A great stance, and a real skateboard

If you’re looking to safely start your son or daughter out skateboarding, here are 5 tips to get you going in the right direction. While these are common-sense tips for most skateboarders, as a non-skateboarding parent you might not realize that you can easily make some common mistakes when getting your young skater started.

• Buy a real skateboard. You may think that to invest one-third or half of what skateshops charge for a complete skateboard is a good idea to start your son or daughter out skateboarding. Don’t do it! You could actually be messing them up. Toy skateboards from sporting goods stores have plastic wheels which are slippery and unpredictable, as well as plastic trucks that don’t turn as well. Even first-timers should have a real skateboard from a specialty shop.

• Get a skateboard helmet. While it may seem like your child’s bicycle helmet can work for their first attempts at skateboarding, it actually is more dangerous than not wearing one at all. Bicycle helmets are not designed to protect from the most common skateboarding falls, and are also designed as “single-impact” helmets, which should be retired once they have a significant impact.
• Closed-toe, flat-soled shoes only! Many kids already have skate-style shoes, and make sure your child does, or get them some. Open-toe sandals and running shoes do not work as well. Sandals don’t provide enough protection, and running shoes or hiking boots have an undesirable lifted-heel, as well as lug soles that grip fine on dirt and grass, but can lead to falls from a skateboard. Skate shoes have a flat sole with no “lugs” that catch and make it hard to adjust your feet on the grip tape.
• Start them out in the driveway or on a flat surface when the skatepark is deserted. The first skills your child should learn are stepping on and off the skateboard, placing the feet over the front bolts and on the tail, and stepping off. They need a flat, uncrowded surface for practicing this.
• Learn the few basics first, on a flat surface only. Don’t let new skaters try to drop in or roll down a bank or transition at the skatepark until they first have a good understanding of rolling and pushing, turning using the trucks, and turning using a kick-turn, or picking up the front wheels to rotate the board on the back wheels. If kids have mastery of these few fundamentals first, their attempts at tackling more advanced terrain at the skatepark will be much more successful.

Use these five tips to give your kids a head start and a safer beginning to their skateboarding.

Skateboarding's fun for young ones too!

Browsing the content from our coaches manual below, you’ll see that it’s easy to make the mistake of buying a “toy” skateboard at a big box store or sporting goods store. A new skater, especially those who are smaller in size, perhaps ages 4 through 8, can benefit from having a “real” skateboard, and one that’s sized-down. At a skateshop, you can find a “mini,” or a smaller skateboard for kids.

The biggest problem with the imitation skateboards you can find at non-skateshops, is that the trucks don’t turn as well as real skateboard trucks, and the bearings don’t spin as well. These two factors hinder the new skateboarder’s learning almost immediately, making it harder for them to learn how to turn the board. Kids on these “toys” will also form the bad habit of bracing against wheel that don’t roll freely, hindering their learning later, and promoting falls that could have been prevented had they been on a real skateboard from the beginning.

Equipment Check: here’s an excerpt from our Concrete Fundamentals Coaches Manual,for your reference. The Manual is available at this time, for free, with purchase of the Document Pack.

Angus and Nick

All skaters should use a proper skateboard from a skate shop or online retailer that sells real skateboards. Unfortunately, there are some toy companies producing “skateboards” that sell at big box stores and sporting goods stores, which do not turn properly, have plastic wheels instead of urethane, and sticky bearings. These toys can lead to learning difficulties. While they are used as an economical way to introduce skateboarding to younger kids, once they begin to learn their balance on the board, the plastic trucks and cheap bearings will hinder their learning, and the plastic wheels can slip unexpectedly. Skaters learning the fundamentals in this manual need to be riding a real skateboard, with real trucks, urethane wheels and proper bearings. A “complete,” or a full skateboard from a skate shop can last years with very little maintenance, as only the deck needs to be replaced periodically. Smaller kids from about 10 years old and younger should get a “mini,” or sized-down skateboard. Mini’s are real skateboards, just smaller.

As for Skateboard Decks, if you are setting up a skateboard from purchased parts, it’s helpful to know that the nose is slightly longer than the tail. Skateboard decks always have a front and a back. Decks should be straight (not warped or twisted). Decks can warp when left in the rain or in a hot car overnight, and warped decks can cause the board to develop a turn, for which the skater must compensate while riding. Skateboard decks usually wear out faster than other parts of the skateboard, and should be replaced when the tail begins to chip and gets thin and sharp.

Grip Tape should be kept dry and free of mud. Dust can accumulate in the grip tape, and can be cleaned out with a rubber product called Grip Gum, available at skate shops. Avoid stepping on the skateboard with wet or muddy feet. If it happens, mud in grip tape can be partially removed with an old toothbrush and a small amount of water. Try not to get the deck very wet, and blot dry immediately.

The Hardware is the eight bolts and nuts that hold the trucks to the deck. They should be tight so that the baseplate doesn’t wiggle on the deck. Many sets of hardware come with one bolt in a different color, to mark the front (or back) of the skateboard, so that it’s visible from above, and the skater can easily orient the board in the right direction.
Risers, or Shock Pads can be used between the deck and trucks to either create a bigger range of turning movement for larger wheels, or as a shock absorber.

Trucks (Kingpin, Axle, Bushings, Baseplate, Hanger) are the assembly that connects the deck to the wheels and bearings. The kingpin nut (largest on the truck) can be adjusted to control how tight the trucks are, and therefore how stable or turny they ride. A lot of times younger kids need their trucks loosened so that they can turn the skateboard with their lighter weight. Smaller kids can also benefit from replacing the bushings with a set of softer ones, available at a skateshop.

Wheels need to be made of urethane. All proper skateboard wheels are, but they come in different hardnesses, marked by a durometer number. Harder wheels hold speed better, but aren’t quite as grippy. A skateshop professional can help choose wheels for specific locations and purposes, and complete skateboards come with appropriate wheels for any conditions.

Bearings sit inside the wheels and allow them the spin efficiently. They should be kept dry at all times. Bearings can rust, and those on skateboards left in the rain for just one night can be ruined and slow. Avoid riding through puddles.

Safety Equipment leads to longer practice sessions and fewer injuries. Skate pads on the knee and elbow protect not only knees and elbows, but also other parts of the body from injury. Skaters can learn how to “bail,” or step off the skateboard, and slide on the kneepads, or use the pads to spread out the force of the impact. Helmets should fit snugly, with no wiggle, and the chinstrap not too tight, adjusted for comfort. Bike helmets should not be used for skateboarding, as they don’t protect the back of the head as well, and are usually rated for one impact only before retiring them. Skate helmets are designed to take multiple small impacts and remain protective over time. Wrist guards are a great idea for beginners. Good court shoes, preferably skateboard shoes, are a must. Sandals are never appropriate.

Why it’s a Good Choice to Spend Some Time to Look for the Right Snowboarding Packages

One of the ways that you could save a large amount of time and income when it comes to snowboarding is through the purchase of board package offers. Some businesses do offer package offers while others don’t. There’s no reason you can’t look for a snowboarding holiday offer that fits your winter holiday requirements.

The handy thing about a snowboarding holiday is you don’t need to pay at the start for any of your costly equipment. Everything that you may require for snowboarding like the helmet, board,and shoes are typically there to rent.

As with all other things that relate to boarding, high end deals will often wind up charging quite a bit more. Package deals are offered by all of your main manufacturers of boarding equipment and apparel. Burton, for instance, provides package offers that may vary quite a bit. The pricing that you find will often rely on the design and brand of the equipment. For high quality gear, you should know that you’ll have to spend more.

Transport during your snowboarding holiday is usually not too much of a problem. Click here to see all of the many places that will pick you up and shuttle you all the way to the resort. Shuttle vehicles run in many resort cities to carry you from your area to anywhere you need to go.

Boarding holidays that need to be able to include kids don’t need to be a problem on the parents. Many ski resorts have programs that are focused towards children, and that allow them to learn to board. This allows the parents to appreciate their own vacation and keep the kids entertained for the evening. Childcare is offered at many skiing resorts for all those infants and toddlers too young to understand this excellent activity.

If a budget is something that isn’t a factor, then finding a snowboard package is a thing of beauty. If you’re looking for quality then snowboarding packages and snowboards gnu are definitely the top brand out there to look for. A snowboarding holiday could be a journey that everybody old and young may appreciate. There are many of family fun things you can do, teens and their parents can take part in a great exercise that is both thrilling and healthy.

Many people love to take part in different types of activities outside. One of the most popular types of activities is snowboarding. People love to take part in snowboarding because it is a very thrilling and adventurous sport. People from all over the world enjoy the sport and many travel to various locations in order to take part in competitions and have fun. One of the most thrilling aspects of the sport is the ability to slide down mountains and use the snow to maneuver obstacles. However, in order to perform on these occasions, special equipment is sometimes needed.

With the proper gear, the athlete can maneuver perfectly and without trouble. One of the most important parts of participating in snowboarding is having an actual snowboard. Snowboards come in many different types. It is not simply a piece of wood that makes the sport; each snowboard has features that help it to perform well on the slopes. There are many trusted companies that people turn to when they want a quality snowboard. Many of these companies produce high-quality, durable and dependable snowboards that both professionals and novices use to improve their athleticism.

Technine snowboards is one of the most trusted names in the snowboard world. This company aims to craft spectacular pieces of equipment that can perform exceptionally in any conditions. Many professionals use the products produced by Technine in order to out-perform and excel against their competition. One of the reasons that so many people turn to Technine snowboards is because of the flow that they put into their snowboards. With this, people can glide down slopes with amazing smoothness and accuracy without having to sacrifice any part of their training or having to overcompensate for a weakness in their equipment.

Snowboards flow is incredibly important when trying to perform on the slopes and is only a small facet of why people trust Technine for their snowboard needs. Snowboarding is an incredibly popular sport that so many people love to partake in. When snowboarding, having the proper equipment means that you can out-perform those who you are pitted against or simply just have some fun on the slopes. However, knowing which companies to turn to when you need quality equipment can mean the difference between getting a snowboard that cuts through the snow like butter or getting something that gives you a hard time on the slopes. Knowing your options and doing research is important so you can have fun and perform your best in the snow.

Chocolate skateboards give you the best bang for your buck. These boards are responsive, have great pop and are strong enough to handle any tricks you throw at the skate park. The hardest part about purchasing a Chocolate skateboard is choosing which deck art best suits your personality.

The Chocolate brand is part of the Girl Distributors conglomerate. Both companies were started by the same founders with Chocolate following a year after Girl was formed. Although the companies are similar and produce boards, apparel and accessories for skating they have separate professional teams. Chocolate team riders each endorse their own deck design. Team members for both Chocolate and Girl often appear at competitions or in videos together.

You can choose a deck with typical hard core skate art or just a plain Chocolate logo. Click here to see the decks. You can also get one of the team member endorsed decks bearing the profile of the rider as the artwork. If you can’t get enough of your favorite team member this might be the deck for you.

Chocolate skate decks are made with the industry standard 7 layer construction technique. Layers of maple are bonded together creating a bomb-proof board with tons of pop. This is the deck you want for all day ollies and grinds in your favorite park.

If a day at the skate park just isn’t going to cut it grab your cruiser for some around town skating. Longboard cruisers are built to get you moving. Cruisers are a little longer than a regular skateboard and have grip-happy wheels perfect for negotiating the rough surface of the street. These boards aren’t as fast as a regular longboard but they hand out a more comfortable, reliable ride for overall transportation. Think of cruisers as the middle man board in between skateboards and longboards.

Chocolate skateboards have a proven history of performance, reliability and style. These are solid, all around boards for both beginners or experiences riders. Whether you’re just learning to ollie or whether you’re a professional park junkie Chocolate boards are the best.

So, it’s time. Maybe you’re a newbie to skateboarding, or maybe you’re ready to upgrade. Either way the time has come to get a new board. The choices though are as varied as the artwork on the decks. How do you decide what’s the best skateboard for you?

Unless you have unlimited time and money you need to decide what type of riding you most want to do. Will your time be spent at the skate park? Are you ditching the car to make the daily commute on your board? Do you want to spend all your free time with the wind in your hair sliding through those downhill curves in a poetic dance with the pavement? Once you’ve focused on what you want, you can start seriously considering the best skateboard for you.

One of the fastest ways to zero in on your best skateboard is to talk to other riders. Ask what they like about their board. Do they wish they had purchased something else? Ask if you can try out their board so you actually get a feel for the ride. Size, shape and composition of a board will make it feel completely different than another board made for the same type of riding. Actually trying them out will help you eliminate boards that won’t work for you.

Visit a skateboard retailer and ask questions. Do online research. Identify differences between Arbor, Bustin Boards, Element, Chocolate, Sector 9 and the myriads of other brands out there. Read product reviews.

Once you’ve narrowed your search you can think about where to buy skateboard. If you live in a metropolitan area there’s probably a decent pro shop carrying what you want. Riders in more commercially challenged areas will probably be forced online to buy skateboard. Whether you buy in-store or online ask about the return policy. Chances are your board will be in excellent working order but just in case you get that one alien, defective board you don’t want to discover returns aren’t accepted.

Not everyone wants to use the same brand of toothpaste and not everyone loves the same brand or even style of skateboard. The reasons for buying a particular board are just as diverse as riders themselves. Take your time, do your research and be happy with your choice. Click, then go out and ride.

Pivot on Head

I was skating the other day in Fort Collins, Colorado – there’s this great new park with a backyard pool replica – and learned how to go over the stairs in the shallow end. We were skating with some local kids when I had this idea: could I use someone’s head to pivot around? Wouldn’t that look cool! Well, here’s the result.

The first video: Tom’s Frontside Turns – a learning process

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DqlfxA0j3Rg

Here’s a compilation of clips from the day:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W1yUmjiiHY8

Here’s a short couple clips from Skate Camp day at Silverthorne, Colorado. Angus Morrison coaches some local kids.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rqz_fCfnFsM