Archive for the Buying Guides Category
Reduce Injuries With Skate Shoes
7. July 2010 by ZachPlay.
Unlike with many other sports where you can just wear your normal trainers skateboarding requires that you use specially designed skate shoes. Skateboarding can be dangerous and that is why the correct shoes will go a long way to protecting you from any accidents you may have.
It will come to your attention that skate shoes have a flexible sole made of a rubber like material. A flexible soul is required when skateboarding to provide you with the most grip possible when you are manoeuvring your skateboard.
Safety while skateboarding is very important and research conducted has shown that more than one third of injuries that are sustained from skateboarding are a result of the person losing their balance. Stay as safe as possible when you skate by wearing shoes that are specifically designed for the sport.
Make sure you pick a brand name that is well known for its high quality skate shoes such as DC shoes, etnies as well as Zoo York. Remember that whichever brand of skate shoes you decide to buy you must ensure that you get a tight and comfortable fit for maximum safety and control.
Lots of skate shoes don’t have lace protectors and this can be a problem if the tricks you perform constantly wear the laces away. When you slide your foot up the board when performing an ollie for instance you will start to tear the laces which will soon fray and break.
Remember that the best skate shoes don’t have to be the most expensive. The essential features that make up a good skate shoe are a flexible sole with plenty of grip, lots of padding for your protection and a protective toecap to stop toe injuries.
If you are struggling to find skate shoes you want you can always check out the online stores which can give you lots of options and have various footwear items like flip flops. Of course it is always better if you can find the same issue in a store, as this way you will be able to insure the correct fit for you.
Why Buy A Complete Skateboard
6. May 2010 by ZachPlay.
A veteran skateboarder will assemble all his favorite parts — the deck, the trucks, the bearings, the bushings, the griptape and the wheels — and piece together his dream board. However, if you’re just getting started, you will probably just be looking for an inexpensive complete skateboard that already has everything in order. After all, accidents can happen if you don’t put together the parts in the right way. Later on, you will likely wear your board out and be willing to invest in a custom skateboard design. In this article, you’ll learn about a few of the best complete packages you can buy.
Alien Workshop is a reputable brand name of complete skateboards. The company was formed in 1990 by Christ Carter and Mike Hill, who formed partnerships with DNA Distribution, Burton, Habitat boards and Reflex Bearings. These high-quality, professional-grade skateboards have a noteworthy roster of fans, including Rob Dyrdek, Steve Berra, Anthony Van Engelen and Arto Saari. The cool thing about Alien Workshop is that their headquarters are based out of Dayton, Ohio, which is a departure from the normal California-centric production. Also, they take a unique approach to skateboard design, using all colorful alien logos. Complete skateboards from them sell for $60 - $100.
Another great series of complete skateboards to check out is Irvine, California-based Element. Exceptional riders like Bucky Lasek, Chad Muska, Bam Marguera, Mike Vallely, Ray Barbee, Levi Brown and Jeremy Wray are all sponsored by this manufacturer. This company’s “power to the planet” initiative hopes to raise concern for environmental issues, which makes this brand stand out from the competition. Of all the skateboarding logos, Element has one of the most recognizable with their signature tree inside a circle. In addition to finding these boards online and at skate shops around town, there are also several U.S. flagship stores in New York City, Honolulu and Orlando. A complete skateboard setup from them will cost around $55 - $100, depending on the design.
Once you’ve purchased your first complete skateboard, you can begin to learn how to skateboard. As you grow and mature in the sport, try riding your friends’ boards from time to time to learn more about how each skateboard differs. Some are flat, while others have a noticeable concave, for instance, which may affect how your board pops and tricks. If you get really into grinding and vert ramp work, you may want to choose your own trucks that hold up better under rigorous rail work. You may decide that you want softer or harder wheels, depending on whether you’re using your board primarily for transportation or for speed to gear up for technical street work. There are many variations you can make later on. The best thing you can do in the beginning is choose a safe, quality, fully assembled board that you can learn on.
Rene Lacape can help you with all your insurance needs. May it be personal or corporate accounts he can answer all your deepest questions with clarity. All you have to do is get a hold of his contact information and start the deal with him. You will be satisfied for sure.
How To Choose Skateboard Decks
6. May 2010 by ZachPlay.
“The most important part of a board is the shape and the dimensions. If the shape looks good, and the wheelbase and tail are right, the board will be sweet no matter what the concave is like,” says pro skater Brian Lotti. When choosing skateboard decks, you’ll need to look at a few technical considerations — like length and width to make sure your board is right for your stature and your desired use. You’ll also need to test it out by feel to see if the wood of the skateboard’s deck feels sturdy and the concave is the proper responsiveness. Lastly, you’ll want to make sure it’s a deck you like aesthetically; one that speaks something about your character and personal taste.
Length is one of the most basic considerations in choosing skateboard decks. This will depend entirely on your height, your use and your comfort level. Generally, there are two length classifications: traditional/street boards, which are under 33 inches and longboard skateboards, which are over 35 inches. Usually people ride versatile traditional decks that measure 28 - 32 inches for general transit, ramp riding and basic tricks. Longboards are popular in California with riders who prefer a surfy/snowboard type feel. Generally speaking, if you are a short rider, you’ll naturally want a shorter board for better control and tall riders may want a little more length to match their stance.
Professional skateboarding legends will tell you that they care most about their deck’s shape and concave. Most decks, besides longboards, have a slightly raised nose, tail and sides, which dramatically affects the response of the skateboard. Generally, the deeper the concave, the more aggressive tricks a skater can pull off. The shallower the concave, the easier it is for new skaters to learn. “The nose and tail got to have good pop,” adds Skateboarder Magazine star Adam Dyet, “and it’s gotta be a light board.” For pro skater Eric Koston, “The board has to have mellow concave. I hate steep noses and tails. They make me feel like I have to work harder to do tricks.” Pro Jeremy Wray is riding his new “Featherlight” Element skateboard that was designed with a thinner board with a steeper concave and a mellow tail. “I don’t really like flat boards,” Steve Berra tells Transworld Skateboarding Magazine. “I like a good nose and a good tail — not too steep, but not flat.” Brian Anderson agrees that a mellow concave is the way to go. “I can’t ride a super steep concave,” he says. “A lot of the stuff that’s out right now — you can’t flip your board right.” On the other hand, old-school rider Ed Templeton still prefers a relatively flat board. “I don’t know what this whole concave fad is all about,” he explains. “The board is much better just mellow and not concave.”
Appearance tends to be what attracts many people to certain skateboard decks over others. As the years progress, skateboard designs seem to be getting more and more elaborate. The Zero skateboarding team loves these boards for their gritty images of skulls and bones. Skaters like Jamie Thomas, Elissa Steamer and Chris Cole love these rides. On the flip side, Habitat and Element boards have more earthy, eco-friendly designs. The latest Habitat boards ridden by Kerry Getz and Danny Garcia feature some iconic pop-art style designs, while the newer Elements ridden by Bucky Lasek and Bam Marguera have more colorful cartoons. Plan B decks feature wild patterns with a lot of geometric shapes and entice an all-star lineup of Danny Way, Colin McKay, Ryan Sheckler and Jereme Rogers. Other popular brands to consider include: Powell, Birdhouse, Blind, Baker, Girl, Toy Machine, Alien Workshop and Mentality skateboards.
Rene Lacape can help you with all your insurance needs. May it be personal or corporate accounts he can answer all your deepest questions with clarity. All you have to do is get a hold of his contact information and start the deal with him. You will be satisfied for sure.
Top Ten Skateboarding Products
5. January 2010 by ZachPlay.
The sport of skateboarding has grown in popularity, especially with the introduction of trick skating and street skating. If you love skateboarding, then you want to buy the right gear. Want to know what the top ten skateboarding products on the market today are; we have listed them for you. Read the rest of this entry »
Skateboard Accessories - For A Complete Skateboarding Experience
3. January 2010 by ZachPlay.
Author: Thomas Jones
Skateboarding, like any other sport has revolutionized over time. It is no more a child’s play. Skateboarders with their increasing efforts have made skateboarding seem more than simply a sport. It has now become a way of life. The increased level of challenges and the trend of skateboarders to invent new tricks day after day have made skateboarding a new form of art. Today, a skateboarder is recognized not by his skateboard alone, his skateboard accessories play an important role too. Read the rest of this entry »
Best Skateboarding Video Games
17. December 2009 by ZachPlay.
When you can’t be outdoors skateboarding, it can continue to be on your mind. One way to pass the time is to play skateboarding video games. There are certainly many of them out there that you can choose from. Regardless of the type of home gaming platform you happen to have, you will find plenty of them that can keep you entertained.
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