Jay Brandley asked:

These days, many children are confined to the home on their own will. With sedentary activities such as watching television and playing arcade and video games becoming ever more popular, sometimes children would rather stay at home and do these non-physical activities than be outside running around and getting some physical exertion.

This is not all their fault. Sometimes it is not convenient for children to go outside and play if there is no one responsible enough around to attend to their supervision. Many parents would love to do this but cannot afford to due to financial responsibilities. In addition, it may not be safe for children to play outside depending on the area where you live.

Well, if you are stumped when it comes to thinking of activities that your child could do to get some physical exertion, we are here to help you out with that by giving a short and simple idea.

Skateboarding

Skateboarding is a great way for children to get some physical exercise. Skateboarding is a popular sport these days, and most children will have some fun with it.

Skateboarding takes a lot of balance and technique. If you want to improve the coordination of your child, and perhaps even train him or her for the likes of other sports such as surfing or snowboarding, skateboarding is a great way to start it off.

Here are some ideas that will help you to incorporate skating in the schedule of your child.

Skateboard to School

If your child walks to school, why not let him or her skateboard to school instead? It is understandable that most schools do not allow the use of skateboards on school property, but if you can arrange for your child to put his or her skateboard in a safe and secure place during school hours and encourage him or her to abide be the rules and regulation of the school concerning skateboards, perhaps this could work out.

A Family Day At the Skate Park

Your children get a break from school on the weekend, and a lot of parents get off of work on the weekend also. This makes it convenient to have a family day where you can plan activities where you all can have fun and spend time together as a family. You could consider going to a skate park once a month or however often as you wish as a family outing activity. Even if you are not interested in skateboarding, it is without question that you are interested in your child. Watch your child have fun learning to skateboard and do all kinds of neat tricks on it. They will thank you for it later and learn from your example for when they start a family of their own one day.

So, here are just a couple of ideas that could get you started with incorporating skateboarding in you and your childs schedule. Also, remember to have fun and let your kids have some fun also.

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John Pauls asked:

Your skateboard is going to last much longer if you take some time to perform routine maintenance. Many people don’t take the time for it though and then the quality of their performance goes downhill. If you use your skateboard on a regular basis then doing this type of maintenance becomes even more important. Unless you are able to afford to get a new skateboard as you need one then you should make this a part of your schedule for it. The process isn’t difficult and it doesn’t take very much time either.

The grip tape on the deck is one area that you want to pay attention to. Chances are this is the one item you will need to inspect and replace the most. It doesn’t cost very much and it doesn’t take long at all for you to be able to apply fresh grip tape to the deck. At the same time though you will find that you are able to get plenty of additional benefit out of it. When you use your skateboard daily you may not realize that the effectiveness of the grip tape isn’t as powerful as it used to be. Once you change it though you will notice a huge difference.

For safety reasons you should complete routine maintenance on your skateboard on a regular basis. You don’t want the trucks or the wheels to become loose. If that occurs you will likely notice a wobble and that you don’t have as much control while on the skateboard as you once did. Ignoring those early warning signs can result in a serous accident while on your skateboard though. Take some time to check that all of these pieces of the skateboard are tight. Then you won’t have to worry about it.

Your wheels may start to wear out after plenty of use as well. When this occurs you need to get new ones. You can buy what you need from a sporting goods store or online. The cost of new wheels for a skateboard is very affordable. You can also put them on yourself in very little time. This will make a huge difference in the overall operation of your skateboard too.

The bearings of your skateboard also need some routine maintenance from time to time. You can usually tell as they will slower than normal. If there is debris in them they may make a strange noise when you ride as well. Many people try to clean their bearings without removing them from the skateboard. Yet this really doesn’t offer them the level of maintenance that they really need.

Keep in mind that you want to use clean towels to wipe them off. There are also special products you can buy to lubricate them. Don’t just reach for anything in your garage as many products including WD-40 aren’t a good match for your skateboard bearings. Make sure you get rid of all the dirt and the debris before you lubricate them though. If you don’t what you didn’t remove will not be permanently stuck to the bearings.

If you really enjoy riding your skateboard then take care of it. A bit of your time to evaluate these things and to update them when necessary will help you get the most out of the experience. A skateboard that is well maintained will last you much longer no matter what the quality of it happens to be. Taking care of your equipment is a key part of the skateboarding sport. Make sure you give it the attention it deserves.

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Allan Wilson asked:

Skateboarding has come a long way since I first had a go at it way back 30 or so years ago. Yes that makes me a real old fellow in his forties now. Does that make me officially a fossil?

I remember back when we visited a friend’s place and he pulled out this amazing skateboard. It wasn’t amazing because it had super graphics on it; in fact I think it was just a plain brownie colored board from memory. However it was amazing just because he had one. Unlike today when it seems as though every young whipper snapper has his or her own board.

Anyhow, our friend gave us a quick demo of how it worked on a bit of concrete driveway in his yard. After about 10 minutes or so we quickly discovered we were experts at the craft of skateboarding and wanted somewhere more challenging to ride.

So up the road we went to the next corner and there it was – skateboard paradise. Or as the adults saw it, a big hill with a concrete footpath. At the bottom of the hill there was even a huge sand pile we reasoned that if in the rare event we crashed we would have the perfect landing place.

Excited beyond words off up the hill we went arguing who was going to go first as all well mannered children do and of course the owner of the skateboard won out which seemed only fair but I got second pick.

Off went our friend down the hill handling that skateboard like a true professional. This skateboarding looked so easy I couldn’t wait for my turn that came soon enough.

With the skateboard in hand I quickly put it down on the concrete path and away I went. Not content to pick up natural speed from the hill I really pushed hard to build up extra momentum. With my friends cheering from behind me and the thrill of the wind rushing through my hair and the sound of roller bearings on concrete life couldn’t get much better until…

The skateboard hit a piece of the footpath that was sticking up further then it should. With the skateboard wedged to the footpath at high downhill speed my feet obviously departed from the board and I was propelled at a hundred miles an hour – No wait, it must have been a thousand miles an hour through the air.

I must have looked like superman. Hey who needs a skateboard I’m flying gracefully through the air without one until… Splat!

Gravity took over and I crashed landed right into that sand pile. I knew it was there for the safety of us skateboarders. Of course it was really there for the workman to fix that rotten footpath.

Anyhow, apart from a mouth full of sand I escaped unharmed and I still maintain that it was the best trick to be ever performed on a skateboard.

Of course we didn’t have knee guards or helmets back then, perhaps that’s why we speak a little slower now?

However I reckon if that skateboard had some graphics painted on it I would have been able to ride it a lot better. There is no doubt the lack of quality artwork affected it’s performance.

So before kick flips, 180’s, 360’s, heel edges, nollies, nosegrinds, railstands (ouch I am really glad I didn’t try that one) or 50-50 grinds I was finding air man. Yeah dude, before skateboard ramps were even invented I found plenty of air and of course sand too.

Ah, you mightn’t believe it now but us oldies were cool once as well. Maybe my skateboarding trick should be given an official name? Maybe something like the – sandpit? Yeah, that sounds good and of course that would make this old fossil the Sandman.

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John Pauls 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.

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Gregg Hall asked:

Many people take up skateboarding as a simple means of transportation. It is portable, fairly inexpensive, and faster than walking. Skateboarding goes beyond rolling on the ground, though, as many people have witnessed. Driving down the street, it is not unlikely you will see skateboarders defying basic physics, as they slide down handrails, stairs, benches and other various locations commonly found around town. Who do these stunts generally appeal to? Adrenaline junkies. Why? Just for the thrill of it!

Addicted to the excitement, the inevitable danger, and being invariably involved, adrenaline junkies are eager to learn tricks that push boundaries. Pushing boundaries gives them the feeling of being invincible.

Because certain skateboards are better designed for certain stunts, and certain stunts are more stimulating than others to different people, it is important to experiment with different skateboard designs. This can include using a skateboard with a different number of wheels, unique type of wheel, or boards of different dynamics. Doing so is what makes the simple skater evolve into a thrill-seeker. With each unique design comes new possibilities. Injury risk is more of an encourager than a deterrent, as it fuels desire to push boundaries.

Chances are that you have noticed “no skating” signs around town, because it is often illegal to skate in and around the city. With all the skateboard parks scattered around America, it seems that skateboarders are often seeking new places to seek new thrills. The thrill of a skateboard park soon diminishes once they have mastered what it has to offer, and once that trill is diminished, they seek new thrills. Going to new areas gives them time to try out new tricks, having their imagination as their only limit.

Upgrading their skateboard is another way skateboards expend their thrill. From wood skate wheels, to the motorized skateboard, skateboarders can use various designs to reach a variety of heights, speeds, and techniques.

Skateboarders enjoy the challenge of learning new tricks to beat the champions while at the same time enjoy watching the champions perform tricks they have not yet learned themselves.

Ironically enough, risk of injury is one thing skateboarders thrive off of. Whether or not they ignore, or whether or not they want to defy the possibility of injury, fact remains that it is usually an appealing element to skateboarders. The fact is that the more likely they are to receive an injury, the harder they try, and more determined they are to perfect the trick.

Unique designs, different environments/possibilities, breaking the law, mastering new tricks, and risk of injury are all pieces which create a whole. The whole is what many people call “adrenaline junkies”, or thrill seekers.

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Tom Siedlaczek asked:

Even if you don’t become the next Tony Hawk, a multi-millionaire with video games featuring you as the main character, you can learn how to skateboard like a pro. It is not impossible as long as you have a clear understanding of what you are getting into, and how long it could take. You can’t be impatient if you want to be at the top level of any activity, whether sports, career or hobby.

If you happen to love skateboarding, and really are committed to doing whatever it takes to skateboard like a pro, or possibly even become one, then read the following steps. There is no magic to it, and there really are no secrets either. And to clear up any possible understanding about the headline, you can easily see how to skateboard like a pro, as the title says. There are plenty of books and websites to show you, and it’s easy to collect as many printed or “virtual” lessons as you need to get going with your practice. However, it will not be easy to succeed at it, because anything good (and hard to do) takes time.

Now, it would take many thousands of pages of writing and diagrams to teach you the 180 ollie, a shifty ollie, a frontside 360 and all the other moves. You can get all of that information at your own speed, and when you’re ready. For now, we’re talking about the basic action steps and attitudes that will get you a solid start. And this much is true, also, that the more disciplined, motivated and passionate you are, the easier it will seem. Even when you’re doing hard work, you don’t mind as much when you are sold out on the goal you’re working toward.

Action steps to pro skateboarding

Practice – Sure, it should go without saying, but in this day and age people seem to think that reading “a” book or watching “one” skater video is all it takes. The fact is that it takes practice, practice, and more practice.  And after all that practice, you have to do one more thing – practice some more. You should skate http://www.ehow.com/how_2069886_become-pro-skateboarder.html to work, skate to school and back, hit the skateboard parks as much as possible and take your board with your at all times. You should be prepared to get in some skate time anywhere that skateboarding is allowed.

Safety – Pros are smart enough to protect their heads and limbs. You must always wear a helmet and pads (knees, elbows, perhaps gloves, too). Since you are on a mission, you will be excited at what you’re doing and may forget that the major part of learning is making mistakes. Remember, making mistakes when learning pro skateboarding techniques means falling down. Since you’re going to experiment and try all kinds of new things, your need to protect yourself.

Watch videos, and make them, too – There are tons of YouTube clips and skateboarding videos to watch and study. Every one of the top pro skateboarders has videos, lots of them. While you’re learning all the moves, have a friend videotape what you’re doing so you can study yourself. Keep making videos as your skills keep getting better. Eventually, you may need to hire a real camera pro and editor so you can start posting your own clips online.

Attitude steps count, too

Have fun – You skateboard because you love it, right? If you are motivated by anything other than serious love of the board, you won’t make it to the top. And if that serious love of the board doesn’t have a big component of fun in it, you won’t make it even halfway. You won’t become a top skateboarder because you want a glamour life traveling around the world on your sponsor’s credit card. The joy in what you do, whatever it is, is infectious, and if you start moving up the ranks, it can make you really attractive to those sponsors.

First things first – Again, it seems like a no-brainer, but if you don’t have your priorities in order, you won’t make it. Practice, board knowledge, proper safety, correct exercise routines, healthy diet, clean living – all of this is part of the pro skater package. Keep things in order, and don’t forget that the only discipline that works is self-discipline. No one can do this for you, or give you what you have to practice for. The only way is hard work.

Stay balanced – Despite the fact that it is a hard road full of hard work and long hours and road rash and ankle sprains, you still have to keep balanced. Having fun, loving what you do, working hard, staying on track – all of these seemingly different things really can work together and get you where you want to go. It’s not easy to accomplish your dream, but it is easy enough to find out what to do. The difference with winners, as opposed to quitters, is that the winners take the difficulties as challenges to overcome, not obstacles to bounce off of.

Is it really you?

If you are really cut out to be a pro skater, you will be able to tackle all these steps and still be cool, still be yourself. Being centered and balanced, with family and friends behind you, is a powerful combination for success. These are the things that will help you in the long run and keep you going when times get hard, you become exhausted or you encounter new troubles along the way.

If you do start getting good, and standing out from the crowd skating around you, acting like you’re “all that” and being rude will only make you enemies. No matter how great your skateboarding http://www.ehow.com/how_2069886_become-pro-skateboarder.html skills become, there are always others who are just as good or better, so keep your ego in check. This is often difficult for young people who are also facing a lot of life changes during their teens and early 20s.

The bottom line is that you can learn to do anything you set your mind to, but you first have to find out if it’s “in your blood.” It needs to be more important than any other goal or activity if you want to work your way to the top of the pro ranks, and that’s true in business, entertainment and sports. For skateboarders working their way up, there will be dozens of moves to master, terms to know and techniques of their own to develop. With hard work and persistence, you really can do it.

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Manny Ramirez asked:

The skateboard is a certain device which was conceived as a means of surfing outside of water. The history of skateboards cannot be specifically traced back to a certain age but is indeed very fascinating. Some hold the belief that the art of skateboarding began on the beaches of California while some other hold other that the background of skateboarding can be traced to some other place. In the recent times however skateboards are seen as an emblem of youthful energy and vigor. In the early era of 1930s the kids in the United States attached the roller skates to a board which measured up to two to four inches. But it was not before 1958 that the modern range of skateboards was invented.

Talking about the design of the skateboards it can be easily claimed that they were inspired from that of surfboards. In the initial phase they were quite similar to that of the surfboards but in the following times there was a change in the design due to that of the commodities. The first range of skateboards was manufactured in the year 1965. They were thick by one inch and had in them rubber wheels and also cast iron trucks. With varied range of skateboards available the skateboarders are also able to classify themselves accordingly like free style skateboarders, high jump skateboarders, downhill skateboarders, long jump skateboarders and so on.

Today with the popularity of skateboarding especially in the Western parts of the world the surfing enthusiasts are developing a special fascination over the skateboards and this is leading to an increase in the manufacture of skateboards of different types. There are also certain trivia attached to that of the skateboard. In the year 1993, on 17th August Thomas Welsh was issued patent # 5,236,208 for a skateboard which would be platform steerable. Following that Allan Ollie Gelfand invented Ollie which was again a trick of skateboarding where in the skateboarder would jump into the air with the skateboard completely attached to his feet. Though there was a lapse in the popularity of the skateboards in the 70s and 80s it has made a huge comeback again both in the arena of pastime and sport in the contemporary times. In the United States skateboarding ranks sixth when it comes to the talk of the sports which has the largest number of participants. In the coming years also it is likely to remain the major attraction as well as the centerpiece of the youth culture of America.

Getting exposed to skateboards early in life is a great boon because it helps you overcome your fear of trying those daredevil stunts. Mastering tricks on skateboards and being able to manoeuvre them through your busy streets will truly help you fly past. It gives you a freedom that’s unmatched and this little stint that you get acquainted with will give provide you with an unmatched joy for life. It’s not just fun, but it’s time saving apart from being cost effective and eco friendly. Truly they provide you with a freedom that can only be complimented.

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Jarvis Malone asked:

Skateboarding has become ever so popular these days. It is no longer just for punk kids and has become a part of our culture. Skateboarding can be seen in movies, on tv, and in video games. One of the funnest video games I played when I was younger was tony hawk, a skateboarding game. And skateboarding games keep popping up too, some of them rather good.

Now, as far as how skateboarding began, there is some debate. Some say it was started by surfers that wanted to try and surf on land. Same say it was by kids who tore apart their sop box racers and rode on just the bottom part. No matter who or when it started, it is no doubt that skateboarding is here to stay. Most cities even have skate parks, which are big parks of concrete with built in ramps and half pipes. They are really fun and you can usually pick up some new moves for your skateboard just by watching some of the others skaters there.

What does a skateboard consist of? Well, skateboards have come a long way, but your basic skateboard components consist of the deck, wheels and bearing, and the trucks, which hold the wheels. The deck itself is really important and is typically made of wood. However, more and more skateboard decks are being made from plastic composites, because of its flexibility. Also, the wider deck, the better it is for doing tricks. Most street skateboards are about 7-8 inches wide while trick skateboards are up to 10 inches. You’ll also see grip tape used on decks, which help keep your feet on the board.

The trucks and the wheels are the other two main components of the skateboard. Every skateboard has two trucks and these are what connect the wheels to the skateboard. Trucks are usually made of metal, typically from some sort of aluminum alloy. When the trucks are connected to the board, there is usually some sort of rubber barrier, which helps for turning and flexibility. The more stiff you make the barrier, the harder it is to turn.

When it comes to the wheels on skateboards, they are usually made from a special kind of plastic called polyurethane. They also come in different shapes and sizes, all depending of course on how you plan to use your skateboard. Because they help keep the skateboard close to the ground, smaller skateboard wheels are good for doing tricks. Skateboard wheels are also measured for how hard the polyurethane is processed. They are rated on an “A” scale. Your soft wheels will be around 70a, while the hard wheels are in the lower 100’s.

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Jerry Parker asked:

Skateboarding grip tape is a coarse sand paper like sheet, which is applied over the deck of the skateboard. This adhesive tape helps you to control your skateboard by increasing the friction between your shoes and the skateboard. It is generally a black colored tape, though you can find grip tapes of a variety of other colors. Depending upon your personal choice and your creativity, you can work wonders even with this black tape and create your own personalized skateboard.

You shall find skateboarding grip tape in the form of rolled sheets. They are made with a variety of materials and therefore the quality of these tapes varies with the type and grade of the material used. It also differs from company to company as well as the manufacturing process adopted. Make sure that the material used for your skateboarding grip tape is of the best quality in order to avoid accidents.

If you are planning to use the grip tape to decorate your old skateboard, ensure that you remove the trucks as well as the previous grip tape completely from the deck first. If you allow any portions of the old tape to remain then the new tape fixed will peel from the older one. Moreover, it will also become quite difficult to fix the skateboarding grip tape properly with the other hardware on the deck in place. While laying down the grip tape on the deck of the skateboard, you should be cautious to avoid any air from being trapped in between the tape and the deck or else the tape shall rip off the board while skateboarding. To avoid this you should apply pressure and push the air towards the rim of the deck while applying the grip tape starting from the front end of the deck and moving towards the back. Another thing that you should bear in mind while laying down the grip tape is to lay it in such a fashion, which easily identifies the nose and tail of the skateboard. You may alternatively choose to spray paint the top of your skateboard’s deck.

To add a personal touch to your skateboard’s deck you can draw some freehand figures on the grip tape or can even cut out figures into your skateboarding grip tape. If you are not all that creative, do not lose heart, for you can make your skateboard deck look unique by simply placing the skateboarding grip tape to create different kind of patterns. However, if this is also not your cup of tea then pick up the fancy skateboarding grip tape manufactured by leading brands with pre-cut shapes and symbols on them. Some of the grip tapes available in the market are transparent ones as well. You have innumerable options to choose from when buying a grip tape for your skateboard, as there are several brands offering grip tapes at a wide range of prices. So, go ahead and a pick the right one to help you to flaunt your creativity on your skateboard.

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Jay Brandley asked:

Skateboarding has been a popular sport for the past three decades, and still remains to be quite modern. In fact, skateboarding has been around since 1980, which happens to be the year in which the first modern skateboard was made. Since then, both young and the not so young enjoy carving the streets and experiencing the adrenaline rush of free riding, trick skating, and the like. Skateboarding has become not just a recreational sport of hobby, but has been developed into a competitive individual and team sport.

Skateboarding is deeply influenced by, and derivative of, the art and sport of surfing. Surfing, which was developed and rooted in Hawaii, is the act of riding ocean waves with a surfboard. Similar to surfing, skateboarding entails riding a skateboard on land, and more specifically, paved or concrete surfaces. Skateboards are made in different styles and made with different skating methods in mind.

Longboard Skateboards

Some skateboards are styled and fashioned after longboard surfboards. While these skateboards are not intended for extensive tricks, longboard skateboards are great for bombing hills and carving up the concrete while you cruise the streets.

Traditional Shortboard Skateboards

There are also skateboards that are intended for trick skating. These skateboards are shorter boards which allow the skater to manipulate movement more quickly and effectively, therefore being better equipped to perform stunts and trick such ollies, Casper flips, nosegrinds, and back stabs.

Training and Special Made Skateboards

When surfers and snowboarders are on dry land, they often train for their sport. There are skateboards that are specially made to allow the user to mimic movements made in surfing and snowboarding in order to train and help increase agility, balance, and other physical abilities while these ones are out of their natural sporting element.

The Skate Punk Culture

Skateboarding has been popular since the 1980’s, as was mentioned in the early part of this article, and has then spawned its own culture. The skateboard culture is also known as punk or skate punk culture. Skate punk culture, like many different cultures, has a fashion and language of its own.

The Skateboard Empire and Competitions

There are many brands and companies of manufacturers of skateboards and skateboard-related items. With the popularization of skateboarding and the image that it entails, also came the monetization and financial aspect of this sport.

There are numerous skating contest events, skateboarding magazines, and skateboard fashion and clothing companies. Some of these companies include Element skateboards, Sector 9 skateboards, Birdhouse skateboards, Baker skateboards, the classic Powell skateboards, and many more. Usually, each skateboard brand has a team of sponsored professional skateboarders that represent them at skateboarding events.

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