Skateboarding is a fun activity for kids as well as adults. Mostly, when you kind your kids lounging on the sofa all day, the first thought to come to your mind is how to make them move their body and indulge in some activity. Well, skateboarding can be an exciting solution. Kids love to skateboard. It teaches them balancing and gives a feeling of thrill. Also, it is a perfect medium of exercising.
As conventional as it may sound, skateboarding needs using a skateboard. While a skateboard has many details that a buyer should know, the sizing is the most challenging part. Most buyers usually make a mistake with accurate sizing which also limits online sales. A misfit skateboard can cause harsh accidents. It prevents the child from making a firm grip on the board which can lead to lethal results.
If you have a good idea about the sizes available in the skateboards and recognize the way on how to find the right one, finding the accurate option will become easier.
Basic Dimensions of a Skateboard
The dimensions of a skateboard include its length and the width, isn’t it? It’s true. The basic dimensions are acknowledged through this only. However, there are some other details related to the dimensions also that I will tell.
A smaller board that is not constructed properly can break from beneath while you are riding. This can lead to potential injury. This guide will help in understanding the dimensions and sizes which are most suitable for you. So, without further ado, let’s talk about the different parts of a skateboard.
The flat large board on the top of a skateboard is known as the deck. Now, the deck is a place where the child has to put the feet firmly to run it. Decks are available in different sizes, patterns, and weights.
It all comes down to the length and width of a deck which has to be appropriate. So, keep in mind the deck size while selecting with respect to your physical size and skateboarding ability.
If you are big in size or like to use skating ramps and vert ramps that prefer buying a wider and longer deck.
The next important thing is a wheelbase which is basically the distance between two pairs of the inner mounting holes. The front of a skateboard can be distinguished from its back because the front has wider kick whereas the back is made with a mellow kick.
Then there are mounting holes that are basically pre-drilled holes where you attach the skateboard truck. The T-shaped metal parts are known as trucks that are fixed along the centerline of the deck’s underside.
Some Important Details
There are several layers of plywood used in the formation of a deck. The wood contains a minor concave curve between front and back. It is meant to provide high control to the rider and also increases the robustness of the skateboard.
A skater can only ensure a controlled and convenient ride if the size of the skateboard is right. Only a person with good information on all the different components of a skateboard will be able to determine the right size:
-
Width
A skateboard is available in a average width of 7.5” – 8.25”. The width should be determined on the size of the rider and the target riding. As I mentioned earlier, bigger riders should only prefer wider decks. At the same time, the street skaters will find smaller decks quite useful. It is also rightly said that one should choose the size of skateboard based on its width and not length.
-
Length
An average length of a skateboard deck is from 28” – 32”. The longer skateboards should only be preferred by the professional skaters or else you will not find a good balance. Practiced skaters can work with the longer decks smoothly and easily.
So, these are the prime two dimensions that you should keep in mind while picking the right size.
What Are The Different Sizes of Skateboard Decks?
So, you should know that the decks are quite variable when it comes to the width. It is an important tip for all the beginners that while starting with the skateboarding, always select a model from its width and not the length. You should also not focus on the wheelbase while picking the right size. The width should be of utmost significance. Now, the width you require should depend on your size, personal preference and skating style. I will share some of the general guidelines below on different kind of widths:
-
Micro Deck
Micro deck is commonly used for smaller kids, mostly from 5 years or younger. The width of these decks range between 6.5” – 6.75” and the length varies from 27.2” – 27.6”. Make sure that the height of the kid is not more than 3’5” tall. Also, it will be good if the shoe size is 3 or smaller. The micro deck will be best suitable for such children.
-
Mini Deck
So, the next one i.e. the Mini deck is suitable for kids that age between 6 to 8 years. Most of the kids in this age share the same kind of tallness. So, the ideal width of the mini deck is 7.0” and the length is 28”. The kid should be 3’5” and 4’4” tall and also that they wear the shoe in size from 4 – 6.
-
Mid-size Deck
The mid-size decks are suitable for kids at the age of 9 to 12 years old. Kids at this age are pretty well-versed at skateboarding. However, if your child is new to skateboarding then you have to super careful about the right size. The ideal width and length for a mid-size skateboard are 7.3” – 29”. Also, while buying make sure that the shoe size is 7-8. Select the right size according to the described dimensions.
-
Full-Size Deck
The maximum size of the deck can be related with the full-size decks. This size is fine for the kids that are over 13 years in age and taller than 5’3”. The width of these decks is 7.5” or above. While this is the largest size, you should still pick a model based on your skating style. I will explain the different widths below:7.5” to 8” is the standard board for adult riders that like skating on the streets and enjoy indulging in tricks, 8” – 8.25” widths are perfect for skating pools, parks, and ramps. Lastly, there is 8.25” or larger widths suitable for vert, cruising, pools, or any other old school activities.
Conclusion
You can change the deck if mistakenly you have purchased the wrong size. However, there is no such thing as picking the right size. I hope this size guide will be helpful enough for you to find the right size for your child. I have also mentioned suitable sizes for the adults to make this guide more productive. Just make sure that you buy the right size before purchase.
Leave a Reply