Skateboarding Origins And What Makes Up A Skateboard

Skateboarding has become ever so popular these days. It is no longer just for punk kids and has become a part of our culture. Skateboarding can be seen in movies, on tv, and in video games. One of the funnest video games I played when I was younger was tony hawk, a skateboarding game. And skateboarding games keep popping up too, some of them rather good.

Now, as far as how skateboarding began, there is some debate. Some say it was started by surfers that wanted to try and surf on land. Same say it was by kids who tore apart their sop box racers and rode on just the bottom part. No matter who or when it started, it is no doubt that skateboarding is here to stay. Most cities even have skate parks, which are big parks of concrete with built in ramps and half pipes. They are really fun and you can usually pick up some new moves for your skateboard just by watching some of the others skaters there.

What does a skateboard consist of? Well, skateboards have come a long way, but your basic skateboard components consist of the deck, wheels and bearing, and the trucks, which hold the wheels. The deck itself is really important and is typically made of wood. However, more and more skateboard decks are being made from plastic composites, because of its flexibility. Also, the wider deck, the better it is for doing tricks. Most street skateboards are about 7-8 inches wide while trick skateboards are up to 10 inches. You'll also see grip tape used on decks, which help keep your feet on the board.

The trucks and the wheels are the other two main components of the skateboard. Every skateboard has two trucks and these are what connect the wheels to the skateboard. Trucks are usually made of metal, typically from some sort of aluminum alloy. When the trucks are connected to the board, there is usually some sort of rubber barrier, which helps for turning and flexibility. The more stiff you make the barrier, the harder it is to turn.

When it comes to the wheels on skateboards, they are usually made from a special kind of plastic called polyurethane. They also come in different shapes and sizes, all depending of course on how you plan to use your skateboard. Because they help keep the skateboard close to the ground, smaller skateboard wheels are good for doing tricks. Skateboard wheels are also measured for how hard the polyurethane is processed. They are rated on an "A" scale. Your soft wheels will be around 70a, while the hard wheels are in the lower 100's.