We Respond to the Most Frequently Asked Questions About Skateboarding
Our team at SkateHut has dedicated some time to address the top ten most frequently asked questions about skateboarding. Tyler shares excellent advice, especially for those new to skating, so watch the video or alternatively, read the transcript below.
Hi, I'm Tyler from Skater and these are the most frequently asked questions about skateboarding.
What is a suitable skateboard for beginners?
This is a question we encounter quite often. I always suggest starting with something on the lower price end. It's beneficial to start with a Rampage skateboard. They are excellent for their affordable, yet high-quality parts. This allows you to get a feel for the type of skateboard you might want to stick with. Then, a few months down the line, when you're more invested, you can consider something at a higher price point and start selecting specific parts for long-term use.
I'm just starting skateboarding, what gear do I need?
This is another very common question we receive. Stick to the basics: you'll need your skateboard, and beyond that, consider elbow, knee, and wrist guards. These are often available as triple pads from many brands. Additionally, a helmet is essential. Beyond that, you might want to get a skate tool for adjusting your board as needed, and perhaps skate trainers for advancing your tricks.
Is a custom skateboard or a complete skateboard better?
There's no definitive answer; it depends on your skateboard level. Beginners often benefit from a complete skateboard, which allows you to determine which parts of the skateboard to focus on. When you move to a custom build, you choose individual components, tailoring it to your specific needs.
How much should I spend on a beginner or intermediate skateboard?
This really depends on you. For beginners, it's perfectly fine to start with a £30-£40 range. Our boards in this range will perform well and feel great. If you've tried that and want to move up a bit, consider the £50-£60 range. Or, if you know what you want to specialise in, start looking at custom builds to create your personalised skateboard.
What skateboard size is best?
The key dimensions are the board's length and width. Both are covered in our size guide. The best advice is to scroll to the bottom of the SkateHut website, find the buying guides link, and it will provide all the information needed to choose the right board size for you. All sizes are available on the SkateHut website including 8.25 Skateboards and 8.5 Skateboards.
How can I find a skateboard coach?
There are a few ways to approach this. If you have a nearby skatepark, they often have tutors available, so ask at the desk for guidance. Or, at your local park, a great way to make new friends is to ask people for help if you're struggling with something specific. Alternatively, YouTube is a fantastic resource. It's free for everyone, and on the SkateHut YouTube channel, you'll find loads of videos. Definitely worth checking out.
Are bigger or smaller skateboard wheels better?
As with many aspects of skateboarding, when choosing parts, think about their purpose. Smaller skateboard wheels wheels accelerate faster, but don't maintain speed like larger wheels. Large wheels are ideal for cruising or vert skating. Conversely, smaller wheels are beneficial for street and park skating, especially for technical tricks where high speeds aren't needed.
What are riser pads and do I need them?
Whether you need riser pads depends on your activities. Generally, you don't need risers, but some people prefer them to raise the deck slightly, allowing sharper turns. Risers are necessary when using large wheels to prevent the deck from rubbing against them, causing wheel bite, which can abruptly stop you. For large wheels like 59-60mm, risers are advisable to avoid wheel bite.
How wide should my trucks be?
This depends on your deck size. Avoid having trucks that stick out too far or are too narrow and hidden. The best advice is to check our listings; they always specify the appropriate trucks for your deck. Alternatively, scroll down to the bottom of the SkateHut website, go to the Buying Guide guide there as well, so you can ensure you have the right trucks for your existing deck.
Hard wheels or soft wheels?
Like all skateboard components, it depends on what you intend to do with your wheels. For park skating, hard wheels are preferable. For street skating on rough surfaces, softer wheels are better to handle the terrain, otherwise, you'll bounce around.
That's our rundown of the ten most frequently asked skateboarding questions. If there's something we didn't cover today, feel free to email us at email@skatehut.com. I've been Tyler from SkateHut, thanks for tuning in.