start skateboarding now

start skateboarding now

*** THE DEFINITIVE GUIDE TO SKATEBOARDING ***

Skateboard Anatomy 101

In this chapter, you will learn about different skateboard components, what experience each of them adds when you ride a skateboard and how to choose them.

Introduction to skateboard anatomy

A skateboard consists of a few parts. Some skateboards are sold already preassembled with those parts, which is called a complete skateboard. These skateboards are usually good if you are just starting out because they are cheaper and manufacturer already made sure that the components used in this skateboard work well together. Once you have a better understanding of different parts and what role they play in the skateboarding dynamics, you can go for a custom built skateboard. In this case you will be assembling a skateboard yourself with your chosen components.

Deck – the most crucial part of your skateboard

Also referred to as the board, a deck is a timber platform that you will be standing on while driving a skateboard. It’s probable the maximum critical a part of the skateboard so one can come up with the overall feel whilst using down the road or within the park. Trucks and grip tape are connected to a deck. It’s very important to pick out a deck, that's proper length for you. Deck sizes can range based totally on your preferred using style and in your peak. Decks include one of a kind graphics, thickness, duration and width. There is a slight difference between the tail and the nostril of the deck. A precise deck additionally has concaves, that help you hold your feet in your board.

A deeper look into various parts of a deck

Seemingly simple, a board consists of a few key elements that help it turn, pop and spin. The most important component and the biggest progress to skateboarding was done with introduction of a kicktail.

A kicktail is an upwards bent end of a skateboard. Each skateboard has two of them. They are known as nose and tail of a skateboard. Kicktails help to manoeuvre the board, perform higher jumps and are a key to some of the tricks, which require flipping the board or lifting one of the trucks off the ground. The nose of a deck is usually a little bit broader and larger, while the tail is a little smaller.

A skateboard’s side view. Shows both kicktails (tail and nose) and a zoomed version of plies. All plies in this skateboard are different colours. Middle ply is pink and there are 7 plies in total.

Each deck consists of usually 7-9 layers of wood. These layers are called plies. Sometimes, one of the plies (usually in the middle) is made from fiberglass. This helps strengthen the deck or add additional qualities to it, like a possibility to jump higher, or not break in the middle.

Plies are held together by laminates. Essentially, a laminate is a glue that you put between plies. Some skateboard manufacturers use water based glues, others use epoxy. Epoxy based laminates have additional qualities that help strengthen your board. When laminates are dry, they are harmless to the environment, however, they are toxic during manufacturing.

Each board has 8 mounting holes, 4 near each kicktail. Mounting holes are used to attach trucks to the board. It is very important, to drill the holes very precisely. If done incorrectly, a skateboard might break faster, turn worse and even ride slower, damaging your wheels and trucks.

A skateboard’s top view. Shows a mounting hole and the distance between mounting holes, called wheel base.

The distance between mounting holes is called wheelbase. When the deck gets taller, the wheel base gets longer, too. If you are tall, you’ll want a taller deck, which in return will result in longer wheel base.

Deck sizes determine your riding style

Decks vary greatly in sizes, both length and width. Deck sizes are measured in inches, and even those countries that have adopted metric system still use inches when talking about deck size.

The riding style you’re after and your height will determine the deck’s size you should get. Professional skateboarders that ride vert ramps usually ride decks that are wide – around 8.5″ or wider. Street skaters choose boards that are between 7.5″ and 8″. Skaters riding transitions, like mini ramps, pools, and quarter pipes usually go for boards that are 8.25″. If you want to cruise or go old school you can go for 8.25″+. Skaters in skateparks usually go for something between 8″-8.25″ because it covers both street and transition courses.

Here’s a handy chart that you can use to determine the skateboard size you need.

Height in/cm	Shoe size US/UK/EU	Deck type	Width	Length
3’5″ / 104	3 / 2 / 33.5	Micro	6.5″-6.75″	27.2″-27.6″
3’5″-4’4″ / 104-132	4-6 / 3-5 / 36-38	Mini	7.0″	28″
4’5″-5’2″ / 132-157	7-8 / 6.5-7.5 / 40-41	Mid	7.3″	29″
5’3″+ / 157+	9+ / 8.5+ / 42+	Regular	7.5″+	29″+

Table 1. Recommended skateboard deck’s size based on skateboarder’s height and shoe size.

At a skateboard deck factory

Now that you know about different deck components, it’s time to get a better understanding of how skateboard decks are manufactured. It all begins with finding the right kind of trees. The best suited trees are Canadian Maple. They grow in just the right conditions to make the boards resistant to extreme shocks on impact as well as make them durable and give them a property to pop well.

Maple is cut and transported to the factory, where it is turned into thin veneer. Later, veneers undergo various processes, like sanding, drying, dying, pressurising and others, until they become rectangular shaped sheets. These sheets are called “plies”. It is usual for a skateboard to consists of 7 plies stacked on top of each other. They are glued, pressed into a concaved shape and dried.

After the plies have dried, decks are rounded. Rounding is done by cutting and sanding the decks both by hands and machines, to give them the round shape on the nose and tail you are used to seeing. The mounting holes are then cut and the decks are varnished. After the graphics has been applied, decks undergo the final inspection, are packed and shipped to distributors.