• Stockwell Skatepark

    Stockwell Skatepark

    aka 'Brixton Bowls' or 'Brixton Beach'
    Address: London SW9 0XZ, UK
    Open 24 hours

  • Wheelscape Skateparks

    Wheelscape Skateparks

    Address: Easton Business Centre, Unit 46, Easton BS5 0HE, United Kingdom
    Hours: 9AM–5PM

  • Rampworx Skatepark

    Rampworx Skatepark

    biggest indoor skatepark in the UK
    Address: 1-3 Leckwith Rd, Bootle L30 6UE, UK
    Hours: 4–10PM

  • Override Indoor Skatepark

    Override Indoor Skatepark

    Address: Unit 8a, Shaftsbury avenue Shaftesbury Ave, South Shields, Jarrow NE32 3UP, United Kingdom
    Hours: 10AM–8PM

  • Unit3sixty Indoor Skatepark

    Unit3sixty Indoor Skatepark

    Address: Block F, Units 5+6, The Stourbridge Estate, Mill Race Lane, Stourbridge DY8 1JN, United Kingdom
    Hours: 12–10PM

  • ROM Skatepark

    ROM Skatepark

    awarded Grade II listing
    Address: Upper Rainham Rd, Hornchurch RM12 4ES, UK
    Hours: 10AM–6PM

  • Southbank Skatepark

    Southbank Skatepark

    Unofficial skateboarding venue
    Address: Lambeth, London SE1 8XZ, UK
    Hours: Open 24 hours

Skateboard Buyer's Guide
buy

If you have decided to buy a skateboard for yourself, there are a lot of things you should observe before. There are many shapes and sizes of skateboards, and they depend on different skill levels. Therefore, there are skaters who favour pool bowls, ramps and DIY spots, others who prefer more authentic street terrain, seeking out gaps, ledges, and rails, and there are also those who choose the speed and the rush of a downhill longboard.

This skateboarding buyer's guide will help decide what skateboard fits your needs and what tricks you want to perform with it. If you are a beginner, then you should start with the “complete” set up. This means that all the components of the board are previously selected and assembled. Alternatively, you can also choose a “custom” set up – which allows you to choose all the individual parts by yourself to suit your personal preferences. Over time skaters develop their preferences and have their favorite shapes, sizes, and brands. “Custom” set up is interesting because you get the chance to build your own ride which is fun.

So the most important thing, in general, is to decide the purpose of the skateboard. Then you will quickly move on from there and determine what products are going to meet your needs the best.

Experience Level

Your experience level is a significant indicator when it comes to the decision of the type of skateboard. Even though there are more groups than the following three, we will offer you a general observation of ability levels:

Beginner

So if you are new to this, and you haven’t really spent too much time on a skateboard, then you should start with the affordable complete skateboard, cruiser or longboard. With the “complete” set up, you will not have to worry about assembling pieces by yourself, and you can also practice your ride on either three models. Therefore, you will be able to see by yourself what is your chosen model best for, on which terrains and tricks.

Intermediate

If you are already familiar with skateboarding, and you want to work on more technical moves, but your skateboard is not able to keep up. Then it is time to buy a new one. By now you already understand what you want from skateboarding and the skateboard itself. You also know what you are trying to achieve, and you know the terminology. This is the period where you should experiment with different trucks or wheels and see what impact they have on your skating. Be sure to always ask for advice from some experts. They will be glad to help you.

Expert

Finally, if you are an expert skater, then you probably already know what you want. You are no longer on some basic skills, and you are focused on the bigger and more complex tricks. This is the stage where you take care of all tiny details which can make a difference in your ride. Besides, you already know how the shapes and sizes work and what your perfect skateboard needs to possess.

Skating Styles

Usually, skaters can also be divided according to the type of terrain they ride, even though many of them are not exclusively oriented only towards one category. We already know that skateboards, wheels, and trucks are usually designed according to the surfaces and types of tricks you are going to perform. We will observe these styles briefly, and decide which one will be the best for you.

Vert

Vert skaters also known as Pool and Bowl skaters, are those who ride ramps and vertical structures, catching air and performing grabs and spin tricks. Skaters of this type usually search for the skate parks with a variety transition features, empty pools or DIY ramps. Vert tricks should have big air, high speed, and sick style as well. Transition skaters usually choose wider skateboard decks in order to have more stability at higher speeds. You can also choose boards with unique nose and tail shapes which can add a little more style to your riding.

Street & Technical

These skaters can skate everything they see around. Street style makes use of almost every characteristic of the urban landscape such as curbs, handrails, benches, stairs, fire hydrants, and other elements. Creativity is essential in this style. Most of these tricks, such as nosegrinds, 50-50s, and kickflips, require technique and precision, which eventually comes from a lot of practice and patience. Most street skaters prefer a standard "popsicle" shaped skateboard with a rounded nose and tail. The shape allows the board to flip more naturally in the air while performing technical flip tricks.

All-Around

Most skaters are in this group. Those are skaters who enjoy the adrenaline rush of performing a huge trick and those who can´t sleep until they´ve perfected that half-cab kickflip or some other trick they have been practicing all week. Generally, they are in the group transition and street, skating whatever they can find. All-around riders appreciate the feel of living life on a skateboard and challenges of any terrain. If you are one of them, then start with a standard shaped skateboard which will be versatile enough for you in the beginning and then expand from there – both your skills and your equipment preferences.

Longboard

Longboarding is much different from the styles listed above. These boards have a design which is appropriate for more fluid rides and wide turns similar to the movement of surfing or snowboarding. Longboards also come in many different shapes and sizes. Before you decide to buy one, ask for advice, or read some guides and experiences with longboards.

Rider Height & Weight

Your size is also an important element when choosing the right skate. It is important to know how much weight and pressure you´ll be putting on it regardless of the type of board itself. There are many different shapes and sizes as we already mentioned and you will be required to choose the right one in order to provide the best results. Every board is designed to fit the needs of the certain type of riders, and you should use this advantage. Therefore, observe the width, length, and shape of each board and get the one that suits you the best.

Price Range

Complete set ups include a gripped deck, trucks, wheels, bearings and all necessary hardware. The cost of these assembled boards varies depending on the quality of the components. In the beginning, try to find the board which is more affordable, and later if you decide to make skating your serious hobby or profession choose quality, rather than price. Larger longboards, for instance, can a bit more expensive.