| Skateboarding has become ever so popular these | | | | composites, because of its flexibility. Also, the wider |
| days. It is no longer just for punk kids and has | | | | deck, the better it is for doing tricks. Most street |
| become a part of our culture. Skateboarding can be | | | | skateboards are about 7-8 inches wide while trick |
| seen in movies, on tv, and in video games. One of | | | | skateboards are up to 10 inches. You'll also see grip |
| the funnest video games I played when I was | | | | tape used on decks, which help keep your feet on |
| younger was tony hawk, a skateboarding game. And | | | | the board. |
| skateboarding games keep popping up too, some of | | | | The trucks and the wheels are the other two main |
| them rather good. | | | | components of the skateboard. Every skateboard |
| Now, as far as how skateboarding began, there is | | | | has two trucks and these are what connect the |
| some debate. Some say it was started by surfers | | | | wheels to the skateboard. Trucks are usually made |
| that wanted to try and surf on land. Same say it was | | | | of metal, typically from some sort of aluminum alloy. |
| by kids who tore apart their sop box racers and rode | | | | When the trucks are connected to the board, there |
| on just the bottom part. No matter who or when it | | | | is usually some sort of rubber barrier, which helps for |
| started, it is no doubt that skateboarding is here to | | | | turning and flexibility. The more stiff you make the |
| stay. Most cities even have skate parks, which are | | | | barrier, the harder it is to turn. |
| big parks of concrete with built in ramps and half | | | | When it comes to the wheels on skateboards, they |
| pipes. They are really fun and you can usually pick up | | | | are usually made from a special kind of plastic called |
| some new moves for your skateboard just by | | | | polyurethane. They also come in different shapes and |
| watching some of the others skaters there. | | | | sizes, all depending of course on how you plan to use |
| What does a skateboard consist of? Well, | | | | your skateboard. Because they help keep the |
| skateboards have come a long way, but your basic | | | | skateboard close to the ground, smaller skateboard |
| skateboard components consist of the deck, wheels | | | | wheels are good for doing tricks. Skateboard wheels |
| and bearing, and the trucks, which hold the wheels. | | | | are also measured for how hard the polyurethane is |
| The deck itself is really important and is typically | | | | processed. They are rated on an "A" scale. Your soft |
| made of wood. However, more and more | | | | wheels will be around 70a, while the hard wheels are |
| skateboard decks are being made from plastic | | | | in the lower 100's. |