My son wants a skateboard for Christmas. I know next to nothing about them.
He is 7..and yes, of course we will be getting a helmet and pads.
He is not experienced on a board but he is fairly athletic...and I will want this board to be something he can learn and advance on.

He is a huge Tony Hawk fan but I do not want to buy a board just because of a name on it.
What I need is some advice on what brand boards to look at.
I would also appreciate advice on any particular features I should look at.


Thanks in advance

11/22/2009 5:48:42 PM

gift certificates to the orthopedic doctor make great stocking stuffers!

11/22/2009 5:57:11 PM

The kid is seven. Anything decently competent for the job should be more than enough.

11/22/2009 6:01:03 PM

I think your best bet would be to go into an actual skateboard or surf shop (depending on where you live) and ask for advice. Do you think this is something your son will be interested in long term. If so then it is worth the investment. If not then a regular skateboard at target, wal mart, etc should be ok to see if its something he is really interested in or just a fad.

The skate store though would be able to help you with sizing, etc.

11/22/2009 7:58:45 PM

Quote :

"I think your best bet would be to go into an actual skateboard or surf shop (depending on where you live) and ask for advice. Do you think this is something your son will be interested in long term. If so then it is worth the investment. If not then a regular skateboard at target, wal mart, etc should be ok to see if its something he is really interested in or just a fad."

I'd say follow this. If you do think he will stick with it get one of the lower end boards from the skate shop. Other than the deck there isn't too much he could destroy about the board unless he leaves it out in the rain/gets it wet and the bearings seize up. So if he does stick with it you could reuse those parts on a new deck, hence not getting the walmart stuff, which isn't really useful and will break.

Also if he is going to keep skateboarding he will break an arm/leg.

11/22/2009 8:34:22 PM

11/22/2009 9:32:20 PM

Quote :

"Also if he is going to keep skateboarding he will break an arm/leg."

I skateboarded for almost 10 years and I never broke an arm or leg. I did break some teeth, twist my ankle lots of times, and tore the skin of my right leg so many times I cant feel anything there anymore.

11/22/2009 9:34:34 PM

or this^

11/22/2009 9:42:24 PM

toys r us = fad
Vertical urge = he wants to continue to skateboard.

Since he's small, I'd go with:
Smallest Vertical Urge shopdeck they have (7.5" Preferable)
Venture 5.0's
52MM wheels (cheapest they have on hand)
Element Thriftwood or anything cheap. (The cheaper, the slower, the better)

Nothing really matter except the size of the parts. The cheaper you go, the heavier and slower it will be. Which will be fine for a 7 yo.

11/22/2009 9:48:11 PM

just don't let him end up like this guy.

11/22/2009 10:09:57 PM

is powell-peralta still in business? they used to be the hotness when i was a kid.

11/22/2009 10:15:12 PM

He's 7 years old. Go to dick's sporting goods and buy one there. They are decent for his age. If he really gets into it then go to the board shop on peace street under fly the cyclery and get a custom one built.

11/23/2009 3:11:47 AM

no need to go to go board shop and spend $60 - $100 for a fully equipped board when you can get an inexpensive one at dicks or walmart and he'll have just as much fun. once he starts trying to olly the front steps or kickflip the curb then it will be time to take him to verticle urge.

11/23/2009 8:28:02 AM

Thanks all.
He has been interested in a board for a while but his mom has been afraid to let him have one till this year. I really do not know how far he will want to take this.
I looked at what was said here and I think he is getting a Birdhouse board.
They seem decent and will let me see if he will go farther before shelling out more money.

11/23/2009 9:47:01 AM

That's probably a good idea. Just make sure you get him a mini. They're around 28" long and a little narrower instead of the normal 31"ish long. It'll be a lot better for him to learn on. Endless Grind on Peace Street or any of the Vertical Urge locations will hook you up with the right thing. If you want to do mailorder check out the completes at http://shop.ccs.com/.

[Edited on November 23, 2009 at 11:54 AM. Reason : lo]

11/23/2009 11:52:46 AM

plan b

11/23/2009 12:01:15 PM

you should get him that new Tony Hawk game with skateboard motion controller

that looks bad ass

do you have a new gaming console?

11/24/2009 11:51:38 AM