The Growing Popularity of Skateboarding: Beginner’s Guide to Buying Your First Skateboard

Skateboarding has been around for quite some time, and it’s still as if not more popular than ever. It’s an activity that fills you up with adrenaline while making you feel free and happy at the same time. So it isn’t strange that a lot of kids are beginning to love it from an early age.

One of the most common questions people have on their minds when investing in skateboards is whether to buy a complete or custom one. Luckily, making the right choice is possible only by understanding them and their differences.

What Is a Complete Skateboard?

man holding complete skateboard
source: designbundles.net

As the name suggests, a complete skateboard is an entire skateboard sold pre-assembled. Instead of buying each component separately in order to build it on your own, you have the freedom to buy from the large selection of skateboards for sale. Ranging in size, model, colours and appearance, these stores can certainly provide you with numerous skateboards for sale coming from trusted brands.

The best thing about buying a complete skate board is that they make everything easy because after the investment you can ride it straight away. Practice shows that they’re the perfect option among new skaters because they’re easy to use, extremely practical and sturdy at the same time.

These skateboards are made for general use and are ideal for those of you who want to learn the basics of skateboarding. They’re great for skate parks, ramps, street skating, etc., which means that you can try them on different terrains. Even though some of its components might wear out faster than others, the truth is that they’re quite affordable and easy to replace. Plus, it’s more economical to have small parts replaced than having to replace the entire skateboard. Nowadays, you can find some really good complete skateboards on the market, coming from reputable and trusted brands that stand behind each and every type of their products.

What Is a Custom Skateboard?

man walking up stairs with custom skateboard in hand
source: creativemarket.com

Unlike complete skateboards which are designed for general use, custom skateboards allow you to create a particular skateboard style. Hence, these skateboards are ideal for the more experienced skaters who already know what they want.

Building your own skateboard gives you the ability to choose all of your components that will help you to design a skateboard with specialised performance. For instance, if you feel at your best when riding your skateboard on any concrete terrain or at your local skate park, then you would probably benefit from a skateboard that has sturdier and harder wheels, wider trucks and a wider deck. All of these things cannot be compared to the components that you’ll receive by investing in a complete skateboard, because they’re made for general use only.

Plus, you’ll be able to create a skateboard with a unique and personal design. However, you surely won’t benefit at all by building your own skateboard if you’re a beginner, since at this point you need something sturdy yet simple, something that can meet nothing else than your daily needs.

How to Choose the Right Complete Skateboard for a Beginner?

source: thoughtco.com

So, we’ve determined that complete skateboards are the way to go if you are a beginner. The first thing to have in mind when choosing a complete skateboard is the deck’s width. The deck’s width can range between 8’’ and 9’’, however, it isn’t strange seeing decks that are wider than 9’’. Choosing the right deck width should be mainly based on your skateboard style, but given the fact that you’re a beginner, it would be best for you to choose the golden middle. If not sure about what to choose, you can always consult with someone who can give you the needed advice.

Once you’ve chosen the right deck width, it’s time for you to think of the skateboard’s material and parts. The chosen skateboard should be made of quality wood that won’t crack or chip after several uses. Furthermore, its parts need to be sturdy and strong enough to handle daily use. You can get all of this only by choosing a skateboard from a reliable and trusted brand. Although you can find extremely affordable complete skateboard options on the market, the truth is that usually they’re made of a poor wood composition and parts that can break in a short period of time.

Even beginners can feel the difference between a good and a bad skateboard. For instance, if the chosen model has a soft deck and wheels that can hardly roll, you can be sure that this purchase would be a complete waste of money. With a skateboard like this, you won’t be able to progress and have fun when riding your skateboard, and in the end, this is the goal, right?! So, before letting the price be your only decisive factor, do deep research and find a store that can give you the best of both worlds – quality and style without compromising the price.