It’s a skate week first. Westbound Boarder is bringing you all kinds of skate-o-fun this week, so be sure to keep on checkin’ in…

I don’t know what is stopping you from getting out there on your skate. Maybe nothing is, but for those of you who want to learn, it’s time to take that leap of faith. Where better to start than to making the investment in your very own skate? Now I am not talking about Andrea’s kind of skate board, I am talking about a real new school board that will have you cruisin’ down the Portland Waterfront and onto the Burnside Skate park in no time.

Getting yourself into a new skate does not have to break the bank. Most local shops out there will have you set up in 30 minutes and for about $100 bucks, maybe even less. You can always get your skate online and it may save you a buck or two, but if this is your first skate, your best bet is to go into a local skate shop and figure out ‘mujer a mujer’  what type of skate will work best for you.

So first things first though. You need to know a thing or two before you go and buy the first skate you see. You will need a skate deck, grip tape, trucks, wheels and bearings.

Deck: Well this is the deck; it’s what you ride on. The price of the deck is generally directly related to the graphics and branding. If you don’t care about those things, then there is no problem buying a cheap skate deck, although it is still important to consider weight and the shape of the deck. A 7-ply deck means that it is laminated with 7 layers of wood and is lighter, vs. a heavier 9-ply deck that is more bulky, heavy and awkward. Also, pay attention to the shape of the deck, you want a decent amount of curve to the board vs. a flat and straight board (you want to ollie and kickflip someday, right?!)

Trucks: Consider the trucks the axel of your board. Some of the cheaper trucks will snap the first time you attempt a trick. This is where buying from a skate dealer (vs. a sporting store chain), is actually important. Examine the trucks and make sure they are not too light, this can be a sign that the metal is of bad quality, walk away (most of your local skate shops will have quality gear, although don’t be afraid to ask questions). While price may be a concern, always go for quality with the Trucks and go to a proper skate dealer to get the trucks that suit your skill level.

Wheels: Not as important for a beginner, although I would recommend a softer wheel if you are a beginner. The softer wheels roll easier and absorb impact much better. The harder wheels are meant for the park as the harder wheels make power slides easier and may trip you up if you come across a rock or something. Most experienced skaters have a few skates with different wheels; a set with softer wheels when they are cruising down the street and a set with harder wheels for when they are shredding the park. It’s not a bad idea to start with one skate deck a have a set of hard and a set of soft wheels, so you can alternate when you want.

Bearings: They keep your wheels going when you stop pushing, which have a great impact on your speed. The bearing speed is measured by the ABEC value. (The ‘AA’ bearings are what you will find at a mass sporting goods store, stay away!!) AA is followed by ABEC 3, 5, 7 and 9. If you are a beginner, stick with the ABEC 3 or 5 for sure. If you get going too fast right out the door it may make your riding more intimidating.

This should be enough information to get you on your feet and to the place where you can ask some informed questions to your local skate shop professional. Need some more information? We have got it so just ask away, westboundboarder@gmail.com

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