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Archive for the ‘Articles’ Category

Skateboarding Posters: Enhance Your Passion for Skating

We all admire some or the other sports game and like playing it as well. Many of us like skating and have done skating in our childhood days. Today also one can do skating irrespective of the age factor because if you are passionate about this game then nothing can become the barrier before you. Those who seriously no more can do skating but really admire this game can buy skateboarding posters and stick them on the walls around them, as these posters will keep encouraging them. Skateboarding posters can be very motivating for those who love skating because seeing these posters around will keep them in good moods. If you know someone who loves skating then you must present that person skateboarding posters, as this will be a perfect gift for that person. Go for online skateboarding posters and choose the best poster by simply clicking the mouse. It is very simple and secure to buy skateboarding posters from the best posters website because you simply need to select the poster of your choice and get it delivered at your desired place. Skateboarding posters having inspirational thoughts written on them are also very interesting because these posters help to keep motivating others. Having posters of your favorite game around you will surely keep you in the best of your spirits and develop your positive outlook towards life. Few online poster companies even allow you to send free ecards of skateboarding posters to your friends who love skating. In case the online skateboarding posters are out of stock then you can send a request for the same on the similar poster website. As soon as the new stock of posters will be available you will be informed. So, don’t let your liking for the game of skating die rather encourage this passion by making skateboarding posters an integral part of your life.

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Make Money Giving Skateboarding Lessons

Most of youth would like to have a job that allows them to have some extra money. Parents don’t have an unlimited supply of it to provide them with what they want for clothing, video games, hanging out with friends, music, and more. Not everyone is old enough to get a job but what if you can make some money doing something you already enjoy? It is possible for you to make money providing skateboarding lessons. There are lots of people around that would sign up for them and gladly pay.Think about how much time you want to dedicate to skateboarding lessons. You also want to think about how much to charge. You want to make it worth your while but at the same time affordable. Keep in mind that many of your students will have to cover this expense on their own. Now you are ready to start advertising. There are many methods you use that are free as well as some that don’t cost very much to use.For example you can ask to hang up fliers at local skate parks and bulletin boards. Focus on places where your target market would go such as movie stores, arcades, and even sporting good stores. Local newspaper is an ideal place to put your ads and will not cost much. Don’t forget to tell your friends and family about your efforts so they can pass the word along as well.While you will have the flexibility with this type of job to work when you want, you will get the most benefit from it if you are willing to go with the schedule other people have. Some may wish to learn skateboarding in the early mornings while others will want to in the evening. Try to be open to both weekdays and weekends so you can fit everyone in. Keeping track of your schedule is very important to make sure you don’t forget about lessons you have committed yourself to.Your lessons need to customized to fit your students. Some of them may love the idea of riding a skateboard but they never have before. They will need to start with the very basics. Others will have those basics mastered but want to learn tricks or new riding methods. Make sure you listen to what their needs are so that you can teach them the right moves and methods. Make a commitment to use proper safety equipment when you give skateboarding lessons too. A good example for your students is important to make your student trust your qualification. In fact, you should also be making sure they have what they need. Refuse to teach anyone that isn’t taking the safety aspect of this sport seriously. Your students will learn how to skateboard at their own speed. Therefore, you need to be patient and you need to offer plenty of encouragement. Find a quite location where these lessons can be done without interruptions from other people. That way both of you can focus on what you are attempting to accomplish.Use your skills relating to skateboarding as well as your love of the sport to make some money. You may be trying to save up to get a new skateboard or some great accessories for the one you already have. Teaching other people how to skateboard can be a great way for you to that money faster. At the same time you will be able to feel good about knowing you helped others to learn enough to really start enjoying the sport themselves.

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A Guide To Skateboard Bearings

Firstly, what is your skateboard bearing? The skateboard bearing is the component that allows the wheel to spin freely so the board can be ridden. Each wheel is mounted by 2 ball bearings. Generally there is only one size to skateboard bearings, there are a few exceptions but mostly they are a standard “608″ size, a bore of 8mm, an outer diameter of 22mm, and a width of 7mm.

Buying Guide – How do you know which are the best skateboard bearings to buy?

The best piece of advice to give when buying skateboard bearings is to buy named bearings. They tend to be a little more expensive than no named bearings but they are of good quality and are worth the extra money. Brand names such as Bones, Lucky, and Black Panther are a good place to start, especially if you are a beginner, after that once you have been skating for a while you’ll know the type of skater you are and will be able to buy bearings that are right for your style. Bearings that are made in Switzerland have the best reputation for bearings, the brand name Swiss Bearings. However not all Swiss Bearings are made in Switzerland so be sure to check the packaging before you buy them.

A few things to look for when buying your bearings for your skateboard include checking how many balls are in the bearing. Bearings with 7 balls have a higher load rating than ones with 8 balls. Check the finishing touches to your bearings are they smooth or rough? Rough raceways will wear out fast and you’ll have to buy new ones sooner. Check the depth of the track, the deeper the track the better the bearing will run. Check the bearing is sealed correctly; contamination is the number one killer of bearings.

Keep your Skateboard Bearings Clean

The most important thing about your skateboard bearings is not how much you spend on them but how clean you keep them! Try not to skate on dirty or muddy surfaces because even though your bearings are sealed to protect them the dirt and mud will still harm them. To keep your skating and skateboard in top form and clean your bearings regularly with lubricant, this’ll enhance the life span of your bearings as well so you don’t have to keep paying out for new ones.

 

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How To Children To Skateboard Safely

Skateboards and the sport of skateboarding is enjoyed by many children the world over. From Germany to Hong Kong to the kids in your neighborhood, skateboarding is part of the Generation X culture and a physical activity that many kids, and adults also, enjoy.
However, like any other physical activity, skateboarding does have its own dangers. If we do not recognize these potential dangers, and make our children aware of them also, there is a big possibility that our kids can get hurt while they are out riding their skateboards.
In this article, we will discuss three steps that we, as parents, family members, and adult supervisors can take to make sure that our kids are protected to the best extent possible.
Get Your Kids To Wear Pads and Gear
Most kids think that helmets look a little funny, and do not want to wear them because they thing that they look dorky with them on. Also, if they do not want to wear helmets, they will most likely not want to wear elbow pads and knee pads either.
While I do believe that children should be given a say and a choice in many matters that involve them, the decision of wearing protective gear while skateboarding is not an option in my household.
When you see a seven year old attempting big tricks and bombing steep hills trying to do the things that the big boys do, if you are a parent, you will most likely be scared for their well-being. Well, it is a parents personal choice whether or not to enforce this rule, but I do believe in enforcing it fully. I would like to spare myself as well as my child the horror of stitches and broken bones as much as I can.
Help Your Children to Be Modest About Their Abilities
Children often act and feel invincible. They sometimes think that they can do all sorts of stunts and tricks because they often do not have the fear of getting hurt or of falling. While this is not entirely bad, try to help you child see the need to be modest so as to not attempt a stunt that they cannot complete.
It is a bit of a hard thing to have a proper view of this and find the balance between modesty and cowardice for children, but it is always better to be safe than sorry. If the ramp is too steep or the hill too dangerous, there should be no shame at all in backing down.
Be Involved In Your Childrens Activities
It is always a good thing to get together and do activities as a family. The streets and roads in front of your house may not be a safe place for your children to skateboard on. Perhaps you can plan a family outing at a skate park or at a safer place where you can supervise your children while they are riding their skateboards.
Children love to show their parents what they are able to do, and if you take an interest in them, they will be happy if you show them that you are proud of them.
So be conscious of the need for protective gear, help you children to be modest, and be involved in your childrens lives. These are just three small steps you can take to make sure that your child is safe.

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What Are Some Basic Skateboarding Tricks To Try?

Learning a variety of tricks you can perform on your skateboard is fun. It can also be a challenge though. There are some basic tricks you will want to familiarize yourself with first. That will boost your confidence level and then you can move on to some more advanced ones. Make sure you follow the directions too when you learn new skateboarding tricks. That way you can accomplish them without getting hurt.The ollie is one of the most common skateboarding tricks out there. It is also one that you should be able to master in a short period of time. You can do this with one foot either at the tail or at the middle. Most people will tell you that it is easier to learn though with a foot at the back. You want to build up pressure with your front foot and then jump as high as you can with the back foot. The goal is to get it as high in the air as you can.Once you have learned the ollie you can use some of that information to perform what is known as the kickflip. You want your back foot on the tail and the front one in the middle but slightly forward and to the left side. With a quick movement you want to pop the tail and move your front foot up. As the board is coming back down you want to jump as high as you can. You want to work on landing with both feet back on the board at the same time.A kickturn is a cool trick and it is really much easier than it looks when someone performs it. The goal is to balance on the back wheels of the skateboard. At the same time you are going to swing the front of the skateboard so it will point in a new direction. The more you practice this trick the faster you will become at the movement. The best way to learn is to practice from a still position. Then you will want to learn how to kickturn as you are moving as well. You will find that there is quite a combination of different moves out there you can try. Many of them can be joined together to create your own moves and tricks. You will find that each skater has their own sense of style. That is what you should be aiming for. While you are mastering these basic tricks, you also want to focus on what feels comfortable for you. If a variation is safe and it feels better to you then go with it. Don’t force yourself to complete any tricks you aren’t ready to perform either. Sometimes peer pressure can get the best of someone when it comes to skateboarding. If you decide to register to take part in various trick competitions, make sure you sign up at the right level for your skills. You need to focus on having a good time and keeping yourself safe above all else.You can watch other people performing basic skateboarding tricks. Then you can try to copy them on your own. If you are struggling see if you can get someone to help you. They can show you what you are doing wrong and then can even video tape your movements for you to see for yourself. You can also watch videos on the computer that will show you each action in slow motion. Take some initiative to try these different tricks and you will find you love spending time on your skateboard even more than you do right now.

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Skateboarding is a Great way to get your Kids off the Couch and Outdoors

Today’s technology is fun and all around us. Yet there are some drawbacks to it as well. Many parents fondly remember the days when they spent the summer outdoors playing with their friends. Even after school they would find great activities to take part in until dinner time. Too many children today though end up sitting in the house playing video games, watching TV, or looking at stuff on the internet.Get outside for exercise each day is very important to children. Statistics show that overweight children are at an all time high. There are many great outdoor activities that can get your kids off the couch and outdoors. Skateboarding is one of them that they will find to be challenging as well as exciting. Instead of you telling them to get outside and find something to do, you will likely need to go out there and get them when you need for them to come back in.You need spend a lot of time to learn skateboarding the right way. It doesn’t end there though as the basics are just the beginning. Then your child can work on getting faster, learning tricks, and more. They can also use their skateboard as a way to get to school, the park, or the library. They will find it more convenient than riding a bike and it will save you from being their taxi.One important thing, you need to take the time to review skateboarding equipment. Many parents don’t realize that the type of skateboarding deck and wheels have a significant impact on what a child can do with it. Find out what they plan to take part in so you can offer them the right product. You also want to make sure they have a helmet, knee pads, and elbow pads that fit properly. They should always have these items on any time they are using their skateboard.It is a good idea to help you children to find great tips online or buy them DVD’s that they can watch indoors. This way they can take the information they watch and apply it as they learn to ride their skateboard. The more that they learn, they more confident they will become in their abilities. Then they will start to become creative and come up with new ideas that they can implement on their own as well. This is a great way to get your child active on a regular basis. The thrill of riding a skateboard is one that they will want to take part in several times a week. Many children ride theirs daily as long as the weather permits them to do so. Encourage your child to take part in skateboarding if they have expressed any type of interest in it. You want them to be in the habit of getting off the couch and outdoors from a very early age. The longer you allow them to be inside with various forms of technology the harder it will be for them to break such habits. You want to raise happy and healthy children. Many of them aren’t fond of exercise that is hard work or that is boring. Yet they will have the opportunity to get plenty of exercise when they ride a skateboard. They will be having so much fun with it that they aren’t even going to think of it as exercise or work. Instead they will view it as an activity that gives them the freedom to express themselves in a way that reflects their interests and who they are.

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Amazing Skateboarding Records

Skateboarding is an amazing sport that not everyone is able to do. Even those that have been skating for quite some time may find it hard to do complicated moves. Therefore it is important to give some recognition for those amazing skateboarding records out there. While other people will continue to strive to beat them, the bar has been set quite high.Rob Thomson took 2 ½ years to skateboard and it took him 850 days. He holds the record for the longest journey taken on a skateboard. This is approximately 7,500 miles that he covered along this incredible journey. He completely worn out three pairs of shoes, plenty of skating wheels, and two decks by the time he was finished as well. Ted McDonald wanted to get a record for his skateboarding trip too, but he didn’t have the same amount of time to put in. He skated though for 24 hours and completed 242 miles barefoot. At least he didn’t go through multiple pairs of shoes like Thomson did right?There are a couple of individuals out there that also hold multiple records. Danny Way has a few of them that are definitely worth mentioning here. First, he successfully accomplished jumping the Great Wall of China, a feat that no one had done before on just a skateboard. Second, he holds the record for the longest jump ever, and at 79 feet it is going to be very hard for someone to take over this title.Rob Dyrdek holds more than 20 skateboarding records according to the Guinness Book of World Records. Most of them he was able to accomplish in 2007 when the Guinness Book of World Records held such a competition. Some of the events he is the top dog for include the longest 50/50 rail grind at a distance of 100 feet, 215 ollies in a row without stopping, and the highest skateboarding jump into water using a ramp which he set with 10 feet and 8 inches.The highest ollie recorded and verified is at 44 ½ inches by Danny Wainwright. There have been videos out there circulating of other people doing ollies that could be up to 50 inches. However, they haven’t been verified and so they don’t get the credit some feel they deserve. For more than a decade Gary Hardwick has been able to maintain the record he set for the fastest speed. He reached 63 miles per hour in 1998 while racing in Arizona. There is a separate record for doing the same thing with a jet pack on. This goes to Billy Copeland and he was able to reach a speed of 70 miles per hour this way.Perhaps the one really well known record out there is by Tony Hawk. He made history in 1999 at the X Games performing what he referred to as the 900. Basically this is a complete 300 rotation three times in a row. That is an extremely difficult trick to accomplish. There are still only a handful of professionals out there that have mastered it well enough to use it in their performances. It is important to note that all of the amazing skateboarding records out there have been verified. Other people claim that they have done better in certain tasks, but their information wasn’t able to be verified. Therefore the current records will stand as they are. If you think you have what it takes to break a given skateboarding record, make sure you find out the right procedures for having your efforts recorded. That way you too can get yourself the recognition you deserve for this sport.

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Use Common Sense While Skateboarding

People often complain about skateboarding is a dangerous sport for people to take part in. Yet the truth of the matter is that people can get hurt in any sport. When you follow common sense guidelines then this sport will be fun and less likely to cause you serious injuries. Yes, you are going to fall down while skateboarding – a great deal in the beginning!You aren’t going to be able to get on one and do the same moves and stunts that the professionals do. Take it slow and get familiar with the basics of a skateboard. How do you make it move? How fast can it go? How do you make it turn? What is the best way to shift your weight? How do you stop without falling off of it? The answers to these questions will be different based upon the type of skateboard you are using.Try to keep your skateboard on a flat surface before you get the basics down. A small hill can get you off balance before you know it. The amount of speed that you can pick up as you go down it is often more than you would imagine as well. Don’t find out the hard way about how this is going to affect you. Skateboarding isn’t a daredevil sport regardless of the image that it has. Instead it is one that is based on skill. Make sure you are physically fit to ride one. If you get exhausted fast then it may be difficult until you build up your stamina. If you are overweight it is going to be harder to move one around. Take the time to stretch your limbs too which will make them more flexible. Then they are less likely to get sore or to suffer from injures as you ride.Don’t compare your level of skill to that of other people around you. Nothing will frustrate you faster than doing so. This also opens up the door to making stupid mistakes because you want to do what they can. Focus your attention on doing your very best, having fun, and continuing to improve. If you skateboard on a regular basis then you will definitely find your skills get better all the time.Pay attention to your body so that you don’t push it too far. Remember to make small advances in your moves so that your body isn’t overwhelmed by it. You know better than anyone how you feel and what doesn’t seem right. When you are on a skateboard it can be harder to stop though so keep that in mind as well.Learn new moves and tricks the right way. Observe how other people do them so that you can get your mind and your body to focus on copying them. Watch videos online too, because they can show you areas of the move over and over again. You can also get great tips that will make it easier for you to perform such moves. While skateboarding accidents can still occur, by using common sense you will be less likely to be seriously injured. Learn from the mistakes you make so that you don’t repeat them. Find that line that is where you won’t be crossing and keep that logic beside you at all times. It can be tempting to go to extremes to show off or even to push your luck. If you don’t want to abandon your skateboard for a while you need to not engage in those types of risky behaviors.

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Skateboard Tricks and Treats

We all know skateboard is an awesome sport. Extreme and fun, it just pushes one to the edge. Guys who play it are dubbed as really cool and adventurous. That’s why a lot of those who do not know this sport attempt to play it, even if it means toppling over and over again!

The beauty of skateboarding lies on the tricks that one can pull off. Without them, this game will turn out to be boring!

So what are your favorite skateboard tricks? If you are a beginner and you want to try this one heck of a sport, figure out the tricks yourself and which of those would be your favorite?

1. Is it the ollie?

A lot of skateboard aficionados believe that this trick is the core of skateboarding. Everything begins and ends with the ollie so if you are already good at it, then you are on your way to becoming a pro.

How does the ollie work anyway? It involves positioning your back foot on the skateboard’s tail, lifting your heel, putting some pressure on the balls of feet, placing front foot in the center, then kicking the tail down hard with your back foot and pulling your front foot up and leveling out the skateboard. After those, you bend your knees and roll on smoothly. Eric Sepulveda is one mean skateboarder who considers ollie as a cinch.

2. Is it the manual?

Manual teaches balance and this one is easy to learn. Just place the back of your foot on the tail and then let your front foot be positioned on the front bolts or whatever feels okay to you. Then lean back and have your front board raised. If you have mastered this, then you can ride away smoothly for the longest time. You can also go from ollie to manual.

3. Is it the nollie?

Now this is hard and the adage “practice makes perfect” is for this trick. But skateboard pros consider this so basic as everything is actually nollied into.

Nollie is pretty much like the Ollie but you pop off the nose of the board here instead of the tail. Ride away at a moderate speed then place your front foot on the board’s nose and the back wherever you fancy. Then slide the back foot to level the board, at the same time smacking down the nose.

4. Is it the kickflip?

The kick flip is one of the flip tricks that you can do as soon as you know how to ollie remarkably. You are in an ollie position here but have your front foot be placed under the front bolts, making the foot go to a slight angle. Pop an ollie then while doing so, flick off the foot at the board’s side until you have completed a rotation. Stop the board from totally spinning with the back of your foot when you see the grip tape coming around.

5. Is it one of the grinds?

a. Frontside 50 50 grind. One of the easiest and comfiest grinds, you have to practice on this before trying out the harder ones. Approach the curb or a rail at a slight angle and be sure that the toe is edged to the obstacle at a moderate speed. This way, you can do a slide. Ollie onto the rail or curb as you lock the front then go for the grind. Lean back a bit, bend the knees and ride away after every grind.

b. Frontside 5.0

Following the frontside 50 50 grind, this trick is all about putting all your weight on the back of the board before doing the grind.

c. Backside 5.0 grind

This is pretty much like the other grinds, only trickier.

6. Is it the 50 50 or axle stall?

The axle stall is a ramp and bowl trick. It is pretty hard as you have to lift the front wheels as if you’re going for a manual. One should remember safety measures here. Miscalculating your moves can lead to injured hip or face.

7. Is it the slide?

Whether frontside boardslide or backside boardslide, this one involves turning 90 degrees, putting the front trucks over the rail, then sliding.

Skateboarders know all those tricks by heart. If you are yet to get yourself a skateboard, don’t forget trying out the basics first then go for the tricks.

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How Skateboarding Became So Popular

The 70’s are the fateful era that brought about one of the most popular sports that is sweeping the whole world, knocking it off its feet and sending it through the air (literally).
It was first introduced by surfers who would want to bring their love for hanging ten and shooting the tube back to dry land. Skateboarding was born out of the passion of some dedicated surfers for the sport. The first prototypes of the skateboard closely resemble that of its granddaddy.
A shorter version of a surfboard with wheels on an axle. Street surfing or skateboarding started its humble roots from riding up and down the street. With the contributions of guys like Alan Gelfand, Stacy Peralta, Tony Alva, Jay Adams, The Z-boys, Bones brigade, Steve Caballero, Rodney Mullen, Mike V, Tony Hawk and other skaters who in their own way made skate boarding one of the biggest subcultures in the world.
Skateboarding owes its popularity to the needs of some to be different. The culture of skateboarding is mostly about non-conformance, rebellion, no nonsense and the need for something more than the ordinary.
It was quite a hit for teens and other kids who found themselves misunderstood and ostracized because they won’t just say yes to everything.
In the early days of skateboarding there were only two requirements to be called a skater, one you needed to be fast and two you have to be brave. One of the earliest facets of riding a skateboard was bombing a hill. From a top an inclined street a skater would push forward with full force weaving through the incoming traffic.
Just like the game of “chicken” where the loser is the first one to deviate from the direct path. Bombing a hill means being brave enough to take a car head on and then dodging it a the last second. Stacy Peralta, Tony Alva, Jay Adams and the rest of the Zephyr skateboarding team or the Z-boys, were the forerunners of street skating.
Fancy moves and tricks on a surfboard infused with the mobility and large availability of hills in the West Coast made it possible for them to go on their hill bombing days. An exhilarating experience but a dangerous one.
Another special if not most colorful era of skateboarding is the free style era. Rodney Mullen, considered to be the god of freestyle skateboarding, gave freestyle it’s colorful and enchanting character.
When Alan Gelfand landed the first ever ollie in the world, Mullen was watching from high above his Olympus and is watching Gelfand trying to think of better ways of making the board fly. The kickflip, heelflip, hardflip, finger flip, pop shove-it, underflip, pressureflip, 360 flip, varial and other modern skateboarding tricks can be credited to the discovery of Mullen’s “Magic flip” the first real ollie kickflip.
In modern times, skaters are more inclined to perfecting a sequence of different tricks or a combo. Combos are two to three tricks performed in one fluid motion. One of the most common combos is the kickflip to 50-50 on a rail to kickflip out.
Combos are usually done to add difficulty to a sequence. Because of the increasing need for difficulty and variation, skaters have introduced the use of a contraption called the ramp. A ramp or a skate ramp is used to have more height and to ollie across a farther gap. An aide to achieve greater difficulty.
Ramps vary in design, the launch pad, pyramid contraption, funbox, grind box, gator pit, quarter-pipe, half-pipe and the big ramp. Each has a different function and each can make a run or a sequence more interesting and more exciting.

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