Westbound Boarder

Links we love this week, and so will you!

• Skate Week Recap: We just wrapped up Skate Week this morning here at Westbound Boarder, and what a week it has been!  From top skate shops in Portland to how to choose your new ride, Danielle brings you the 411.  Check out a recap of this week’s best skate week articles here.
• Top 25 Young Surfers: This week, Surfer Magazine released their list of the Top 25 Young Surfers in the World.  The list is great, and features the inspirational stories of all 25 surfers and how they got into the business.  Only one problem - not a single female is profiled in this list.  If you were to add just one to this list, who would it be?
• Axe Commercialization, Will Ya?! There’s a debate going on over at the HUCK blog on pro riders giving in to the monetary commercialization of the board sports industry, this time with skater Ryan Sheckler’s recent appearance in an Axe body spray commercial.  Check out the convo and leave your thoughts.
• Women Talk Sports: This week while surfing the net, we came across an awesome network of blogs called “Women Talk Sports.”  It was started by three female athletes (including one of my colleagues over at Edelman!) and aggregates the best of the best from around the net.  Whether you want to read about female athlete’s personal basketball adventures or BMX riding, this network likely has a blog for it.
• Costa Rica anyone? Vancity Allie posted some awesome pics of Costa Rica; almost as good as being there! (Almost…)
• Interview with Leanne Pelosi: At the top of her game is the World of female snowboarding, this flippin’ chick is on fire.  Check out her recent interview with Transworld here.

Well that’s a wrap and what a skate week it has been here at Westbound. I am off to the grand ole state of Utah this morning to make my rounds with the ladies and gents of Arkade Magazine (oh and attend an old friends wedding ;)) These guys rock as they are all about promoting a snowboarding culture and you can find their mag all throughout local pizza, coffee and snowboard shops all throughout the NW - but more about Arkade next week. Be sure to check em out!

This week has been cram packed with all kinds of skate resources, so if you missed any of it be sure to check out our recap.

• Want to learn to skate, but need to invest in your very own board first? Check out our article on How to Buy a Skateboard for the First Time! to find out exactly what you should be looking for in your new skate.
• Westbound Fav Sk8 Shops. WARNING! These shops are super sick, based in Portland and they even sell their goods online!
• Have a skateboard, but don’t know how to use it? That’s OK, freshen up on my skater-tips for beginners.
• Practice really does make perfect and before you know it, you will have already perfected the most basic (albeit, stylish and impressive) skate tricks. Read on for Westbound’s tips on how to improve your skate resume!
• Whether you live in the Golden State where skateboarding was born or in the Beaver State where there are more skate parks than trees, check out the respective local skate park hot spots. Westbound has the skate park recommendations for both the greater Los Angeles and Portland areas.

Until next week, let your new skateboard roll!

Now that you know what to look for in your skate, from my article on, How to Buy your First Skateboard, it’s onto where to make your first skate purchase. Below you will find a few of my favorite shops who have competitive pricing on their skates and will also be great at helping you find the right skate for you. (Note that some are local to the Portland area but they ALL have an online shop!)

Cal Skate Skateboards: If you are new to skating, or simply want to speak with a skate -god before you make your purchase, then Calsk8 has the expert’s just for you. With boards starting from $80 bucks, you are bound to get exactly what you need here. Not a Portland local? They even have an online shop.

Exit Real World: These guys are actually all over town. Read our shop review on them to learn what they are all about and then listen up. You can get your entire skate set up for $100 bucks, and it will be from a skate specialist who knows what they are up to. If you don’t need the help in the store, or don’t live in Portland, you can get the same set up online for only $90 bucks. Think about it.

Shrunken Head Skateboards: Another local gem that even has an online store. Check ‘em out.

Vans:  If you are lucky enough to live near a Vans Store, their full skate set up’s start at only $70 bucks.

Really wanting a great deal on your skate? Check out Next Adventure or Play it Again Sports.

So now you know what to buy AND where to get it. Now all you need it to learn how to ride it. Check back tomorrow for some tips on learning how to skate. Are you a seasoned skater who has something to share share with the rest of us? Let us know as Skate Week wouldn’t be the same without your tips and tricks. Hit us up at westboundboarder@gmail.com.

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

As we have already told you already, the ladies of Westbound are introducing to you the first annual Skate Week. We are bringing you more than you need to know each and every day this week. All the way from learning to skate, participating in contests, how to buy your first skate, where to skate, how to condition for skating, who to skate with and why skating is so darn cool.

Let us know what you want to learn about skating, or how you have became such a pro.  If you want to share your story, or just want to be sure that we cover a skate topic you are dying to learn about, let us know! We want to hear from you, we want your questions and we want to share your skate wisdom with the world. (And who knows, we may even feature an article from you if we like what we hear). So give us a shout out at westboundboarder@gmail.com and Let Skate Week Roll!!

As the ladies of Westbound are so excited to have found SLAG this week, we cannot stop thinking about getting you ladies out there on your skates. Westbound Boarder is introducing to you the first annual Skate Week. Just when you thought that you were going to get out of skating, we have decided to lay it on thick.

We are bringing you everything you need to know next week from learning to skate, participating in contests, how to buy your first skate,  where to skate, who to skate with and why skating is so darn cool.

You a master skater, or do you want to be? Let us know what you have to say about skating, why you want to learn or how you became such a pro.  If you want to share your story, or just want to be sure that we cover a skate topic you are dying to learn about, let us know! We want to hear from you, we want your questions and we want to share your skate wisdom with the world. And who knows, we may even feature an article from you if we like what we hear. So give us a shout out at westboundboarder@gmail.com. Let Skate Week roll!