You are here: Home >Posts Tagged ‘skateboards

The History Of Skateboarding

Have you ever known how skateboarding came to be a sport? The history of it is quite interesting. It started out in the 1950’s and many believed it would just be one more passing fad that people took part in. While it has had peaks and valleys since its introduction, skateboarding has proven it is much more than just a passing fad.

The first skateboard was quite different from today’s skateboard. They offered a handle bar on them, just like many types of scooters that we see on the market today. This handle bar is what allowed these early skateboards to be maneuvered and controlled. However, it didn’t take long for the idea to remove the handle bar to come along. Many believe this early idea was the result of the popularity of surf boarding at the time.

By the 1960’s, the most popular one was the Roller Derby Skateboard. It was actually introduced in 1959 just ahead of the competitors. However, it took many of these companies to keep up with the demand for them. It is estimated that between 1960 and 1963 more than 50 million skateboards were sold. Keep in mind that we didn’t have the technology that we have today in order to mass produce such items in large buildings.

When the skateboarding official contests were started by manufacturers in 1963 it only further fueled the frenzy to have one. So what happened that slowed down the craze for skateboards? There are two main reasons that cause the sales down. First, the economic status of the United States began to slow down so people weren’t able to buy as many extras as before. Second, many so called experts out there were talking about how unsafe skateboards were.

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

  • Digg
  • Del.icio.us
  • StumbleUpon
  • Reddit
  • Twitter
  • RSS

Are Blank Skateboards Any Good?

Whenever you are looking for skateboards to buy, you are more than likely going to come across blank skateboards. There is not just one company that makes blank skateboards, so you do not always know what kind of board you are getting. However, this is not always a bad thing.
Things to Look For In Blank Skateboards
The first thing that you need to look for is what kind of wood the blank skateboards are made out of. If there are no markings on it, then you may have to ask the owner of the skateboard shop you are in. He or she may be able to tell you want kind of wood the boards are made from. If you do not know this already, the best kind of wood to have a board made from is maple. If it is not made from hard maple, then it is going to be made out of a much softer wood. It kind of goes without saying, that if it’s made from a softer wood, then it is not going to last you as long. Now, if you are not going to be doing any tricks with your blank skateboards, then it does not matter. However, if you are more aggressive, then you will want the board to be made of maple.
Some people get upset when you buy blank skateboards, because you are not supporting pro skating. It goes without saying as well, that the pro skateboards are a lot better than the blank ones. They have been treated to be used aggressively and go through a lot of tricks. Of course, if you are not gong to be doing that kind of stuff, then it does not really matter. Blank skateboards usually come with blank wheels and other things like that.
Positive Side to Buying Blank Skateboards
Buying blank skateboards can be both good and bad. The best thing about blank skateboards is the fact that they do not cost a lot of money. They are very cheap. Of course, this is not always going to be a high selling point for everyone. After all, if you have the money to buy a pro skateboard, then you may want to buy that one first. If you want to start skating right away and you need some cash, then blank skateboards could be perfect for you.
Keep in mind that all skateboards can break. The pro skate boards can break just like the blank ones can break. The main thing to keep in mind is the fact that you just need to make sure that you know that the blank skateboards do not have the same pop to them. That means that when doing tricks, it is easier to break them in half.
Blank skateboards are here to help everyone be able to afford a skateboard. Just because you do not have a lot of money does not mean that you can not buy a skateboard. Just get some blank skateboards and be sure to go a little easier on them. Over time, you will learn what you can and can not do with blank skateboards. Also, you will learn why some of the pro ones are better. However, just because you spend more money on something does not mean its going to last longer. The blank ones can last just as long if treated right.

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , ,

  • Digg
  • Del.icio.us
  • StumbleUpon
  • Reddit
  • Twitter
  • RSS

Tips for Choosing Your Skateboard

Choosing the perfect skateboard can be an exciting experience. But before you jump right in and buy one, you need to make sure that you do your research. There are some very impressive skateboards on the market today that feature amazing graphics, and some have even been designed by professional skateboarders themselves. It is important to do your homework and decide exactly what features you want before making a final purchase.

Realizing your own unique skating style will help you decide which type of skateboard is right for you. Some skaters prefer longer boards, while others swear by wider boards. You also need to keep in mind that your size also plays a part in what size of skateboard you will need. In general, the more the skater weighs, the heavier the deck of the skateboard needs to be. Another good tip to follow is that beginners usually start with wider boards.

You can compare skateboards and accessories at several places online, or browse through skateboard specialty shops to find the perfect board for you. If you are just beginning in the sport, you may not want to start out with the most expensive board to practice with. Not everyone decides to continue with the sport once they have tried it, so you do not want to be out too much money if you decide to quit skateboarding.

Reading online reviews about different types of skateboards is also a good idea. Quality is so important with skateboards. You want to make sure that the manufacturer’s claims are true. It is important to get the best quality skateboard you can afford. Even with daily use, a good quality skateboard should last between six months to a year. Skateboards can become expensive, so you do not want to replace boards any more than you have to.

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , ,

  • Digg
  • Del.icio.us
  • StumbleUpon
  • Reddit
  • Twitter
  • RSS

Skateboards Give You the Freedom to Fly Past

The skateboard is a certain device which was conceived as a means of surfing outside of water. The history of skateboards cannot be specifically traced back to a certain age but is indeed very fascinating. Some hold the belief that the art of skateboarding began on the beaches of California while some other hold other that the background of skateboarding can be traced to some other place. In the recent times however skateboards are seen as an emblem of youthful energy and vigor. In the early era of 1930s the kids in the United States attached the roller skates to a board which measured up to two to four inches. But it was not before 1958 that the modern range of skateboards was invented.

Talking about the design of the skateboards it can be easily claimed that they were inspired from that of surfboards. In the initial phase they were quite similar to that of the surfboards but in the following times there was a change in the design due to that of the commodities. The first range of skateboards was manufactured in the year 1965. They were thick by one inch and had in them rubber wheels and also cast iron trucks. With varied range of skateboards available the skateboarders are also able to classify themselves accordingly like free style skateboarders, high jump skateboarders, downhill skateboarders, long jump skateboarders and so on.

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

  • Digg
  • Del.icio.us
  • StumbleUpon
  • Reddit
  • Twitter
  • RSS

Buying a Skateboard – Tips and Hints

It’s easy to be a little awed by all the variety of designs that are out there when you start shopping for a skateboard. The graphics can be incredible and so can the skateboards that were created by some of your favorite professional skateboarders. Don’t let the appearance of the skateboard fool you though, there is more to a skateboard than how it looks. You want a skateboard that will stand the test of time, not just one that will look good for a few months then fall apart.

The way you skate should influence the kind of skateboard you buy – think about your style and what you like to do with the skateboard. Do you need a skateboard that is longer or one that is wider instead? Your physical size is also something to consider. People who are lighter can use a smaller deck while those who are heavier need to think about getting a more solid deck on their skateboard.

Do some research on the internet before you start shopping – see what others have to say about the different types of skateboards. Also, visit local skate shops and talk to some of the employees to see what they would recommend. Generally, if you are new to skating, you want to look for a board with a wider deck than more experienced skaters might have. If you are just starting out with skateboarding, buy a less expensive board until you get a feel for skating and see if you really like the sport and want to keep it up. If you decide skating isn’t for you, then you won’t have wasted too much money.

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

  • Digg
  • Del.icio.us
  • StumbleUpon
  • Reddit
  • Twitter
  • RSS

Skateboarding and Its Modern History

Skateboarding has been a popular sport for the past three decades, and still remains to be quite modern. In fact, skateboarding has been around since 1980, which happens to be the year in which the first modern skateboard was made. Since then, both young and the not so young enjoy carving the streets and experiencing the adrenaline rush of free riding, trick skating, and the like. Skateboarding has become not just a recreational sport of hobby, but has been developed into a competitive individual and team sport.


Skateboarding is deeply influenced by, and derivative of, the art and sport of surfing. Surfing, which was developed and rooted in Hawaii, is the act of riding ocean waves with a surfboard. Similar to surfing, skateboarding entails riding a skateboard on land, and more specifically, paved or concrete surfaces. Skateboards are made in different styles and made with different skating methods in mind.


Longboard Skateboards


Some skateboards are styled and fashioned after longboard surfboards. While these skateboards are not intended for extensive tricks, longboard skateboards are great for bombing hills and carving up the concrete while you cruise the streets.


Traditional Shortboard Skateboards


There are also skateboards that are intended for trick skating. These skateboards are shorter boards which allow the skater to manipulate movement more quickly and effectively, therefore being better equipped to perform stunts and trick such ollies, Casper flips, nosegrinds, and back stabs.


Training and Special Made Skateboards


When surfers and snowboarders are on dry land, they often train for their sport. There are skateboards that are specially made to allow the user to mimic movements made in surfing and snowboarding in order to train and help increase agility, balance, and other physical abilities while these ones are out of their natural sporting element.

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

  • Digg
  • Del.icio.us
  • StumbleUpon
  • Reddit
  • Twitter
  • RSS