Because Hoverboards Don’t Exist Yet
Wheels come in different sizes and hardness levels. Get the wrong ones, and you’ll either be rolling forever or stopping on every tiny pebble.
• Size (Diameter in mm):
• 50-53mm – For street skating, doing tricks, and looking rad.
• 54-56mm – Great all-around size for beginners.
• 57mm+ – For cruisers and speed demons.
• Hardness (Durometer Scale):
• Soft (78A-87A): Grippy, great for cruising, but not for tricks.
• Medium (88A-95A): A good mix of grip and slide.
• Hard (96A-101A): Rolls fast and slides well—perfect for tricks.
Pro Tip: If you’re just starting, go for around 52-54mm, 99A wheels—good for learning, not too hard, not too soft.
Step 4: Bearings – The Tiny Things That Make You Go Fast (or Not)
Bearings sit inside your wheels and help them spin. They have an ABEC rating (1, 3, 5, 7, 9), which sounds important but really isn’t.
• ABEC 5 or 7 is perfect for beginners. Anything higher just means more speed, which means more falling.
Pro Tip: Bearings are ALL THE SAME unless you’re going pro. If that’s the case then you get bronson Raws. Just don’t get the cheapest ones that sound like a dying robot.
Step 5: Grip Tape – Because Slipping Off Your Board is Embarrassing
Grip tape is the sandpapery stuff on top of your board that keeps your feet in place. Some come in cool designs, but at the end of the day, grip is grip.
• Basic Black: Classic, timeless, and hides dirt well.
• Clear/Colored: Shows off the wood, but also gets dirty fast.
• Custom Designs: Makes your board unique, but functionally the same.
Pro Tip: If you’re feeling artistic, draw on your grip tape with a paint marker—instant style points.
Final Step: Putting It All Together
You can either buy a complete skateboard (everything pre-assembled) or buy the parts separately and put them together like a cool DIY project.
• If you want to keep it simple: Get a pre-built complete from a trusted brand (like Primo, wink wink).
• If you want a custom setup: Pick each part carefully and assemble it—or get a skate shop to do it for you.
Bonus: What Not to Do
• Don’t buy a cheap skateboard from a toy store. It will suck. Period.
• Don’t get trucks that are too big or too small. It will ruin your ride.
• Don’t overthink it. Your first skateboard won’t be your last.
Now, Go Skate!
Now that you have your first skateboard, it’s time to learn how to fall properly (because you will), practice the basics, and enjoy the ride.
Welcome to skateboarding! It’s painful, frustrating, and incredibly addicting. You’re going to love it.