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My girls, 10 next week and 8 last week, had a couple of skateboarding sessions over the summer (Big thumbs up to Jonathan and Santiago of North London skate 👍👍) and thoroughly enjoyed it. So I'm thinking of getting them a set of pads and a board. What size board ? Found these and they seem a decent starter (to someone that knows nothing about skating), but are they too big?
Is ¼ and 1" smaller better?
Or should I look for smaller?
Thanks.
I wouldnt get one of those skateboards. They look bad. When it comes to sizing - yes smaller is better for a young persons first skateboard.But also wheelbase (the measurement between the trucks) is important. Check out the Santa Cruz Feelbase range - specifically designed for shorter riders. Other brands do short wheelbase under 14 inches - However those Santa Cruz will be easy to source.
Go for a cheap setup and see if they stick with it, or…
visit your nearest skate shop and spend more
(same as bicycles, the cheapest non-brand won’t be as much fun and durable as a decent, somewhat more expensive hardtail)
Skateboarding is a great sport, but it also has a cultural, style and art side to the hobby
A £10 metal skate tool is all you need to build the skateboards from the constituent parts, and either your local skate shop or YouTube can show you how
It would make for an awesome father / daughters bonding time as they each choose their own deck, griptape, coloured wheels, coloured bolts, bearings and soft bushings
Start off visiting a local skate shop and they’ll give you all the ideas and confidence you need to make the right decision for you
Vandem have a helpful write up on their website, and the pros and cons of £20 v £100 skateboards
and Girl Skate UK can hook you up with female friendly skate groups
Thanks for the tips/ links!
I'm thinking cheap, see if they get into it properly, but if it is something they want to keep doing those tips will be great.
I do want to try and ensure i don't get completely the wrong thing though!
I'd look for advice from the two fellas (?) she has skated with (im guessing its a position that you take coz you're keen to perpetuate skating as opposed to get rich quick).
My son and i went to a local skate shop and took their advice, which was basically, we buy these 'complete' boards in for youfs, we'll happily sell you similar components and you can build it up, it will cost you more though. Ride it, come back, talk to us, we can then offer you specific upgrades.
As it happens:
He did not ride it.
We did not go back.
I do not moan about £££s+++ 'wasted'.
No need to spend more than £50 on each setup. Most don't progress as it's quite a frustrating activity. There's plenty of choice of board graphics somewhere like Kateskates and the cheaper completes have improved massively in quality. If things start to click then invest in some skate shoes : )
I got H's first boards from Skatehut: They were really helpful. https://www.skatehut.co.uk/
Going forward he'd sort his own boards and trucks from mates at the skate park or from The Loading Bay in Glasgow.
It's a great scene.
Penny board style. Wheels are bigger than a skateboard and more rubbery.
Have a look at Rollersnakes in Derby. They have a whole host of completes for all budgets and a range of sizes.
https://rollersnakes.co.uk/collections/complete-skateboards
+1 for rollersnakes, got my kids some Element star wars ones on sale and theyve been progressing on them loads
I know it sounds shallow but look for a nice graphic, theyre more likely to stick with it if they like the board!
and Ive had lesson from Santi at N London skate club, theyve been great!
I got one of these birdhouse completes from my local skateshop:
https://www.slamcity.com/collections/kids-skateboards/birdhouse
He's never really taken to it. I was a very keen skater when I was a kid, so it's a pity. But there's no where near by he can go to on his own to just goof around and skate. Maybe when he's older I guess.
I link Slamcity, cause you're a Londoner, so you can pop in to the shop and have a chat if you need to. Not been there in years, but they were a good shop back in the day.
Thanks Everton everyone. Good tips.
Unfortunately... or fortunately, I asked the girls again if they wanted boards and it seems their initial excitement has waned a bit, so I'll hold off for now. If they are in interested I'll pay for some more lessons first.
Hey Kimbers! Small world! Santiago was a great teacher with a bunch of kids.... and so cool even made a 52 year old, never skated dad, think 'this could be fun'.
Yay! More free sessions! 2 and ¼hours tips time, Saturday 20th at cpp again. Booked the girls.....and me! 😱😨
Be quick to book on eventbrite if you fancy it
Ah, no...I rushed to book and then read it more carefully.... the adult beginners is a separate session (makes sense) so I've unbooked myself. Still, the girls are excited to go again....and I don't have to embarass myself 😁