How to Choose Your First Skateboard & Shoes

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The parent of one of my students requested that I make a series, detailing the absolute basics of starting to skate. Everything before you're ready to ride. This will be the first in a series for Absolute Beginners. This video covers how to shop for your(or your child's) first skateboard, and first pair of skate shoes. I cover the selection of decks, grip tape, trucks, hardware, wheels and bearings. Then, which shoes will work best.
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Timestamps:
Buying a pre-assembled board: 2:00
Choosing a size: 3:30
Parts of the skateboard: 6:08
Buy a skate tool: 17:37
JUST MEATS AD: 20:08
Shoes: 21:05
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[@adamchinnasami4444]

Lots of really interesting tidbits of info I didn’t know, like how completes at skateshops often use parts they can’t sell easily and different wheel-hardness ratings. Thanks!

[@NormanWoods]

Glad to help! A lot of shops put those completes together to make way for new inventory. Hence the discounted prices. Take advantage!

[@graalcloud]

It's crazy to think my first ever pair of skate shoes all those years ago were the classic Geoff Rowley vans. And my second pair of skate shoes was the Rodney Mullen RMS3s, those were so good.

[@NormanWoods]

I was just talking about those Rowley’s this morning. My best friend and I both changed our shoe preferences because of them. They made Vans cool again.

[@graalcloud]

@@NormanWoods we didn't know how good we had it. even the decks were made out of better wood back then. i'm having trouble finding a deck that pops right anymore

[@NormanWoods]

@@graalcloudyou’re right. I’ve heard it’s an EPA thing. They’re using weaker adhesives now. Due to the older, stronger ones being banned.

[@graalcloud]

@@NormanWoods just another case of "government is never your friend"

[@electricityfraud]

Nice video Norm 👍, but could you also walkthrough deck concave and kick/nose steepness? I've watched a lot of videos and that is a topic that is not often covered or explained well in my opinion and something I'm still fuzzy on. -I ride 52mm wheels 🍩

[@NormanWoods]

You’ve won the set of wheels. DM me on Instagram @norman_woods, and we can get them out to you.

[@electricityfraud]

@@NormanWoods 😁👍 I just messaged you.

[@RikRiorik]

Good stuff! I’ve bought an Enjoi complete for one of my inlaws kids and it’s good enough quality. And seeing as it hasn’t been skated by anyone but me when I visit I think the cheaper option was a good idea 😂. Don’t bother with me for the wheel give away since I’m overseas. I hear nothing but good things about Acid wheels though.

[@NormanWoods]

Precisely! You never know if a kid is gonna stick with skating. So, those mid -level birch boards are safe. Acid wheels are GREAT!!!

[@parsonicservices3576]

Sheesh IDK Those kids who Ride Mini RIPPERZ Boards are SOOO good ...

[@RichGANG-l9b]

good day

[@NormanWoods]

Good day

[@sheryarahmed4256]

mann i feel like no one explains skate stuff asw as you and dan corrigan on youtube

[@NormanWoods]

Thank you! I like Dan a lot. Need to skate with him more often.

[@sheryarahmed4256]

@@NormanWoods would love to see you and dan on a video together! I am from pakistan and i hope i can skate with you guys someday, we just had our first skatepark built last year

[@nemo2875]

I ride a 7.75 but think my 90’s brain might want to go up to an 8. Also ride 59mm wheels and I just came down from 64’s. I always go krux and only because they always have some crazy colors out, ride oil slicks right now. And cheep ass grip to save my shoes a little and I sneakercrete the shit outta my lems boots.

[@NormanWoods]

Yo! That’s some massive wheels on a deck that small. Cracks don’t stand a chance though.

[@delplaya5]

What size board and trucks do you prefer Norman?

[@NormanWoods]

I keep an 8.38” setup with Ace 44s and an 8.5” with Ace 55s.

[@delplaya5]

Ahh I see. Thanks for your reply and the helpful videos you make.

[@jarredjackson1150]

What age do you suggest to start introducing skateboarding to a child? I have a 5 year old who is interested and his 3 year old brother is just as interested and wants to do everything with his big bro, but I'm not sure if they are BOTH ready.

[@Mr.Frog21]

Step 1 don't buy your setup at zumiez lmao

[@NormanWoods]

Really? I don’t think I’ve ever been to one. What’s the issue with them?

[@Mr.Frog21]

@@NormanWoods most of the employees don't know how to put one together or even know common knowledge about trucks, wheels, deck size etc lol. Only a few employees know right but I'll always go to the local shops cause they care and know right.

[@David-kx7tz]

I agree, unless you don’t have a local shop.

[@NormanWoods]

@@Mr.Frog21I’ve actually heard of that happening to some of my clients, recently. No one said Zumie’s. But a mall shop. The employee didn’t know anything. I got my first complete from White Sands, in the Northridge Mall, 1998. The guy knew EVERYTHING. He was so helpful. Things have changed.

[@ryanrowe1975]

Great advice

[@MrCloftin]

I found you off of fuel tv, I was like this guy is amazing! Tosh was my favorite then he’s like check out the homie instantly was like yee Norman rules!

[@NormanWoods]

Thank you sir! That was a lifetime ago. Happy I was able to be on that show. Got to meet Mike V that day.

[@ryansmith8782]

This is really great knowledge and advice. Got me thinking about how much there is to learn in skateboarding. I ride 54mm

[@NormanWoods]

54mm is the sweet spot. Can handle most cracks, within reason, and not so big they weigh you down.

[@bricemenaugh4828]

I like bigger wheels as well... 56mm and above for me

[@Paradox-82-]

nice explanation! but i had to laugh. Is the couch farting..? :D my wheels are some originals from the 90´s. don´t know the brand but i measured them, now they are 49 mm. just started skating after over 20 twenty years again...

[@NormanWoods]

😂😂😂😂 I noticed that too

[@mikeday5833]

Bro you are so under rated skater definitely subscribed

[@NormanWoods]

🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾👊🏾

[@thebrokenskater]

took me several decks to find the one i really like. it ended up being a shaped deck 10 x 33. can you believe it?

[@NormanWoods]

The Cadillac of skateboards right there!

[@thebrokenskater]

@@NormanWoods well said.

[@bricemenaugh4828]

It's funny. I used to skate a 7.65 and an 8 back in the day. Now it's hard to even Ollie those boards. I prefer 8.38 and above. If I freestyle, I will use my mode 7.4 and it feels right. But popping tricks feel WAY better with a wider deck.

[@NormanWoods]

I honestly think the thin decks, combined with puffy, loose shoes, were why we sustained so many injuries. The kids I see, learning today, don’t sprain their ankles nearly as frequently as the kids I learned with, in the late 90s.

[@RazorRC]

Good info on how to select a board.

[@NormanWoods]

Glad you liked it

[@Realz.fb_]

I think ima get a 8.5 now lol I have a 8.125 atm but in a couple months ima start razor tailing thanks for this vid Norman and I ride 55 wheels!

[@Seaneskatejitsu]

You won’t regret the extra girth bro lol

[@Realz.fb_]

@@Seaneskatejitsu yeah that’s what I’m thinking I was looking at a 8.75 eggy shape but I do want to do flip tricks an I just started like a month ago been hitting slappy boardslides an moving Ollie’s.

[@Seaneskatejitsu]

I have found I skate the best on 8.5 toy machine decks, I enjoy nose slides and they have fat noses, preferably over 32 inches in length with over 14 wheel base .. I’m 5’9 170 but I just feel most comfy on these dimensions

[@RikRiorik]

8.5” Toy Machine with 14.5” wheel base big nose and long tail and relatively mellow. That’s my jam too. The graphics don’t hurt either. I’m 6’5”.

[@Seaneskatejitsu]

@@RikRiorik Toy machine is a great company to support with really good team riders & of course the art is always a plus with their own signature style. Keep shredding bro!

[@RikRiorik]

@@Seaneskatejitsu I hear you!