In a way, skateboard trucks or axles is an important part of the skateboard that would determine how the skateboarder would perform tricks or even just for cruising. The four major parts of the truck is the axle or hangar, kingpin, bushing and baseplate. Except for the bushing, these parts are made primarily of aluminum alloy for durability as well as its lightweight composition.

The baseplate is where it connects to the deck, and the kingpin should be face in, or there would be some dire effects like leaning to the right would actually send the board to the left. The bushing serves as the main cushion, as well as allowing the skateboarder to turn once they place their weight on one direction. Eventual wear and tear would deteriorate the trucks, as well as damaging it at some point so it would be best to replace them if the shock absorption seem to be opt of place.

Another thing to keep in mind is the hangar, the part where grinds can be performed. Sometimes a defective or damaged bushing would lock the hangar in place upon landing. In a way when steering from old cars tends to lock when braking, this skateboarding term is called an axle slip, and sometimes it can be remedied by banging the axle back in place. In the end it would damage the truck altogether.

Just like any driver would have their preferences when it comes to the stiffness for the gas, brake or even steering wheel, the truck acts the same way. Where most skateboards sold in stores anywhere, the kingpin is tightened during manufacturing, and can be tightened or loosened. Of course the skateboarder would determine the kingpin grip level, and better not to listen to tips or suggestions from other skateboarders since they have their own preference. Of course, a tight kingpin would make for easier flip tricks, while loose kingpins would be good for cruising.

The truck's weight can be as heavy between 10 to 13 ounces, and would depend on the skateboarder themselves. It would be best to try out the different types of skateboards with the emphasis on truck weight to see if it can deliver better flips or tricks. Sometimes the skateboarder's strength and weight would determine as well.

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This is one of the inventions that have captured the spark of other companies when it comes to designing other ways to make a skateboard, and sometimes when the design is meant to do more than one thing only.

Longboards have been around even before the skateboard that is known today. Heavier and longer, these skateboards are meant for long cruising, where its larger size and wheels makes for a more stable ride than ordinary skateboards. It would be hard to perform tricks on a longboard, but it's the next best thing to emulate riding the waves of the ocean.

Mountain Boards (known as dirtboards for others) is another unusual invention meant for downhill shredding. As if trying to emulate the feel of downhill mountain biking, mountain boards are designed that way with much larger, threaded wheels and foot straps. Of course it would be dangerous to actually skateboard down a very steep hill, but more like getting the feel of surfing the hills in a more rugged terrain.

Freebord (spelled that way) is another skateboard alternative that has the same designs of a snowboard, only with wider trucks and wheels. It's designed to give the rider a more controlled carving (or shredding) sensation as the wider trucks and an extra wheel on each that makes it possible. Perfect for those who wants to get the feel of snowboarding, if one hates being cold even for a short time. Performing tricks would be impossible given to the weight, but just enough to shred asphalt or pavement. Snowdecks have a similar feature, only this time it emphasizes in actually sliding on roads, and it can be a bit difficult.

One other skateboard, if they could call it as that, just emulates the feel of skateboarding without the deck itself. It's mainly just a pair of wheels that can be attached under the shoes like a pair of inline skates, but the effects are not the same without a counterbalance.

Unusual designs, shapes, even some with dual purposes. Manufactures would go through certain leaps and bounds to give skateboarding a much different feel than the one that skateboarders are used to.

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Like any vehicle with wheels, skateboards require proper maintenance to ensure safety and care for both rider and skateboard. It may not be much, just a few minutes before taking the skateboard for a few tricks, but it beats having to be sent to the hospital because the wheel just got loose and end up falling face first to a ravine.

Decks can last as long as the multiple ply can hold, since it's glued and laminated together to create a more rigid body. Cracks on the deck itself are not uncommon, and would mean a new deck has to be replaced. There are no easy fixes or gimmicks for decks, as it can be as fragile once a small crack is already visible, especially if the crack itself was covered by the grip tape so it would be best to have it replaced. At least there is an excuse to get a new deck with new graphics to drool over.

The wheels are susceptible to wear and irregularities so much like riding a car on its rims only. They have a tendency to get bent out of shape, even in the smallest miniscule that would cause frequent crashes. Better to replace the wheels as often when it does wear.

Trucks and the nuts and bolts that holds it in place can be a major hazard if overlooked. Like anything that requires screw tightening, they fall prey from vibrations, bumps, grinds and anything that would shake the truck in pieces. Best handled by tightening the bolts and adding some lubrication in the bearings for better operation.

As for the grip tape, since the stuff can be as tough as duct tape, it would be almost impossible to remove unless it takes the first layer with it, ending the deck's life. Brushing the grip tape would work best with some soap and water would help to return some of the grip on the tape.

These simple tasks may seem menial for a lot of amateur skateboarders, but it would be better than getting a cast on any part of the body.

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It would be easy to fall down on a skateboard if a beginner is involved, but an amateur or pro would find it strange when falling, especially when performing a trick they done a thousand time over. Skateboarding shoes have become a necessity for many, while others would think the corporate weasels are out to get their money for making shoddy products just to make a quick buck. In a way like baseball teams hire scientists to know the physics behind a curveball skateboarding tricks can be made better with the right show involved.

This is more than just wearing a moth-eaten pair of Chucks, as today's shoes have been designed to allow the maximum amount of grip to ensure the trick's success rate. There are practically hundreds of companies who brag about having the best skateboarding shoe out there, and now is the time to narrow the search list for the best of them all.

Purchasing a pair of skateboarding shoes requires that a skateboarder is committed to the sport, thinking that the price is too high when their own lives are involve. It's an investment worth spending hard-earned cash for. There are certain requirements as well, and sometimes it doesn't have to revolve around anything that says skateboard and shoe in one sentence.

Affordability is to watch out for, as one skateboarder may be comfortable wearing basketball shoes that are cheap than skateboarding shoes that may cost an arm and leg, literally. Starting off is to write a list of the top ten or fifteen shoes designed for skateboarding. Then comes the pricing, the design (for the fashion conscious) as well as the effectiveness of said shoe.

It may be hard to choose one now, especially for those who just skateboard as an activity with the kids. They won't hate the skateboarder if they can't afford to buy the shoes as long as they can make up for it with their skateboarding skills. Everything else will be easy once they decide on getting the shoe that fits a skateboard.

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For a lot of people, the future is getting brighter as newer and bigger innovations have been churning out on a daily basis. This also include skateboarding, as people would one look back, reminded of the days when grandpa used to ride those, and yet it has plastic wheels.

It would have been fun to be a kid again, to know where skateboarding is an activity that pushes the boundaries of endurance and skill. When it rains, skateboarders would groan and throw a hissy fit because it's just too wet outside and they can't even surf because of the waves are getting too turbulent. Back in the 80s there have been a few video games dedicated to extreme sports, and it also includes skateboarding. What more, some of these games have been tweaked in a more futuristic setting, as if making TRON and motorcycling something to look forward to.

In a way, having a hoverboard in the future may not be so far off after all. Considering the advancements that is made due to maglev, or magnetic levitation, common for bullet trains. Advancements in terms of metals have also taken a keen interest with many companies who want to create stronger and lighter skateboards. Technological devices are getting smaller and more sophisticated that it wouldn't be long where everything that would power up a small home can only be found in a hoverboard.

Skateboarders today even enjoy some of the joy-enhancing things like portable mp3 players and even portable media. They can still just do their stuff without worrying about getting left behind in the drink. The internet provides a great place to know and exchange information when it comes to tricks, styles and even a place to buy that next deck after breaking their old ones.

It may not be the same as a flying skateboard, but the technology in building one consists of the things available today. There is so much promise to be had when a kid like 50 years from now can go to school using a hoverboard and would never be late for class ever again.

It may be just fantasizing, but there is something real to be had in the years to come, especially for skateboarders.

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There are several organizations that reaches out and handles the concerns and needs for skateboarders to know where to compete, as well as for fans to know where they can see them in action. There is a list of some of the best and dedicated organizations for skateboarding.

The IASC (International Association of Skateboard Companies) has been a collaboration of many of the world's skateboard companies that would help in organizing and fundraising to create awareness of skateboarding as a means of fulfillment and recreation. Their members not only consist of such companies, but as well as other organizations and scholarships in order to seek out some of the best skateboarders during competitions.

With a portfolio of over hundreds of small and large skateboard companies, they have managed to support and advertise most of the competitions in the US, Europe and Asia.

The Tony Hawk Foundation is also another organization that helps low-income communities to have their own skateparks. Not in the sense of grandeur, but every grant requested would determine the overall population of skateboarders, as well as the need for one. Since skateboarding is dangerous, the foundation would provide the necessary funding for a good-sized skatepark for children and teens to go all out when it comes to skateboarding.

Action Sports Alliance is among one of the few and the proud, allowing female skateboarders to be known and recognized by a male-dominated sport of skateboarding that provides amateur and/or professional events across the country. Calling out to existing competitions in terms of prizes, events, as well as searching for sponsorship for women skateboarders, the ASA have been a boon to many women considered as the unsung heroes, brave enough to ride the vertical half pipe along with the guys.

These are some of the best organizations when it comes to delivering the best out of any skateboarder in the world. There are other organizers, mostly in their local State, but these three have been around when it comes to major competitions such as the X-Games, World Cup Skateboarding and the like to help promote and for other companies to be aware when it comes to searching for fresh talent.

Nowadays, skateboarding is considered as a competitive sport that is almost akin to surfing, where concrete waves are ridden with the courage and tenacity of these men and women. And It's all in the name of good fun.

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Graphics have been something of a mystery ever since the history of skateboards, and haven't been a topic of discussion considering that the skateboarder makes the skateboard, and how it's being used. For most beginners, it may help to have a decal or two emblazoned on the skateboard, to give an illusionary effect when it comes to attaining enough confidence to dropping in on a skatepark. Some would rather just do it themselves with some spray paint, but it wouldn't hurt to know what sort of companies that offer graphic designs for skateboard decks.

Death Skateboards is all about making fun of death in a way, where the crossbones have a more hilarity to it that would make serious skater just laugh and have fun in the process. Most of their designs are a basic black and white, with some colored with varying graphics just meant for the fun factor. The decks are made with a high-grade 7-ply board complete with their own line of wheels as well as apparel.

5boro is a New York based company with a lot more city-slicker factor when it comes to their deck graphic designs. It offers an array of decks to choose from ranging from the hip-hop motif to religious artifacts that would catch the attention of skateboarders all over.

Alien Workshop is also another brand that has a more interesting approach when it comes to graphics. Somewhat art deco to the surreal, or just plain classic, their decks graphic design are created for the imaginative, reaching out to the weirdness that is human enough to comprehend. They also offer various apparel and accessories to trick out the skateboarder for that feel good attitude as they carve the streets with their decks.

Other ways to trick out the skateboard is to know of an artist who can use an airbrush. Depending on the friendship level (in order to get it for free), some shops have their own graphic artists in order to create some custom jobs for plain-looking skateboards.

More than just pimpin' their ride, graphic designs have made skateboarding a more interesting and even artistic to a point as they perform feats and tricks that others would soon follow suit.

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When assembling a skateboard, there are a couple of tools needed, and some of them may be available in the garage. Screwdrivers and allen wrenches are the top of the lists, to make sure that the kingpin are locked in place as well as the screws that hold together the entire trucks. Knives are also needed, especially for those who wants to change the griptape of a new deck. Metal files would scratch out any unwanted blemishes, especially for certain protruding sharp edges. A vise is used to punch holes though the griptape.

At least those are the basic tools. Now comes the slightly hard part.

Once a deck as been chosen, they begin by using the griptape, which is used to enhance the grip once they use the board and has an appearance and roughness similar to sandpaper. It can be bought in sheet as well as patterns and designs. Place the griptape on the deck by removing the paper to expose the adhesive side of the griptape. From there, it can be trimmed to fit using a sharp knife.

From there, use the vise to punch a hole through the gripboard in order to use the mounting bolts to install the trucks. Decks already have holes on them and are standardized so they don't have to worry much about measuring. Once it's there, the screwdriver will set the mounting bolts in place and fixing the trucks securely.

Even the trucks have their own bit of settings, and the allen wrench is the tool for that one. Since trucks are used when it comes to turning a skateboard to a different direction, a large bold called the kingpin holds it together and is padded with a bushing. It can be adjusted according to the skateboarder's reference.

From there, it's all about the wheels. It may seem easy at first, but it takes a bit of care, since shoving the wheel though the axle is tricky. Sometimes, it may take one or two tries, and the results may not be the same on the second attempt.

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There are a lot of things to know about when anyone wants to skateboard for fun or health reasons. Considering the fun factor involved, it takes a great deal of determination and a few scratches and bumps along the way.

The basic gear needed when it comes to skateboarding are a few things, mainly the skateboard itself, whether bought or borrowed, and some protective gear such as helmets and pads. It wouldn't help a person's self-esteem to see a couple of teenagers without such protection, but nowadays, skateboard parks require that every skater must have a helmet and protection. A good pair of shoes would be good, but better if skate shoes are purchased since it offers more grip on the skateboard.

The basics when using a skateboard for the first time is getting to know the skateboard. The best place to practice is where there's minimal risk to injury, such as on a carpet or lawn. Standing on the skateboard and getting the feel of it, and try a few maneuvers like jumping on it. This sort of preparation is vital to know about the skateboard being used.

There are only a few people that can be ambidextrous, but knowing which foot goes on the board and the other for kicking would be vital. One way of knowing is to imagine kicking a ball and see which foot goes. It's like finding the dominant foot to begin with. There are two types of stances when it comes to skateboarding, which are regular, where the left foot is used, and goofy, which is the right foot. Knowing where the dominant foot is would help with some of the skateboarding basics.

Once the basics have been mastered, it wouldn't be embarrassing to fall off the skateboard a few times, so much like falling off a bike or getting a fresh scratch from a car. When it comes to that and want to stop, there are a few ways to do it, and the usual ones for beginners is to jump off while in motion if a collision is imminent. Turning requires the use of toeside or heelside, to move the weight of the body as they want to turn to a different direction.

Practice makes perfect.

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Tricks in skateboarding can be a strenuous, and may also be a dangerous experimentation to see if an idea would work. It pretty much relies on the determination of the skateboarder, and of course a bit of science involve since some tricks may not work the way they might see on sci-fi films, and the end result would be serious injury. Of course, skateboarding history still has a basis on how tricks work in modern times, and some of the best skateboarders have been known to add a little twist, thus renaming it a bit.

Freestyle tricks are considered as base tricks, which have been around for more than 30 years, are all about balancing on two wheels instead of four. From there, freestyle tricks are all about trial and basis, where maneuvering the board from this basic style would determine the difficulty and success of the trick.

Aerials have also been around since the late 70s, and the only to do them is through skateboarding in empty swimming pools, considered as the earliest known half-pipes. Some of the famous skaters like Tony Alva have invented aerial tricks that are still popular today in most skateboarding and extreme game competitions.

Flips are another variation of aerial tricks, this time relying on human strength and speed to achieve the maximum height and perform various tricks in midair. This is also known as a no-handed aerial move, and considered as the most popular style when it comes to difficulty and style in street skateboarding.

Slides and grinds are more of an accident in some ways, when it was around during the 90s when falling off the skateboard is considered a taboo. The object is to slide on any edge from stair rails, steps, or any smooth edged area by sliding on the truck or board of the skateboard. Considered as a property destroyer due to scraping, thus often performed without the presence of any authority.

And lip tricks is another form of grind, and would determine the vertical speed as it slides across the coping during a half-pipe maneuver.

There are varied styles of skateboarding tricks depending on the difficulty and style factor, but either way, it takes practice and care in order to perform more advanced stages of skateboarding tricks.

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Skateparks have a varying degree when it comes to slopes, terrain, and overall construction that would set it apart with the rest of the world. Like waves in suspended animation, it takes a great deal of time and energy to be able to maneuver their way that can last for hours. More so when there are more skateboarders around so traffic can get a bit tricky.

The similarities between vertical skateboarding and skateparks lead to one thing, the dropping in. This is by far an advance skill that would require a lot of confidence to go with it since the drop consists of setting up position on the edge of the park, called the coping, and from there, the skater needs to stomp hard enough to have the front wheels to hit the ramp. There is no turning back once dropping in, and there are other things to consider once the skater has gotten the feel of the overall terrain. One rule that is mandatory on any skatepark is to wear a helmet and pads.

Like plotting for the next destination, skateparks have different slopes, humps and even hills that would determine the longevity of the ride. First thing to consider when going to the skateboard park for the first time is to have a feel of the layout and plotting the destination. It would be hard to go through things at random, resulting to some shock treatment that any first time skater wouldn't want to experience.

There is a different feel when skateboarding on different materials such as asphalt, concrete, steel and the like, and sometimes the skateboard's wheels may not be appropriate for it. Keep in mind that skateboarding has its own criteria, and it can't always be where it shouldn't.

Vert skateboarding is uniform without any obstructions whatsoever as it's meant for speed and height while skateparks can be a challenge like going through a different golf club all over. Making sure to plot the destination before dropping in, it would lessen the chance of having to force the skateboarder to go to a ramp or hill that they are not prepared to go or worse collide with another skater.

It takes practice and confidence that should be bigger than their own.

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Some of the earliest known video games that include skateboarding would be California Games for the Nintendo Entertainment System, where it features all sorts of events, including half-pipe skateboarding. Then comes the 90s and today.

One of the most prolific skateboarding games since started with Tony Hawk Pro Skater for the PlayStation One, which offers a more simplified control system that still offers some decent 3D graphics. About 4 sequels have been made until other versions have appeared. Tony Hawk Underground removes itself from its predecessor and into a more realistic setting where players start off as amateur skateboarders and earn their way up with bigger funds and sponsors as they grind their way to success.

It features a much larger (in PS1 standards) world that would allow exploration of the virtual city the playable character is living in. It spawned 2 sequels.

The current games from Tony Hawk are still uncontested, especially his American Wasteland series and the upcoming Proving Grounds, where players make their way with a whole new role-playing scenario, better graphics and controls that challenges players to actually control how the skateboarder should go.

While some of the contenders for virtual skateboarding are still in the market (or sold on eBay), there have been a few notables to go for. One such Example is EA Skate, from Electronic Arts. Meant for the next generation consoles, reviews for EA Skate have been positive by far, yet some would complain for its very difficult control system that would often let the character stumble and fall more often than needed.

But considering the graphics that delivers with the new game, this may be the only shoe-in to dominate the skateboarding video game that has been left unchallenged since Tony Hawk.

There are other skateboarding games to mention, but most would be from obscure games, and some meant for kids (like a few Disney games). But if any person who wish to aspire becoming a skateboarder without having to go outside, the Tony Hawk series would be the best way to skate freestyle, without insult nor injury.

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Here are a few records that still stands today.

Gary Hardwick held the fastest speed on a skateboard, reaching up to 63 miles per hour. Though he claimed to have reached even higher, more so from other competitors, he still stands as the fastest skateboarder to date. Probably the only one who may have broken the records is Biker Sherlock, only while being towed by a motorcycle at 90 miles per hour.

Tony Hawk still holds the record for the 900, or two and a half turns on the vertical ramp. No other skateboarder has come close to achieve it, although there have been some attempts on beating the record by executing a 1080, or three full turns.

The highest ollie ever achieved is from Danny Wainwright a UK borne skateboarder as he reached a height of 44.5 inches. There have been attempts to beat the record, and one Peruvian skateboarder did attempt. Sadly it was a video and not a live attempt.

Danny Way was known to have attempted to jump across the Great Wall of China, and succeeded without the help of any special equipment or motors. He also broke the highest aerial jump that at 79 feet. This was his way of a skateboarder who lives for the passion, and lives to prove it again.

Rob Dyrdek was the first person to hold the most number of consecutive ollies, a total of 46 and was featured on an MTV show a few months back. No one has come close to breaking the record as of yet.

The number of record holders listed are but a few, only because that these tricks are considered base. Ollies, turns, twists and even speed are common elements that would ensure the skateboarder's success rate in executing them. So what does that mean to an average skateboarder? For one thing, it may take some time before another skateboarder would attempt and managed to break any of these records.

It may not be possible now, but with sheer practice and determination above anything else, any skateboarder will soon make a name for themselves as being the only one to outdo the other.

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When it comes down to it, why even bother naming a newly invented trick? This is a more psychological aspect to get a name known all over the skating world, believing that would make him or her famous one day. If that were the case, Tony Hawk's 900 would just have to be renamed "The Hawk". For some skateboarders they would call it, and other pseudonyms that follow.

The base and advanced tricks used by many commentators and skaters themselves would determine the willing factor when it comes to competitions as they aim to win. Backside, McTwist, Caballerial, these are a few names that were invented over a decade ago, and none of them have garnered enough hot wind of an ego to make them falter. These skateboarders have gone through the basics, whether they know the names or not. The fact is they can perform those tricks, which for some would be considered as a weak spot or their strength.

There has been a lot of heated debate when it comes to names, and simply for a fact about who owns the trick in the first place. Just about any skateboarder could do a 720 on a half pipe, and it can be renamed as a double helix, or dual twister, it doesn't matter. Sometimes it takes to try out a trick first before they rename it. There are no double standards when it comes to names since it's just a trick to begin with.

The skateboarding world is ever changing, with new tricks to be discovered as of yet, while some have been renamed because it's deemed "corny" in a way. There is no rule, unwritten or otherwise, when it comes to the origin of naming tricks, or is there an omnipotent deity that would declare a name and can't change it anymore.

As long as the wheels of a skateboard continues to spin on the axles and the stunts performed, there is no way a name-calling for trick would ruin the spirit that is of a skateboard.

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Longboarding has its roots in surfing, much like skateboard, as it takes a little more strength to handle a heavy longboard, especially when it comes to carving, which is turning, as well as stopping. Though the longboarder wouldn't be cruising in breakneck speeds, it takes a little more foot power when it comes to braking. The design may look like a regular surfboard, only smaller and with large and softer wheels for better traction and speed.

The physics behind the longboard would mean added stability since the weight would definitely push down the center of gravity. But when it comes to turning it would be a tad bit difficult. Although there are some longboards that come in shorter varieties, the stability will suffer a bit, yet turning would be easier. Whether the skateboarder would prefer the regular or goofy stance would determine the rider himself or herself and the gap between the front and rear feet should be a little far apart for better stability and shock absorption. Getting to know the longboard is the first step when it comes to preparation.

It would be difficult to kick their way when it comes to longboarding, thus the need to find a good enough slope on a street somewhere in order to kick with ease. From there, gravity will take over as the momentum will slowly build up to increase the speed as they dart down the road. Of course it would help if the road has little to no traffic at all.

When it comes to carving, or turning, the longboard requires a little more effort. Toe edge or heel edge requires a little more weight added as the longboarder encounter a bend on the road. As for stopping, there are a few ways, which the most common way is to drop the foot on the road and start dragging, enough to slow down the momentum up to a complete stop. It takes several seconds due tot he combined weight on both longboard and skater.

Longboards are as fun as skateboarding without executing tricks or stunts.

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Any skateboarder would be able to get a sponsorship in some of the major companies that are included in sporting events and the like. To start of is just practice the maneuvers and the tricks that would impress the sponsor. One such way is to have a friend film the skateboarder as he or she performs some of the moves. It can be anything and it's like doing an video autobiography. In a way a writer would send their work to a publisher or literary agent, editing the video and showing only their best moves for a "sponsor me" video would keep it away from the slush pile.

Any town may have a skateboarding competition, regardless of the size and population. Checking online would be more useful, which the skateboarder may have to take time to travel in order to win. Starting off with local competitions and winning their way to more tougher ones would definitely be good when it comes to writing a resume for sponsorship.

Once the skateboarder have achieved the desired competition winnings and managed to perform never-seen tricks, it's time to talk to the sponsors. There are practically thousands of small and large skateboard companies that are looking for fresh talent in order to endorse them. Sometimes it helps to start small by having a local skate shop sponsor the skater as he or she wins competitions and garnering a reputation. Eventually, larger companies for skateboarding or products involved in skating would be thrilled to have them in their roster.

Most skateboarders would find themselves to have a bit of an attitude at times, whether or not it borders on straightforward arrogance or just being angsty, sponsors are business people that have little patience for such people. Even though they are purely business, one thing they are looking for a skateboarder to sponsor is for their love to skate.

Playing it cool and having fun is all about skateboarding, and getting a good sponsor would definitely be a perk in order to achieve superstardom.

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One of the most interesting debates when it comes to skateparks and just the common streets anywhere is usually the space involved. Though skateparks may come in various sizes, there has been some speculation even with skateboarders themselves on the construction and design. Even the residential homeowners would often felt that skateparks are a big waste of money and park space at first. Ever since the advancement when it comes to techniques and tricks, it seemed necessary for most communities and cities to have a skatepark or two in the area.

One of the best so far is the Vans Skatepark located at Orange, California. This park has just about everything that is considered as a skateboarder's paradise, with the right combination on both indoor, outdoor as well as a beginner's area for those who want to try out skateparks and vert skateboarding. And as an added bonus, the skatepark also features a fully stocked arcade area with the latest games available.

Another place to hang out is the 28th And B Skatepark in Sacramento California, where the structure resembles a large warehouse. Resident pro skater Matt Rodriguez is also there to teach the basics of skateboarding for minors.

Mission Valley Ymca Krause Family Skatepark is also a perfect place for skateboarders when it comes to the ease and size of the outdoor park. Complete with both concrete as well as vert skateboarding, there would be enough space to explore the area as well as a street areas and beginner's areas and costs about $10 for a 3 hour session.

Even Florida has its fair share of skateparks that have attracted quite a following, considering that skateboarding was also big in Florida even back in the 70s. Among such parks is the Kona Skatepark in Jacksonville, Florida, where a mix of both street area, verts as well as the concrete park itself. Rates and fees are reasonable enough, while members pay a dollar on Sundays.

These are among the few skateparks located in both ends of the country. There are many more to go, depending on the State as well as the city. Though a few low-income neighborhoods may have a skatepark thanks to Tony Hawk's foundation, it seems that skateparks have become a necessary thing in American life and skateboarders all around.

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Of course there's nothing bad about it, and in a sense it's definitely a breath of fresh air to find more and more women skateboarders on skateparks or just cruising along on the streets rather than the local shopping mall. Yet since the mid 90s, it seems there is a slight increase of women skateboarders, which there are only a handful of pro woemn skateboarders out there, and not much exposure to begin with.

If they were to conduct a poll, there's a possible 3 million skateboarders who would skate at least twice a week. Only about 10 more or less percent of them are women. Still, three hundred thousand is still a sizeable number, the question is where are they?

Looking into the history of professional skateboarding, the X-Games have been fair with both genders, organizing events that is applicable for both men and women such as free climbing and aggressive in-line skating. There are a few events for women when it comes to skateboarding, and that's just it. One event that seem to remedy the near extinction of woemn skateboarders is thanks to the All Girl Skate Jam, which unites both amateur and professional female skateboarders from across the US in order to compete in this women-only competition.

Despite of the best efforts, it seems that companies would rather just want men to do most of the dirty and dangerous work. It does sound prejudiced, but with one female pro skateboarder, she explained that she wears pretty much what the guys would wear, perform the same tricks, listen to the same music and maybe some who are actually smaller than her. Physical size and attributes aside, most companies wouldn't think of the need to have women, nor even sponsor them due to the lack of support from the made pro skateboarding side of things.

When most male skateboarders would compete against rivals and their sponsors, most women could only get as much as they can when it comes to getting sponsorship. The sad reality here is there isn't much to expect, as most of them would still remain stuck in competing in local vents or to be a sideliner in one of the major ones.

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And it's still being practiced even today.

Most skateboarders would want to start practicing on ramps before hitting the skatepark or the vertical half-pipe just for the sake of avoiding an embarrassing fall. Just to remind novice skateboarders is that ramps can be just as dangerous despite of the starting level they would work with.

To begin construction, the builder has to determine the size and a place for storage. Anything too big might not fit inside the garage. The design may vary, depending on how high the jump may be and depending on the slope as well. A street with a steep climb and a big enough ramp would cause a jump that may be too much to handle. Creating a sketch is a good way to start off things.

A few 2×4 pieces of wood would be good enough for the framework, followed by some pieces of plywood for the curve. It may take as many as 2 layers of plywood to create a decent ramp, but the initial design would be all about simplicity. There should be 3 panels of plywood to create the necessary curve and from there they start nailing it in place. Best if they use screws for better grip and since the screws wouldn't jut at the end of the wood in case of accidents that would snag the skateboarder. Once the plywood is already in place, another later of plywood can be layered to complete it. Better to use thin plywood since it can bend enough for the ramp.

There are practically hundreds of ramps that are made with varying shapes and sizes, and most of them would be within the skateboarder's skill level. Of course, a skateboarding beginner would want to wait until they are comfortable enough to ride a skateboard to learn a trick or two, but in any case, having a ramp would definitely increase the thrill factor, as well as honing landing skills when it comes to skateboarding.

It would definitely erase the sense of fear when it comes to skateparks or when performing street tricks such as the ollie.

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There are over a thousand skateparks registered in the UK, and it has been home for one of the best skateboarders to compete in the annual World Cup Skateboarding to be held in different locations around the world.

There is not much different when it comes to English skateboarders, although there are probably just a handful of terms they may use, it's just the same as that in the US. Anything from skateboarding terms and definitions, the parts of a skateboard (some may be just a bit different) and at times they may go for the extreme when it comes to skateboarding. One of their best influences that took skateboarding in the UK by storm is during the 90s, especially when Tony Hawk has executed a successful 900 on the half-pipe.

For now, skateboarding in the UK is a strong as ever, although the same would have been said with the skateparks. There has been a handful of skateparks in the UK that is worth visiting, while the rest suffers from lackluster design and safety procedures that would drive UK skateboarders away. The United Kingdom Skateboarding Association was established on 2005, to help rehabilitate some of the danger prone skateparks in order to ensure existing and novice skateboarders a place for them to just let loose and ride.

As for the UK pro skateboarders, there have been a couple of them such as Ryan Sheckler and Gavin Strange, who have competed in the US X-Games, Mystic SK8 (Skate) in Prague as well as the World Cup Skateboarding.

There have been issues when it concerns skateboarding in the UK, and usually comes from certain counties (similar to States in the US) that may have little to no access to skateboarding. Although they may find a majority of them in major cities such as London, rural areas in the UK may or even may not even heard of skateboarding.

As for manufacturers, most of the owners are skateboarders themselves who have managed to keep the passion alive as they promote skateboarding in other parts in the UK.

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