1. Pick What Kind
Wait, what isn't skating just rolling on a piece of wood with 4 wheels? Well essentially yes, But as the sport has grown over the years so has the number of styles of skating. Each kind of skating has it's own type of skateboard, hence why it is important to know what style you want to do!
Park: This type of skating typically involves purpose build 'skateparks' which are normally made up of a combination of 'street' style courses (rails, stair sets, etc.), quarter pipes, half pipes and bowls. It is the combination of all these features that make park skating fun!
Street: As the name suggests is done using obstacles in the streets. Obstacles such as handrails, park benches, curbs, planter boxes and even cracks in the pavement are used to perform tricks on, onto and over. This type of skating is super versatile, and can be done pretty much anywhere in the world!
Vert: Or Vertical skating is exactly that! Going from the horizontal part of a ramp to the vertical part! Typically, vert skating is done in large half pipes, pools and bowls! This type of skating is legit as!
Cruising/Commuting: This style is when your skateboard is a means of transportation, around a uni campus, to the beach or even to pick up your chinese takeaway. Cruising is all about relaxing and having a good time rather than super high speeds.
Freeriding/Sliding: This form of skating is relatively new to the scene, it's all about throwing your board sideways and letting your wheels loose traction. Whether that is to wash of some speed for a corner, or just to see how big a stand up slide you can do. It's fast and super entertaining.
Downhill: Downhill skating isn't for the faint hearted. It's all about speed and the need for it. Majority of downhill skating is done competitively in races down technical tracks, where first to cross the line wins.
Hybrid: This style of skating has started to boom in the long boarding community, it's all about mixing skateboarding and longboarding. Slashing down city streets or ripping in a park. This type of skating can be described by one hashtag #skateeverything
2. Find Your Fit
So as you would know now there are a bunch of different shapes and styles when it comes to skateboards. One of the most important things to keep in mind is that the board you choose is right for you. You may of seen a certain deck on google or you saw that your favourite skater has just released a new pro model, but the reality is these decks might not suit your size or budget.
We aren't all the same shape and size, so this means that the same deck is not going to work for everyone. Most companies release the same deck in multiple sizes, or they have a range for smaller skaters. Our tip to you is that if you are a midget don't go buy a board that is taller than you, and if you are solid unit make sure you can actually fit two feet on the board (kinda common sense).
You have to remember as well that we aren't all millionaires, but lucky for you there are some really good cheaper options around. Be sensible, the last thing you won't to do is blow your rent money on a skateboard and regret it so much that you feel too guilty to skate it. Get a piggy bank and save!
3. Ask Bulk Questions
One of the most important things you can do is research and ask a bulk load of questions. Get yourself down to your local skate shop and talk to whoever works there! More often then not they have been skating longer than you have been able to talk and they will give you the full rundown. Locals always know best!
4. Love It Loads
This may seem like a no brainer, but you seriously have got to love it! Don't make any rushed decisions if a shop doesn't have the deck you want, wait until they order the one you want in. Make sure that you want that graphic and if you don't like the graphic get some kick ass stickers, make the deck your own, grip it with style, do whatever you can to love it more! Because the more you love it, the more you will ride it!
Example: This is a photo of me below overjoyed and deeply in love with my new hot pink Glyde Longboards Haymaker!
Anyway we are stoked that you are looking at buying your first deck, hopefully our tips have helped you out a little! To all those who are already shredding the hills, what was your first board? COMMENT BELOW...
Words by Phoebe Cochrane
Photos by Timothy Wright
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