Guidelines to procure a safe skateboard for beginners
So you have decided that you will skateboard. fantastic for you. You've probably seen some cool skate videos or just hung around with other skaters at your local skate spot, and decided it's time you got in on the action yourself. By its very nature, skateboarding is a very creative and individual sport, and you can take it in a lot of different directions, but there is one thing you will need and that’s a skateboard. I'm going to run through the major things you should consider when purchasing a skateboard so you can make a better judgment concerning what you buy and where you buy it from.
Everyone knows that skateboards can be very costly. Skateboards can be very costly, you can shell out triple figures for a high-quality deck and that doesn't even take in wheels, trucks and bearings all of which as well are costly if you want quality gear. You should try and blank your mind to all that great stuff. Initially, you may well do with something basic and realistic. Something rather disposable is just right as a result if you make up your mind skating isn't for you or you end up ruining the skateboard in the course of learning which you almost certainly will you haven't paid so much without any reason.
By far the best kind of thing is to go for a complete skateboard or go for a deck which is ‘blank’ - a deck with no graphics. It is the graphics and the branding are what make pro decks so expensive, and if you do extensive skateboarding on it they will scratch off pretty fast. You will usually get these with grip tape already on, or you can get any skate shop to do it. It's is quite easy and you can do it yourself. Go for a 7-ply deck - this means it's laminated with 7 layers of wood. 9-ply decks are heavier and more unwieldy, and a good sign that they are cheaply made. Try and also pay notice to the shape of the deck. If it's flat and straight it's no good you must have a fair amount of curve to the kicktails.
The trucks on my first deck break the very first time I tried to ollie. Watch out for this - buy from a proper skateboard dealer whether online or in a shop, not a high street sports shop/department store! If you look at the trucks on skateboards in this kind of shop you can tell that the metal is of bad quality as it looks very shiny and light. As striking as the price might be, just don’t purchase.
Bearings are what keep your wheels spinning when you stop pushing - they determine how fast your skateboard is. Bearing speed is measured by the ABEC value. The slowest bearings are 'AA' bearings, skateboards from high street shops come with these and they are BAD! You’ve got different bearing ratings including ABEC 3, 5, 7 and 9. Go for ABEC 3 or ABEC 5 bearings at the maximum. Though you want to be able to roll quite freely, getting bearings that are too fast is a bad idea for beginners. It makes riding more intimidating and landing tricks much more difficult. Also for beginners, wheels are less of a consideration. The wheels that are given along with the basic complete are right. Fairly standard wheels of 55mm will suffice.
To summarize your ideal first skateboard like Branded Tortise Complete will be a complete consisting of a blank 7 ply deck, strong trucks, basic wheels and ABEC 3 or 5 bearings. But before you go out and buy brand new, ask around among skaters you already know - often, a second hand deck from an experienced skater will be even better, as it will have been comfortably worn in and there is a fair chance you can pick up a bargain.