ASRA - Australian Skateboard Racing Association

Suggestions for a noobie

Hi all,

 

First post!  I have a mate who longboards into uni each day, and in the absence of surfing opportunities (I now live too far from the coast), I'm thinking longboarding would be a good bit of fun!

 

However, as I've never skated before, and the times I've tried I've ended up on my backside, I'm keen to work out a fairly cheap way to get into it, so that if I fail mightily I won't be too out of pocket...

 

At this stage I'm mostly after something for commuting (home to station, etc), and maybe just coasting around a bit on the weekends.  I understand the huge variety of boards out there, but am looking for some suggestions as to a good (cheap) way to get into the sport!  I'm not averse to new or second hand gear, but would love to get a complete setup for around $100 (+ safety gear :P )

 

Appreciate any ideas :-)

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Premium MemberPermalink Reply by Skittles on July 20, 2011 at 16:24

A good place to start is the Marketplace and look under boards or completes.  I wish you good luck trying for a complete for $100, but stranger things have happened!

As for saftey gear... You need a helmet, you may already have one, might find one on the marketplace, but you are better off getting a new one from someone like early skateboards (they also have great knee and elbow pads)

You should also have some gloves.  The poor mans way of making them is getting any gardening/rigging gloves from bunnings and either:
A) Glue a piece of plastic cutting board onto them OR
B) Sewing velcro (Loops) into the palm, then glue velcro (Hooks) onto the cutting board or buying some pucks from slipperydips.  The velcro just allows you to rotate and swap the pucks once you have worn them down and also allows the pucks to rip off if they get cought on something!

 

Good luck!


Premium MemberPermalink Reply by m0juu on July 20, 2011 at 16:34

second hand boards on the marketplace are indeed the way to go for a cheap deal.
however try and invest in a board that will allow you to grow as a rider when you progress to faster things. because i thought going from home to station to uni and back was easy till i actually rode the hills ^^

helmet? get a new one your head is worth it

gloves? bunnings gloves - $20
             velcro - $10
             slippery dips ~ $20 (slipperies last forever)

you're lookin at spending maybe 250 - 300 for a nice first board that is second hand. if you go to USYD id be happy to meet up and letcha have a push on one of mine sometime

 

good luck buddy!


Premium MemberPermalink Reply by Ben Mod on July 20, 2011 at 22:58

Yeah do it, longboarding rocks.  a complete for $100 is a tough ask, but there's enough parts around the marketplace you might be able to build it up for that- have a look through the old posts.

I have some chargers (trucks) that are not great but would do for your first push. I've not bothered to try to sell them before but you could have them for $15 with some old bearings too. theyre nothing special but ok if it means someone can get started longboarding.  one of the things i like about skating is that you can upgrade components without having to lay out for a complete so as you improve you can work up to a board that suits you well

now you just need a board wheels and helmet for 85!

Permalink Reply by Remy on July 21, 2011 at 11:20

Thanks heaps for the replies guys, it seems that longboarding is as much about the community as the fun, which is great!

 

Skittles, thanks for the tips.  I have over $400 that I COULD spend on this, just trying to decide whether to invest into a decent skating setup, or buy a new surf board + crappy skate gear.  I'll be sure to get a helmet, I'm a motorbike rider, so am well aware of the value of a decent helmet ;-)  I'm planning on using my bike armour (jacket) to skate as well.

 

mojuu - thanks for the tips too!  I'm actually studying at Moore College (which is across the road from Syd Uni), so would be great to have a go on one of your boards some time.  As I said, I've got a mate here who skates, but always good to try different options ...

 

Ben Mod - That'd be sweet!  As long as they won't turn me off skating cause they make it too hard, for $15 that would be a great start...  Are you in Sydney?

 

My biggest problem is that there seems to be so much choice that I don't really know what gear to start with, as it's too hard to know what does what...

 

Also - is there a skate shop in the Parramatta area where I could go to talk to some people, and check out gear?

 

Thanks for the welcome :)

 

 

 

 

Permalink Reply by Cents on July 21, 2011 at 13:06
It costs 88 bucks from skateboard express for trucks (get the ones with yellow bushings 83a), wheels and bearings etc. Truth of the matter is this is great value but the wheels are trash (get 78 or 80a wheels -> 83a are shit). A low board ie. drop through or drop down board makes it easier to learn how to push or footbrake. As a surfer you'd probably appreciate the feel of a top mount board very surfy and responsive compared to other boards though it'll be higher off the ground. As Mojuu said its best to have a board which keeps up as you grow but I would recommend having a slightly flexy board in the beginning as its more fun, comfortable and makes turns smoother (stiffer decks are more agile for the same wheel base). Make sure to check the sales pages on different skate websites ie. hopkin, boardshop australia. Have experience on 3 awesome campus cruisers - rayne timeline, landyactz carbon mummy and the croco 840. I would suggest the carbon mummy - comfortable to ride for long periods, flexy fun cruiser and low at the front making pushing easier :)
Permalink Reply by Cents on July 21, 2011 at 13:11
See if daddow still has any of the sector 9's http://www.skateboardracing.org.au/forum/topics/decks-for-sale-kill...
Permalink Reply by Remy on July 21, 2011 at 14:21

Hi Cents,  great info, thanks.  I'm already waiting on steve to accept a friend request so I can email him about wheels ... will ask about decks too :)

 

 


Premium MemberPermalink Reply by uan whozarmy on July 21, 2011 at 14:31
Hey mate, I'm selling a couple of decks and some wheels for cheap, I can send you some pics if you accept my friend request.

Premium MemberPermalink Reply by m0juu on July 21, 2011 at 17:18
im at uni all week except wed, gimme a buzz on a sunny day and ill have my board on me. 0404128950 :) but all my boards are low low low to the ground who knows you might like it like that!
Permalink Reply by Remy on July 21, 2011 at 17:19

From what I can see, lower = easier to go and stop ... sounds like a good place to start to me

 

If it's sunny tomorrow /me looks out the window ... not likely  - but if it is, then a break from essay writing would serve me well


Premium MemberPermalink Reply by m0juu on July 21, 2011 at 17:35
but you surf so i imagine your balance is insanely good. but its true. you bend your knees alot less to do well.. anything on a lower board. perfect for lazy kids like me. might catch you soon then eh? always good to see a fresh face rollin
Permalink Reply by Remy on July 21, 2011 at 18:01

So here's my potential board:

 

charger trucks + bearings (ben mod)

Abec7 bearings (for a second set... (uan whozarmy)

early swampys 75mm 80a (uan whozarmy)

gravity kalai OR loaded dervish deck

 

What do you think?

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