Sos Roofline Systems

When it comes to hobbies, there can be few things that are less expensive and more fun than skateboarding. In reality, all you really require is a good skateboard. There are all kinds of accessories in the shops too, but these are not really necessary. If you have a good skateboard, the world is a skate park.

Skateboards, as we know them these days, have been around since the 1950s. Skateboard design has developed a little since then, but not really that dramatically. The overall design is still unchanged – four wheels and a deck.

Deck – The deck is the flat board that the skateboarder stands on. These are usually made from thin layers of maple, but can also be made out of different substances. Normally a deck will be about 10 inches wide and 30 inches long. Most decks have kicktails at either end which allow the board to be easily kicked up off the surface, which aids in tricks and stunts. The deck’s surface will usually be covered by a high-grip substance.

Trucks – These connect the wheels and the deck of the skateboard. They consist of two parts. The baseplate is connected to the deck. The hanger holds the axle and also helps in the turning of the skateboard. The hanger should be adjustable to make turning the board easier or more difficult.

Wheels – Skateboard wheels come in different sizes and varying consistencies, depending on the needs of the boarder. For example, bigger wheels give greater speeds, while smaller wheels provide a lower center of gravity and are more suitable for jumps and stunts.

Those are the parts that make up a basic skateboard and, when it comes down to it, that is all that’s needed. That said, skateboarding is much more than a hobby, it is a complete sub-culture and has all the accessories that go with it.

At the more practical level, there is a huge selection of safety equipment that is a good idea for beginners or for those trying out riskier jumps and tricks. A good helmet and knee and elbow guards can save you from a lot of unnecessary pain.

There are countless add-ons to help you ‘pimp your board’. For example, nose and tail guards, and rails and lappers. The under-side of decks often have intricate graphics, while there are also lines of clothing, sunglasses and other fashion items aimed specifically at skateboarders.

While skateboarding is most often thought of as a sport or a hobby, a lot of enthusiasts praise it as an environmentally friendly form of transportation. That said, skateboarding on streets and sidewalks is prohibited in many areas because of the belief that it is too dangerous as a means of transport. In reality, injuries are usually minor when they do take place.

As hobbies go, boarding has to be one of the cheapest around. For as cheap as $75 you can buy a quality skateboard that will, in all likelihood, last you for years.