Skateboard FAQ
Answers to frequently asked skateboarding questions, from skateboarding tricks, to lifestyle to any other common skateboarder questions. Most of these are answers to reader e-mails, and hopefully they can help you with any questions you might have!
Should I Skateboard in the Rain?
Should I Skateboard in the Rain? Skating in the rain is not a good idea. The wood of your deck will want to soak up water and warp, and the bearings won't like being wet. So basically no. However, sometimes you might just need to. Here are some things to do if you must skateboard in the rain!
Should I Skateboard in the Rain? Skating in the rain is not a good idea. The wood of your deck will want to soak up water and warp, and the bearings won't like being wet. So basically no. However, sometimes you might just need to. Here are some things to do if you must skateboard in the rain!
What do extra numbers like K13 or K12 mean on skateboard deck sizes?
A lot of online skate shops will simply show you a picture of a board, with the width, and then some random other numbers. When you see something like this 143-k13, what does it mean? Well, the first thing it means is that you are looking at a Skate One board (Skate One makes Powell, Powell Peralta, Surf One, MiniLogo, Golden Dragon and Positiv boards). This is their method for telling you the…
A lot of online skate shops will simply show you a picture of a board, with the width, and then some random other numbers. When you see something like this 143-k13, what does it mean? Well, the first thing it means is that you are looking at a Skate One board (Skate One makes Powell, Powell Peralta, Surf One, MiniLogo, Golden Dragon and Positiv boards). This is their method for telling you the…
As a Skater, How Should I Dress?
As a Skater, How Should I Dress? How Should Skateboarders Dress? A lot of young skaters ask how they should dress, to dress like a skateboarder. It's a good question, but a tough one to answer... Skater style is a little confusing beyond just buying skateboard brand clothes. A lot of skaters wear super-tight jeans. Others wear baggy jeans. T-shirts are popular with skaters, and sometimes rough or ragged looking clothes are popular...
As a Skater, How Should I Dress? How Should Skateboarders Dress? A lot of young skaters ask how they should dress, to dress like a skateboarder. It's a good question, but a tough one to answer... Skater style is a little confusing beyond just buying skateboard brand clothes. A lot of skaters wear super-tight jeans. Others wear baggy jeans. T-shirts are popular with skaters, and sometimes rough or ragged looking clothes are popular...
How Do I Keep my Skateboard from Breaking?
How do you keep your board from breaking? How do you jump large gaps without breaking your skateboard? How do pros frontside flip 16 stairs and land without breaking their boards? As a reader named Brendan wrote and asked me, "How do they manage to keep their boards from breaking under supernatural heights?"
How do you keep your board from breaking? How do you jump large gaps without breaking your skateboard? How do pros frontside flip 16 stairs and land without breaking their boards? As a reader named Brendan wrote and asked me, "How do they manage to keep their boards from breaking under supernatural heights?"
How Do I Find a Good Skatespot?
We're always looking for new places to skate. Skateparks are the obvious answer, but they can get old, or crowded, or have too many restrictions. Finding your own skateboarding spot is fun, and changing things up will help you develop more as a skater! But how do you find new spots to skate at? Here are some tips for finding a good skate spot.
We're always looking for new places to skate. Skateparks are the obvious answer, but they can get old, or crowded, or have too many restrictions. Finding your own skateboarding spot is fun, and changing things up will help you develop more as a skater! But how do you find new spots to skate at? Here are some tips for finding a good skate spot.
Do I Need to Wear a Skateboard Helmet?
Skateboard Helmets - Do I need to Wear a Skateboard Helmet? This question is asked by skaters and parents alike - do skaters really need to wear helmets when skateboarding? The simple answer is no, you don't NEED to unless you are skating somewhere that requires one, or your parents force you to wear a helmet. But here's the truth - you ARE going to crash ... read more about wearing skateboard helmets!
Skateboard Helmets - Do I need to Wear a Skateboard Helmet? This question is asked by skaters and parents alike - do skaters really need to wear helmets when skateboarding? The simple answer is no, you don't NEED to unless you are skating somewhere that requires one, or your parents force you to wear a helmet. But here's the truth - you ARE going to crash ... read more about wearing skateboard helmets!
My parents wont let me skateboard - what should I do?
What should you do when your parents make up crazy rules about skateboarding? Or when they won't allow you to skate at all? It can hurt a lot when your parents don't support you doing something you love. It can feel like they don't care about you, or don't love you. But let me start off by telling you that that's not usually the case. Read more about what to do if your parents have rules against skateboarding.
What should you do when your parents make up crazy rules about skateboarding? Or when they won't allow you to skate at all? It can hurt a lot when your parents don't support you doing something you love. It can feel like they don't care about you, or don't love you. But let me start off by telling you that that's not usually the case. Read more about what to do if your parents have rules against skateboarding.
How to Act at Skateparks - Skatepark Rules of Conduct and Etiquitte
How should people act at skateparks? Skateparks might be designed as places to play, but they can be intimidating to skate in. New skaters usually don’t know what to do or how to act at the skatepark. How should you act at skateparks? What should you look out for? What’s the code of conduct for skateparks?
How should people act at skateparks? Skateparks might be designed as places to play, but they can be intimidating to skate in. New skaters usually don’t know what to do or how to act at the skatepark. How should you act at skateparks? What should you look out for? What’s the code of conduct for skateparks?
ABEC Bearings Ratings - What does ABEC mean for Skateboard Bearings?
ABEC Bearings Ratings - What does ABEC mean for Skateboard Bearings? ABEC stands for Annular Bearing Engineers' Committee, and is the American method for rating the accuracy and tolerance rating of bearings. ABEC standards are set by the American Bearing Manufacturers Association (ABMA). So what does that mean? Well, bearings are used for all kinds of things, not just skateboard wheels. The higher an ABEC rating, the more accurate and precise the bearing is.
ABEC Bearings Ratings - What does ABEC mean for Skateboard Bearings? ABEC stands for Annular Bearing Engineers' Committee, and is the American method for rating the accuracy and tolerance rating of bearings. ABEC standards are set by the American Bearing Manufacturers Association (ABMA). So what does that mean? Well, bearings are used for all kinds of things, not just skateboard wheels. The higher an ABEC rating, the more accurate and precise the bearing is.
How Do I Kickflip Higher?
How do you get your kickflips higher? Looking for some instructions and tips on how to get higher kickflips? Or, maybe your kickflips are so low you can't even complete the tricks. A lot of skaters struggle with this - you practice and practice, but your kickflips stay low. What should you do? Read this skatebard trick FAQ to find out the answer!
How do you get your kickflips higher? Looking for some instructions and tips on how to get higher kickflips? Or, maybe your kickflips are so low you can't even complete the tricks. A lot of skaters struggle with this - you practice and practice, but your kickflips stay low. What should you do? Read this skatebard trick FAQ to find out the answer!
What should I do when injured skateboarding?
What should I do when injured skateboarding? Getting injured skateboarding is normal. Skateboarding is dangerous, and there's really no way to stay totally safe. So, what should you do after getting injured?
What should I do when injured skateboarding? Getting injured skateboarding is normal. Skateboarding is dangerous, and there's really no way to stay totally safe. So, what should you do after getting injured?
Are Your Skate Shoes "Good"? - What Makes Good Skateboard Shoes
Having a strong opinion about skate shoes is a skater's God given right. But how do you know which skater shoes are good, and which ones are garbage? There are several ways to help decide which skate shoes are good and which should be tossed into the nearest wood chipper. Read how to tell if your skate shoes are good or not!
Having a strong opinion about skate shoes is a skater's God given right. But how do you know which skater shoes are good, and which ones are garbage? There are several ways to help decide which skate shoes are good and which should be tossed into the nearest wood chipper. Read how to tell if your skate shoes are good or not!
Are breaking skateboards and tearing shoes normal?
Skateboarders tend to break a lot of stuff. Skateboards tend to be at the top of the list, skateboard shoes get blown out and ripped up, pants get ripped... parents can often wonder if this is normal! After all, if you're the ones paying for all of this, you probably want to make sure your skater isn't just being too rough, and isn't being foolish. So, is it normal to need to buy skateboard shoes every few months? Is it normal to break a skateboard every month?
Skateboarders tend to break a lot of stuff. Skateboards tend to be at the top of the list, skateboard shoes get blown out and ripped up, pants get ripped... parents can often wonder if this is normal! After all, if you're the ones paying for all of this, you probably want to make sure your skater isn't just being too rough, and isn't being foolish. So, is it normal to need to buy skateboard shoes every few months? Is it normal to break a skateboard every month?
Does my skateboarder child really need all of this equipment?
Does my skateboarder child really need all of this equipment? - Does my kid really need all of this stuff (skate shoes, helmet, expensive skateboard and pads) in order to skate? I get questions like this from parents who are concerned that they really don't need to be spending all of this money. Making sure that you aren't wasting money is smart - here's some things to help you think about this.
Does my skateboarder child really need all of this equipment? - Does my kid really need all of this stuff (skate shoes, helmet, expensive skateboard and pads) in order to skate? I get questions like this from parents who are concerned that they really don't need to be spending all of this money. Making sure that you aren't wasting money is smart - here's some things to help you think about this.
Skateboarder Parents Questions
Being the parent of a skateboarder, you can come up with a lot of questions. I've collected here some of the best and most common questions for skateboarder parents, with some good info and tips to help you and your son or daughter. If you don't find the answer you're looking for here, please e-mail me and let me know!
Being the parent of a skateboarder, you can come up with a lot of questions. I've collected here some of the best and most common questions for skateboarder parents, with some good info and tips to help you and your son or daughter. If you don't find the answer you're looking for here, please e-mail me and let me know!
What should heavy skaters do, to not break so many skateboards?
What should heavy skaters do, to not break so many skateboards? Tough, strong skateboard options, and how to not break skateboards. Some skaters are heavier than others - a little overweight, or taller, or just more solidly built. Often, being heavier means you will snap board boards, even if you are careful. What should a heavier skater do? Should you buy a tough, strong skateboard? Is there something you are doing wrong when you skate?
What should heavy skaters do, to not break so many skateboards? Tough, strong skateboard options, and how to not break skateboards. Some skaters are heavier than others - a little overweight, or taller, or just more solidly built. Often, being heavier means you will snap board boards, even if you are careful. What should a heavier skater do? Should you buy a tough, strong skateboard? Is there something you are doing wrong when you skate?
What size of skateboard is good for kids?
What size of skateboard is good for kids? The mom of a 4 year old skater writes, "I'm wondering if there is a size difference between kid & adult skateboards?" She doesn't mind paying the extra price for a full size board, but is that a good idea? What's the best size of skateboard to buy for your son or daughter? Read this Skateboarding FAQ for the answer!
What size of skateboard is good for kids? The mom of a 4 year old skater writes, "I'm wondering if there is a size difference between kid & adult skateboards?" She doesn't mind paying the extra price for a full size board, but is that a good idea? What's the best size of skateboard to buy for your son or daughter? Read this Skateboarding FAQ for the answer!
What should I do to help my kid become a pro skateboarder?
What should I do to help my kid become a pro skateboarder? This is a great question, answered here in the Skateboarding FAQ. What should you do to help further your kid's skateboarding ability? Where should you start now if you want a pro skateboarding career in the future? Becoming a pro skater, and having a career as a pro skateboarder, is more and more a legitimate life option! Read this article to see what to do for you son or daughter who wants to become a professional skateboarder.
What should I do to help my kid become a pro skateboarder? This is a great question, answered here in the Skateboarding FAQ. What should you do to help further your kid's skateboarding ability? Where should you start now if you want a pro skateboarding career in the future? Becoming a pro skater, and having a career as a pro skateboarder, is more and more a legitimate life option! Read this article to see what to do for you son or daughter who wants to become a professional skateboarder.
Who Invented Skateboards?
Who Invented Skateboards? - Skateboarding FAQ - Who Invented the Skateboard?
Who Invented Skateboards? - Skateboarding FAQ - Who Invented the Skateboard?