BoardSportsUnlimited.com

Archive for the ‘Skateboarding’ Category

Surfing enthusiasts would be thrilled to find themselves cruising down the roads on a longboard, the bigger brother of skateboards that offer more stability and speeds, especially when cruising down the road. Considering the weight, it wouldn’t be able to perform tricks, but the same principle is also applied, as well as a few more precautionary gear needed when using a longboard.

Longboarding has its roots in surfing, much like skateboard, as it takes a little more strength to handle a heavy longboard, especially when it comes to carving, which is turning, as well as stopping. Though the longboarder wouldn’t be cruising in breakneck speeds, it takes a little more foot power when it comes to braking. The design may look like a regular surfboard, only smaller and with large and softer wheels for better traction and speed.

The physics behind the longboard would mean added stability since the weight would definitely push down the center of gravity. But when it comes to turning it would be a tad bit difficult. Although there are some longboards that come in shorter varieties, the stability will suffer a bit, yet turning would be easier. Whether the skateboarder would prefer the regular or goofy stance would determine the rider himself or herself and the gap between the front and rear feet should be a little far apart for better stability and shock absorption. Getting to know the longboard is the first step when it comes to preparation.

It would be difficult to kick their way when it comes to longboarding, thus the need to find a good enough slope on a street somewhere in order to kick with ease. From there, gravity will take over as the momentum will slowly build up to increase the speed as they dart down the road. Of course it would help if the road has little to no traffic at all.

When it comes to carving, or turning, the longboard requires a little more effort. Toe edge or heel edge requires a little more weight added as the longboarder encounter a bend on the road. As for stopping, there are a few ways, which the most common way is to drop the foot on the road and start dragging, enough to slow down the momentum up to a complete stop. It takes several seconds due tot he combined weight on both longboard and skater.

Longboards are as fun as skateboarding without executing tricks or stunts.

There are times when skateboarding may be considered as a hobby, and sometimes spending a little more for a skateboard from people who are skateboarders themselves would be well worth the money spent. Today’s economy would find a lot of people searching for cheaper bargains that may cause a certain impact that would cause the skateboarding community to disappear altogether.

Skateboard purists wouldn’t let a price tag get to them, or their way when it comes to buying what is best for them. Since skateboards today can be tailor made according to the specifics, or even preference of the skater, there have been hundreds of companies that offer quality parts from decks, trucks, gear and accessories to make sure that the skateboarding would won’t die.

When it comes down to it, parents who want to buy a skateboard for their kids would find themselves in a pickle. It’s not like buying a first bike, or a tricycle, since some people may have more than one bike per household. A skateboard has the same dimensions, parts, and function that can be used by people of any age. When picking up a skateboard to practice on, it would be good to buy a skateboard may by skateboarders themselves.

Quality may set the difference between being the skateboarder for twenty years than 20 minutes. Indifference may play a part when it comes to buying a cheap skateboard just because they want to get it over with as stores like Wal-Mart and the like would sell them for a fraction of the price. What more, globalization has taken to the point where they seek out cheap labor to start mass producing skateboards that may or may not be tested. A skateboard can and will break when its time comes, but it shouldn’t be the way that most veteran skateboarders would know about.

The impact when it comes to cheap versus expensive skateboards would definitely affect the skateboarding community as well. There can be several examples when a mass production on in-line skates from countries like China and India have flooded the market that would result to inferior construction.

It was shocking at first when the X Games removed aggressive in-line off their competition list, but hopefully the skateboarding world wouldn’t follow suit. It would be better for a skateboarder to buy a skateboard from a skateboard shop in India rather than the ones mass-produced in the same country. At least that shop knows and lives for the passion of skateboarding.

Money may be scarce in a way, but there is no substitute for quality over cheap quantity.

There was a time when skateboarding is more of a past time for a lot of kids and teenagers, and most of them would learn a trick or two just to impress their friends or the ladies. Among those is having a makeshift ramp set up near the garage using some materials and a strong enough plywood.

And it’s still being practiced even today.

Most skateboarders would want to start practicing on ramps before hitting the skatepark or the vertical half-pipe just for the sake of avoiding an embarrassing fall. Just to remind novice skateboarders is that ramps can be just as dangerous despite of the starting level they would work with.

To begin construction, the builder has to determine the size and a place for storage. Anything too big might not fit inside the garage. The design may vary, depending on how high the jump may be and depending on the slope as well. A street with a steep climb and a big enough ramp would cause a jump that may be too much to handle. Creating a sketch is a good way to start off things.

A few 2×4 pieces of wood would be good enough for the framework, followed by some pieces of plywood for the curve. It may take as many as 2 layers of plywood to create a decent ramp, but the initial design would be all about simplicity. There should be 3 panels of plywood to create the necessary curve and from there they start nailing it in place. Best if they use screws for better grip and since the screws wouldn’t jut at the end of the wood in case of accidents that would snag the skateboarder. Once the plywood is already in place, another later of plywood can be layered to complete it. Better to use thin plywood since it can bend enough for the ramp.

There are practically hundreds of ramps that are made with varying shapes and sizes, and most of them would be within the skateboarder’s skill level. Of course, a skateboarding beginner would want to wait until they are comfortable enough to ride a skateboard to learn a trick or two, but in any case, having a ramp would definitely increase the thrill factor, as well as honing landing skills when it comes to skateboarding.

It would definitely erase the sense of fear when it comes to skateparks or when performing street tricks such as the ollie.

There are over hundreds of brands to choose from, and since the subject is not about the durability or the construction of the skateboard itself, most skateboarders would also emphasize style and graphics to deliver a statement.

Graphics have been something of a mystery ever since the history of skateboards, and haven’t been a topic of discussion considering that the skateboarder makes the skateboard, and how it’s being used. For most beginners, it may help to have a decal or two emblazoned on the skateboard, to give an illusionary effect when it comes to attaining enough confidence to dropping in on a skatepark. Some would rather just do it themselves with some spray paint, but it wouldn’t hurt to know what sort of companies that offer graphic designs for skateboard decks.

Death Skateboards is all about making fun of death in a way, where the crossbones have a more hilarity to it that would make serious skater just laugh and have fun in the process. Most of their designs are a basic black and white, with some colored with varying graphics just meant for the fun factor. The decks are made with a high-grade 7-ply board complete with their own line of wheels as well as apparel.

5boro is a New York based company with a lot more city-slicker factor when it comes to their deck graphic designs. It offers an array of decks to choose from ranging from the hip-hop motif to religious artifacts that would catch the attention of skateboarders all over.

Alien Workshop is also another brand that has a more interesting approach when it comes to graphics. Somewhat art deco to the surreal, or just plain classic, their decks graphic design are created for the imaginative, reaching out to the weirdness that is human enough to comprehend. They also offer various apparel and accessories to trick out the skateboarder for that feel good attitude as they carve the streets with their decks.

Other ways to trick out the skateboard is to know of an artist who can use an airbrush. Depending on the friendship level (in order to get it for free), some shops have their own graphic artists in order to create some custom jobs for plain-looking skateboards.

More than just pimpin’ their ride, graphic designs have made skateboarding a more interesting and even artistic to a point as they perform feats and tricks that others would soon follow suit.

Remembering the movie Back to the Future, where Marty McFly would always have his hoverboard handy when it comes to tight situations, it would may any kid wonder when the time would come that they can all fly like that.

For a lot of people, the future is getting brighter as newer and bigger innovations have been churning out on a daily basis. This also include skateboarding, as people would one look back, reminded of the days when grandpa used to ride those, and yet it has plastic wheels.

It would have been fun to be a kid again, to know where skateboarding is an activity that pushes the boundaries of endurance and skill. When it rains, skateboarders would groan and throw a hissy fit because it’s just too wet outside and they can’t even surf because of the waves are getting too turbulent. Back in the 80s there have been a few video games dedicated to extreme sports, and it also includes skateboarding. What more, some of these games have been tweaked in a more futuristic setting, as if making TRON and motorcycling something to look forward to.

In a way, having a hoverboard in the future may not be so far off after all. Considering the advancements that is made due to maglev, or magnetic levitation, common for bullet trains. Advancements in terms of metals have also taken a keen interest with many companies who want to create stronger and lighter skateboards. Technological devices are getting smaller and more sophisticated that it wouldn’t be long where everything that would power up a small home can only be found in a hoverboard.

Skateboarders today even enjoy some of the joy-enhancing things like portable mp3 players and even portable media. They can still just do their stuff without worrying about getting left behind in the drink. The internet provides a great place to know and exchange information when it comes to tricks, styles and even a place to buy that next deck after breaking their old ones.

It may not be the same as a flying skateboard, but the technology in building one consists of the things available today. There is so much promise to be had when a kid like 50 years from now can go to school using a hoverboard and would never be late for class ever again.

It may be just fantasizing, but there is something real to be had in the years to come, especially for skateboarders.

The United Kingdom is no stranger when it comes to skateboarding, and more so when they suggested to include skateboarding in the upcoming Olympics to be held in the UK as well. This might be a big break for skateboarders out there, but sometimes it’s good to take things nice and easy, as well as wild.

There are over a thousand skateparks registered in the UK, and it has been home for one of the best skateboarders to compete in the annual World Cup Skateboarding to be held in different locations around the world.

There is not much different when it comes to English skateboarders, although there are probably just a handful of terms they may use, it’s just the same as that in the US. Anything from skateboarding terms and definitions, the parts of a skateboard (some may be just a bit different) and at times they may go for the extreme when it comes to skateboarding. One of their best influences that took skateboarding in the UK by storm is during the 90s, especially when Tony Hawk has executed a successful 900 on the half-pipe.

For now, skateboarding in the UK is a strong as ever, although the same would have been said with the skateparks. There has been a handful of skateparks in the UK that is worth visiting, while the rest suffers from lackluster design and safety procedures that would drive UK skateboarders away. The United Kingdom Skateboarding Association was established on 2005, to help rehabilitate some of the danger prone skateparks in order to ensure existing and novice skateboarders a place for them to just let loose and ride.

As for the UK pro skateboarders, there have been a couple of them such as Ryan Sheckler and Gavin Strange, who have competed in the US X-Games, Mystic SK8 (Skate) in Prague as well as the World Cup Skateboarding.

There have been issues when it concerns skateboarding in the UK, and usually comes from certain counties (similar to States in the US) that may have little to no access to skateboarding. Although they may find a majority of them in major cities such as London, rural areas in the UK may or even may not even heard of skateboarding.

As for manufacturers, most of the owners are skateboarders themselves who have managed to keep the passion alive as they promote skateboarding in other parts in the UK.

When it comes to skateboards, there are no age limits that would prevent them from learning the basics as long as they have a sense of balance, encouragement and old enough to know about minor injuries are. It may sound difficult at first, but kinds can go straight to using skateboards used by teenagers and adults.

One thing for sure, cheap skateboards with their favorite cartoon characters are essentially unsafe, so much like skateboards are dangerous by nature without the proper knowledge and practice that goes with it. Considering this thought, it would be best to spend the proper amount for a quality skateboard and some stickers if they want Mickey on the deck.

Skateboard companies have been investing in producing some of the best complete skateboards in the market today for as low as $70. They many not be the ones the pros use, but they are certainly made with the same quality materials and assembly that made the company famous for. Angelboy, for example have a line of complete skateboards that comes complete with graphics of, mostly cartoon style, characters that are not too violent for anyone’s taste and vibrant at the same time.

This way, they’ll be able to use the skateboards until they reach their teen years. If the kid’s knowledgeable about skateboards, they may want to buy the pro grade skateboards. They may cost more than $100, but they would probably use it for as long as they can, and that would be years.

World Industries offer the same lineup of complete skateboards with their own characters especially for kids. Ranging within the $70 mark, the construction is solid and would not break easily, lest the child actually smashed it or it gets run over by accident. Graphics-wise, they represent more on simple humor but with vibrant designs that would keep the kid’s attention on the skateboard for longer periods.

And the most important part when getting a kid his or her first skateboard is the necessary protection gear needed. Helmets and knee and elbow pads are a must, especially when the kid have managed to get the basic s of skateboarding on their own and work their way up to some basic tricks.

Such gear may have to be bought a few times, depending on how much the child has grown, but it’s money well spent on a hobby, and maybe even career as the child develops the love and appreciation in skateboarding.

Anything can be made dangerous, like jumping off a cliff or even just stubbing a toe at the doorjamb. But these are elementary risks that anyone with a lack of common sense would fall for. Skateboarders, on the other hand, are a different breed that thrive in such dangers, especially for those who lived in the 70s, where safety is the least of their concerns.

It would be easy to fall down on a skateboard if a beginner is involved, but an amateur or pro would find it strange when falling, especially when performing a trick they done a thousand time over. Skateboarding shoes have become a necessity for many, while others would think the corporate weasels are out to get their money for making shoddy products just to make a quick buck. In a way like baseball teams hire scientists to know the physics behind a curveball skateboarding tricks can be made better with the right show involved.

This is more than just wearing a moth-eaten pair of Chucks, as today’s shoes have been designed to allow the maximum amount of grip to ensure the trick’s success rate. There are practically hundreds of companies who brag about having the best skateboarding shoe out there, and now is the time to narrow the search list for the best of them all.

Purchasing a pair of skateboarding shoes requires that a skateboarder is committed to the sport, thinking that the price is too high when their own lives are involve. It’s an investment worth spending hard-earned cash for. There are certain requirements as well, and sometimes it doesn’t have to revolve around anything that says skateboard and shoe in one sentence.

Affordability is to watch out for, as one skateboarder may be comfortable wearing basketball shoes that are cheap than skateboarding shoes that may cost an arm and leg, literally. Starting off is to write a list of the top ten or fifteen shoes designed for skateboarding. Then comes the pricing, the design (for the fashion conscious) as well as the effectiveness of said shoe.

It may be hard to choose one now, especially for those who just skateboard as an activity with the kids. They won’t hate the skateboarder if they can’t afford to buy the shoes as long as they can make up for it with their skateboarding skills. Everything else will be easy once they decide on getting the shoe that fits a skateboard.

For most skateboarders, they may know a few tricks when it comes to performing some interesting feats, or some may not even attempt due to certain attributes that would not allow them, like being too tall. But skateboard tricks have been a steady progress to bring an interesting feat that would challenge the skateboarder as well as capture the admiration of fans alike.

Tricks in skateboarding can be a strenuous, and may also be a dangerous experimentation to see if an idea would work. It pretty much relies on the determination of the skateboarder, and of course a bit of science involve since some tricks may not work the way they might see on sci-fi films, and the end result would be serious injury. Of course, skateboarding history still has a basis on how tricks work in modern times, and some of the best skateboarders have been known to add a little twist, thus renaming it a bit.

Freestyle tricks are considered as base tricks, which have been around for more than 30 years, are all about balancing on two wheels instead of four. From there, freestyle tricks are all about trial and basis, where maneuvering the board from this basic style would determine the difficulty and success of the trick.

Aerials have also been around since the late 70s, and the only to do them is through skateboarding in empty swimming pools, considered as the earliest known half-pipes. Some of the famous skaters like Tony Alva have invented aerial tricks that are still popular today in most skateboarding and extreme game competitions.

Flips are another variation of aerial tricks, this time relying on human strength and speed to achieve the maximum height and perform various tricks in midair. This is also known as a no-handed aerial move, and considered as the most popular style when it comes to difficulty and style in street skateboarding.

Slides and grinds are more of an accident in some ways, when it was around during the 90s when falling off the skateboard is considered a taboo. The object is to slide on any edge from stair rails, steps, or any smooth edged area by sliding on the truck or board of the skateboard. Considered as a property destroyer due to scraping, thus often performed without the presence of any authority.

And lip tricks is another form of grind, and would determine the vertical speed as it slides across the coping during a half-pipe maneuver.

There are varied styles of skateboarding tricks depending on the difficulty and style factor, but either way, it takes practice and care in order to perform more advanced stages of skateboarding tricks.

Skateboards may come in one design structure only, but there have been other variations that made skateboarding something a bit ordinary, yet the results are still the same. Remembering the TV shopping ad called the Snakeboard, which is a skateboard with pivoting joints that allow the rider to freely go in motion as if slithering to move forward.

This is one of the inventions that have captured the spark of other companies when it comes to designing other ways to make a skateboard, and sometimes when the design is meant to do more than one thing only.

Longboards have been around even before the skateboard that is known today. Heavier and longer, these skateboards are meant for long cruising, where its larger size and wheels makes for a more stable ride than ordinary skateboards. It would be hard to perform tricks on a longboard, but it’s the next best thing to emulate riding the waves of the ocean.

Mountain Boards (known as dirtboards for others) is another unusual invention meant for downhill shredding. As if trying to emulate the feel of downhill mountain biking, mountain boards are designed that way with much larger, threaded wheels and foot straps. Of course it would be dangerous to actually skateboard down a very steep hill, but more like getting the feel of surfing the hills in a more rugged terrain.

Freebord (spelled that way) is another skateboard alternative that has the same designs of a snowboard, only with wider trucks and wheels. It’s designed to give the rider a more controlled carving (or shredding) sensation as the wider trucks and an extra wheel on each that makes it possible. Perfect for those who wants to get the feel of snowboarding, if one hates being cold even for a short time. Performing tricks would be impossible given to the weight, but just enough to shred asphalt or pavement. Snowdecks have a similar feature, only this time it emphasizes in actually sliding on roads, and it can be a bit difficult.

One other skateboard, if they could call it as that, just emulates the feel of skateboarding without the deck itself. It’s mainly just a pair of wheels that can be attached under the shoes like a pair of inline skates, but the effects are not the same without a counterbalance.

Unusual designs, shapes, even some with dual purposes. Manufactures would go through certain leaps and bounds to give skateboarding a much different feel than the one that skateboarders are used to.