A Guide to Skateboarding: Gear Checklist and Tips for Beginners

Skateboarding is a fun activity to try, and it makes no difference whether you’re young, old, overweight, tall or short, it’s the ideal sport for people of all walks of life. Don’t beat yourself up if you don’t succeed from the start as nobody learns skateboarding on their first try. It takes time, dedication, a lot of guts, and of course the right gear!

Skateboard Gear Checklist

A Durable Skateboard

Skateboards come in a variety of styles. While many people are unaware of the distinction, the type of skateboard you require is determined by your intended use. If you merely want to cruise and use a board for transportation, you should probably acquire a cruiser or a longboard.

However, if you’re extremely lazy or a little older, you might want to try an electric skateboard. Street skating necessitates a different sort of skateboard. For mini ramp and bowl skating, for example, you’ll need something agile and lightweight.

Don’t settle for less than a durable skateboard. Although many reputable online stores offer high-quality gear, keep in mind that you need to be extremely cautious nowadays otherwise buying a cheaply imported board can easily shatter before you even start skateboarding!

Proper Skate Apparel

Good skate clothing is all about comfy, durable and practical pieces with an unapologetically calm, laid-back appearance. When looking for the ideal skate clothes it’s good to know that brick-and-mortar stores usually deal with limited stocks. However, you won’t have any difficulties finding premium quality pieces of skate clothing online and enjoy the wide selection of brands, models, colours and sizes!

Any skate outfit will be incomplete without a loose-fit t-shirt made of robust, long-lasting material. Tees go so well with shirts. For a total skater outfit combine a hooded overshirt or a plaid flannel shirt over your favourite graphic tee.

When it comes to shorts, skaters have long favoured solid materials that provide durable protection from knocks and falls, as well as casual fits that allow for a great deal of flexibility on the board. Today, the utility trend’s looser designs and heavier fabrics complement its practical aspect.

Some of the most popular skater pants styles include thick twill chinos, cargo pants with cuffed hems, and oversized skater jeans. If you’re purchasing your skate clothing online opt for a stain-resistant hue such as khaki, black, or camo, and balance the baggy silhouette with a fitting skate t-shirt on top.

Getting some nice shoes is perhaps the most crucial thing when skateboarding. You’ll need shoes with a flat sole that can absorb impact. Shock absorbers will help you avoid painful heel injuries, which don’t heal quickly and can reoccur if you’re unfortunate. Keep in mind though that some trendy skater shoes are more stylish than functional and such brands contribute nothing to the sport.

On the other hand, when wearing skater shoes your feet will sweat and your socks will become soggy. To absorb most of the sweat, put on some runner socks. This also aids in the prevention of blisters! You can, however, go for a pair of skateboard socks, but for those who don’t want to splurge on skateboard clothing, a pair of decent socks for running will suffice!

Protective Gear for Maximum Safety

Although it is a controversial topic among skateboarders, wearing protection when you first start is essential. Also, depending on where you reside, ending up in the hospital may come at a high cost. For the older starters out there, appearing cool is less important than taking care of your family and being able to work the next day.

Skaters without protection are frequently seen but those veterans in this sport have experience and knowledge of how to fall. Taking measures as a beginner not only minimises injuries but also boosts your confidence. In this regard, the most affordable option is to go for a protective set or at the very least a helmet and knee pads.

Tips for Beginners

Inspect Your Skateboard Regularly

As a beginner, you should have in mind that sharp edges, worn-out bearings, cracked kingpins, and loose bolts are all potential hazards. This isn’t so much of a concern if your skateboard is brand new but examining your equipment before you go skateboarding can help you avoid injury. You don’t have to do this every time, but you should review your board regularly.

Therefore, check your bearings because a broken one can prevent your wheels from moving. Check if the wheels on your skateboard are securely fastened. Also, see if the baseplates can move bolts on top of the deck. On the other hand, keep in mind that sharp deck edges can cause severe cuts, whereas a worn-out grip tape will reduce your grip.

Overcome the Fear

Fear is inevitable when starting skateboarding. It stops you from hurting yourself, but it may also hold you back. Don’t do something you’re not ready for if you’re just starting. On account of this, 30% of newbies end up in the hospital. To be fair, overcoming fear is not simple – you know you can do something, you have the ability, but you are afraid of falling.

To prevent such situations, purchase some safety gear as it will give you confidence and prevent you from tightening your muscles excessively because you are afraid. Slowly build up, don’t expect to land the trick, but acquire a feel for it. Also, stop overthinking. If you have been standing in the same place for 5 minutes trying to do that first drop-in, leave, go do something else and then come back. Otherwise, you’re going to have a miserable time if you think too much.