My Skateboard Tricks

posted by My Skateboard Tricks on Jun 30

Skateboarding Asia

It probably took the rest of the world some 20 or so years to embrace the concept of skateboarding. Of course, there might be a few here and there, and mainly as an after-school activity. But there has been a lot of excitement, especially during big competitions in Asia alone and have been producing some of the best talents when it comes to vert and street skateboarding categories.

Thailand has been a home for the Asian X-Games, where a gathering of some of the best action players in different categories that also include vert and street skateboarding. Looking into the trend, some of the top contenders are mainly China, Japan, Singapore, Thailand, the Philippines and Australia.

China, especially in major cities like in Shanghai, are no strangers when it comes to skateboarding. Some of the best Asian skateboarders have been competing in the Asian X-Games as well as the World Skateboard Cup usually held in Europe. Annual events have been set up on Shanghai, inviting both local and foreign skateboarders to compete for the cash prize that may reach up to $5,000.

In Japan, there are a few skateboarders, yet sometimes it tends to be outlawed, especially in crowded cities such as Tokyo. Although there is no such ban for skateboarding, there have been a few designated skateparks within and at the outskirts of the city itself. These skateparks were once used mostly by in-line skaters, once a rage in the country and would often compete in the X-Games in the US.

Although the fad has yet to die down, a good number of skateboarders can be found almost all over the place, as long as no local authorities are around to stop them.

Skateboarders in the Philippines are usually in small numbers, yet small competitions, usually held within communities, have encouraged a lot of these skateboarders to win the crowd with their tricks and street performances. Often as a past time, they never seem to take it too seriously and often popular with family members as well for those who want to spend a bit of quality time with their children.

Australia happens to be a big fan of skateboarding, followed by other action sports that they often hold skateboarding tournaments no more than ten times in a year. Usually held in major cities, and with the follow-up to qualify for the Asian X-Games in Thailand, it’s often a very competitive sport for the Land Down Under.

posted by My Skateboard Tricks on Jun 28

Skateboarding Alternatives

Skateboards may come in one design structure only, but there have been other variations that made skateboarding something a bit ordinary, yet the results are still the same. Remembering the TV shopping ad called the Snakeboard, which is a skateboard with pivoting joints that allow the rider to freely go in motion as if slithering to move forward.

This is one of the inventions that have captured the spark of other companies when it comes to designing other ways to make a skateboard, and sometimes when the design is meant to do more than one thing only.

Longboards have been around even before the skateboard that is known today. Heavier and longer, these skateboards are meant for long cruising, where its larger size and wheels makes for a more stable ride than ordinary skateboards. It would be hard to perform tricks on a longboard, but it’s the next best thing to emulate riding the waves of the ocean.

Mountain Boards (known as dirtboards for others) is another unusual invention meant for downhill shredding. As if trying to emulate the feel of downhill mountain biking, mountain boards are designed that way with much larger, threaded wheels and foot straps. Of course it would be dangerous to actually skateboard down a very steep hill, but more like getting the feel of surfing the hills in a more rugged terrain.

Freebord (spelled that way) is another skateboard alternative that has the same designs of a snowboard, only with wider trucks and wheels. It’s designed to give the rider a more controlled carving (or shredding) sensation as the wider trucks and an extra wheel on each that makes it possible. Perfect for those who wants to get the feel of snowboarding, if one hates being cold even for a short time. Performing tricks would be impossible given to the weight, but just enough to shred asphalt or pavement. Snowdecks have a similar feature, only this time it emphasizes in actually sliding on roads, and it can be a bit difficult.

One other skateboard, if they could call it as that, just emulates the feel of skateboarding without the deck itself. It’s mainly just a pair of wheels that can be attached under the shoes like a pair of inline skates, but the effects are not the same without a counterbalance.

Unusual designs, shapes, even some with dual purposes. Manufactures would go through certain leaps and bounds to give skateboarding a much different feel than the one that skateboarders are used to.

posted by My Skateboard Tricks on Jun 26

Skateboard Trucks

It would be interesting if the future’s skateboards are the ones from Back to the Future, but it may be a long way to find hoverboards that would allow faster speeds and better turns that anything.

In a way, skateboard trucks or axles is an important part of the skateboard that would determine how the skateboarder would perform tricks or even just for cruising. The four major parts of the truck is the axle or hangar, kingpin, bushing and baseplate. Except for the bushing, these parts are made primarily of aluminum alloy for durability as well as its lightweight composition.

The baseplate is where it connects to the deck, and the kingpin should be face in, or there would be some dire effects like leaning to the right would actually send the board to the left. The bushing serves as the main cushion, as well as allowing the skateboarder to turn once they place their weight on one direction. Eventual wear and tear would deteriorate the trucks, as well as damaging it at some point so it would be best to replace them if the shock absorption seem to be opt of place.

Another thing to keep in mind is the hangar, the part where grinds can be performed. Sometimes a defective or damaged bushing would lock the hangar in place upon landing. In a way when steering from old cars tends to lock when braking, this skateboarding term is called an axle slip, and sometimes it can be remedied by banging the axle back in place. In the end it would damage the truck altogether.

Just like any driver would have their preferences when it comes to the stiffness for the gas, brake or even steering wheel, the truck acts the same way. Where most skateboards sold in stores anywhere, the kingpin is tightened during manufacturing, and can be tightened or loosened. Of course the skateboarder would determine the kingpin grip level, and better not to listen to tips or suggestions from other skateboarders since they have their own preference. Of course, a tight kingpin would make for easier flip tricks, while loose kingpins would be good for cruising.

The truck’s weight can be as heavy between 10 to 13 ounces, and would depend on the skateboarder themselves. It would be best to try out the different types of skateboards with the emphasis on truck weight to see if it can deliver better flips or tricks. Sometimes the skateboarder’s strength and weight would determine as well.

posted by My Skateboard Tricks on Jun 24

Skateboard Organizations

One may wonder how skateboarding events can be organized without much difficulty, which like any election also involves donations and fundraising and the like.

There are several organizations that reaches out and handles the concerns and needs for skateboarders to know where to compete, as well as for fans to know where they can see them in action. There is a list of some of the best and dedicated organizations for skateboarding.

The IASC (International Association of Skateboard Companies) has been a collaboration of many of the world’s skateboard companies that would help in organizing and fundraising to create awareness of skateboarding as a means of fulfillment and recreation. Their members not only consist of such companies, but as well as other organizations and scholarships in order to seek out some of the best skateboarders during competitions.

With a portfolio of over hundreds of small and large skateboard companies, they have managed to support and advertise most of the competitions in the US, Europe and Asia.

The Tony Hawk Foundation is also another organization that helps low-income communities to have their own skateparks. Not in the sense of grandeur, but every grant requested would determine the overall population of skateboarders, as well as the need for one. Since skateboarding is dangerous, the foundation would provide the necessary funding for a good-sized skatepark for children and teens to go all out when it comes to skateboarding.

Action Sports Alliance is among one of the few and the proud, allowing female skateboarders to be known and recognized by a male-dominated sport of skateboarding that provides amateur and/or professional events across the country. Calling out to existing competitions in terms of prizes, events, as well as searching for sponsorship for women skateboarders, the ASA have been a boon to many women considered as the unsung heroes, brave enough to ride the vertical half pipe along with the guys.

These are some of the best organizations when it comes to delivering the best out of any skateboarder in the world. There are other organizers, mostly in their local State, but these three have been around when it comes to major competitions such as the X-Games, World Cup Skateboarding and the like to help promote and for other companies to be aware when it comes to searching for fresh talent.

Nowadays, skateboarding is considered as a competitive sport that is almost akin to surfing, where concrete waves are ridden with the courage and tenacity of these men and women. And It’s all in the name of good fun.

posted by My Skateboard Tricks on Jun 22

Shoes Made for Skateboarding

Back then, Chuck Taylor sneakers were the only thing that would be light and durable enough to handle the rigorous abuse skateboarding could offer, as it involved grinding, padding or just pushing the board along the way for an easy cruise. Of course, since the return of skateboarding popularity, there are dozens of small and large companies that offer different styles and durability when it comes to skateboarding shoes.

It wouldn’t be unusual for anyone to wear just about any shoe, be it for hiking, basketball, or cross training, but the one thing that skateboarders would want is the lightness needed for better control of the skateboard as they perform tricks with ease. Style factor is also a plus, but that would come to a close second as spectators would rather see the performance of their favorite skater rather than what shoe they wear.

Converse’s Chuck Taylor needs no introduction, as it’s been around for nearly a century, which have an on and off popularity during the 70s onward. Design-wise and durability, as well as the advent of low, mid and high cuts, Chucks have been a favored shoe regardless of the times.

Nike also places an eye over the skateboarding trend, setting up their own line of shoes (since they already own Converse), as they have their own lineup of lightweight shoes with a more simplified design yet offer better traction and grip, best suited for verts and street skating. Made with the same technology for their Cross-trainers, their new line of skateboarding shoes would make the sport even more enjoyable.

Adidas would never be left out of the drink with their own line of skateboarding shoes, as theirs offer a more diverse line of designs with different materials to suit ever skateboarder’s taste. Well known for their durability, skateboarders would be satisfied with Adidas in terms of pricing. OIF course in not on the board, it can also be used as everyday wear for casual days outside.

These may be a few example with some of the biggest shoe companies in the market, as they are opening the potential of skateboarding as something to look forward to. Though it would be a long while before skateboarding could be considered as an Olympic event, at least on everyday roads, skateboarding is a competitive sport that requires protection and better handling with these shoes on the market today.

posted by My Skateboard Tricks on Jun 20

Longboards, the Other Skateboard

Surfing enthusiasts would be thrilled to find themselves cruising down the roads on a longboard, the bigger brother of skateboards that offer more stability and speeds, especially when cruising down the road. Considering the weight, it wouldn’t be able to perform tricks, but the same principle is also applied, as well as a few more precautionary gear needed when using a longboard.

Longboarding has its roots in surfing, much like skateboard, as it takes a little more strength to handle a heavy longboard, especially when it comes to carving, which is turning, as well as stopping. Though the longboarder wouldn’t be cruising in breakneck speeds, it takes a little more foot power when it comes to braking. The design may look like a regular surfboard, only smaller and with large and softer wheels for better traction and speed.

The physics behind the longboard would mean added stability since the weight would definitely push down the center of gravity. But when it comes to turning it would be a tad bit difficult. Although there are some longboards that come in shorter varieties, the stability will suffer a bit, yet turning would be easier. Whether the skateboarder would prefer the regular or goofy stance would determine the rider himself or herself and the gap between the front and rear feet should be a little far apart for better stability and shock absorption. Getting to know the longboard is the first step when it comes to preparation.

It would be difficult to kick their way when it comes to longboarding, thus the need to find a good enough slope on a street somewhere in order to kick with ease. From there, gravity will take over as the momentum will slowly build up to increase the speed as they dart down the road. Of course it would help if the road has little to no traffic at all.

When it comes to carving, or turning, the longboard requires a little more effort. Toe edge or heel edge requires a little more weight added as the longboarder encounter a bend on the road. As for stopping, there are a few ways, which the most common way is to drop the foot on the road and start dragging, enough to slow down the momentum up to a complete stop. It takes several seconds due tot he combined weight on both longboard and skater.

Longboards are as fun as skateboarding without executing tricks or stunts.

posted by My Skateboard Tricks on Jun 18

Girls on Skateboards

In a way, it’s like a nerd’s version of a good time or probably a wet dream of sorts, but envisioning women pro skateboarders and how they can be within the league of a male-dominated sport can be alluring. In a way, most men would rather think of woemn surfboarders, but skateboarders?

Of course there’s nothing bad about it, and in a sense it’s definitely a breath of fresh air to find more and more women skateboarders on skateparks or just cruising along on the streets rather than the local shopping mall. Yet since the mid 90s, it seems there is a slight increase of women skateboarders, which there are only a handful of pro woemn skateboarders out there, and not much exposure to begin with.

If they were to conduct a poll, there’s a possible 3 million skateboarders who would skate at least twice a week. Only about 10 more or less percent of them are women. Still, three hundred thousand is still a sizeable number, the question is where are they?

Looking into the history of professional skateboarding, the X-Games have been fair with both genders, organizing events that is applicable for both men and women such as free climbing and aggressive in-line skating. There are a few events for women when it comes to skateboarding, and that’s just it. One event that seem to remedy the near extinction of woemn skateboarders is thanks to the All Girl Skate Jam, which unites both amateur and professional female skateboarders from across the US in order to compete in this women-only competition.

Despite of the best efforts, it seems that companies would rather just want men to do most of the dirty and dangerous work. It does sound prejudiced, but with one female pro skateboarder, she explained that she wears pretty much what the guys would wear, perform the same tricks, listen to the same music and maybe some who are actually smaller than her. Physical size and attributes aside, most companies wouldn’t think of the need to have women, nor even sponsor them due to the lack of support from the made pro skateboarding side of things.

When most male skateboarders would compete against rivals and their sponsors, most women could only get as much as they can when it comes to getting sponsorship. The sad reality here is there isn’t much to expect, as most of them would still remain stuck in competing in local vents or to be a sideliner in one of the major ones.

posted by My Skateboard Tricks on Jun 16

Caring for a Skateboard

When any person decides to take out the old skateboard out of the garage to give it a spin, he would remember to see if the skateboard is functioning properly. Not that it just rolls on the road, but there are more things than just the deck and wheels to just leave it to collect dust when bored.

Like any vehicle with wheels, skateboards require proper maintenance to ensure safety and care for both rider and skateboard. It may not be much, just a few minutes before taking the skateboard for a few tricks, but it beats having to be sent to the hospital because the wheel just got loose and end up falling face first to a ravine.

Decks can last as long as the multiple ply can hold, since it’s glued and laminated together to create a more rigid body. Cracks on the deck itself are not uncommon, and would mean a new deck has to be replaced. There are no easy fixes or gimmicks for decks, as it can be as fragile once a small crack is already visible, especially if the crack itself was covered by the grip tape so it would be best to have it replaced. At least there is an excuse to get a new deck with new graphics to drool over.

The wheels are susceptible to wear and irregularities so much like riding a car on its rims only. They have a tendency to get bent out of shape, even in the smallest miniscule that would cause frequent crashes. Better to replace the wheels as often when it does wear.

Trucks and the nuts and bolts that holds it in place can be a major hazard if overlooked. Like anything that requires screw tightening, they fall prey from vibrations, bumps, grinds and anything that would shake the truck in pieces. Best handled by tightening the bolts and adding some lubrication in the bearings for better operation.

As for the grip tape, since the stuff can be as tough as duct tape, it would be almost impossible to remove unless it takes the first layer with it, ending the deck’s life. Brushing the grip tape would work best with some soap and water would help to return some of the grip on the tape.

These simple tasks may seem menial for a lot of amateur skateboarders, but it would be better than getting a cast on any part of the body.

posted by My Skateboard Tricks on Jun 14

Skateparks vs Street Skating

Considering the popularity of skateboarding in California, as well as the controversy involved, there are over 2000 registered skateparks available throughout some of the major cities and towns across the country.

One of the most interesting debates when it comes to skateparks and just the common streets anywhere is usually the space involved. Though skateparks may come in various sizes, there has been some speculation even with skateboarders themselves on the construction and design. Even the residential homeowners would often felt that skateparks are a big waste of money and park space at first. Ever since the advancement when it comes to techniques and tricks, it seemed necessary for most communities and cities to have a skatepark or two in the area.

One of the best so far is the Vans Skatepark located at Orange, California. This park has just about everything that is considered as a skateboarder’s paradise, with the right combination on both indoor, outdoor as well as a beginner’s area for those who want to try out skateparks and vert skateboarding. And as an added bonus, the skatepark also features a fully stocked arcade area with the latest games available.

Another place to hang out is the 28th And B Skatepark in Sacramento California, where the structure resembles a large warehouse. Resident pro skater Matt Rodriguez is also there to teach the basics of skateboarding for minors.

Mission Valley Ymca Krause Family Skatepark is also a perfect place for skateboarders when it comes to the ease and size of the outdoor park. Complete with both concrete as well as vert skateboarding, there would be enough space to explore the area as well as a street areas and beginner’s areas and costs about $10 for a 3 hour session.

Even Florida has its fair share of skateparks that have attracted quite a following, considering that skateboarding was also big in Florida even back in the 70s. Among such parks is the Kona Skatepark in Jacksonville, Florida, where a mix of both street area, verts as well as the concrete park itself. Rates and fees are reasonable enough, while members pay a dollar on Sundays.

These are among the few skateparks located in both ends of the country. There are many more to go, depending on the State as well as the city. Though a few low-income neighborhoods may have a skatepark thanks to Tony Hawk’s foundation, it seems that skateparks have become a necessary thing in American life and skateboarders all around.

posted by My Skateboard Tricks on Jun 12

Building Skateboard Ramps

There was a time when skateboarding is more of a past time for a lot of kids and teenagers, and most of them would learn a trick or two just to impress their friends or the ladies. Among those is having a makeshift ramp set up near the garage using some materials and a strong enough plywood.

And it’s still being practiced even today.

Most skateboarders would want to start practicing on ramps before hitting the skatepark or the vertical half-pipe just for the sake of avoiding an embarrassing fall. Just to remind novice skateboarders is that ramps can be just as dangerous despite of the starting level they would work with.

To begin construction, the builder has to determine the size and a place for storage. Anything too big might not fit inside the garage. The design may vary, depending on how high the jump may be and depending on the slope as well. A street with a steep climb and a big enough ramp would cause a jump that may be too much to handle. Creating a sketch is a good way to start off things.

A few 2×4 pieces of wood would be good enough for the framework, followed by some pieces of plywood for the curve. It may take as many as 2 layers of plywood to create a decent ramp, but the initial design would be all about simplicity. There should be 3 panels of plywood to create the necessary curve and from there they start nailing it in place. Best if they use screws for better grip and since the screws wouldn’t jut at the end of the wood in case of accidents that would snag the skateboarder. Once the plywood is already in place, another later of plywood can be layered to complete it. Better to use thin plywood since it can bend enough for the ramp.

There are practically hundreds of ramps that are made with varying shapes and sizes, and most of them would be within the skateboarder’s skill level. Of course, a skateboarding beginner would want to wait until they are comfortable enough to ride a skateboard to learn a trick or two, but in any case, having a ramp would definitely increase the thrill factor, as well as honing landing skills when it comes to skateboarding.

It would definitely erase the sense of fear when it comes to skateparks or when performing street tricks such as the ollie.