If you’re in search of a fun activity, something new and challenging to fill out your free time, try skateboarding. There isn’t an age limit for it. Any person willing to learn can learn to skateboard and enjoy all the benefits that this action sport offers. It can act as a mood booster and help you become physically stronger.
What is Skateboarding?
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Skateboarding is an activity that involves a skateboard. A relatively small wooden board with four wheels at the bottom that you control with your feet. It has a simple design, yet it is very fun to ride and perform tricks with.
Skateboarding became popular in the 60s and it is still going strong today. It’s not just a sport or recreational activity but also a subculture. It allows skaters to show off their creativity, skills and devotion. It’s something youngsters enjoy doing but also an activity in which older people can enjoy as well. Skateboarding in the middle age is a thing now. In the beginning, skateboarding was often associated with punk rock and individuals that were rebels in a way. But today it is commercialized. Every person can ride a skateboard. Even for commuting to work.
The design of the skateboard changed over the years and the newest models are made to offer optimal performance to enthusiast skateboarders. You can ride on diverse terrains and overcome all sorts of obstacles. You can also choose among many different colours and prints because when it comes to skateboarding, aesthetics matters as well.
Types of Skateboarding Decks
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Not all skateboarding decks are created equal. You have different sizes, lengths, widths, materials, wheelbase, nose and tail, mounting holes etc. All of these small details make every skateboard a little bit different from the other.
Maple wood is the best material for manufacturing skateboard decks. It’s flexible but durable. Skateboarding decks are made from a couple of layers of maple wood glued together. Now, there are different types of glue as well. They can be glued either with resin glue or water-based glue. The ones made with resin glue are stronger but lighter, so you should go with that option. The layers are then firmly pressed together and you can’t even tell that the deck isn’t made from a single piece of wood.
What size skateboard should a beginner get? You need to choose the size of the skateboard according to the size of your shoes. The decks shouldn’t be too narrow or too wide. In order to make the right choice, try out the skateboard before buying it.
When it comes to price, they range from $75 to $150. They are reasonably priced. But if you’re on a tight budget you can try to find skateboard decks for sale. If you come across a good deal you’ll be able to get a quality skateboard but for a lower price thus saving money.
The length of the skateboard decks for sale is especially important for skateboarders that perform tricks. A skateboard deck too long will prevent the skateboarder from having a great performance and can even be the cause of unwanted injuries. Standard skateboards are between 71 and 84cm long.
The larger end of the skate board deck is the nose while the smaller one is the tail. There are skateboards with a sharper and narrower nose and the total opposite. The same applies to the tail. It can be steep, long or short. Again, the types of nose and tail are of bigger importance to skateboarders that perform tricks than those who ride a skateboard as a leisure activity or to go around the town faster.
When it comes to the design of the skateboard deck you can choose a minimalistic one, a skateboard with full graphic bottom, marble-like skateboard, neon skateboard and so on. The choices are endless and you’d be impressed by some of the prints. It’s art in a form of a skateboard.
Protective Gear for Skateboarding
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Now, apart from getting a high-quality, temping-looking skateboard, you also need to get protective gear. Why? Because as fun as skateboarding is, it can also be dangerous. Especially for beginners. Instead of dealing with injuries that often are quite serious, you can protect your head, knees and elbows by wearing protective gear whenever you skateboard.
What protective gear do you need for skateboarding? Protective gear for skateboarding consists of a helmet, knee pads, elbow pads and wrist guards. The helmet protects your head and is the most important piece of protective equipment. Head injuries shouldn’t be taken for granted. The helmet is capable of absorbing impact and preventing anything from penetrating and hurting your head. It also prevents concussions.
The knee pads protect your knees from fractures, sprains and bruising. They are made from elastic materials and are very pleasant to wear. Knee pads won’t affect your performance but will reduce the severity of the trauma if you happen to fall.
Elbow pads have a similar design as knee pads. They too are made from elastic materials and protect your elbows from fractures and bruises.
Wrist guards offer support to the wrist and prevent or minimize the negative effect sudden falls have on the wrists hands and arms. It is always better to be fully protected than to suffer the consequences later.
The Bottom Line
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Skateboarding is the ideal activity for people that are not afraid to try out something new. People that like to feel the rush of adrenaline from time to time. Among the wide range of skateboards available you can find the perfect one for you and start off your adventure. A high-quality skateboard will last you for years to come. You can use it in more ways than you can imagine.
Apart from buying a skateboard consider buying skateboarding protective gear as well. That way you will protect yourself from the most common skateboarding injuries. Prevention is better than having to treat wounds later.
Skateboarding provides you with many health benefits. Long-time use of the skateboard has been linked to improved coordination, improved reflexes, lower levels of stress and higher pain tolerance. Let’s not forget that skateboarding is a physical activity and can help you maintain a healthy weight as well but also it can help you strengthen your muscles and bones. If you’re not a fan of jogging or going to the gym, skateboarding is the perfect alternative for you.
