Grab Yourself A Cool Skateboard And Make The World Your Skate Park!

Posted by | Posted on 9:24 AM

By Jim Samposzi

When it comes to hobbies, there are not many things that are less costly and more fun than skateboarding. When it comes down to it, all you really need is a quality skateboard. There are countless accessories available too, but these are optional. If you have a decent skateboard, the world is a skate park.

Skateboards, as we know them these days, have been on sale since the '50s. Skateboard design has developed a bit since then, but not really that significantly. The general design is still unchanged - four wheels and a deck.

Deck - This is the flat board that you stand on. These are usually made from narrow layers of maple, but can also be made from different substances. Usually a deck will be approximately 10 inches wide and 30 inches long. Most decks have kicktails at both ends which allow the skateboard to be easily kicked up off the ground, which aids in tricks and stunts. The deck's surface will usually be covered by a high-grip finish.

Trucks - Trucks attach the wheels and the deck of the board. They are made up of two parts. The baseplate is fastened to the deck. The hanger contains the axle and , in addition, aids in the steering of the skateboard. The hanger is adjustable to make steering the board easier or more difficult.

Wheels - Skateboard wheels come in numerous sizes and different levels of hardness, depending on the needs of the boarder. For example, larger wheels provide faster speeds, but smaller wheels give a lower center of gravity and are better for jumps and tricks.

These are the parts that make up a standard skateboard and, when it comes down to it, that is all you need. That said, skateboarding is much more than a sport, it is a whole way of life and has all the trappings that go with it.

At the more practical end, there is a whole range of safety gear that is a good idea when learning the ropes or for those attempting more dangerous jumps and stunts. A quality helmet and knee and elbow guards can save you from a lot of unnecessary pain.

There are all kinds of add-ons to help you 'pimp your skateboard'. These include nose and tail guards, and rails and lappers. The under-side of skateboards often have intricate graphics, while there are also lines of clothing, sunglasses and other fashion items aimed at the skateboarding market.

While skateboarding is usually thought of as a sport or a hobby, many enthusiasts promote it as a green form of transportation. However, boarding on streets and sidewalks is banned in many places because of the belief that it is excessively dangerous as a means of transport. In reality, injuries tend to be minor when they do occur.

As outdoor pursuits go, skateboarding is certainly one of the cheapest around. For as cheap as $75 you can pick up a decent board that will, most likely, last you for years.

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