Skateboarding

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    Learn More About Skateboarding

    The types of skateboards can be grouped into two main categories: longboard skateboards and shortboard skateboards. Skateboards have popularly been a big part of sports and outdoor games. Each kind of skateboard has its own unique features and benefits, and the choice of which one to use depends on your preferences, style, and level of experience. To get a glimpse into the many varieties of skateboards you can use, consider these types:


    • Standard: The most iconic and popular version of the skateboard, these are designed for street and park skating, performing tricks, and are characterized by a double curved wood deck.
    • Longboard: Longboard skateboards are designed for cruising, downhill riding, and transportation. They have a longer and wider deck than a standard skateboard, and the wheels are larger and softer to provide a smoother ride.
    • Cruiser: Cruiser skateboards are similar to longboards but are smaller and more compact. They are designed for cruising around town and commuting and often have a slightly wider front that tapers slightly toward the back. Most cruisers have flat decks, though some have a lip that curves at the end.
    • Old-school: Named for their popularity around the 1960s, old-school boards skateboard have a wider and more curved edge shape than a standard skateboard. Some have pointed fronts, while others are more rounded. Most wheels are larger and more challenging to provide more stability and speed.
    • Electric: Electric skateboards are powered by a battery and motor to allow the rider to travel without pushing. They are usually long and designed for commuting and transportation, reaching speeds of up to 25 miles per hour.
    • Penny boards: Penny boards are small skateboards that are just long enough to fit both feet. Nimble and lightweight, they are designed for cruising around with ease, and their compact size makes them easy to travel with, carry, and store.

    Skateboard trucks are the metal braces that connect the wheels to the deck and can be tightened or loosened with either a skate tool or a spanner. Loose trucks turn with less effort, while tighter trucks require more weight to pivot the board around. Having multiple trucks allows you to play with the height of your board, which may help with tricks and turning—the higher your trucks, the more sharply you can turn, while lower trucks make flip tricks easier.

    Once you’ve found a board you love, you might want some accessories such as mounts or extra skateboard wheels to keep your ride feeling smooth and skateboard wax to protect the underside of your board from rails and debris. Pick a skateboard helmet that suits your style, and add some fitness and exercise equipment like wrist guards and knee guards for further protection. Skateboard bags can help protect your board when you’re traveling, and you can deck yourself out in all sorts of skateboarding clothing or deck out your board in decals.