21. March 2009 by ZachPlay.

Many people buy different skateboard parts and put them together to make a customized board. If you are a beginner you should probably buy a complete skateboard as at this point you don’t want any accidents incase of any negligence while putting the board together. When you are a more advanced rider you can think of customizing one. There are a variety of models of skateboards that you can buy and most companies offer a complete skateboard. Cheap Complete Skateboards can be bought in parts and made by the owner. These are customized ones that take a while to be made. A complete skateboard is very easy to use. You just need to pick a brand such as Alien Workshop or Dog Town and then find the one that suits your level of riding the best. Skateboarding is a fun-filled and thrilling sports activity enjoyed by youngsters. It is a fast sport and involves immense exercising. You need lot of energy and enthusiasm for a successful skateboarding experience. Not only, can you display your stunts and innovative tricks on the ramp, you can use it as modish transport equipment for short distances. With a recent remarkable revolution in Skateboards industry, it has become the favorite sports of many.
A complete skateboard such as the Alien Workshop Complete Skateboards are a good buy for a beginner as they are made simply and you don’t need any knowledge on how to assemble it as you would if you had one customized. These skateboards come in every imaginable design so you will definitely find one to your liking. We offer you so many different ranges from all different brands that it is unlikely that you will go away disappointed. You can get your Complete-skateboards jazzed up with some additional accessories, so that it still has your own personalized touch to it and doesn’t look too conventional. Each brand also offers different boards in all price ranges so even if you already like a particular brand you can buy your board from them with how much ever money you have to buy one.
The most important part of the skateboard is the wheels and it goes without saying. What size the wheels should be and how hard they should be depends on what type pf skateboarding you are into. For skateboarding on streets and doing tricks like ollies and kick flip you could require small and hard wheels. All skateboarders prefer hard wheels and they prefer the long-lasting ones. The size of the trucks also depends on the wheels. To get a well-coordinated skateboard or rather a perfect skateboard and to enjoy a great skateboarding ride, one must buy complete skateboard.

Source: Recreation and Sports

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13. March 2009 by ZachPlay.

Skateboarding has become one of the most popular activities of the youth nowadays. It has evolved from being just a rebellious activity back in its older days to a fully-blown extreme sport that it is today.

According to recent statistics, there are over twelve million skateboarders worldwide and more than 80 percent of these skateboarders are under 18 years old. It has touched the younger markets quite well and has a firm grip on them. Some of these skateboarders skate as a hobby or as a means of transportation, but very few of these skaters go on into the big leagues to become a professional skateboarder.

The industry of skateboarding is a big one. Armed with a huge market, skateboarding has become a multi-billion dollar industry. The mere fact that it is very popular with the young generations and getting into skateboarding is quite easy, there is a lot of money to be made from selling products, advertising and events organizing.

What does being a professional skateboarder exactly mean? Well, as in any other sport, going professional means using the sport as a means to earn money. If you get paid for your skateboarding abilities and skills, then you are a pro skateboarder.

Many of the great skateboarders such as Reese Forbes, Kareem Campbell and Ron Bertino began their careers from humble beginnings. The dynamics of commercialism really gives the much needed financial value to the sport that is skateboarding. But, how does one earn from skateboarding?

One popular way of earning from skateboarding, as many people would see it, is to join and win skateboarding tournaments. Yes, indeed, there is some money to be made from regularly joining these tournaments and these tournaments provide avenues for skateboarders to be recognized, but in reality, the real money in professional skateboarding does not lie in winning tournaments. The bulk of the money comes from deals arising from the endorsements of skateboarding products.

The journey of a professional skateboarder would start in the streets, where he would take endless attempts to do new tricks and perform new stunts. These tricks and stunts are to be displayed in tournaments which the different sponsors are carefully keeping an eye on. If a certain company sees a skateboarder with much talent and has a promising career, they would give him free stuff for him to use. This move is also advantageous for the company since the skateboarder will sort of “endorse” their products. When a skateboarder has become a crowd favorite and catches the attention of everyone, then talks are usually made for endorsement deals, and the money will come in.

Skateboarding shoes and other apparels are the real cash cows in the skateboarding industry and not the skateboards themselves. Actually, other shoe lines have suffered losses because of the rise in popularity of “urban” shoes which cater to the lifestyle of skateboarders.

If you really love the sport that is skateboarding, you’d probably dreaming of being a professional skateboarder someday. There’s no harm in dreaming such things since being a professional skateboarder can really bring in lots of benefits. Going pro can bring things like money and fame into the table, but at the end of the day, what really matters is that you enjoy what you are doing.

Source: Recreation and Sports

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12. March 2009 by ZachPlay.

by Ben Sheffer

Skateboarding first started back in the 1940s. Many kids had scooters then but these were expensive, those kids who could not afford scooters took the wheels from their rollerskates and nailed them to pieces of wood. They also nailed a handle to the board so they could use it as a makeshift scooter. Pretty soon the handle was removed and the kids would ride just on the wooden board and wheels.

Soon after, some surfers began to ride on skateboards. The first true skateboards, with clay wheels, were commercially made and sold in the 1950s.

Now skateboarding is one of the most popular sports among teenagers in the world. There are competitions held in almost every country that attracts hundreds of both professional and amateur skaters. You can find skate parks in almost every major city and town. With the rise in professional skaters skateboard design is also improving. As a result of this special shoes and clothing have been designed, and there are even extreme sports shows that include skateboarders, attracting huge crowds.

Skateboarding can be separated into two forms, street and ramp. Street skating is basically defined as skating carried out anywhere except on a ramp. Various tricks are carried out anywhere where there is a flat surface, this can be school grounds car parks, or on streets and roads.

Skate parks are an ideal venue for all kinds of skateboarding. They have super smooth surfaces as well as ramps, steers, kerbs, and fun boxes. Street skateboarders jump, flip, and grind over and on all kinds of surfaces and objects. Street skateboarding also includes skateboard racing.

This extreme skateboard racing is carried out on winding and sloping roads, competitors stand on their board and race each other down the slope to the finish line at the bottom. Skaters have been clocked at over 65 km an hour.

Ramp skating is carried out on either vert ramps or on mini ramps. The main difference between these two types of ramps is their size. Vert ramps are giant U-shaped ramps which are over 4 m long and have a vertical portion at the upper end of each side. Mini ramps are smaller than vert ramps and do not have any vertical part in the transition. They are generally easier to ride on and is where most skaters practise their tracks before moving on to bigger ramps.

Skateboarding can be a dangerous sport, however if you follow these simple rules you will keep yourself and others safe: 1) always learn your basic moves on flat and safe ground 2) keep in control of a skateboard at all times 3) always wear a helmet, wrist guards, and knee and elbow pads 4) never skate alone in case of accidents 5) keep all your skateboarding gear well maintained

About the Author:

If you want to learn how to skate like a pro, there is only one thing you need to know. Visit this site now to find out what I’m talking about. Learn Skatebaord Tricks

Source: Recreation-and-Sports

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11. March 2009 by ZachPlay.

by Todd martin

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 proper attention to information on such a helmet. Only a certified helmet will offer the level of protection required. You should not be fooled by cheap imitations, as they are not going to protect you from serious head injuries. There are two varieties of skateboarding helmet to choose from. For beginners and those that do basic trick a single impact helmet is enough. But, if you take on riskier stunts you need to buy a multiple impact helmet for extra protection.

When it comes to choosing skateboarding helmet, there are quite a few different helmet styles you can choose from. You want to buy one that you think looks cool on you. You also want one with an adjustable chin strap. So take your time to explore the different styles out there. Also, manufacturers have invested so much to offer you some of the coolest looking helmets out there. There are so many brands of skateboarding helmets to choose from. You should always choose a high rated helmet than a helmet that looks cool 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. Almost all the best skateboarding helmets are offered by skateboard manufacturer. As they are from the business they recognize the need to be well protected against injuries.

The Terminator is one of the coolest looking helmets exclusively for skateboarding. They are one of the top sellers out there and they continue to improve upon their designs as well. You can be very confident with a Terminator that you have the highest protection for your head that is available out there. They are very comfortable too. Industrial offers the Triple 8 Series which has one of the highest technologies in them. They are designed to absorb energy. They have many styles to select from.

The Pro Tec Ace is a very costly skateboarding helmet but is worth every penny you spend on it. They are excellent for anyone that decides to take on in a variety of skateboarding actions. Each color stand for a certain professional skateboarder as well that endorses it. So you can get one that helps you to represent your skating idols. Accidents can still happen, even if you are a skilled skateboarder. Head injures can be significantly reduced if you wear a helmet that fits you correctly. You can find one that is comfortable and fits properly. You will be quite comfortable and will even forget it is even in place as you are skateboarding. Take your time to find one that fits well and has a good rating. That way you can enjoy skateboarding while considerably reducing your risk of any grave injury.

With skateboarding becoming one of the most popular sports in the world; there are numbers of manufacturers that produce skateboarding helmets. As a result, various brands of skateboarding helmets come up, such as Industrial, Pro-Tec like Protec Helmet Black L, Terminator etc. You can find your favorite skateboarding helmets in goskateorgohome.com which is an online skateboards and accessories supplier providing many brands of complete skateboards and accessories.

About the Author:

For all your skateboard needs, do visit Todd Martins site for affordable line of skateboards and Skateboard Decks. For every skateboard requirement, do visit Todd Martins site for high quality skateboards and Complete Skateboard.

Source: complete skateboard

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5. March 2009 by ZachPlay.

By Adam Bunn

So you’ve decided to start skateboarding. Good for you. You’ve probably seen some cool skate videos, played a bit of Tony Hawks pro skater or just hung around with other skaters at your local skate spot, and decided it’s time you got in on the action yourself. By it’s very nature, skateboarding is a very creative and individual sport, and you can take it in a lot of different directions, but there is one thing you will need and that’s a skateboard.

I’m going to run through the major things you need to consider when buying a skateboard so you can make a better decision about what you buy and where you buy it from. This information is aimed at budding street/flatland skaters. I am not familiar with the requirements for vert skating.

After reading this guide, why not check out Board Crazy to read about some skateboarding tricks?
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1. Cost
One thing you should know straight off is that skateboards can be extremely expensive. Straight off the bat you can pay triple figures for a pro deck and that doesn’t even include wheels, trucks and bearings (all of which also come at a premium if you want quality gear).

You should try and blank your mind to all that great stuff. To begin with, you need something basic and functional. Something fairly disposable is ideal so if you decide skating isn’t for you or you end up ruining the skateboard in the process of learning (which you probably will) you haven’t paid the earth for no reason.

Aim to pay around £40 for a complete brand new beginner setup - any more and you’re paying for something you don’t need, much less and you are buying junk.

2. Deck
By far the best kind of deck to go for is a ‘blank’ - a deck with no graphics. The graphics and the branding are what make pro decks so expensive, and if you do any decent amount of skateboarding on it they will scratch off pretty quickly. You will usually get these with grip tape already on, or you can get any skate shop to do it. It’s not even very difficult to do yourself.

Try and get a 7-ply deck - this means it’s laminated with 7 layers of wood. 9-ply decks are heavier and more unwieldy, and a good sign that they are cheaply made. Try and also pay attention to the shape of the deck. If it’s quite flat and straight it’s no good - you need a decent amount of curve to the kicktails.

3. Trucks
The trucks on the first deck I bought snapped the first time I tried to ollie. Watch out for this - buy from a proper skateboard dealer (whether online or in a shop), not a high street sports shop/department store! If you look at the trucks on skateboards in these kinds of shop you can tell that the metal is of bad quality because it seems overly shiny and light. As tempting as the prices may be, walk away.

4. Bearings & Wheels
Bearings are what keep your wheels spinning when you stop pushing - they determine how fast your skateboard is. Bearing speed is measured by the ABEC value. The slowest bearings are ‘AA’ bearings, skateboards from high street shops come with these and they are BAD! With AA bearings, you will probably not be able to roll down a hill let alone on the flat. From there, you’ve got various bearing ratings including ABEC 3, 5, 7 and 9.

Go for ABEC 3 or ABEC 5 bearings at the absolute maximum. Though you want to be able to roll quite freely, getting bearings that are too fast is a bad idea for beginners. It makes riding more intimidating and landing tricks much more difficult as the skateboard is more likely to slip from under your feet.

Fore beginners, wheels are less of a consideration. Fairly standard wheels of 55mm will suffice until you decide which direction to take your skating. The wheels that come with a basic complete set are fine.

Summary
To summarise your ideal first skateboard will be a complete consisting of a blank 7 ply deck, strong trucks, basic wheels and ABEC 3 or 5 bearings. But before you go out and buy brand new, ask around among skaters you already know - often, a second hand dk from an experienced skater will be even better, as it will have been comfortably worn in and there is a fair chance you can pick up a bargain.

Adam is the author of Board Crazy Skateboarding.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Adam_Bunn
http://EzineArticles.com/?Buying-Your-First-Skateboard&id=102155

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5. March 2009 by ZachPlay.

By Brandon Cardone

Disclaimer:
Building and riding ramps can be fun and rewarding; however, caution should be
practiced with both. The author Brandon Cardone and any other contributors to this
article are in no way, shape or form responsible for any legal matters, injuries or
even death that may occur as a result of the information and content in this article.

The following chapter is one of five that can be found in my skateboard ramp
building guide “The Beginner’s Guide To Building Ramps,” This 54 page guide can
be instantly downloaded in PDF format from www.buildaramp.com. The skateboard
ramp building guide is filled with tons of photos and easy to understand
instructions and illustrations, you will also find on my website, tons of useful links
related to skateboard ramps, a ramp building photo gallery, free skateboard
wallpaper for your computer, a free skateboard screen saver, and even up to the
minute skateboarding RSS news feeds.

Introduction

So you want to build a skateboard ramp, maybe you are a parent and want to build
something for your kid. Maybe you have been skateboarding, riding BMX, or inline
for a while and realize that you want more than the few spots you get kicked out of
on a regular basis. Whatever the reason, you?ve started in the right direction by
reading this article. Building ramps is a productive learning experience, but the
most important thing is that it is fun and very rewarding if it is done right.

Most people really don?t understand how to build skateboard ramps and end up
giving up before they even give it a second thought. I have people all the time ask
me “How do you bend the wood like that?” or “Where would you even begin building
something like that? ”Questions like these are why I wrote this guide in the first
place. I want people like you to know that it really isn?t that hard to build skateboard
ramps if you have the right knowledge under your belt. I have been building ramps
with my friend Mike Fitch since I was like 12 years old and over the years and plenty
of trial and error, we have learned the art of building skateboard ramps. I asked
myself if this kind of knowledge should be kept a secret, then I remembered all the
fun I had growing up building my own stuff to skate and all the friends I have made
over the years. We even had the chance to fulfill our dream of building an indoor
skateboard park located in Johnson City, NY, East Coast Terminal as a way of giving
back to the pastime that gave me direction and purpose in my life. I hope this article
gives you that spark of inspiration that I found so many years ago. Who knows,
there could be your own dream skate park lurking deep inside of you just waiting to
be built and for others to enjoy. I wish you the best of luck in your quest and, most
importantly, have fun.

Chapter 1 “Scope Out The Territory”

• Before you start building

• Some Things to consider

• After the site has been decided and inspected

Before you Start Building your Skateboard Ramp

Before you get all gung ho and go down to your local lumber store to buy materials
and grab the tools out of the shed, there are some things you should think about
before you start building. For example, if all you want is a slider box or a jump
ramp, you shouldn?t need a huge area to put your ramps. In this kind of a situation,
an empty parking lot or your driveway will work. Be creative, like screwing some
trucks and wheels from an old skateboard or roller skates to the side so you can
wheel it around easy. You could even cut handles in the sides of the templates to
carry your ramp easier.

If you had your heart set on a ramp bigger and unmovable, obviously you will need
more space. You see, the idea here is that if you know where you are going to be
building your ramps, you can measure out the area and draw it on some graph
paper or even some regular paper will work fine.

Some Things to Consider

• Consider how easy it will be to get your materials to the construction site

If your spot is way out in the woods, you better have some muscles because you will
be carrying a lot of wood. This is when a wheel barrow comes in handy.

• Access to electricity

Power tools are your friends and building a ramp without them is very hard, but not
impossible if you are Amish. A generator or a bunch of extension cords might be
the way to go.

• Neighbors and noise

Those nosey neighbors of yours already hate you and are just waiting to ruin your
fun. Will they call the cops when you?re having a session at 3:00 in the morning?
One solution to this problem is to fill the coping with concrete or sand and nail a
layer of carpet to the underside of your ramp.

• Weather

Wood and bad weather don?t tend to agree with each other over time. If you can find
an area that is protected from Mother Nature, then more power to you. For the rest
of us, buying a good tarp is a really good investment. If you have the extra wood
you could even build your own make shift canopy, this way you can ride your ramp
even if it?s raining. You may also want to consider building your ramp up of the
ground on cinderblocks to keep the ramp high, dry and level.

• Helpers

The more people you can find to help you build the better off you will be.

• Ask everyone you know about available space

Hey you never know, your sisters, boyfriends, dad might have an empty garage or
empty lot of land that they will sell you dirt-cheap.

• Damage prone areas

Your trying to do a 360 flip pivot to fakie and oops, you just zipped out and your
board is heading 100 miles an hour towards your mom?s new car. You should take
note of breakable objects around your ramps and make the necessary barriers to
prevent them from being damaged.

• Zoning Laws

You may be living in an area where it is the law to get a building permit or you could
just take your chances and hope your local zoning board doesn?t find out. You may
end up having to pay fines and tear down your new creation. Trust me it isn?t fun to
take something apart that you?ve put so much time and effort into.

Remember, it is important that you build your ramps on a flat or level surface. If you
don?t, your ramp will not be as easy to build and ride. Once you have decided on a
spot to build your ramps, start by measuring the whole parameter of the space you
are going to be working in. Measure out any obstructions that might get in the way
when you are building, like a tree or a telephone pole, things like that. You should
also observe the landscape to see if you will have to level the area out or even build
your ramp up off the ground on posts. By doing this you are saving yourself a lot of
trouble down the road when you are halfway through your project and realize you
don?t have enough room or your that one side of your ramp goes uphill.

By:
Brandon Cardone

Here is a list of the other chapters that can be found in “The Beginner’s Guide To
Building ramps” found at www.buildaramp.com

Chapter 2 “Construction Preparation”
Chapter 3 “All About Ramp Templates”
Chapter 4 “All About Framing a Ramp”
Chapter 5 “All About Sheeting Ramp”

Brandon Cardone has been skateboarding for over 20 years and has been building
skateboard ramps for just as long. His knowledge and skills at building skateboard
ramps is well known in the skateboarding community. Brandon’s website
http://www.buildaramp.com is quickly becoming the number one reliable source of
information and help with building your own skateboard ramps, while making it an
affordable, fun, constructive learning process.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Brandon_Cardone
http://EzineArticles.com/?The-Beginners-Guide-to-Building-Ramps&id=101401

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