Sport - is life. In this, it would seem, not a new and hackneyed expression, there is a meaning that is still relevant now as well as before. Practicing any kind of sport improves health, makes the body hardy and strong.
What kind of sport to engage in - everyone chooses based on their own preferences. Skateboarding occupies a special place among them.
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Skateboarding appeared a long time ago, in the 1930s-1950s. Its ancestors were Californian surfers. During periods when the ocean did not indulge in suitable waves, they practiced on boards and boxes with wheels attached.
In the 60-70s. of the last century, this hobby has become very popular and has become not only one of the areas of extreme sports, but also a full-fledged subculture with its own rules, music and customs. At the same time, the largest companies were founded, which to this day are leaders in the production of skateboards, spare parts for them and equipment.
The name of the first inventor of this type of skating is unknown, but the first to make a skateboard, taking into account the peculiarities of its use, was the publisher of the sports magazine Surf Guide Larry Stevenson. He also organized the first competitions in this sport among teenagers.
Skateboarding became so popular that roller skaters became a menace on the streets, and the police began to pursue them, imposing fines and even arresting the most zealous riders. This reduced the hype around skateboarding.
In the 70s, the same Larry Stevenson invented a board of a new form, with edges turned up.At the same time, boards began to be equipped with polyurethane wheels, which provided excellent grip with asphalt, and multilayer maple plywood was recognized as the best material for the board itself. However, this did not cancel experiments with decks made of fiberglass or aluminum.
The 1980s saw the introduction of complex tricks, including the famous no-hands jump invented by Alan Gelfand. Riding on vertical ramps appeared, but due to their small number and difficulties in accessing them, the street style did not lose its popularity and was also marked by the emergence of new tricks, including the still popular impossible and kickflip, which were developed by Rodney Mullen.
The advent of the freestyle style, which was used on ramps, led to the emergence of boards of a new type. They were distinguished by a narrowed nose and large soft wheels.
Today, skateboarders are sticking to the style that was laid down in the 90s. last century. Still, street style remains more popular than freestyle. Accordingly, most skateboards on the market are 30-32 inches long and 7-8.6 inches wide, and are equipped with hard polyurethane wheels for the best grip. The traditional shape of the board is in the form of a "fish".
In 2016, it was announced that skateboarding would be included in the program of the Tokyo Olympic Games, which were planned to be held in 2020, but due to the difficult epidemiological situation in the world, they were postponed.
The skateboard consists of four main elements:
Wheels can be made from different materials. It can be polyurethane of varying degrees of hardness, a special gel, plastic, etc. Wheels differ not only in rigidity, but also in size. It is on them that you should be guided when choosing a board for a particular style.
Skateboarding competitions involve the athlete taking a certain stance and performing a series of tricks. Acceleration and acceleration is carried out with the help of a jogging leg.
Simple tricks are performed as part of regular skating. These include the basic ollie jump, in which the skate takes off from the ground and then continues along the same trajectory. Its variation, the nollie jump, is performed in the same way, but with a click from the front of the board.
There are five main styles in modern skateboarding:
Skate parks also offer stunt scooters and bikes.
A large number of domestic and foreign companies are engaged in the release of boards for skaters. As a rule, they have a certain focus and offer a product for a specific segment of consumers.
The best boards for beginners can be found in the catalogs of companies such as SK (Sports Collection), Union, Atemi and Globe. Each of these firms has its own advantage that distinguishes it from a number of others.
For SK, this is popularity among buyers who recognize the skateboards of this company as the best in terms of price and quality. Union relies primarily on the unusual interesting design of the surface of the boards. Atemi skateboards come in a wide range of prices and have a fair amount of simple, budget-friendly skateboards that are high quality and give you the opportunity to learn the basics of doing tricks. Globe does not focus on design, but on innovation. In the products of this company, you can find components made from new materials, as well as new design solutions and developments.
Boards made for experienced athletes are different from those designed for beginners.One of the best companies in this segment of the market is Hello Wood, which sets the fashion trends in skateboarding and releases boards that allow you to perform the most difficult tricks.
Larsen skateboards are distinguished by high build quality, and the brightest and most unusual professional boards in shape and design are produced by Footwork.
Boards for children and teenagers are smaller and lighter. Termit brand skateboards are considered the best children's products in terms of price and quality. Shantou Gepai is recognized as the leader in the plans of interesting design for girls and boys. Leader Kids provides customers with the best range of children's products for outdoor activities, including boards.
When choosing a skateboard, it is necessary to take into account not only suitability for a particular style, but also a number of other criteria. These include the elasticity of the material from which the deck is made, the structural features of the suspension, the characteristics of the material from which the wheels are made, the quality and reliability of the assembly, the speed of acceleration on various surfaces. For beginners, stability and safety will be important indicators.
The design of the skateboard is also important, especially when it is planned to participate in competitions, since entertainment is one of the important characteristics of this sport. A bright skateboard with a memorable design is no less important than flashy equipment.
An important indicator is the price. It makes little sense to buy an expensive professional board for a beginner, since he may change his mind about playing this sport. In addition, professional equipment can be dangerous for inexperienced athletes due to high acceleration and less stability.
In order not to make a mistake with the choice, you need to pay attention to each component of the skateboard. An important indicator is the material from which the deck is made. The most common is 7-ply maple plywood, but other materials can be used.
It is necessary to look not only at the length of the deck, but also at its width. The width of the board largely determines its suitability for various styles. It must also match the athlete's foot size.
Width standards have a traditional unit of measure - inches:
In the category for adults there is also a gradation in size:
Buying a skateboard "for growth" will be a mistake that can lead to injury. It is necessary to choose it based on the actual height and age of the athlete.
An important nuance is the depth of the bends of the deck, called concaves. They are of three types:
Another important nuance is the year of manufacture of the projectile. Since the main part of it is a plywood deck, over time it can begin to lose strength, deform and crack. To check for deformation, you need to take the skate by the nose and turn it at an acute angle towards you. The curves of the nose and tail should be visually parallel.
It would be a mistake to choose a skateboard whose suspension protrudes beyond the width of the deck. The ideal option is when the deck and the edges of the axles are on the same level. They are allowed to be slightly narrower. With the wheels protruding beyond the plane of the skate, it will be very difficult to make turns on it, which can lead to injury.
In addition to the width of the suspension, you need to look at its height, which can be of three types: low, medium and high. The suspension of the first type is used with wheels with a diameter of 49-53 mm. Medium is the most versatile option. High is most often found on cruiser skateboards.
Wheels can be not only polyurethane, but also gel, and their diameter ranges from 48 to 60 mm. The smaller the size, the lower the possible speed, but the acceleration on them will be the fastest. For large wheels, the rule is exactly the opposite: maximum top speed at the slowest acceleration.
For normal riding, skateboards with large wheels are suitable, for tricks - with small ones.Wheels can be hard or soft. Softer ones wear out faster, but they are better for beginners, as they give a better feel to the skate and make it easier and safer to control. Hard wheels are great for sliding, but due to the weak cushioning, boards with such wheels are suitable for athletes who already have experience. You can determine the type of wheels by the characteristics of the skate, they are designated by the letters A, B and D. Type D is the most rigid.
It is desirable that the bearings used in the model be from a good, reliable manufacturer, since cheap components can jam or fall apart quickly enough.,
Griptail, or self-adhesive sandpaper skin, comes in a wide variety of colors and with varying degrees of grit. The more rough it is, the less likely the shoe is to slip off while riding.
Without losing sight of any of the above factors, you can choose a skateboard that is best suited for a particular style, taking into account the height and age of the athlete.
This ranking presents the best sports equipment in three price categories designed to perform tricks.
This list contains the most budget models that are not professional, but are quite suitable for performing some types of tricks.
The average price is 2226 rubles.
Despite the relatively low cost, this model is perfect for performing fairly complex jumps. It has all the necessary structural elements: a pronounced concave, as well as a nose and tail bend, which ensures the stability of the athlete.
The average price is 2490 rubles.
With a weight of 1.6 kg, this colorful model is perfect for children who are just starting to learn this sport. The traditional cruiser fish shape, made of strong ABS plastic, and aluminum suspension provide good speed and stability, and LED wheel lighting will increase the visibility of the child on the road at night, which will contribute to greater safety. The maximum weight of an athlete is 100 kg.
The average price is 2500 rubles.
Crafted from 8-ply maple plywood, this model features 32mm wide wheels with a bold print and can easily carry loads up to 80kg. Ideal for both casual riding and jumping at skate parks. Size - 31.6 x 8 inches.
An overview of the brand's skateboards - in the video:
The average price is 3790 rubles.
With a deck size of 31.6 x 8 inches, the projectile is suitable not only for children over the age of 8 and teenagers, but also for adults. The wooden deck and aluminum suspension keep the weight to a minimum, which is good for beginners.The model was released in 2022.
The average price is 4863 rubles.
This stylish model with a bold design and hard polyurethane wheels is too difficult for beginners, but for those with confident riding skills, it can deliver a lot of fun with high speed, excellent maneuverability and the ability to perform a wide variety of tricks. 7-ply Canadian maple plywood and aluminum hanger make this projectile lightweight yet strong and reliable.
Testing this model - in the video:
In this price category, shells are presented that are distinguished by the greatest versatility, which are always popular due to the ratio of affordable cost and high quality.
The average price is 5100 rubles.
A stylish model that can withstand weight up to 100 kg, thanks to the floral print, is perfect for the fairer sex. The traditional seven-ply Canadian maple body and aluminum suspension make the construction strong and reliable. Size - 31 x 8 inches, wheel size - 52 mm.
Video tips for choosing PLAYSHION boards:
The average price is 5800 rubles.
The 31" x 8" model is crafted from seven layers of Canadian maple and features a 5" wide aluminum pendant. Designed for skate parks and allows you to perform various jumps and slides on the ramps and other elements available there.
The average price is 5800 rubles.
This projectile is intended primarily for performing tricks and has all the structural elements necessary for this: a curved nose and tail and a pronounced concave. Size - 31 x 8 inches. The body is made of two types of materials: five central layers are made of northeast maple, and two outer layers are made of durable Canadian maple.
Video introduction to this and other skateboards of the brand:
The average price is 6490 rubles.
This bright projectile, developed in 2022, combines high reliability and good technical characteristics. Suitable for most tricks. Size 31.5 x 8 inches.Models under this brand have been produced since 2009, and currently they can boast that most of the components (griptail, suspension, wheels, bearings) are developed and produced by the company independently, taking into account the latest trends in this area.
The average price is 7370 rubles.
This sports equipment is suitable for both regular street skating and various exercises in the skate park. High stability and reliability of the design make it the best option for beginners. Size - 31.785 x 8 inches. In the assortment of a number you can find the most unexpected colors and patterns. A can of condensed milk, symbols of the 1980 Olympics, a pack of dumplings or Khokhloma painting - all this and much more can be seen on Union Advertise products.
Overview of boards from Union:
This category presents professional models of the highest quality, designed for professional athletes.
The average price is 10245 rubles.
Cool eye-catching design from the Alien Workshop brand is not the only advantage of this sports equipment, which was released to the market in 2022.The flexible Canadian maple body and tail and nose kinks provide it with excellent gliding and the ability to perform the most difficult jumps.
The average price is 10645 rubles.
A versatile sports equipment that is suitable not only for professionals, but also for beginners. Special stunt wheels and a reliable suspension allow you to not be afraid of the hardest landings. The length of the board is 32 inches.
The average price is 10950 rubles.
This rather simple and standard-looking model has excellent technical characteristics, which allows it to be used in competitions. Size 31.6 x 7.86 inches, wheel diameter 50mm.
The average price is 10990 rubles.
The unusual design in the form of monstera leaves will please the female representatives, but will not look alien under the feet of a man. The aluminum suspension and 7-ply Canadian maple body are a classic win-win combination. Size - 32 x 8.25 inches, wheel diameter - 53 mm.
The average price is 18390 rubles.
At 26" long and 7.75" wide, this relatively small board features high suspension and large 63mm wheels, making it suitable for street riding. However, due to its compactness and lightness, it can also be used to perform a number of jumps.
Skates are sold both in specialized stores and in sports mass markets such as Decathlon, Sportmaster and a number of others. It is recommended to pay attention first of all to specialized stores, since their products are of both higher quality and better variety, which gives more opportunities to make the best choice. Goods from mass markets often have poor quality plastic wheels, unreliable bearings. Errors in design, especially in the concave, are also not uncommon, and it will be difficult to learn to ride on such a board even on a normal flat surface.
If you wish, you can assemble a skateboard yourself. The main parts are sold in the same specialized stores mentioned above, and in addition to them, you need to purchase a set of bearings and mounting screws.
You can buy a skateboard both during a personal visit to the store, and online, having carefully studied all the technical characteristics. Such a purchase can save both time and money, since often goods in online stores are sold much cheaper due to the absence of costs for renting premises, salaries of sellers, etc.
The price of a good skateboard starts around 5-5.5 thousand rubles. First-class professional models are much more expensive.
The right skate will not only strengthen your body by playing sports, but will also contribute to a good mood.
Outdoor activities can become an enjoyable part of life, and growing skill and professionalism in performing tricks will have the most beneficial effect on self-esteem. Let's add positive communication with like-minded people to the above - and we will get the joy of life that such a simple sports equipment as a skateboard can bring.