John asked:

Choosing the perfect skateboard can be an exciting experience. But before you jump right in and buy one, you need to make sure that you do your research. There are some very impressive skateboards on the market today that feature amazing graphics, and some have even been designed by professional skateboarders themselves. It is important to do your homework and decide exactly what features you want before making a final purchase.

Realizing your own unique skating style will help you decide which type of skateboard is right for you. Some skaters prefer longer boards, while others swear by wider boards. You also need to keep in mind that your size also plays a part in what size of skateboard you will need. In general, the more the skater weighs, the heavier the deck of the skateboard needs to be. Another good tip to follow is that beginners usually start with wider boards.

You can compare skateboards and accessories at several places online, or browse through skateboard specialty shops to find the perfect board for you. If you are just beginning in the sport, you may not want to start out with the most expensive board to practice with. Not everyone decides to continue with the sport once they have tried it, so you do not want to be out too much money if you decide to quit skateboarding.

Reading online reviews about different types of skateboards is also a good idea. Quality is so important with skateboards. You want to make sure that the manufacturer’s claims are true. It is important to get the best quality skateboard you can afford. Even with daily use, a good quality skateboard should last between six months to a year. Skateboards can become expensive, so you do not want to replace boards any more than you have to.

While many people find that purchasing a skateboard online is less expensive than purchasing one from a local skateboard shop, there are advantages to purchasing locally. By purchasing from your local shop, you are able to actually get a feel of the board making sure it will work for you before purchasing it. If the skateboard is not what you want, the savings you might have gotten online won’t matter.

If you do decide to go ahead and order online, do not forget to review the return policy well. If you are not able to return your skateboard for a refund if you find that it does not work for your skateboarding needs, you will be out that much money. Make sure that the company you are ordering from has a liberal return policy before buying!

There are many affordable skateboards on the market that will work great. Or, if you are really dedicated to the sport and have the money to invest, you may consider having a skateboard custom built to your specifications. By setting a budget and researching several different styles and designs of skateboards before making a purchase, you will insure that you will have a skateboard that should give you months of use and accentuate your personal style.

Kansieo.com

John asked:

 

Most skateboarders enjoy being part of a group of peers who have the same hobby. However, most skateboarders want to express our individuality as well. Luckily, there are plenty of accessories the avid skateboarder can choose from to customize your skateboard and make it match your own unique style. All of the different accessories can become overwhelming, so it is important to explore all of your possibilities before making changes to your skateboard.

If you are looking to quickly make your skateboard your own, the deck is a great place to start. By adding stickers, decals, stenciled pictures, or by painting your deck, you can give your skateboard a design like no other board.

Another way to personalize your skateboard is to use uniquely colored wheels instead of standard skateboard wheels. Depending on the type of appearance you want to give your board, you can match all of your accessories or mix the colors up a bit. You could even find glow-in-the-dark wheels at some specialty stores.

Adding grip tape is another great way to accessories your skateboard. Grip tape is a necessity for your board and comes in great colors such as; neon green, blue, yellow and black to name a few. Besides adding stability to your board so that you have better controls for maneuvers, it is also a great way to change the overall appearance of your board.

Logos are also a popular addition to skateboards. Most skateboarding retailers offer logo decals for the leading skateboard gear. You can also find my skateboard specialty stores online that offer logos. You could also take this idea a step further and have your own custom logo created to let everyone know who the skateboard belongs to.

You do not have to be limited to skateboard accessories either. There are many products out there that can be used to accessorize your skateboard, it just depends on how creative you want to be with your personalization. There is no right or wrong way to accessorize your skateboard. You can go as extreme or as basic as you want. It is all about portraying your individuality. Some skateboarders want to stand up for their particular sport and add stickers with wording such as, “Skateboarding Isn’t A Crime”, or something similar. While others prefer to be more subdued in their choice of skateboard add-ons.

No matter how you choose to accessorize your skateboard, the most important thing is to make if fun. Always be sure to purchase quality products so that you do not end up with peeling stickers or faded paint. Using quality accessories will ensure that the overall appearance of your skateboard will look great no matter how old it is.

Remember, no matter how nice your skateboard is, it won’t last forever. Don’t go overboard spending money on accessories that you will not be able to use on another board. Take the time to compare prices so that you always get the best deals when creating your totally unique skateboard.

Caffeinated Content

John Pauls asked:

Although, there are not many famous girls in skateboarding, they do exist. They have helped to bring attention to the fact that this isn’t just a sport for males to take part in. Even though that sex has dominated it for so long, and continues to do so, the fact that girls are getting their foot in the door is exciting. It brings a whole new element to the sport and it is also bringing in a new demographic of spectators.

They are excellent role models for girls too because it shows them that skateboarding is certainly a sport they can take part in. Too many girls have hide their love for it because they are labeled as being a Tom Boy. Others have met with discouragement from friends and parents so they give up on the idea of skateboarding. Seeing famous girls in skateboarding though shows them the other side of it.

This gives them the benefit of being able to find out more about what it takes to be a good skateboarder in spite of them being females. They may want to follow it as a hobby or even professionally. Knowing that they aren’t alone in their efforts though can certainly make a huge difference.

Elissa Steamer is considered to be the very best female skateboarder in the world. She is held in high regard due to being the first to really open up the door for females to take part in the professional world of skateboarding. While most of her fans are females, most males admit that they can’t help but be impressed by her moves. The fact that she is so gorgeous doesn’t hurt either!

Elissa has been a professional skateboarder since 1989, but it did take many years for her to prove herself. She won the first Woman’s Street Competition that year but that wasn’t enough for her. She loves being able to compete right alongside the males in the profession. She has found many of them to be accepting of her role in the business. In fact, she has several close friends that are male professional skateboarders.

Another well known skater in the world of skateboarding called Vanessa Torres. She continues to perform amazing tricks that are risky and very intense. She is a very fast street skater and she has won numerous competitions out there. She gets very high reviews from male professional skater Tony Hawk. In fact, Torres was the first female skateboarder to be asked to be in one of the many Tony Hawk skating video games. She is featured in Proving Ground which is a great way to show girls that skateboarding is for both sexes.

Jessie van Roechoudt taught herself how to ride a skateboard when she was a young girl. Her parents wouldn’t agree to buy her one, so she fixed up one she found in the trash near her home. Her goal is to help girls in the sport of skateboarding to get more than just recognition for their talent. She wants to see them earn respect in the sport as well. One of her accomplishments involves getting ESPN to commit to equal prizes and events for both males and females in the skateboarding events that they host.

For females that are interested in skateboarding, the door is open to take part in it on many levels. You don’t have anything to prove to society so follow your own passion for it. Try to have fun and to continue learning new skills. You may just end up finding yourself listed with other famous girls in the world of skateboarding in the future. There is plenty of information about the achievements of these women online and in magazines so make sure you take the time to find out more about them.

Caffeinated Content

John Pauls asked:

Have you ever known how skateboarding came to be a sport? The history of it is quite interesting. It started out in the 1950’s and many believed it would just be one more passing fad that people took part in. While it has had peaks and valleys since its introduction, skateboarding has proven it is much more than just a passing fad.

The first skateboard was quite different from today’s skateboard. They offered a handle bar on them, just like many types of scooters that we see on the market today. This handle bar is what allowed these early skateboards to be maneuvered and controlled. However, it didn’t take long for the idea to remove the handle bar to come along. Many believe this early idea was the result of the popularity of surf boarding at the time.

By the 1960’s, the most popular one was the Roller Derby Skateboard. It was actually introduced in 1959 just ahead of the competitors. However, it took many of these companies to keep up with the demand for them. It is estimated that between 1960 and 1963 more than 50 million skateboards were sold. Keep in mind that we didn’t have the technology that we have today in order to mass produce such items in large buildings.

When the skateboarding official contests were started by manufacturers in 1963 it only further fueled the frenzy to have one. So what happened that slowed down the craze for skateboards? There are two main reasons that cause the sales down. First, the economic status of the United States began to slow down so people weren’t able to buy as many extras as before. Second, many so called experts out there were talking about how unsafe skateboards were.

However, there were plenty of people that were taking a new interest in skateboards by the early 1970’s. This was due to the introduction of a variety of great moves and tricks. This added a new dimension to skateboarding that hadn’t been there in the past. Now there was much more involved with it all than just simply riding a skateboard. Many of the top competitors out there took things to the extremes and continued to push the limits.

In 1974 a huge change too place regarding the size of the skateboards. Up to this point the standard was either 6 or 7 inches in width. It now became 9 inches which consumers were very pleased with. These additional few inches offered riders more stability and that meant it was easier for them to control regardless of what they liked to do on their skateboard.

The availability of ramps and other materials that skaters could use at home in the 1980’s kept the trend of skateboarding going strong. Now people didn’t have to rely upon just skate parks for them to enjoy. However, you also had an abundance of city ordinances around this same time. Many of them prohibited the use of skateboards on public sidewalks and streets.

As a result, the sales did dip into the 1990’s. Yet once again the idea of skateboarding was thriving. Many believe it had to do with the availability of the internet. People could view plenty of skateboarding action online. At the same time the sporting channel ESPN took on this sport as well.

One thing is for sure, skateboarding has enough of a following that it is here to stay. It is fun to look back at where it has been though over the years. What is also exciting is to speculate about what the future holds for the sport of skateboarding. With the worldwide presence it has, there is always plenty going on concerning it.

Caffeinated Content

John asked:

Professional skateboarders need more than just a great skateboard to succeed. Equally important is the equipment used by professional skateboarders to keep them safe. Skateboarding looks easy when professionals do it, but it actually can be dangerous and can result in serious injury. Professional skateboarders know that the responsible thing to do is to wear protective gear to keep themselves safe when skateboarding.

The most important body part professional skateboarders worry about protecting is their heads. Head protection needs to properly fitted so that it is able to protect all parts of the head including the front, back and sides. In order to avoid sweating and discomfort, head protection often will contain more padding specifically for this purpose. Any helmet or head protection needs to be able to withstand multiple impacts so that a professional skateboarder can do their whole program of tricks with the most protection possible.

Any good skateboarding helmet should provide protection to your whole head including the back of the head. Many newer helmets are able to absorb some of the impact from a fall which will greatly decrease your chances of being seriously injured. If you don’t have the right protective gear, you may not be able to recover from a fall and may be seriously injured.

Elbow and knee pads are also crucial for professional skateboarders. These pads can keep you from seriously injuring yourself in a fall. For professional skateboarders, a serious injury will put them out of the competition. Professional skateboarders will do whatever it takes to protect themselves from injury while performing – they want to be able to do their best every time. Some may go as far as wearing something like an ankle brace if there doctor tells them it will help support their weight and prevent injury.

Professional skateboarders often wear special clothing designed to help reduce the impact from a fall and reduce the chance of injury. These suits can be very colorful or very plain, depending on what the skateboarders decide they want. Often, a professional skateboarder will have a certain color or pattern suit that is his signature and that makes him more recognizable.

Shoes can also be important for professional skateboarders. They want shoes that will help them grip the board with their feet and shoes that fit perfectly so they will be comfortable. Even the type of sock can make a difference in how comfortable the skateboarder’s shoes will be which will affect his performance. A good performance takes not only skill, but the right combination of all the right gear as well.

Professional skateboarding gear can be expensive but often professionals get the gear for free or for a reduced rate. Companies that make the gear and sell the gear want their gear to get as much exposure as possible which can be accomplished by having a professional skateboarder wear the gear. Fans are likely to try and find the same gear as their favorite skaters so sales will increase. Often, skateboarders will endorse a specific company which means they wear all their gear and only their gear. If a successful professional skateboarder is wearing something, all his fans are going to want the same thing so this is a smart marketing strategy.

Professional skateboarders don’t use the same gear year after year. They keep updating their gear as new technologies and products come out that will help them be better and do more stunts and tricks. Competition among professional skateboarders is very tough so in order to be as successful as possible skateboarders need to take advantage of any opportunities to be better. The right gear can make all the difference for a professional skateboarder. Comfort is very important in order to perform at their best level so they need the best gear with the best fit. The better the gear, the better the skateboarder can do in competitions. Safety is also very important because professional skateboarders need to be able to safely keep improving their skills and trying new tricks and stunts.

Create a video blog…instantly.

John asked:

How much do you really know about skateboarding? Test out your knowledge by reading these fun facts. If you know them all, you can dedicate more of your time to learning new tricks! If you didn’t know many of them you can feel better now that you have brushed up on your knowledge of this sport.

In the United States, there are more than 18 million people own a skateboard. 85% of these individuals are less than 18 years of age. 74% of them are males. Yvonne Dowlen still competes though and he is 81 years old! There are children as young as three years old that can do the basics on one as well.

Tony Hawk has a deal with Kohl’s to sell shoes due to having his own line of footwear. Hawk agreed to do so only if they were affordable – never over $40 so that everyone can afford them. He is also responsible for the creative designs on this signature line of shoes.

One of the crazy ways in which professional skaters have helped to raise money for skate parks is by taking part in golf fundraising tournaments. While their fans don’t see it as enough action, these events definitely generate plenty of income for the cause.

The culture of skateboarding emerged in California. It was mainly designed as the ground equivalent of surfing in the water. The first skateboards actually had handles on them that allowed a person to move them.

Approximately 800,000 people are seen by medical professionals annually due to skateboarding injuries. Less than 40% of individuals that do this sport where the proper safety equipment for it.

There are some famous movies out there that depict skateboarding. One is called Gleaming the Cube with Christian Slater. This film debuted in 1989 and is still one of the best with this type of action portrayed in it.

The Tony Hawk video games are among the most popular in the world. There are many versions of them to check out. He has spent hours being videotaped so that movements are very realistic to what he is known to do in real life.

With the cost of gas continually increasing, more people are using skateboards for transportation than before. It is no longer just for fun! Many students use them on campus to be able to quickly get around.

It is illegal to own a skateboard in Norway. The ban was implemented in 1989 due to the number of people being injured while riding them. Skateboarding has only started to get a following in Portugal with the highest number of owners of boards being reported in 2008.

The military began using skateboards for some indoor maneuvers in 1997.

Skateboarding is actually good for your health. It can help a person to improve in the areas of balance, flexibility, and coordination. It also helps to tone up muscles and to strengthen the heart.

Concentration and hand/eye coordination improves when a person skateboards. It can help a person to be able to focus their attention for a longer span of time on other activities in their life as well.

One of the biggest failures in marketing for Levi brand of jeans was when they tried to appeal to the style of skateboarders.

There are new facts about skateboarding all the time so take some time for it. When it is too cold outside to skateboard, don’t let it get you down. Go online and find some new facts to get you by until you can ride your board once again! You can impress your friends too with the information you learned about skateboarding in the mean time.

Website content

John Pauls asked:

In the past, girls were considered to be Tom Boys if they took part in skateboarding. However, this particular sport has taken on a new light with girls, especially those from about 10 to 14 years of age. The fact that society is now more accepting of girls taking part in such activities certainly helps. Many families have several boys too which means their sisters have grown up around skateboarding and often find it to be interesting.

Although there are many girls are comfortable skateboarding with male siblings or friends, many others are not. They feel that they are left out or that there is just too much to prove among the males. This is why you will often see groups of girls skateboarding together. They can encourage each other and help with building self confidence. In many regards, girls are more coordinated at this age and they are more patient. Therefore skateboarding can come easier for them to pick up than it might for males in their same age group.

There is support to be found in many forms too for girls interested in skateboarding. There are websites and even magazines dedicated to answering their questions and providing them with information. Such products are evidence that there are plenty of people out there that love the idea of girls getting involved. Even many of the male professional skateboarders have made comments about it. They often offer interviews and tips for females as well to encourage them to take part in it.

Although the industry of skateboards and accessories is still mainly geared towards males, the selections for girls are more than before. The fact that anyone can have a skateboard custom made for them or they can buy the pieces and make it on their own gives them more options as well. Don’t underestimate the skills that some of these girls develop when it comes to skateboarding as their speed and their ability to perform tricks just might blow you away.

However, there are complete lines of skateboards, accessories, and even safety gear that are developed specifically for girls. There are also more camps for these girls to meet each other and even competitions that are only open to girls. The fact that more of them are being able to take part in the sport of skateboarding means that it is continuing to grow in new directions.

The producers of such products are starting to see that they have shut out a great source of sales for too long. They had been forcing those girls interested in skateboarding to buy products that were made with males in mind. By taking a second look though and offering new products, they have found their sales increasing and girls becoming very happy with the selection out there.

If you find that your selection of such items is limited locally, make sure you go online. There are some companies out there that only make skateboards and gear for girls. There is no shortage of selection for great prices online. You may not have any idea of just how many great items exist until you start looking for them.

Any girl that is interested in skateboarding should look into it further and find out if it is for them. Too many of them though are still intimidated by the male dominance of the sport. Finding the right way to learn and taking the time to find the right skateboarding equipment though is a great way to get started. Don’t be held back by the norms of society but instead follow your passion to be a part of skateboarding.

Create a video blog…instantly.

John asked:

Deck is the largest part of any skateboard. It is where you stand on and it is where all the other materials are attached. It plays a crucial role in developing skills and in your safety. The deck also allows you to maneuver the gadget so you can do tricks or speed up with it. Slimmer individuals need to have smaller decks for proper proportioning. Even if you opt for a specific deck size, it is best to stick on a skateboard which is proportional to your size.

Deck Size

There are important factors when choosing deck size. Aside from bodily proportions, you need to base your choice on the tricks you want to achieve with your skateboard. The average deck size is around 7 to 8 inches. The deck size provides a huge difference on your skateboarding skills.

Quality Of The Deck

Although buying cheaper decks can be enticing, you wouldn’t want to invest on something which will wear down easily. If you want something that can last for a lifetime, be sure to choose a deck size that is of high quality. You will gain more from investments which have a higher quality. Although you may have to pay more, you get to keep the gadget for a very long time. You will also find the deck more durable and stable if made under superior quality.

Overall Scheming

Deck length may not be as important as the width. However, it is essential to choose a skateboard with at least 32 inches in length. There can be exceptions with the choice of skateboard length. You may need to choose something which fits your body and your skills as well.

The Nose And Tail

Other important parts of a deck are the nose and tail. These parts can actually produce the best tricks in skateboarding. The more curved the nose and tail is, the more tricks you can perform. If you aim to do better tricks, then choosing a curved nose and tail deck is important. Complicated tricks can easily be done with this type of deck. Just remember to exercise caution especially if you’re a beginner in skateboarding.

The Overall Appeal

Appearance is not the best criteria to judge a deck. Some skateboards may be designed intricately and superbly. However, they may not provide the quality and safety you need. There are plain decks which you might think unhelpful in your skateboard goals. But as you look deeper into its parts, you’d find out that they are built with more function than form. Never decide on skateboards based on appearance alone. Looking at fabulously designed skateboards might only lure you for the buy; but you won’t be entirely happy with their performance. Although accessories may make your skateboard look more appealing, they wouldn’t provide the kind of skills you need.

The Deck Research

Searching for the best deck around is an important thing to do. Because there are many sports shops, you wouldn’t have a hard time looking for the perfect purchase. You simply have to inquire about the decks and choose one which does not only suit your taste but matches your skills as well. Having enough time to research is also greatly important so you can experiment on the kind of deck you like. Before finally making a decision, remember to do your deck research first.

If you do not do enough research on skateboards, you might end up getting disappointed with the purchase. It is best to settle on something which can provide great quality. And because skateboards are an investment, you only have to choose the finest of its kind to turn your skateboarding goals into a success.

Caffeinated Content – Members-Only Content for WordPress

John asked:

Purchasing a skateboard can be a very expensive investment, especially if you are purchasing a top-of-the-line quality skateboard. Before rushing out to buy that skateboard of your dreams, you may want to consider the benefits of building your own.

It is likely that once you start looking in to building your own board, you will find that the profit margin on pre-made skateboards is unbelievably high and it is much cheaper to build a custom skateboard from scratch than to buy one already built. It is amazing how little it costs to make your own skateboard if you know where to buy your parts.

It is not uncommon for a customer to pay top price to have their skateboard built to their specific needs, especially if the customer spends a lot of time on a skateboard. However, the same skateboard can be built for much less if the customer buys all of the custom parts and builds the skateboard themselves.

Since skateboards are manufactured to meet the needs of the majority of skateboarders, there are times when there is not a standard model available that truly fits the skateboarder’s needs. Therefore, building your own skateboard may be the only way to accomplish getting the features you need at an affordable cost.

By building your own skateboard, you have the control to put every feature you want on your board so that it is exactly the way you want it. You can purchase a deck that will be the perfect fit for your size, the type and size of wheels that make your skateboard comfortable and maneuver the way you want it, and add all of the little details that truly make the skateboard your own creation. By customizing your skateboard as much as possible, you will have built a skateboard that you will get plenty of enjoyment from.

Unfortunately, many skateboarders don’t realize how much cheaper it is to build their own skateboard and they end up purchasing cheaply made skateboards because they do not have the money to invest in a good one. Sadly, this decision usually ends up in the customer being unhappy with a board that probably isn’t going to last very long. A much better option would be to use that same money and buy the materials you need to build your own. Not only will you get a better return on your investment, but you will have a much better product. You also get the priceless feeling of knowing that you built your board by hand.

More experienced skateboarders have spent enough time on their skateboards to know exactly what they do and do not like on a board. When building your own, you have more control over the features can add and delete to your skateboard. Not only does this give you a better skateboard, it will often help with your ability to perform tricks and stunts.

By building your own skateboard, you can bypass the frustration of having limitations on what you can and cannot do on your skateboard. You will be more likely to use your skateboard more often, and it will be easier to hone your craft. Since it is easier and cheaper than most might think to build your own board, this option is definitely worth checking out!

skateboarding

John Pauls asked:

You are never too old to learn how to skateboard because skateboarding isn’t just for the younger generations. As long as your body is in decent shape you should be able to learn the basics. You need to take extra precautions if you have some type of health concern. You don’t want to end up with broken bones due to taking chances. It amazes me how many adults do want to skateboard but they don’t think they need to wear safety equipment. Sadly, they learn it the wrong way!

For many individuals the desire to ride a skateboard is one they had as a child. There are many reasons that hold them back. For example having too many other commitments is a common one. Some children had parents that didn’t allow them to use a skateboard due to the risk of getting hurt. Other parents simply couldn’t afford to buy one for their children. Perhaps as a child you were afraid of riding a skateboard but now you wish you would have learned. You may be more of a risk taker now than back them which means you can get started.

One primary reason to learn skateboarding now is that you are able to buy the right equipment. Many younger people get frustrated with the initial learning process for a skateboard. Yet they don’t realize that they may have been attempting tricks or moves on a skateboard that wasn’t designed for them. Now they have the right information they can make every attempt to learn again and to be successful.

You will find that many young skaters would like to teach you skateboarding and skate with you. Instead of being ridiculed as you would imagine they are happy to see older people taking on the sport. They feel it means that skateboarding is acceptable when for so long it has been looked down on by many adults. They also love being able to teach someone instead of always being the student themselves.

It is true that it may take you longer to learn to skateboard as you get older than younger individuals. However, if you are patient and you are dedicated to learning it will happen over time. You can gauge your success and use it to help keep you motivated. You can also use this type of learning as a way to get more exercise into your daily schedule.

The reality of it is that you are really only as old as you feel. So you need to pay attention to your own body. Don’t feel forced into skateboarding and by all means make sure you take it easy. However, you will find that there can be a freedom too when you take on such a sport later in life. It can help you to get a glimpse of your youth again and to recapture a piece of it. It also can help to reduce your stress levels. It can also be the perfect way to escape your responsibilities at work and home for a while.

Don’t let your age prevent you from enjoying skateboarding if you have an interest in this sport. Don’t worry about what anyone else out there thinks about it either. Life is too short to spend in doing what other people expect from you instead of what you would like to do. There are plenty of ways you can learn how to skateboard too so explore them and find the one that is right for you.

Kansieo.com