Buying a Great Skateboarding Equipment Gift

Buying a Great Skateboarding Equipment Gift
By David Vanbergen

As I write this, we are coming up on the Christmas season, but this skateboarding equipment gift buying guide can be used or referred to year round because it isn't just Christmas time when we need to buy gifts for people. Since skateboarding and all extreme sports are becoming so popular, there is a good chance that you will need to buy a skateboarding equipment gift for somebody who skateboards, snowboards, rollerblades or does one of the many emerging extreme sports made so popular by ESPN and the X-Games.

I am going to start with a list of ideas (in no particular order) then expand a little on some of them. Remember, a lot of skateboarding equipment like skateboard shoes are popular with all extreme sport athletes and are used every day even when not skating.

- Skateboard Shoes
- Complete Skateboard
- Skateboarding Equipment like helmets and pads
- Magazine Subscription
- Beanie with Company Logo
- Baseball Cap with Company Logo
- Sweatshirt or T-Shirt
- Backpack or Bag
- Gift Card

If you know what kind of skateboard your skater wants, buying him or her a new skateboard is probably the best gift you can give. Before you go out and buy a skateboard, though, you need to know what you are buying. Don't be shy, just ask what they like. Their friends can probably tell you what they like if it isn't obvious by the clothes they already wear or posters hanging in their room. You need to know what brand they want. Even though their isn't a lot of physical difference from one skateboard company to another, it makes a world of difference to the person that will be skating on it. You also need to know what size they want. There are different widths of skateboards. Wider boards are typically for skating ramps and narrower boards are for doing street skating and tricks on the ground. Again, the best thing to do is ask. Get some general information and you can apply it to whatever skateboarding equipment choice you make.

Another good choice for skateboarding equipment that any skater will appreciate is skateboard shoes. They can wear them every day even when they are not skating. The one bit of advice I have here is to make sure you know exactly what they want or need. You may want to cut out a picture of a skateboard shoe and put it in a box with a note saying you will go out with them and pay for the pair of shoes they pick out. You can put a limit on the price if you need, but for the most part, skateboard shoes are pretty reasonable compared to many other specialty sport shoes.

Skate clothing is probably the most popular gift. It is easier to buy and you can get lots of different things for under $30 which you can't really do with a skateboard or shoes. All you need to know is what brands the person likes and what size to get. In both cases, even if you don't know the exact size or favorite brand the item can still be worn.

If you are worried about injury, you can help to protect the skateboarder you are buying for by getting them some safety equipment. I know it might not be cool, but buying a helmet, elbow pads, or knee pads will be appreciated every time they wreck. If they are skateboarding and doing tricks, it will happen. Now the only trick is to get them to wear this skateboarding equipment.

A skateboarding magazine is another good choice. As I have said a couple times, ask what they have or want. You want to make sure they don't already have a subscription to the magazine you want to get them. This is another gift in that under $30 category.

I am going to close with one more idea that is sure to give them what they actually want. I am talking about a gift card. You can get one for a shoe store so they can pick out shoes, a sporting goods store where they can get clothing or skateboarding equipment, or you can even get them for skateboard shops. Many people don't think this is very personal, but if you really don't know what they want or like, a gift card lets them pick out whatever skateboarding equipment they want. I know I never worried about a gift card being too impersonal.

You can learn more about all types of skateboarding equipment at SkateboardPlanet.net or visit some of the specific pages on things like skateboarding shoes or complete skateboards to get some more help picking out the perfect gift.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=David_Vanbergen

Safety First - Helmet Styles and Brands

Safety First - Helmet Styles and Brands
By John Pauls

Even though skateboarding is a very fun sport for people, it can also be dangerous. Safety always needs to be a number one priority out there. You should have a helmet that fits you properly. It is important to understand there is quite a difference between a helmet for bike and one for riding a skateboard. Therefore you need to have one that is specifically for the art of skateboarding. This type of helmet will cover the back of your head which is where you are most likely to land on it.

Pay close attention to the information on such a helmet. If it isn't certified then it won't offer you the level of protection that you need. Don't be fooled by cheap imitations as they aren't going to protect your head from a serious injury. There are two types of skateboarding helmets to choose from. For beginners and those that do basic tricks a single impact helmet will be sufficient. However, if you place to take on riskier moves and jumps you need to buy a multiple impact helmet for added protection.

There are quite a few different helmet styles you can choose from when it comes to skateboarding. You want to buy one that you think looks good on you. If you feel that you look like a dork you are going to justify not wearing it when you skateboard. You also want one with an adjustable chin strap. Manufacturers have worked hard to offer styles of helmets that look cool too so take your time to explore the different styles out there.

You will also find plenty of brands of skateboarding helmets to choose from. It is wise to do more than choose one that is cool looking or made by your favorite manufacturer. Take the time to read reviews so that you can find out the level of safety rating associated with them. You will find the best skateboarding helmets are offered by those manufacturers that also sell skateboards. They understand the industry as well as the need to be well protected against injuries.

The Bell Faction was the first brand to offer a helmet specifically for skateboarding. They continue to improve upon their designs and so they are also the top seller out there. You can be very confident with a Bell Faction helmet that you have the utmost protection for your head that is available out there. They are very comfortable too due to the extra liners inside of them.

Kryptonics offers the Kore Series which has the highest technology in them. They are designed to absorb energy. They also offer a way to keep sweat out of your eyes due to a special type of lining. They have many styles to select from including those designed specifically for women.

The Pro Tech Ace is an expensive type of skateboarding helmet but well worth every penny you spend on it. They are a good idea for anyone that decides to engage in a variety of skateboarding tricks. Each color is to represent a certain professional skateboarder as well that endorses it. So you can get one that helps you to represent your skating idols.

No matter what your level of skill is with a skateboard, an accident can still happen. Head injures can be significantly reduced if you wear a helmet that fits you properly. There is no reason why it can't be comfortable as well as something that fits you well. You will quickly get used to it and forget it is even in place while you are skateboarding. Take your time to find one that fits well and has a good rating. That way you can enjoy skateboarding while significantly reducing your risk of any serious injury.

Skateboarding is becoming one of the most popular sports in the world, there are increasingly numbers of manufacturers that produce skateboards. As a result, various brands of skateboards come up, such as Plan B skateboards, Zoo York skateboards etc. You can find your favorite skateboards in SkateboardPro.com which is an online skateboards and accessories supplier providing many brands of complete skateboards and accessories.

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Why You Should Consider Buying Your Skateboard Parts Online

Why You Should Consider Buying Your Skateboard Parts Online
By John Pauls

If you love to skateboard then you may already know that it can be an expensive sport. To be able to perform well and to be safe, routine maintenance needs to be done on your skateboard. Those different parts can become expensive as well but there is a way to save money without sacrificing quality. That is to buy your skateboarding parts online. There are many advantages to doing so.

The main reason why you can usually get parts for your skateboard at a lower cost online has to do with the lower operating expenses they have. Since they don't have to pay for a building, utilities for it, and other aspects of the business they can charge you less but still make a profit. They also know there is plenty of competition online so they must make their prices reasonable. They know that people are going to look for a good deal online and so they strive to offer something beyond what their competitors are.

In order to keep you as a loyal customer, these online sites tend to offer great promotions as well. They will send you discount codes via email or offers that are only for repeat customers. It is to your advantage to sign up for such newsletters and promotions. That way you can save money on your future purchases. You may be able to save 10% on the order or even have it shipped to you for free.

You also have the chance to quickly compare prices for skateboard parts when you shop online. Make sure you include their shipping costs as well when you are comparing them though. You may find the part on one site for $10 less but if it costs you $15 more with the shipping it won't turn out to be such a good deal in the long run.

You will find the widest selection of parts for your skateboard online as well. Most retailers have a very limited supply of them on hand. They also only carry a few brands. Not all of them are willing to special order you the parts you want and need. Those that do often charge an additional fee for such a service. There shouldn't be any part out there for your skateboard that you can't find online.

By looking around you may discover there are parts for your skateboard that you find online to try. Without running across them online though you would never have thought about trying them out. You can find some very unique parts that can help you to accomplish what you want to on your skateboard. This can be an exciting way to experiment with new aspects of the world of skateboarding.

Most people have a very busy schedule, so it isn't always possible to run to the local skateboarding retailer and get it. You may live in an area where you don't have such a store. Driving to get to one can be time consuming which means you may have to wait a while to get your skateboarding parts. When you shop online for them, you can get them any time of the day or night. You can do so when it is convenient for you even if it is 2 am or it is a Sunday afternoon when most retail stores are closed.

You will find many online retailers of skateboarding parts also send them out the very next day. You won't have too long of a wait for your parts to be delivered right to your door. This is a very convenient way to get everything you need to keep your skateboard operational. You may even consider buying some extra parts online so you have them readily available when you do need them.

As Skateboarding is becoming one of the most popular sports in the world, there are increasingly numbers of manufacturers that produce skateboards As a result, various brands of skateboards come up, such as Plan B skateboards, Zoo York skateboards etc. You can find professional skateboards in SkateboardsPro.com which is an online skateboards and accessories supplier providing many brands of complete skateboards and accessories.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=John_Pauls

Skateboarding Clothes and Shoes

Skateboarding Clothes and Shoes
By James R Shaw

When you're out there showing off your skateboarding tricks, it's important to "look the part" by rockin the latest clothes and shoes. But what's hot? What are the brands that are popular with local skaters and famous skaters alike? Checkout these four brands of clothes and shoes before heading out to the skate park:

Vans.
Vans sells both clothes and shoes, but they are most know for their shoes. Founded in 1966 by brothers Paul and Jim Van Doren, the company was originally called Van Doren Rubber Company. Vans are the shoes of choice among elite skateboarders worldwide. Not only does Vans make apparel and shoes, they also have skate parks in Southern California and Florida, and they are the creators and promoters of the famous Vans Warped Tour concerts.

Zoo York.
What an interesting name for a clothing company. It's said that the name comes from a subway tunnel that runs under the Central Park Zoo in New York. The tunnel is referred to as "Zoo York Tunnel" or just "Zoo York". Graffiti artists used to hang out and tag this tunnel back in the 60's and 70's. The clothing company Zoo York was founded in 1993. Zoo York sells clothes and shoes for boys, girls, men and women.

DC Shoes.
Like Zoo York, DC Shoes was also founded in 1993. The company makes clothing, shoes and accessories for all kinds of extreme sports including: skateboarding, snowboarding, bmx, rally car racing, motocross and surfing. DC Shoes is popular amongst a broad range of people. The famous drummer Travis Barker sports DC Shoes and even has a shoe line with DC Shoes that was influenced by him. Actor Adam Sandler is a fan, as is Rapper "Lil Wayne".

Perhaps the youngest "pro" skateboarder ever, Mitchie Brusco has been sponsored by DC Shoes since he was five years old!

DC Shoes sells skateboarding clothes and shoes for boys, girls, men and women.

Element.
Element was founded in 1992 in Atlanta, Georgia. It was first called Underworld Element until one of the owners decided to drop "Underworld" from the name, and simple call the company Element. Element eventually became a major clothing, shoes and board brand, and was given opportunities to sign popular skateboarders. Element's professional team is made up of: Bam Margera, Brent Atchley, Chad Muska, Chad Tim Tim, Chris Senn, Darrell Stanton, Jeremy Wray, Mike Vallely, Nyjah Huston, Ray Barbee, Tony Tave and Vanessa Torres.

Although Element is more known for their decks, they also sell a wide variety of clothes and shoes for men, women, boys and girls.

You can find all of these brands by shopping online, so shopping for clothes and shoes have never been easier. You can also likely find Element, DC Shoes, Vans and Zoo York brand clothing at your local skate shop as well. There is no excuse for not having the hottest clothing and shoes anymore. Now go show off your style!

Display your skateboards and keep them off the floor with Jimmy Racks original steel skateboard racks - holds 3 skateboards and can be installed on your wall in under 4 minutes!

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Create Your Own Skatepark Layout With Portable Skate Ramps

Create Your Own Skatepark Layout With Portable Skate Ramps
By Jack M Patterson

A lot of people have ventured to create their own skateparks in their backyards. Unfortunately, these are not always tested for safety and will eventually rot from the weather over time. They are also not easy to build nor are they cheap to build, as all of that lumber and hard labor adds up in time and money. Plus, they are so large and heavy; you've pretty much committed your entire yard to the skatepark once it's completed.

However, with portable skate ramps, you are able to create the same skatepark or even a better skatepark. This because portable skate ramps have not only been tested for safety, but they are created from 10 gauge steel that will not rot in the rain over time, nor do they swell causing dangerous bumps and irregularities. When you're done practicing, you can easily fold up the portable skate ramps and place them in your garage, storage shed or just out of the way. This way you don't have to commit your whole backyard to a lumber field of homemade skate equipment.

Another benefit to portable skate ramps is that you can combine several pieces to create your own skatepark layout. You can create your own layout or you can purchase a custom designed skatepark layout for your home, community park or event. Those designs that you purchase are available in 3D so that you know exactly which pieces of equipment go where and the order that the layout is designed to be completed in. If you are in need of a custom design, there are even experts available to assist you in creating custom skatepark layout for use with your portable skate ramps.

Freshpark.com features a full line-up of safe, weatherproof and affordable portable skate ramps. Why pay a fortune on something you have to build yourself when you can make one investment that will not only be more reliable, but also easy to store and transport?

FreshPark introduces a new, affordable and easily portable portable skate ramps that any skateboarder would love to have. For more information, visit FreshPark.com or call 800-490-2709.

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Improve Your Skating Skills With Adjustable Grind Rails

Improve Your Skating Skills With Adjustable Grind Rails
By Jack M Patterson

Handrails, slides, and any other type of stair handrail that can be found have often been used as a grind rail by all skaters. However, there have also been numerous trips to emergency rooms and doctor's offices from the result of a handrail grind or board slide gone wrong.

All skaters know that there is a little danger involved with the grind rail, but if you utilize the proper equipment, much of this risk can reduced significantly, if not eliminated. To improve your grinding skills, it is vital that you use the proper equipment. In this case, adjustable grind rails are your solution to not only performing better skateboard tricks, but also reducing your chances of a broken bone.

Handrails come in two styles as well. They are either flat bars or rounded rails. With grind rails designed for skating, you can actually practice with both, as the rails include both flat edges and round edges. Adjustable ground rails also allow you to gradually improve your skills over time without having to make a large jump in height differences. For instance, an adjustable grind rail allows you to increase the height of the rail from nine inches to nineteen inches with several options in between. Or, you can adjust only one end of the rail to be higher and create an ideal situation for practicing board slides.

Adjustable grind rails are also ideal as they can add variety to your skate layout at home. For instance, you can create transitions from your quarterpipe to your grind rail or vice versa. This allows you to create even more challenging situations for yourself and to test your skills or improve them over time. Adjustable grind rails that are also weatherproof are available at Freshpark.com.

FreshPark introduces a new, easily portable grind rails for all your skateboarder's grinding need. For more information, visit FreshPark.com or call 800-490-2709.

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Tips For Choosing Your Skateboard

Tips For Choosing Your Skateboard
By John Pauls

When it comes to buying a skateboard, you may be very impressed with the designs of what you see. Some of them feature amazing graphics while others have been designed by professional skateboarders themselves. Before you jump right in and purchase one of them though you need to take your time to look at other aspects of it. That way you can be certain you are getting a great one you will be able to use for a long time.

Think about your own skating style and that will help you to get the skateboard for it. If you aren't sure take some time to find out. You may need a longer board or a wider board for your style of skating. Keep in mind that your overall size will play into the size of skateboard for you to use. The more you weigh the heavier you need the deck of the skateboard to be.

You can find this type of information online and you can also ask at retailers that specialize in the sales of skateboards. Another good tip to follow is that a wider board is better for beginners. They should also buy a cheaper skateboard to learn the basics on. Not everyone finds this to be a sport that they continue with. Therefore you don't want to place too much money into that initial skateboard.

Never be in a rush to buy a skateboard. Take your time to look over every aspect of it. How does the deck feel when you stand on it? Are the size and style of wheels going to work for you as well? Take it for a spin to try out the types of events you want to perform on it. If the retailer isn't willing to let you do so, then go find one someone where else.

You should also read reviews online about a certain type of skateboard. You want to make sure it is going to last you. Even with daily use a good quality skateboard should last you at least six months to a year. If the reviews for it aren't good then pass on it for one that is. You don't want to be replacing it more often than you have to.

Many people find that buying a skateboard online is less expensive than doing it locally. Still, you are encouraged to try out what is being sold locally. That way you can be more confident the one you order online is going to work well for you as well. If it isn't what you want then it won't matter that you were able to save some money on it. Make sure that the final cost you look at also includes the shipping costs.

It is a good idea to carefully review the return policy of any skateboard you buy online as well. You want to get one so that you can return it for a refund if it doesn't offer you what you thought it would. You don't want to be stuck with it so never buy one online that doesn't have a very liberal return policy to accompany it.

Keep in mind that the style and design of skateboard for each person out there is going to vary. It is a good idea to look at several models within your budget before you choose one. By experiencing how different ones feel you will be able to find the one that is going to be safe as well as fun for you. There are quite a few affordable skateboards out there that are very good. If you have the money to invest, you may consider having one customized to your own specifications.
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The Future of Skateboarding

The Future of Skateboarding
By Brad Jakes

Where have we been, where are we now and where is skateboarding going ?

The Beginning

If we're going to try to figure out the future, it's probably a good idea to head back first and see how this thing started.

It all began in the fifties, when Californian surfers started attaching roller skate wheels to planks of wood and riding down their local streets. Skateboard manufacturers started springing up in the early sixties and a new lifestyle was born.

Urethane skateboard wheels were invented in 1972 and are still used today. The mid 70s saw the first skateboard parks begin to appear which naturally spawned new styles of riding, new tricks and new boards as skaters went vertical. Also in the mid 70s, a new competitive scene was born when a slalom and freestyle contest was held at the Ocean Festival in Del Mar, California .The famous Zephyr team turned the skateboarding world on its head with their new aggressive approach to freestyle skating. In 1978 the most famous skate trick of all, the "Ollie", was invented by Alan Gelfand (the 70s were a big decade for skating).

The 80s were a comparatively slow decade for skateboarding although there was a boost that came with the popularity of the VCR when the first skateboard videos were introduced. The Bones Brigade Video Show was particularly popular and made Steve Caballero, Tony Hawk, Mike McGill, Lance Mountain, Rodney Mullen, Stacy Peralta, and Kevin Staab household names amongst the skating fraternity.

The first Extreme Games were held in Rhode Island in 1995 and the skateboarding competition received a lot of attention leading to increased interest in the sport and raised its profile in the broader community. Skateboarding was also part of the first Winter X games in '97 and competitive skateboarding had truly become mainstream.

The biggest thing to hit skateboarding in the 2000s is the massive popularity of the video game console. Skateboarding games lend themselves well to the format and there have been smash hit video games every year in the 2000s. A new generation of skaters was born as kids traded their console controllers for the real thing.

The Future of Skateboarding

Competitive skateboarding will be established as a legitimate mainstream sport in much the same way as surfing and surf culture. Just a few decades ago, surfers were looked down upon as untrustworthy reprobates. These days parent don't think twice about wandering into the surf stores that exist in every shopping mall and loading up on clothes with surf labels for their offspring, who mightn't even know what a beach looks like. Kelly Slater, Mick Fanning, Rip Curl, Quiksilver and Billabong are all trusted global brands now. Like it or not, watch for skating to go the same way. We'll see mindblowing tricks leveraging energy and athleticism that would seem unimaginable today. Skate heroes will go mainstream and expect to see a much more advanced global competitive scene. Once again it's instructive to take a look at surfing's path. The competitive surfing scene floundered for decades before getting its act together in the late 80s, when the brave step was taken to give ultimate control of the sport to a single governing body. A new man-on-man format was introduced and contests were taken to the best waves at the best time of the year. The overall good of the sport finally overcame parochialism and commercial interest and poor, uncompetitive contests were discarded. Now, surfing has hit the big time - it has sophisticated, multi-tiered competitive scene with massive media coverage. Can skating go the same way ? Yes, if it allows itself to.

When it comes to local ramps and skate parks, expect bigger walls, bigger bowls and more of them. As the current generation of skaters grows up and gets its turn to have a say in council spending and infrastructure, well it's good news for skaters who like parks and ramps.

Technology will impact skateboards in the same way that it's hitting so many other products. Stronger, lighter materials will appear and the rapid distribution of information means that board and truck design will advance even faster. The impact of the internet is both a challenge and an opportunity for the local skateboard shop. Ecommerce growth rates are huge and more people are keen to buy skateboards online. The web allows a distribution model that effectively puts the consumer closer to the skateboard warehouse. If you long for the old days of the 70s wooden plank, then this mightn't do much for you but if you're kid on a limited budget, it's all good news. Expect better, more technically advanced products at lower prices.

If skateboarding follows the same lines as other markets, then we might see further consolidation amongst the big brands, similar to Billabong's acquisition of Sector 9. Other big players in today's skateboard market are brands like Birdhouse, Girl, Zero, Plan B, Element and Blind. There's a fair chance we could see a large company buy up a stable of big skate brands to get the pricing benefit that comes with volume, which can obviously help with product pricing but doesn't always result inoriginal product design and creativity (when was the last time Ford or GM came out with a cool product ?). In any market, if the big get bigger, then opportunities arise for small players to carve out their own niche for local markets and buyers who are less brand conscious.

Maple is still the premium construction material for decks but surely the day is approaching when maple will be superceded, at least for some styles of board. New styles of boards will continue to emerge - the humble skateboard of the early days has already evolved into longboards, cruisers, retro boards, pool boards, old school and mountain boards. As well as lighter, stronger trucks and better quality wheels, there'll be new deck plan shapes and original artwork.

So there you have it, a quick look at the past and a peek into the future - and the future looks good!

Brad Jakes is a traveler, writer, skater, raconteur and test pilot for Skateboard Express Australia
http://www.skateboardexpress.com.au
http://skateboardexpress.com.au/alllongboards.html
You're welcome to reprint this article online free of charge provided: - you include the three links at the bottom- you don't change the article
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More Advanced Skateboard Tricks

More Advanced Skateboard Tricks
By James R Shaw

So you have mastered all the basic skateboard tricks like: the ollie, kickturns, 50/50 grinds, rock n rolls, board slides, truck stands, manuals and maybe even the kickflip (which could be considered an intermediate trick). Are you ready to kick it up a notch and start learning some serious skateboard tricks? Read on to learn the basics of: ollie on a ramp, rock to fakie, heelflip and indy grab.

Ollie on a Ramp. This should actually be called "ollie off a ramp". If you know how to ollie on the ground, great. Now you're going to ollie while flying off a ramp. This is fun, but dangerous when attempting to ollie off a huge ramp. Start with a mini ramp first. To ollie on a ramp:

1. Skate towards the ramp and pickup as much speed as possible.
2. Make sure your feet are in ollie position.
3. Lean back a little while riding up the ramp.
4. When the nose of the board gets to the edge, push the tail down quickly and pull your front knee up.
5. Ollie and try to land safely.

Rock to Fakie. You'll need a quarterpipe, halfpipe or mini ramp to do a rock to fakie. The rock to fakie is when a skater rides up the ramp right to the very edge, balances on the middle of the board, rocks a little bit, and then goes back the direction they came. To rock to fakie:

1. Skate towards the ramp and pickup some speed.
2. Your front foot should be on the nose and your back foot on the tail.
3. Hit the top of the ramp and push your front foot forward so that the front of the board dips forward.
4. You should balance and hold this move for a few seconds.
5. Drop down and go back the same direction you came up.

Heelflip. The heelflip is closely related to the kickflip, so this is probably the trick to learn after mastering kickflips. A heelflip is when a skater ollies into the air and flips the skateboard so that it rotates once (parallel to the ground) then lands on the skateboard in the same position he/she started in. To heelflip:

1. You should place your feet the same way you would for an ollie.
2. Your back foot should be on the tail.
3. Your front foot is towards the center of the board (hang your toes over the edge a bit).
4. Now Ollie and kick your back heel forward.

Indy Grab. The Indy Grab is considered a "grab" trick, hence the name. It can be performed on a skateboard as well as a snowboard. You'll mostly see this trick performed on a ramp. Before learning the indy grab, I recommend you master the ollie on a ramp first. To indy grab:

1. Drop down the ramp and start picking up speed.
2. Place your back foot on the back of your board (the tail).
3. Your front foot should be on your front trucks.
4. Ride towards the ramp and Ollie off the top as high as possible.
5. While you're up there, reach down and grab your board between your feet with your back hand.
6. Bend your knees deep to make this easier.
7. Try to hold the grab as long as you can, but don't forget that you have to land safely!

Make sure you've mastered basic skateboard tricks before attempting more difficult tricks. As silly as it sounds, safety should always come first. You should wear a helmet and all padding while skating, especially when trying new tricks - wipeouts are almost guaranteed to happen until you get the trick right!

Display your skateboards and keep them off the floor with Jimmy Racks original steel skateboard racks - holds 3 skateboards and can be installed on your wall in under 4 minutes!
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=James_R_Shaw

Longboard Wheel Guide - Understanding Your Longboard

Longboard Wheel Guide - Understanding Your Longboard
By Ilse Hagen

If you've got yourself a longboard, then you must be one of many enthusiasts who take to the streets to cruise for a ride. But this activity is not always about having fun. You also need to ensure that your longboard is properly taken care of to make sure that you've always got a ride when you need one. Need to change your longboard wheels? Here's a longboard wheel guide you can use.

The basics

Longboard wheels are designed for use in cruising and transport, ranging in size but available between 65 to 100 millimeters. Since they are bigger than other skateboard wheels, they are more stable and provide the user with a more comfortable ride. Because solid polyurethane combined with their size would make the wheels thick and heavy, hard plastic cores are usually used instead.

The issue of hardness and softness: a longboard wheel guide

Longboard wheels, as well as other skateboard wheels, can come in varying degrees of hardness, measured using the durometer A scale. The softest kind of wheels are rated at 75a, while the hardest are there on top with ratings of 99a. For those beyond the durometer A scale, it might be better to rely on the B or D scales, which have more accuracy and cover a wider range of hardness types.

Choosing your wheel: a quick tip

Wheel size is not just about finding something that fits your skateboard. Rather, you also need to factor in your own body size. The smaller you are, then the smaller your wheels will be. As for a longboard wheel guide, bigger folk actually have the advantage of using longboards since the wheels needed by a longboard are bigger, with sizes between 65 to 100 millimeters. This means that there won't be much need to go looking for the right wheels when you're big person using a longboard.

Important information
A complete longboard wheel guide is available at PickyGuide, the authority in free consumer advice. Access top-ranked, best-reviewed, and most competitively priced longboard wheels in PickyGuide's recommended products section.
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Understanding Lowrider Longboards - Finding the Right Longboards For You

Understanding Lowrider Longboards - Finding the Right Longboards For You
By Ilse Hagen

Longboards are essentially skateboards but are wider and longer, used for transportation purposes and for slalom, exhibition, and competitive riding. Typically, a longboard is made up of a deck, a set of wheels, bearings, and trucks in varying sizes depending on the kind of riding to be done. They may also be made from synthetic materials like carbon fiber and fiberglass or natural woods like maple or birch.

Kinds of longboards to choose from

Pintail longboards are best for general transportation, flatland cruising, and downhill bombing. They are very narrow skateboards at just about nine inches in width and extending up to 48 inches in length. Along with trucks installed at the farther ends of each side, they also have semi-slanted riser pads, allowing the rider to make deeper turns. However, because of this, beginners might find that pintail longboards may be difficult to maneuver. Lowrider longboards, on the other hand, are best meant for street riding. With decks made from durable laminated wood, lowrider longboards also have low profiles ideal for pushing and carving. Lowrider longboards also have trucks installed nearly at the tips to achieve better control and stability.

Choosing longboards: some tips

If you're more of a recreational rider, go for decks made from natural wood. They are inexpensive yet strong enough to handle the beating that accompanies general transportation. If you're more of a competitive rider, look for decks made from synthetic materials for more durability, since competitive riding is more punishing than recreational riding.

Longboards with stiff bushing is ideal for downhill bombing or adventure riding since they offer stability at high speeds. Softer bushing offers more control so they're more suited for general transportation.

General recreational riding calls for steel ball bearings, while downhill skating benefits from ceramic ball bearings because they lessen thermal resistance and friction. Ceramic ball bearings, though, are more expensive.

Important information
Complete information on lowrider longboards is available at PickyGuide, the authority in free consumer advice. Access top-ranked, best-reviewed, and most competitively priced longboards in PickyGuide's recommended products section.
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Skateboarding Tips - How to Nollie




Skateboarding Tips - How to Nollie
By Geoff Wheeler

Another one of my favorite skateboarding tricks, the nollie can give you a nice variation base for a lot of other tricks. You can switch up most street tricks by doing them "Nollie" first. Kick flips, heel flips and even varial tricks like a 360 flip can be done with a Nollie twist.

What's a Nollie? Well its just like a ollie but reversed...off the nose of your board instead of the tail. Myself, I've always found this to be the easiest skateboarding trick....even more then the simple ollie!...so have no fear. With a little practice and these few simple tips to follow you will master this trick in no time at all.

So if you want to start pulling off 360 nollie flips down a set of seven stairs, this would be a good place to start.

Pop And Slide So, with this trick it's really easy to get a great "pop" off your nose for awesome height and style when doing a nollie. Begin with your back foot almost 1/2 the way up your board. Have your front foot pointed at an angle and right on the front of the nose.

Lift Off! Now that you have your feet in the right position use the ball of your front foot to pop the nose off the ground. Try to completely lift your front foot off the nose of the board. So in essence you should look and feel like you're doing a one foot ollie. If we were to pause this in mid air your front foot would be totally off the board and kicking forward in the air.

Now Lean Back... All thats left to do is to slide the back foot up to the tail or end of your board and lean back...alot!...this is one of the few tricks where you wont easily mess up by leaning back. In fact it will really help.

So to wrap the Nollie...get some speed, place your feet correctly, pop the nose and lift/kick your front foot off into the air, lean back and slide your foot, land and roll away clean.

Best of luck learning this awesome skate trick.

Happy Skateboarding.

Geoff Wheeler has been involved in skateboarding for the past 20 years and writes about skate shoes including Ipath skate shoes
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Skateboarding - How to Heel Flip




Skateboarding - How to Heel Flip
By Geoff Wheeler

OK, so you have ollies and kick flips down solid it's now time to progress on to something a bit more challenging. The Heel flip. Here's how you do one: Pop your tail, kick your foot out, catch it and ride away...yeah right. Unfortunately this is how most Heel flip tips out there go. Not here. Here I'm going to break it down and give you in depth tips on how to pull this trick off correctly and with style. Ready?...here we go.

Moment of Zen before you try any new skateboarding trick I have always found its a great idea to visualize it clearly in your mind how the trick will look. Do this before you do the heel flip and even during it. Maybe imagine a heel flip from one of your favorite skate videos or one of your favorite pros pulling it off. This visualization really really works. So much like a kick flip uses the toe and kicks off at a slightly less then 180 degree angle, the heel flip is the same but you use your heel and you are kicking in the opposite direction. Do not kick straight out to the side and do not kick right out in front...make it in between the two. Get rolling with a little speed and give your board a good pop. When kicking your front foot out make sure to twist your foot and ankle to the side a bit...similar to how you slide your foot up the board somewhat sideways for an ollie the same is done for a heel flip. Only you kick out at an angle and completely off the board.

Airwalk it! Most people are paying so much attention to what their front foot is doing during this tricks they pretty much don't think about the back. Well here's another tried and true secret I've found when doing these. Kick your back foot out the opposite direction to the front foot. So essentially you are doing almost a scissor kick in the air or an "airwalk" visualize your legs doing this as you begin to kick. Don't just jump straight up and kick...that wont do it. You need to kick your back leg somewhat in the opposite direction.You don't have to over do it or kick out big time like with the front foot...just a little movement with the back foot will do it.This method has always worked for me and keeps my heel flips looking big, clean and stylish.

Ride away clean Catch your board in the air and land solid. OK the ending sounds too simple but, if you follow the above tips it is that simple.

In conclusion be sure to think about how awesome the trick will look in your mind and really see yourself pulling it off. Slide your front foot off the board at an angle while popping off the ground and kick your back foot in the opposite direction slightly.

I hope this helps you and happy skating!

Geoff Wheeler has been involved in skateboarding for the past 20 years and writes about skate shoes including Ipath skate shoes and Globe shoes.

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Choosing the Right Skateboard Retailer

Choosing the Right Skateboard Retailer
By John Pauls

There are plenty of retailers out there where you can buy a skateboard, but not all of them are right for you. There are some basic things you should be looking for when you shop around in one. If they can't offer these essential basics then you should do your shopping for a skateboard somewhere else. You don't want to settle for less than you deserve when it comes to the money you will invest in one.

Find out how long a particular skateboard retailer has been in business. If they have some longevity behind them it is reasonable to expect they are doing a great job of keeping their customers happy. This isn't to say you shouldn't give new skateboard retailers a try though. Just make sure they are able to prove their worthiness to you before you make a purchase.

How knowledgeable are their employees? You want to be sure your questions are going to be answered. If they don't seem to know very much about skateboarding or the products they sell it can be hard for you to get accurate information. Of course you can't expect them to know everything, but they should be able to offer you information on the basics. The store should also have a good selection of different types of skateboards for you to choose from.

If you feel pressured to make a purchase you should walk away. Many employees are working on a commission so they are going to press you into making a purchase right away. If you don't feel that they are giving you room to think about it exercise your right to leave. Of course if they are being helpful get their business card so you can buy it from them later on should you decide that is where you will be making such a purchase.

Find out if the skateboard retailer is willing to go that extra mile for you. Will they custom order a certain type of skateboard for you? Do they offer replacement parts so you can easily fix up your skateboard if something needs to be repaired on it? This can prove to be very convenient as well as more affordable than buying a new one. Look for a retailer that also offers you discounts and special promotions in order to keep you as a customer.

You should feel extremely comfortable when you enter any skateboard retail store. Since you will need to examine equipment and even test it out before buying, they should give you the freedom to do so. If you feel that they are keeping too tight of a reign in such areas then it can hinder your ability to buy a good quality skateboard that you are going to be truly happy with. You may want to discuss with the owner too so that they are able to help find a good solution.

Take the time to compare their prices to those of other retailers as well as online sites. They may offer you exceptional service, but why pay more money for the same skateboard that is offered for less by someone else? It is the efficient consumer that takes the time to compare such aspects before they make the purchase.

Even if you do take the time to carefully choose a skateboard, you may decide it isn't right for you later on. Make sure you are happy with their return policy as well. Some of them won't take a skateboard as a return. Others will only allow you to do so for store credit within a very short span of time. Be well aware of these policies before you make your purchase.

As skateboarding become more and more popular, the accessories of this sport are also become important. And skateboard plays the most important role. It's not only the tool of the sport, but also a way to show your unique personal style. SkateboardsPro.com is an online skateboard shop that provides many brands of complete skateboards and accessories such as skateboard decks, wheels, trucks etc. Skateboards are an absolutely good choice for Christmas gift for your boys even girls who are big fans of skateboarding.

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Skateboards Buying Guide

Skateboards Buying Guide
By Camille Parker

Skateboarding is fun and inexpensive and you do not require a team to go skateboarding. It is more than a fun activity as it benefits your body in many ways You will increase your muscle endurance, flexibility, and burn as much calories as are burnt by running but without affecting your joints. You can also customize your skateboard according to your personal needs and requirements, but if you are a beginner, it is recommended that you should prefer pre-built complete skateboards. Following are some guidelines to help you in buying an appropriate skateboard for enjoying various skateboarding tricks:

Style and comfort

Before buying a skateboard, it is very important to decide the style of skateboard according to the type of skating preferred. Skateboards come in three styles- street, park (or ramp), and longboards. Street and ramp skateboards are almost same and the difference lies in the size of the wheels. Buy a street skateboard if your skating involves flip tricks or grinds, and you like skating on the streets. If you like skating at the skate park or vert ramps, then prefer buying the ramp style skateboard. Longboards are used for either downhill racing or transportation and sidewalk surfing. It's important that the skates offer comfort and rigid ankle support.

Choosing the deck

Before choosing a deck, knowing its size and style is very important. Ramp tricks can be made easier with the help of a wider deck but flip tricks are difficult to perform with it. Flip tricks or street skating can be easily performed with the skateboards having smaller decks. But a person who wants to learn both the styles (street and ramps) should look for a skateboard deck that is neither too wide nor too narrow. If you want to use skateboards for transportation purpose, then prefer buying the bigger boards.

Selecting the wheels and trucks

Choosing the right size and hardness of your skateboard wheels is very important. The size and hardness of the skateboard wheels may vary according to the type of skating preferred. For performing tricks like kickflips and ollies, the street skaters prefer small and hard wheels. Hard wheels are also preferable for vert skating. The size of trucks to be used depends upon the size of wheels and deck. Trucks of greater height require higher wheels and your truck size should be within 1/4" of the size of the deck.

Browse through http://www.goskateorgohome.com to buy the skateboards and the skateboarding accessories by some of the top Skateboard brands like Alien Workshop, Almost, Angelboy, Birdhouse and many more.

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What You Need to Know About Discount Skateboarding Clothes

What You Need to Know About Discount Skateboarding Clothes
By Wendy Pan

If you're serious about having good, safe fun skateboarding, then you need to buy the best skateboard that you can afford. However, you can skimp a bit on what you want to wear while riding on your pricey skateboard. Depending on where you live, you may have to wear some protective gear before you can get on your board. Other than that, you can basically wear whatever you want.

Can You Skate Naked?

You are much better off wearing discount skateboarding clothes rather than skated naked. Not only is this illegal in some places, but it's also dangerous. There are a lot of falls involved and you don't want to land on a very sensitive spot without protection. Immediately after getting a concussion, you may feel just fine. But you can have serious brain damage if you let the concussion go untreated.

Of course, you could avoid all of this injury by wearing a helmet, knee pads, a mouth guard, an athletic cup (if you're a guy) and gloves. It's good to wear clothes that you find comfortable and that billow out and hamper your movement in any way. Some serious skaters also prefer to get a backpack to help store all of their gear in.

Where To Search

It's easy to find discount skateboarding clothes. You can get them at any sporting goods or toy store. A regular T-shirt and comfortable shorts are great for learning to skate. You also need a good pair of sneakers or tennis shoes that bend and help you feel the board underneath you.

A standard bike helmet will work as a skateboarding helmet. You need to be sure it has a chin strap to keep it from sailing off into the wild blue yonder. Because more states require that all children wear bike helmets, you can find them at any toy shop, sporting goods or department store.

The best time to look for discount skating clothes is in the fall and winter, because they are considered "off season". Products aimed for skateboarders are usually shipped to stores for a spring release so you can skateboard all during summer vacation (if you're lucky enough to still have summer vacation).

Specialty Stores

It can be confusing to go through all of your local stores and sort through the racks, wondering which item on sale would be specially suited for a skateboarder. There are stores that take the guesswork out for you. If you're not lucky enough to live near a skateboarding specialty shop, you can find many online.

In addition to discount skateboarding clothes, you can also find specials on the boards themselves or replacement parts for them, great sneakers and sunglasses. Many of these online stores also have tips and advice on skateboarding and comprehensive lists of where you can legally skateboard. Many also have online forums or chat rooms where you can meet new friends.

Wendy Pan is an accomplished niche website developer and author. To learn more about discount skateboarding clothes, please visit Best Skateboarding Gear for current articles and discussions.
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How to Kickflip




How to Kickflip
By Geoff Wheeler

So you have learned the basics of skateboarding, shove its and ollies are getting boring, board slides are a yawn and you have been really wanting to learn some crazy new flip tricks like a 360 flip or say an inside heel flip. Well before you can learn any of this stuff its best to mater the straight forward kick flip first. Now at first they may seem hard to pull off but with these few tips and a little practice you will be doing them in no time flat!

Just follow these tips:

1) The Kick, the first thing you need to do is to learn how to flip your board with your front foot. Hit down on the tail like you would an ollie and kick your front foot off the board at a angle thats between 90 degrees and straight out in front of you. Make sure you give it a good kick and jump straight up. Chances are the board will simply flip in front of you...now time to add the other elements to make you land the trick.

2) Your body position, make sure you are directly over your board while jumping. Don't lean too far back or you will just land on the tail...too far forward and it wont be pretty...just don't do it.

3) Speed, aloft of people try to learn this trick on grass or with the board stationary, that's fine and all but if you add in a little bit of speed you will find you are able to land the trick much quicker and with far better flow and style.

So to put this all together into a kickflip even Mike Carrol would be proud of , start with a little speed, pop your tail and really kick your front foot out a slight angle, keep your weight over your board and land with a smile on your face.

Have fun and good luck learning this trick.

Geoff Wheeler has been involved in skateboarding for the past 20 years and enjoys writing about skate shoes including Etnies shoes and Ryan Sheckler.
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The Ease and Difficulty of Three-Wheel Skateboarding

Three-Wheel Skateboarding
The Ease and Difficulty of Three-Wheel Skateboarding
By Wendy Pan

Do you love extreme sports? Well, using a three wheel skate board is about as extreme as they come. There are a lot of difficulties using a skateboard of this stature, but can also be a little easier at the same time. It is a lot like a three wheel ATV compared to a four wheel ATV. You gain a lot more mobility, but at the same time you lose a lot of leverage.

Using a three wheel skate board can be easier for maneuverability. Making sharp turns can be made easy only having three wheels instead of three. You have one wheel in the front of your board instead of the regular two and you have a swivel in the middle of your board, which allows for these sharp turns to be made. Having only three wheels can also help increase your speed because you are not using as much friction compared to the fourth wheel.

There are more dangers when using these three wheel skate boards. You have to be more careful about the turf you are skating on. You want to make sure it is a good surface with as little obstacles as possible. You do not want anything getting in the way of your one wheel in front because you may go for a big ride with a painful end. Since you only have one wheel in the front anything from a small rock to a small hole in the pavement may send your reeling. That is why it is always important to make sure you where the proper protective gear. Just like a three wheel ATV you have more maneuverability, but you do not have as much control over that maneuverability. You need a lot more balance to keep control of your board. Having only one wheel in the front also makes it really difficult to land difficult tricks and can also make simple tricks difficult.

Using a three wheel skate board may be fun and extreme, but it still requires a lot of practice. Skate boarding is a very dangerous sport that can cause some serious bodily injury. If you have never used a skateboard before I would recommend you use the four-wheel skateboards first before moving up to a three-wheeler. With that fourth wheel you can perfect your balance and technique, which you will need both of when using the three wheel skate board. The main adjustment you will probably have to make is for the swivel axel in the middle of your board. A four-wheel board does not have one of these. Unlike a four-wheel board you do not have to leave the ground to make a sharp turn. Just be aware that you have to shift your weight in order to control the balance so you do not end up eating the pavement.

Wendy Pan is an accomplished niche website developer and author.

To learn more about three-wheel skateboards, please visit Cheap Skateboards Online for current articles and discussions.
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Advanced Longboarding

Advanced Longboarding
By Marcello Chua

Long-boarding, the smoothest way to learn a new sport, work your muscles, and build quick goals for your self to help relax yourself in a fun, painless way.

Try standing on a skateboard first to get the feel of balance, try it in a private area first before you take it to the streets. This may take some time, but it is worth it.

It requires descent speed. 5mph to 15mph is just fine. The soft wheel can grip well, so don't feel intimidated by the hard, loud noise of a regular skateboard.

Let's start off with buying a long-board.

Since your just starting, we recommend a Star-lite Long-board. They are high quality, and start at a relaxing price of just $30. But beware, once you break it, it's time to buy a much higher quality long-board.

Long-boards are like large skateboards. They provide wider trucks (The specialized Axles), Soft Polyurethane wheels, very smooth rolling Bearings (mechanical inner ball wheel for extra roll), and a longer and wider deck (Skateboard). They are about 6" longer than regular skateboards.

Let's get into the concept of Carving with a long-board.

Carving is a wide long turn with ease, and flow. The force getting you into the turn is why it is soothing. The force pulls through you, and delivers a cool feeling. When you link carves to the way your body goes, it starts getting fun. It's basically long turns put in together. It is best done on

Start off on flat, or a small long slope, give it a good push, and off you go. When turning, you are going to lean with the board the way you want to turn, after holding the turn a good amount of time (2-4 seconds) Transition your body leaning the other direction into the same angle and time to get the right feel.

Now you learned to carve.

I will have a new article tomorrow on the fun of long-boarding. But the next will be more Adv. accelerating you into the next step of long-boarding.

If you think you've learned enough and your ready to get advanced. My Advanced Long-boarding article will be in next week.

Believe me, it can get dirty. Hint (Speed and control, we seriously mean speed and control)

Date of Article: 9/3/08

My common names are Marcello, SundaySoldier, Skate_Mate, and SS45. If you see those names, it may be my article.

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Skateboarding Logos

Skateboarding Logos
By Robert Grazian

Skateboarding which is one of the leading sports worldwide has its origin from California, United States probably in the year 1960s. These Skateboarders use skating boards to slide over the streets. In 1964 Surfer Publication, California published Skateboarder magazine. During 1965 international championship award were distributed. This championship award provided more popularity to this sport.

As a continuous of these awards many production companies started producing Skateboard wheels using fiberglass, aluminum and plywood. The most popular of these is plywood, which is considered to be more comfortable by the sportsmen. In the earlier days, this skating was performed in streets. Nowadays, it is performed in ice covered mountain cliffs and skate parks. This type of skating was started as a hobby but now it is grown up to international sport.

The players have their own Skateboarding logo, which recognizes them in person. These logos are colorful and are in different sizes. Variety of themes is also available. Some skateboarding logos are modern, trendy and even some are comical.

Some of Skateboarding logos are 'A Team Skate Picture Logo' - which is worded as A CHAIN IS ONLY AS STRONG AS ITS WEAKEST LINK.
The Second one is that 'Alien Workshop Green and Orange Logo'.
And the third kind of Skating board logo is that 'Classic Independent Skate Logo'.
'Flip Wishing Lamp Skate Logo' is the fourth kind and the other kind is that 'Real Skateboards Logo'.
The other kinds of Skateboarding Logos are as follows
'Red Globe Skateboarding Logo',
'Santa Cruz Logo',
'Doh Doh Little Bushings Logo Picture',
'Flip Cheshire Cat Logo',
'Black and White Toy Machine Logo',
'Zero Skull Logo',
'Krooked Skateboards Logo',
'Anti-Hero Logo',
'Spitfire Wheels Logo',
'eS Shoes Red Skate Logo',
'Alien Workshop Green Alien with Gasmask Logo',
'Red Think Skate Logo',
'Thunder Trucks Logo Logo',
'Element Skateboard Products Skate Logo Picture',
'World Industries Devil Skateboarding Logo',
'Blind',
'Osiris Shoes Skateboarding Co Logo Picture',
'Incognito Skate Logo Picture' and 'Classic Girl Skateboards Logo'.

These logos help to identify the sportsmen during the game. They also depicts the mood, character of the skateboarder apart from describing his personality. Varieties of logos are also available for women, men and children. Usually they are registered or trademarked. One can't use other company's logo. Among all other company's logo Santa Cruz Logo is a most popular one. Logo plays an important part in Skateboarding.

Robert Grazian is an accomplished niche website developer and author. To learn more about skateboarding visit Skateboarding Like The Pros for current articles and discussions.

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Who Invented Skateboards?

Who Invented Skateboards?
By Gary Pearson

The fact that skateboards exist does not necessarily mean that they were invented by someone. They are one of those phenomena that just seem to have evolved. It is thought that the idea became popular in the 1950's. Originally called sidewalk surfers, they were a hit with the surf community on the west coast. Although it is not known who invented skateboards there are some interesting facts about them that we can pin down to individuals.

We know that skateboards were first sold commercially in 1958 by Bill and Mark Richards. These were pretty basic boards made by fixing roller skate wheels to pieces of wood - there is little that can be changed about this basic construction! This was, not surprisingly, in California, the home of the surfers. Although this is not who invented skateboards, they were probably the first retailers. The fact that skateboards were made popular by the surf community, possible for use when there were no waves and they had nothing to do, is reflected in the shape that the boards are constructed. They are always surfboard shaped, particularly some of the smaller plastic ones that were so popular in the 1960s and 70s.

One other fact that we know is who invented skateboard kicktails. This was Richard Stevenson and he patented the design in 1969. This was as an improvement to the basic design of the boards to help perform tricks by lifting up the front end. This has become an essential part of the modern skateboard.

Another design element that was patented was much more recent. In 1993 a patent was issued for the platform steerable skateboard. This was to a Thomas Welsh. Once again, this is not who invented skateboards, but definitely someone who was instrumental in their evolution.

The basic design of the skateboard does not seem to have one particular, definitive inventor. They were originally just a plank of 4 x 2 on a roller skate. This was probably a roller skate belonging to your sister and, as you can make two skateboards out of her roller skates, it no doubt bought you a friend as well. The chances are that skateboarders of that day were always seen in pairs! As we know, necessity is the mother of invention and perhaps it was someone who could not find both their roller skates who invented skateboards. I do not think that we will ever find an answer.

There are probably many people out there who would claim to know who invented skateboards, and maybe even some who would claim the crown themselves. I actually remember my father telling me a long time ago that he used to fasten his school books to a roller skate with his belt, sit on it and career down the hill to school. This would have been in the 1940s in England! Perhaps he deserves the crown!

Gary Pearson is an accomplished niche website developer and author.

To learn more about skateboards visit Skateboarding Like the Pros for current articles and discussions.

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Skateboarding - Back From the Sixties With a Vengeance

Skateboarding - Back From the Sixties With a Vengeance
By Lana Hawkins

In the decade of the 1960s skateboarding was known as sidewalk surfing. The sport was akin to surfing and the surf mentality. It went underground during the 1970s and 1980s but came back with a vengeance in the 1990s. The counterculture sport has spun off sportswear and fashion that has become its own industry. Every school around the country has a clique that uses the skateboard as the centerpiece of their lifestyle. These skateboarders not only sit around and watch skateboarding videos all day but they also actually practice the sport by going to skateboard parks which are especially constructed so that the skateboarders can do tricks and aerials just like there hero Tony Hawk.

Just watch a skateboarding video once and you will find out that the sport takes the agility and balance of surfing without the comfort of falling into water. When these guys take a dive they hit rock hard concrete. Sometimes considered daredevils, these skateboarders can do tricks which include 360s in midair, 180s that will lift the skateboarder upside down with the skateboard above their head, and daredevil feats such as hopping their board onto a metal hand rail on a set of stairs. If you want to start the sport of skateboarding it is pretty cheap to begin. You can find a board and safety equipment for under $300 at most sporting-goods shops. The sport only gets expensive when you decide to fall into the skateboarding culture and buy the top line equipment and all the fashion and glamour that go with it.

For some great history on skateboarding I highly recommend watching the movie Dogtown and Z-Boys, a Sony Pictures Classic. The next paragraphs are a direct quote from a review of the movie by Author: Pepper Anne from Orlando, Florida.

Quoting Pepper Anne "Anyone looking to learn more about the development of skateboarding should find Dogtown and Z-Boys adequate research material. This is not to be confused with Lords of Dogtown, that sorry Hollywood attempt to cash in on the success of the original Dogtown revival."

The movie was directed by Stacey Peralta one of the original Dogtown members and co-written by Craig Stecyk who is a skateboarding photojournalist.

The movie shows how in the 1970's in California, groups of surfers with skate boards would find empty swimming pools (due to a drought and ban on water usage) when the waves were dead and use the pools as vertical courses. It all started here. Of course now there are places in public parks that are built just for this activity. If you want to see some excellent skateboarding history and watch a cool movie, rent this vid.

To learn more about skateboarding history, watch the movie trailer that shows how vertical skateboarding started. Then watch 20 more skateboarding videos at Extreme Sports Blog. Watch experts and dogs skateboarding. Then visit the other 49 categories of extreme sports videos at ExtremeSportsBlog.com.

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Plan B Skateboards

Plan B Skateboards
By Josh Brennon

Plan B Skateboards is one of the worlds most popular brands of skateboards. The company is committed to producing high quality boards with some amazing graphics and designs. Plan B also has quite a history about when it was started and how it has recently made a come back. It also has many very popular pro skaters that ride for the team like Ryan Sheckler and Danny Way, who is currently one of the owners.

Plan B skateboards are one of the most popular brands of skateboards for a reason. They make their decks out of the best wood in order to create a quality product. Plan B not only sells decks but they sell wheels, clothing and more. Thought is put into every board that is designed and their board graphics are some of the best in the industry.

Plan B was started in 1991 by Mike Ternasky. The company was made of many of the best pro skaters of the time and gained momentum as a great company very quickly, the Plan B team was known as one of the most influential skate teams of the early nineties. That moment was carried all the way through 1994 until Ternasky was tragically killed in a car accident. The news greatly affected all of the Plan B team and even through the best efforts of Danny Way and Colin McKay, who took over ownership, to keep Plan B together, Plan B soon disappeared from the scene. The connection of Mike Ternasky's tragedy to the name Plan B was too great to continue the company. Plan B disappeared from the scene for 10 years, then in 2005 Danny Way and Colin Mckay started the company back up by again building it with the industries top skaters. Plan B is once again near the top of the best skateboarding brands and best skateboarding teams. Their pro riders are Danny Way, Colin Mckay, PJ Ladd, Ryan Gallant, Brian Wenning, Pat Duffy, Paul Rodriguez, Jereme Rodgers and Ryan Sheckler.

In this years 2008 X Games Danny way put on one of the most spectacular performances of all time in the big air competition. On Way's second attempt he crashed his feet and shins into the coping on the way down in brutal fashion. No one thought he would be able to continue but in true Danny Way fashion he stood up and walked off the ramp. Not only that, he got back up on top of the ramp to finish out his last 3 big air attempts. Reports later concluded that Danny had broken his foot on that 2nd attempt, but then went on to land attempts 3 and 5 with a broken foot. Danny ended up walking away with the silver medal. Ryan Sheckler took home the gold medal in the street skate competition in the same x games.

As a company, Plan B has been through many changes, some very bad and some very good. Now Plan B Skateboards is one of the worlds greatest skateboard companies and greatest skateboarding teams.

Plan B Skateboards are an incredible skateboard company with an amazing history. They are personally my favorite brand, but there are loads of other awesome skateboards with great designs and strong companies.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Josh_Brennon

Choose the Right Skateboard and Learn Some Basic Skateboard Tricks

Choose the Right Skateboard and Learn Some Basic Skateboard Tricks
By Tony Wheeler

Experienced skateboarders realize that in order for maximum performance, the type of skateboard they ride makes every bit of difference effecting their ability to complete basic skateboard tricks.

According to many inexperienced skateboarders, all skateboards might appear to be created the same. The fact is, there are a few different types of skateboards to choose from. These skateboards differ in length and in concavity depths. There are two main types of skateboards: long and short. The different shapes of both long and short skateboards make an extreme difference in how the skateboard rides overall. To complete advanced tricks, the skateboard must be concave, referring to the curve of the board in relation to the raised nose and tail of the skateboard. A concave board is especially important for performing difficult tricks, such as an ollie. A skateboard ollie is a jump that begins by tapping the tail of the skateboard and sliding the foot to the front of the board in the air. Skateboards consist of three main parts:the deck, which is the part that the rider stands on, and the wheels and trucks, which are located on the underside of the deck.

The two most common skateboards are called the traditional skateboard and the long board. They differ in the length of the deck. Traditional skateboards are the most common type used for tricks. These boards are generally shorter than 33 inches (84cm). Long boards are usually over 35 inches (89cm) and are mainly used for cruising.

Skateboard concavity ranges from shallow to deep. Certain long board skateboards are designed only for cruising and may not have enough concavity for tricks. The depth of the curve is important for mastering tricks and ramps, and a deeper curve allows for more precision tricks. Beginners should always start out with shallower skateboards for safety reasons and ease of learning. Deeply concave skateboards are usually more expensive, more difficult to master and are more easily damaged.

A less important difference between skateboards is the materials that they are made from. Wood is the most common material, but is also the most easy to damage. Experienced skateboarders prefer their skateboards to be made of wood due to the responsiveness that the board offers. Less expensive skateboards can be made of plastic, fiberglass or aluminum. As you can see, there are many elements involved in choosing the best skateboard for your needs and skill level. Keep practicing and don't give up!

Thank you for taking the time to read this article. We Hope this information helps you in your quest to advance in thisfun and challenging sport.

Good Luck!

Anthony Wheeler is both an avid surfer and skateboarder. He is passionate about teaching, including everything having to do with skateboarding and surfing. He enjoys an active lifestyle which allows him to practice these two very exciting sports.

He also operates two stores, Skaterama and PB Skate & Surf.
Visit http://skaterama.com or http://pbskate.com for a wide selection of quality brand name skate & surf products.

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Learn How to Build a Skateboard Ramp the Easy Way

Learn How to Build a Skateboard Ramp the Easy Way
By John Grant

In a time when there are limited ramps available especially in parks and playgrounds, creating your very own skateboard ramp is probably the best solution to this problem of insufficiency. By following these quick and simple steps, anyone can own a solid and stable ramp for their own backyards.

Finding a nice play to skate is very hard these days, especially with some parks always full of children who are just trying to the same thing. At the same time, some parks do not have the adequate space or are just too crowded to accommodate skateboard ramps. To avoid these problems, one of the best solutions is to create your very own skateboard ramps either at home or in any backyard. To make this possible, follow this simple guide on how to design and build a stable skateboard ramp.

Before moving on with the project, it is best to gather first all the tools and materials that are needed to build a strong and stable skateboard ramp. The tools needed are nails and screws, electric plane, glue, electric saw, and drill. Meanwhile, the required materials include a single piece of plywood that measures 12 millimeters thick and 600 millimeters by 1200 millimeters. Another piece is needed, this time something that measures 6 millimeters thick and 970 millimeters by 600 millimeters. Finally, the three pieces of timber measuring 45 millimeters by 35 millimeters by 576 millimeters each complete all the materials.

After gathering all these important tools and materials, move on to create that perfect skateboard ramp following these simple instructions:

1. Pick up the 12-millimeter wood then cut it equally into two, with each one forming right-angled triangles at one end. The base of these triangles measures 900 millimeters, while the height 300 millimeters. Use the two triangles to build the sides of the skateboard ramp.

2. After cutting the plywood, use a plane to shape one of the timbers, creating an angle that is similar with the top of the two wood triangles. Then, move on to rivet the timber on to the two sides of the triangles one at a time. Place another timber and rivet it on to the lower right angle edge. Firmly place the final piece of timber at the middle part of the triangle and then rivet it once again. Be careful when riveting, making sure that both pieces are square and flat before fastening them together, in order to produce a more desirable result.

3. After everything is in the right position, it is now time to nail the pieces together permanently. From the remaining plywood, cut a smaller piece and then contour it using an electric plane, following the angle to create the pointed part of the skateboard ramp. Use a glue to hold the piece in place and then use a nail to keep the pieces intact while the glue dries off. Place the plywood on top of the frame, making sure that it is aligned with the top and both sides of the frame.

John Grant is a the author for a how to site where he is writing articles about how to build a skateboard ramp.
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Online Skateboarding Games

Online Skateboarding Games
By Ian Pennington

Action games seem to be all the rage. Auto theft, driving, taxi cabs, sim games of every kind. Skateboarding games are quite popular with the teenagers, who simulate skateboarding in some of the most wicked conditions out there. Online skateboarding games are received far better than most of the cd or disk games because they are able to interact and play online against other players at the same time they get their thrills from the skateboard action.

There are actually some very good online skateboarding games that can be played for trial time, or even for free, without payment of any kind ever. Most of them let you select your board, the location where they ride the boards and even invite a friend to play with them. They combine flash and several other technologies to permit you to play for free, the games are fairly rapid, and you have the option to add different moves to your skateboarding technique so that you can win additional points in the game.

Several of the premier online skateboarding game sites do charge a fee for their use, however many such sites do not, but are instead traffic, or advertiser driven. That is to say that the traffic to the site, or the clicks on particular ads will make the site owner their fees rather than charging them to the game player.

One such online skateboarding game is located on funny-games.com, which is one of the best out there for drawing in players and for free play. There is no cost to use the site, nothing to download and the skateboarding doesn't cost either. The advertisements were minimal, not of the popup variety and the play was interesting.

Classic-consoles.com offers the would be player not only online skateboarding games, but also some of the biggest and best of the online board games, as well as sim games and older style board games such as their version of Autopsy, an "Operation" style game where you are the doctor, and backgammon, chess, checkers and several others. The site costs nothing to play. The games are flash based, and take very little time to load or to use. .

Online games in general have become a huge draw for the 10-15 year old crowd, and the best sites are paid by advertising, offering the gamers a free place to play online games as well as to interact with other teens or kids in their age groups. Online skateboarding games are one of many games they offer for free. The controls are easy to use, the games are generally flash driven and the cost is free. What's not to love about a site like that?

Ian Pennington is an accomplished niche website developer and author. To learn more about skateboarding games, please visit Best Skateboarding for current articles and discussions.
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Two Best Skateboard Tricks

Two Best Skateboard Tricks
By Pauline Stradlen

If you follow my tips below you will learn the two best skateboard tricks that any new skater can learn, they are easy, fun, and your friends will be amazed.

The most important trick that any new skater can learn is the ollie. This trick is a fundamental part of almost every other more advanced trick, and here I am going to show you exactly how to do it.

Stand on your board with your back foot at the very end of the tail, your front foot should be just behind the middle of the board. Keep your knees bent at all times, and when you're first learning this move don't try to ride too fast as you'll fall and end up on you tube.

To start this move you need to crouch as low as you can get on your board, the lower you get the higher you will be able to ollie. Then you need to slam your back foot down as hard as you can and jump as high as you can. Slide your front foot forward until it is just over your front truck and lean forward. Keep your balance over the centre of the board and absorb the shock of the landing by bending your knees.

Now that you have mastered the Ollie it is time to move on to more advanced tricks. The next one I am going to tell you about is the kick flip. This one looks really impressive but is actually quite easy.

You will start off exactly as you did for the Ollie. This time after you hit the tail as hard as you can and jump in the air, you slide your front foot forward but also flick it off the edge of the board and press it down at the same time. If you do this correctly your front foot will make the board spin 360°. You will learn exactly how much pressure to use with the front foot in order to make the board do a complete flip, if you hit it too hard or too soft it will either spin too much or not enough and you'll end up bailing.

Like I said earlier make sure that you keep your knees bent at all times during every trick. This will help you to keep your balance and also reduce the risk of you injuring yourself. When you are learning a brand new trick it is always a good idea to do it without moving, either on the grass or on a piece of carpet.

If you follow my trick tips you'll be skating like a pro in no time. You should practise every day to make sure you have these tricks perfected, then you can move on to the really advanced ones.

Pauline Stradlen works as a Private Investigator and runs a website for people who think they might be in a cheating relationship To find answers to your infidelity questions visit http://www.answersabc.com

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Skateboarding - The Most Extreme Sport

Skateboarding - The Most Extreme Sport
By Josh Brennon

There is nothing that is more extreme then the sport of skateboarding. Skateboarding started out by simply nailing rolling skate wheels to a plank of wood and has since evolved into a worldwide phenomenon and recognized extreme sport.

Skateboarding has gone through a lot to get to the point it is at now but that discussion is for a different article. Here I want to talk about why skateboarding is so extreme and so popular.

Skateboarding takes a kind of athlete that very few sports require. Balance, strength, intuition, guts, skill and a natural ability are just a small sample of what a person needs to become a great skateboarder.

The skateboarders of today are quite possibly the most talented athletes in the world. When you compare the difficulty, danger, skill level, variety and competition of the sport it is really not hard to see why. There are also a number of avenues that the sport of skateboarding has been down that solidified it as an extreme sport, avenues like the X Games and the Gravity Games.

When you think of an athlete you generally think of a football, baseball or basketball player. Perhaps you think of a track and field athlete, swimmer or tap dancer (kidding).

Before the recent skateboard revolution in the 90's and today not many people would have lumped skateboarders into the category of athlete; thug, trouble maker, talented or maybe skilled, but not athlete.

But now when you compare the types of tricks skateboarders are doing, and the unbelievable things they get their bodies to do when they are 15 feet in the air and then land smooth just to hit another huge air seconds later to the things "typical" athletes do, people are actually starting to say that skateboarders are arguably MORE athletic then a what we know as a "typical" athlete.

After watching competitions like the X Games I am not one to argue that point. What professional skateboarders are able to do with a chunk of wood on wheels is uncanny.

Simply the danger and difficulty of skateboarding are enough to steer thousands of hopeful professional skaters away from the scene, but those that press through know what it took to get there. There are not too many other sports that draw comparisons of difficulty to skateboarding.

Take this for example you take off going extremely fast launch into the air, while your in the air you flip your body, rotate the board under your feet, catch the board with your hand, put the board back under your feet, land on the board and keep riding... oh and do it all with style. It is pretty amazing what skateboarders are able to do these days and very fun to watch.

Luckily the main stream has caught on to this incredible sport and competitions like x games and gravity games now highlight skateboarding as one of their main events. This gets the word out and shows the world that these guys are in the most extreme sport and deserve to be called world class athletes.

Skateboards are an incredibly fun and extreme board to ride. There are loads of great boards to choose, and another cool extreme board is the ripstick caster board

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Josh_Brennon

Basic Skateboard Tricks

Basic Skateboard Tricks
By Katie Appleby

A skateboard trick basically requires lots of practice to get a hold of the right technique. The skateboard must be snapped down as you make the front foot slide down and jump, but ones you attain mastery over it you can learn other common skateboard tricks easily.

One needs to buy good skate shoes, as skating with regular shoes will be harder and even dangerous. The large flat bottoms of the skate shoes gives better grip on the board. A helmet is also important while skating. And of course, wearing protective pads will protect you from injury.
Here are a few basic skills you'll want to master:

360 Ollie - one must pop up the board high and spin around and land in the same way it started. 360 is performed at ramps and high curbs as it needs hang time in plenty to spin around.

Ollie 180 - pop up into the air and spin at 180 degrees and then land. Before one begins to ride on the skateboard one must know how to turn, stop and be comfortable and confident. You also need to balance well, without this you will not be able to land.

New skaters always face the problem of low Ollies, and it could be very frustrating when you are unable to get the right Ollies. Low Ollies are due to not picking up the feet high enough. One also needs to center the shoulder properly and relax. The back foot needs to be snapped in the air and the knees slammed close to ones chest.

If you continue to have problems try pulling up your feet without bothering about the front foot. Keep trying.

Power sliding a skate board is the fastest and the coolest technique of stopping a skateboard. Many find it difficult to powerslide a skateboard, but it is valuable to learn. The art of stopping immediately will help you to stop when you see traffic, prevent you from colliding with someone, and it will help you to stop in style.

Here are some great slides to learn:

Bert slide - here the skater bends down low, places the hand on the floor and lets the feet and the board slide at 180 degrees. Bert slide looks very stylish and smooth. It is a very smooth trick that anyone can easily learn. One need not know to Ollie to learn Bert slide.

Kickturns - it is all about balancing the rear wheel and swinging the front to a new track

Footbreaking - it is a great way to halt incase you are moving fast. It prevents crashing and burning.

Katie Appleby is an accomplished niche website developer and author. To learn more about basic skateboard tricks, please visit Skateboarding Like The Pros for current articles and discussions.

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