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theabortionator
April, 2025

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Getting started: Skateboarding

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-MK-
Posts: 3253 - Karma: 5,332
I am really interested in skateboarding. Everyone does it and I always have kind of ignored it. Recently a few of my friends started picking it up and I really would like to start but first I need your help guys.

Since NS is a large skate community you guys are perfect to ask these questions

What size deck do I need?

Whats a good starting set up that is nice and affordable?

AND, should I make a custom set up or buy a complete?

Thanks NS, you never disappoint

12 years ago
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Fun_dip
Posts: 2623 - Karma: 913
snorkyYeah I now realize that was stupid logic shoes are shoes. Should I just stick with the grizzly tape or peel it off and put some blank mob grip tape on top instead? Seems like a stupid question so it probably is haha


I'd personally leave it, but that largely due to the fact I absolutely fucking suck at applying grip tape. I don't think it's worth it to redo it. If you're really tripping over what people think about you just spray it black
11 years ago
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Al.Capone
Posts: 661 - Karma: 2,779
Yeah wasn't really trippin because fuck people. I guess I compare it to buying bindings, you have the option to go lime green, neon orange, etc and I'd just go with black/gray jah feel? On another note back to the actual thread, do any of you know how Bones stf wheels ride in the park? Looking to do a lot of cruising to just generally become a better skater but would like to hit up the park once I feel myself progressing.
11 years ago
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-MK-
Posts: 3253 - Karma: 5,332
Any tips for moving tricks?
I've gotten ollies and 180 pop shuves down easy, but can't do them for the life of me while moving, figured I wouldn't try to move on till i get this down
11 years ago
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GANDALF
Posts: 6314 - Karma: 6,708
-MK-Any tips for moving tricks?
I've gotten ollies and 180 pop shuves down easy, but can't do them for the life of me while moving, figured I wouldn't try to move on till i get this down

Try some half cabs. Super easy, and looks cool too! You can add flavor to em
11 years ago
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PizzaKid
Posts: 297 - Karma: 309
-MK-Any tips for moving tricks?
I've gotten ollies and 180 pop shuves down easy, but can't do them for the life of me while moving, figured I wouldn't try to move on till i get this down


Try them fakie maybe, I started with fakie pop shuves and then moved on to doing normal pop shuves, which came fairly quickly after I got the fakies
11 years ago
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SFB
Posts: 8895 - Karma: 26,363
how much should i be ready to spend on a decent board. also im pretty beginner
11 years ago
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soccerzla7
Posts: 127 - Karma: 524
SFBhow much should i be ready to spend on a decent board. also im pretty beginner


+ -100
Don't spend more than $115 or your wasting your money.
11 years ago
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shitpoop
Posts: 667 - Karma: 1,479
SFBhow much should i be ready to spend on a decent board. also im pretty beginner


decks range 30-60

trucks are like 20 a truck to 50

wheels are genarally 20-35

bearings 10

grip 5-7 or FREE
11 years ago
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op14
Posts: 1769 - Karma: 4,586
SFBhow much should i be ready to spend on a decent board. also im pretty beginner


fukn nerd. But tbh I spent around 130 at a local skateshop for a deck that has lasted me a year of beating the shit out of it. Independent trucks are the most reliable or thunders and trucks are probably the most expensive thing you'll buy besides the deck. Any deck will suffice, I have an enjoi but it doesn't really matter, just find a size you feel comfortable on. I suggest a wider board since you're fairly new. When it comes to wheels, I suggest bones/spitfires. Most are pretty flatspot resistant and nothing annoys the fuck out of me more than a flat spotted wheel. For bearings i suggest Reds. They're durable and fast and only cost a little extra. Grip tape, I suggest jessup. It's cheap and good. And hardware (screws, nutz) doesn't matter.
11 years ago
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SFB
Posts: 8895 - Karma: 26,363
mmccarthy14fukn nerd. But tbh I spent around 130 at a local skateshop for a deck that has lasted me a year of beating the shit out of it. Independent trucks are the most reliable or thunders and trucks are probably the most expensive thing you'll buy besides the deck. Any deck will suffice, I have an enjoi but it doesn't really matter, just find a size you feel comfortable on. I suggest a wider board since you're fairly new. When it comes to wheels, I suggest bones/spitfires. Most are pretty flatspot resistant and nothing annoys the fuck out of me more than a flat spotted wheel. For bearings i suggest Reds. They're durable and fast and only cost a little extra. Grip tape, I suggest jessup. It's cheap and good. And hardware (screws, nutz) doesn't matter.


ok i found one for 85$ that has a toy machine deck, krux trucks, abec 7 bearings, and 53m bone wheels. is this a decent setup?
11 years ago
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shitpoop
Posts: 667 - Karma: 1,479
SFBok i found one for 85$ that has a toy machine deck, krux trucks, abec 7 bearings, and 53m bone wheels. is this a decent setup?


trucks- a good investment. get something good, because one pair is usually used for a LONG time. expicially for a begginer. get thunder or indys

53mm wheels- make sure to the street formulas, and perhaps size down because you'll get wheelbite. get 51.

GET REDS BEARINGS- bearings are like trucks, with a lil extra care and matinence can be used for a long time. reds bearngs are a culture standerd, everyone has reds. and its for a reason.
11 years ago
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DeRizzo
Posts: 3827 - Karma: 3,485
SFBok i found one for 85$ that has a toy machine deck, krux trucks, abec 7 bearings, and 53m bone wheels. is this a decent setup?


Buy everything separate. Honestly just order from some place like Skate Warehouse and it's not very hard to figure out how to put it together. I don't know how this happened, but my total board came out to like $90 but when I saw the receipt in my email it said $60.
11 years ago
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op14
Posts: 1769 - Karma: 4,586
SFBok i found one for 85$ that has a toy machine deck, krux trucks, abec 7 bearings, and 53m bone wheels. is this a decent setup?


Toy machine is a decent first deck. Will probably last you a long time. bones are chyll wheels, good choice. Trucks,, I suggest independents. but the price sounds reasonable for what youre getting
11 years ago
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No.Quarter
Posts: 5257 - Karma: 16,966
I tried it out tonight and I really sucked, I just kind of did laps around a concrete hockey rink. I really just don't know what to do with my body.

What are the simple basics to skating, not even talking about tricks, just how do I ride one? I always felt like I was going into the wall if I went even moderately fast.

twas still pretty fun though
11 years ago
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No.Quarter
Posts: 5257 - Karma: 16,966
Also somewhere in here tall trucks were mentioned, it was said that they give more pop, but what are the downsides?

Is it a good option to get lower trucks and use risers to find what height I want?
11 years ago
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SFB
Posts: 8895 - Karma: 26,363
JakeSmithI tried it out tonight and I really sucked, I just kind of did laps around a concrete hockey rink. I really just don't know what to do with my body.

What are the simple basics to skating, not even talking about tricks, just how do I ride one? I always felt like I was going into the wall if I went even moderately fast.

twas still pretty fun though


ya dude u sucked so hard.
11 years ago
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No.Quarter
Posts: 5257 - Karma: 16,966
SFBya dude u sucked so hard.


you just lost a skateboard buddy, bub
11 years ago
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soccerzla7
Posts: 127 - Karma: 524
JakeSmithI tried it out tonight and I really sucked, I just kind of did laps around a concrete hockey rink. I really just don't know what to do with my body.

What are the simple basics to skating, not even talking about tricks, just how do I ride one? I always felt like I was going into the wall if I went even moderately fast.

twas still pretty fun though


Loosen up the trucks a little so you don't have to tic tak to turn. And theirs not too much to it if your just learning to ride the board. Just practice a lot and when you feel confident push harder and then you'll want to learn to ollie etc.. It just takes some time man.
11 years ago
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Chunter
Posts: 2050 - Karma: 1,894
I've cruised around a bit on mini boards so I guess I'm not a total beginning but never really tried actually skating so I figured with all my roommates leaving me this summer why not try and pick it up during the boredom that will surely occur. I'm gonna go to my local shop and see if they can set me straight.

Any recommendations for some wheels that I can cruise around campus with and not kill my feet yet are still good for skating with? Is there such thing?
11 years ago
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Fun_dip
Posts: 2623 - Karma: 913
To Jake: High takes the decentralizes the weight which will make it harder to perform flip tricks. Not much of a difference really. Not sure how to help. Ride with one foot behind the bolts and the other on the tail in a semi open stance like a snowboarder. Lean to turn or use the back foot to lift the "nose" and turn.

To Chunter: go to the local shop and build your own. Don't buy a complete. Yeah a complete will be ~$15 cheaper but it's not worth it. Look at previous posts for brand reccendations.
11 years ago
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Fun_dip
Posts: 2623 - Karma: 913
To Jake: High takes the decentralizes the weight which will make it harder to perform flip tricks. Not much of a difference really. Not sure how to help. Ride with one foot behind the bolts and the other on the tail in a semi open stance like a snowboarder. Lean to turn or use the back foot to lift the "nose" and turn.

To Chunter: go to the local shop and build your own. Don't buy a complete. Yeah a complete will be ~$15 cheaper but it's not worth it. Look at previous posts for brand reccendations.
11 years ago
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Laurent.
Posts: 10056 - Karma: 25,311
This thread made me realize how expensive parts are over here in the Netherlands... as with anything really.
11 years ago
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M.M
Posts: 1696 - Karma: 4,494
all my ski buddies that skate which is like all of them told me to start so i did and i am pretty stoked right now, just started skating today with my buddies old board he gave me and learned to ollie, ollie while moving, fakie ollie, and landed one pop shuvit!! i was already comfortable on the board because i take out my brothers long board from time to time.

my buddy told me to hold onto something like a wall or anything you can kinda hold onto and pull your self up ( i used my ATV) and try stuff so i tried ollieing like that and got it in like 4 tries then tried going off the wall and couldnt so went back and did it another like 15 times the i could ollie then just did that a bunch of times and then tried moving and took me about 10 tries.

granted i cant ollie very high but i guess that will come.
11 years ago
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Al.Capone
Posts: 661 - Karma: 2,779
daveyjonesall my ski buddies that skate which is like all of them told me to start so i did and i am pretty stoked right now, just started skating today with my buddies old board he gave me and learned to ollie, ollie while moving, fakie ollie, and landed one pop shuvit!! i was already comfortable on the board because i take out my brothers long board from time to time.

my buddy told me to hold onto something like a wall or anything you can kinda hold onto and pull your self up ( i used my ATV) and try stuff so i tried ollieing like that and got it in like 4 tries then tried going off the wall and couldnt so went back and did it another like 15 times the i could ollie then just did that a bunch of times and then tried moving and took me about 10 tries.

granted i cant ollie very high but i guess that will come.


Ive been skating for a couple of weeks and just have one "ollie" to call my own, freakin props man
11 years ago
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Fun_dip
Posts: 2623 - Karma: 913
Usually I'm not one to care for others success, but I fucking love hearing when people are progressing and having fun skating
11 years ago
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Chunter
Posts: 2050 - Karma: 1,894
That's a good tip with the wall! I started trying to ollie today and it helped keeping the back wheels in a crack so the board doesn't move. I got a couple baby ones after a few attempts but they were off the ground so I'm stoked!

Day 1 was a success.
11 years ago
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SFB
Posts: 8895 - Karma: 26,363
Fun_dipUsually I'm not one to care for others success, but I fucking love hearing when people are progressing and having fun skating


i learned how to popshuvit
11 years ago
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-MK-
Posts: 3253 - Karma: 5,332
I can do large Ollie's while I am not moving, but my front foot always lands way on the front tip. And I can only do baby Ollie's moving
11 years ago
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Cleapster
Posts: 622 - Karma: 1,402
-MK-I can do large Ollie's while I am not moving, but my front foot always lands way on the front tip. And I can only do baby Ollie's moving


Same here.

I have a question about kickflips, I can get the rotation around every 1 out if 3 times about, but the board always lands behind my feet. As in if I am still it travels towards my heels when I flip it with my toes. What up with this?
11 years ago
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1kewldewd
Posts: 796 - Karma: 1,147
threads
11 years ago
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Wrenn
Posts: 226 - Karma: 915
For skate shoes I like the Lakai Guy MLK's they last fucking forever. Everyone is right about bones wheels and red bearings they're awesome. Also this is a given but never ride your board in the rain or through puddles I've ruined my old deck doing that. Don't give up skating and don't be scared to get hurt or look stupid.
11 years ago
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shitpoop
Posts: 667 - Karma: 1,479
a general couple tips


avoid sandy areas, its ruins bearings and griptape and just dirtys everything in general

avoid the wet, it is the nightmare for your deck/bearings/trucks/everything
11 years ago
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bigbromskier
Posts: 1175 - Karma: 330
CleapsterSame here.

I have a question about kickflips, I can get the rotation around every 1 out if 3 times about, but the board always lands behind my feet. As in if I am still it travels towards my heels when I flip it with my toes. What up with this?


either you're subconsciously jumping forward or you're pulling too much with your kick. remember that you're (basically) just ollying but aiming your toe at the heel-side scoop/nose. just do them a shit load and you'll eventually figure out the ideal motion.

it's easier in the long run to learn them with your foot more towards the ollie position, not way off to the side, which gets you off balance when rolling. it's all about kicking it up/forward, not down on the edge, which might exacerbate the motion and pull it towards your heels as you were saying.

just a tip in general--ollie whenever you can to get that motion locked down. rolling your foot to get your back truck up is essential. you can't really do anything without that.
11 years ago
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90053
Posts: 2565 - Karma: 3,728
fuck getting a job im buying a skateboard this weekend
11 years ago
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gapersarefriends
Posts: 2158 - Karma: 4,270
Just picked up a board today after riding my friends old one from middle school. Learning how to ollie is the hardest thing I've ever done
10 years ago
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Dobber
Posts: 1698 - Karma: 9,832
I'm pretty interested in skateboarding again. It's been about 4 years. The only problem is that the kids around here are hardcore d-bags. Need somebody cool to help me progress.
10 years ago
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WISCOsteeze
Posts: 11 - Karma: 41
DobberI'm pretty interested in skateboarding again. It's been about 4 years. The only problem is that the kids around here are hardcore d-bags. Need somebody cool to help me progress.


False, there are actually some pretty chill guys who skate around point. Me and my friends are always cruising the downtown area.
10 years ago
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gapersarefriends
Posts: 2158 - Karma: 4,270
landed my first ollies today! granted they were three inches max and i was holding onto the front bumper of my truck but i'm still pumped
10 years ago
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theabortionator
Posts: 52560 - Karma: 173,811
Bought a skateboard last summer. Mostly just rode a mini. Don't have a mini so trying to learn to kickflip in the driveway. I'm old and my legs work shitty but I guess I got time. Might even build a babay 1/4 or mini to have something to skate.
5 years ago
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theabortionator
Posts: 52560 - Karma: 173,811
Just got the ok to build a mini ramp. We on a corona budget so prolly gonna be a little ghetto. Especially since i might leave for the summer eventually.

But could satisfy need to build sonthing and have physical activites at home.
5 years ago
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TheHamburglar
Posts: 3895 - Karma: 3,317
RIP Jeff Grosso.... skate legend.... fuck :(
5 years ago
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theabortionator
Posts: 52560 - Karma: 173,811
theabortionatorJust got the ok to build a mini ramp. We on a corona budget so prolly gonna be a little ghetto. Especially since i might leave for the summer eventually.

But could satisfy need to build sonthing and have physical activites at home.


Been skating everyday. Still pretty bad but qhatever. Wish there was some street to skate. I have some muscle issue and my legs suffer. Sometimes they don't work and I just eat shit teying to slide a ledge. But the better I get the less work it is so the easier those days are to deal with...regarsleas shits fun. Pretty much just skate my mini but I keep getting better. Mostly only can do basic tricks but at least can get a decent pump in and out of tricks and keep them going forever pretty much.

Having a weird mental block with axle stall/50-50s. Just got it in my head that I cant do them and now I secind guess them all the time. Been working on them and kixk turns.

Also been trying a few new tricks but need the friend motivation begore ill prolly land them stoked tojust feel more comfy on a skateboard though. At least at parks with tranny on the edges or a mini ill have some hope.

The bowl in southlake is gonna open back up soon. Im not very good at carving but i loosened my trucks up skating a swimming pool a few weeks ago. Just need to do it more and go from there.

Idk had fun just building the mini. Hoping to learn a few more tricks, get better at skating, stay safe, and have fun.
5 years ago
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270on420out
Posts: 7522 - Karma: 51,280
theabortionatorBeen skating everyday. Still pretty bad but qhatever. Wish there was some street to skate. I have some muscle issue and my legs suffer. Sometimes they don't work and I just eat shit teying to slide a ledge. But the better I get the less work it is so the easier those days are to deal with...regarsleas shits fun. Pretty much just skate my mini but I keep getting better. Mostly only can do basic tricks but at least can get a decent pump in and out of tricks and keep them going forever pretty much.

Having a weird mental block with axle stall/50-50s. Just got it in my head that I cant do them and now I secind guess them all the time. Been working on them and kixk turns.

Also been trying a few new tricks but need the friend motivation begore ill prolly land them stoked tojust feel more comfy on a skateboard though. At least at parks with tranny on the edges or a mini ill have some hope.

The bowl in southlake is gonna open back up soon. Im not very good at carving but i loosened my trucks up skating a swimming pool a few weeks ago. Just need to do it more and go from there.

Idk had fun just building the mini. Hoping to learn a few more tricks, get better at skating, stay safe, and have fun.


Dude Axle stalls took me fucking forever it was ridiculous. My friend told me to focus on my back foot more and I learned them instantly. I still have a weird mental block with them though and I wont do them on anything big
5 years ago
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theabortionator
Posts: 52560 - Karma: 173,811
DIRTYBUBBLEDude Axle stalls took me fucking forever it was ridiculous. My friend told me to focus on my back foot more and I learned them instantly. I still have a weird mental block with them though and I wont do them on anything big


If i had to do one and you filmed it i could prolly do one. If i just wanna do one i prlly cant do one. Its bullshit.

I learned rock to fakies which i was scares of. And got them wheels down everytime now. Also got them on the extension thats only 2 feet wide and kind sketchy on the edge.

Pretty much just do rocks, tail stalls, bs rocks, half cab bs rocks, and occasionslly throw a mediocre almost in the qp axle stall. Committed to a good one yeaterday and hung up and swan dove to the flat bottom. Didn't hurt but hurt kinda. Woke me up lol.

But hoping to keep learning.

Just built a 4 foot wide 3' extension so will be like 5.5'. Kimda sketchy in a goos way lol. Idk just teyinf to fuck around with different things. Also wanna learn cab 3s and hand plants. Havent commited to the cabs yet but prolly could get it if i did idk.

And was doing handplants coming back down steaight instead of turning. Got a fee underneath me but was squatting hard and one went off the ramp. I wish i had people to skate with more to get me pumped up .

Been happy to be skating "decent" at least as good as I've ever skated the last few days solo and not feeling it especially. Buying a go pro so i can film myself to learn from and if i fuck up hard to have the shot lol.

Idk. Building it was nice to give my nrain a project and skating it is a bonus. I just need those friggin axle stslls.

Would free up some tricks. Regular axle stalls, fakie into them, maybe cab 270 in, and other shit. But right now im scared af. And cant get past it
5 years ago
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