Deck The Halls

How to Choose the Right Deck.

“A good skateboard is like a good pair of shoes. It should fit comfortably, and the best ones are designed specifically for their intended use. In the same way hiking boots are designed for traversing dirt and rocky trails, or basketball shoes are designed for vertical leaps and agile turns, different styles of skateboard decks are designed to accommodate the demands of different riding conditions-speeding down a hill, dropping in on a half-pipe, or cruising down the board walk.”

This blog is designed to help the writer pick out the perfect style deck for the type of riding they enjoy most. So, the first thing you’ll need to consider when choosing the right deck is what type of riding will you be doing.  Will you be cruising the flats, racing down hills, doing tricks, or a combination of things? There isn’t a one size fits all, so let’s look at the attributes of what’s best for each riding application.

Downhill

When choosing a board for downhill, speed and control are very important.  If you don’t pick the right board, you may find yourself shaking uncontrollably as you fly downhill, something us skaters call, “the death wobs.”  To avoid speed wobbles, consider choosing a board that is extra rigid, has a heavy concave and if you’re really looking for increased control, hoose a board with a lower standingplatform.  A lower standing platform, such as a drop deck board, lowers the riders center of gravity resulting in increased stability. 

Cruising

Unlike downhill, a good cruising board is less about control and more about comfort.  The right things to consider when looking to surf the sidewalks are flexibility, board length and shape. If you’re cruising in an urban setting, choose a shorter board because you will get a little more agility to avoid those pesky pedestrians and sidewalk hazards.  But, if you’re cruising for the long haul, such as skating Green Lake, and there’s less to navigate, a longer board will be the most comfortable. A board with a mild concave feels more mellow on the feet – something that you will want when you take a leisurely ride.

Tricks

If you’re looking to pop ollies or land a kick flip then you will want a board that is designed to maximize the rider’s ability to move the deck at will.  The idea trick board is shorter in length and lighter in weight which allows for easier revolutions and acrobatic control.  The trick board has kick tails which allows the rider’s foot to initiate directional pressure easily forcing the board into motion.

                            

While at first glance, skateboards may look like one and the same, but I hope you’ve discovered that choosing the right deck makes a huge difference in not only the rider’s enjoyment, but also greatly impacts their success. Attempting to race downhill on a board meant for cruising, is like trying to hike Paradise wearing the latest Jordan’s.  You may look cool, but your overall success and comfort will be impaired.