Building a Skate Board

Whether you get your information from You Tube, Google, your friends or some random "how to" skate video, there is a ton out there on the "correct" way to build your skateboard. I wanted to give a bit of information on how a new skater's skateboard can be made. I want it to be noted that I say "CAN" be made, rather than "SHOULD" be made. There is no correct way when you talk about sizes and what is best. Only you can decide what is best for you. I will just give some information to help you base your opinions off of but in the end, your personal preference is the end all.

So, what size is best and how do I even know what "size" means? If you have never been on a skateboard before, these are very valid questions. As stated above, your personal preference is truly what is best but, let's base things off of the Schlaudie team. Both Richard and Rick skate size 8.0. Andres "Z" skates 8.25, Kevin skates 8.25, Brandon skates 8.38 and I have recently gone up from 8.25 to 8.38. Schlaudie also produces 8.13 and 8.50 decks.

When speaking about board sizes, you are talking about the width of the deck. The deck, of course being the wood. Decks can be as small as 7.50 inches and can go as wide as 10 inches. I am pretty sure if you search far and wide enough, you can find even thinner and wider than that. The original skateboards of the Z-boys where only a few inches wide and were more closely related to a 2x4 than a modern day skateboard.

With so many sizes, how do you even know what size to get? I recommend that you start off with the quarter inch sizes and make small adjustments from there as you get more comfortable with your skating. When I say quarter inch sizes, I mean 7.75, 8.0, 8.25 and 8.50. You should not go beyond 8.50 when just getting started. Right at the beginning, your board size should go more based off of your personal shoe size than anything. You want the skateboard to be comfortable under your feet with the majority of your foot on the board when you are standing on it. I do recommend that you stand on the board and feel how comfortable you are on it prior to purchase but, some people do not have that ability so the basic size recommendation can be used to assist with your selection.

If you wear up to a size 9.0 shoe a 7.50 to 8.0 skateboard can be ridden comfortably. If you have 9.5 or bigger, 8.5 or 8.50 skateboard can be used, with the 8.50 being recommended for size 11 shoes or larger. If you are unsure which skateboard size is more comfortable, such as if you should get a 7.75 or 8.0, I recommend that you get the larger size. The reason being is the larger deck size will give you slightly more balance and as a new rider, the added balance will give you a better all around comfortable ride but also make learning more fun with the possibility of a faster learning curve.