All parents of modern children should know that the moment will come when the child will ask him to buy a skateboard. Does your child need it? And if so, which one is better to choose? From this article you will learn how to choose a children's skateboard.
Is it necessary?
Almost all children today spend a large amount of their time on the Internet. Having seen extreme gears, they ask to buy a skateboard. At this stage, each parent thinks: is it worth it to buy a board for your child? For many children, this fuse disappears after a few days. If the child dreams of a children's skateboard, lend for a few days a board from your friends. If he will not part with fun, and he will not be afraid of falling during training, you should seriously think about the upcoming choice of the board.
The choice
Today there is a wide variety of skiing boards. Many experts advise first to purchase a ready-made children's skateboard for beginners Complete-version. There are prefabricated models. But such models are better to buy over time, when the child learns to ride and can understand what he really needs.
What do you need to pay attention to?
First of all, it's worth looking at the deck. This is the board itself. It must be of high quality. There should be no signs of delamination on its surface. Remember also that the cost of the board depends on the availability of the picture, as well as its quality.
Many guys who have already learned to ride buy solid-color decks, on which you can later apply your own drawing or special stickers.
The age of the child to start learning
Skateboard is quite a dangerous toy. After all, the child in any case will fall during training. Therefore, experts do not recommend purchasing it for children under 8 years of age. Many may argue: there are many videos on the Internet in which four-year-olds skilfully skate on boards. Remember that at this age, an experienced trainer should be engaged in teaching a child. In addition, the baby should have a great desire to learn how to ride.
In children over 8 years of age, the coordination of movements is much better formed. At this age, it will be much easier for them to keep their balance, respectively, there will be less falls.
Model selection according to age
When choosing a children's skateboard, be extremely careful. The model should correspond not only to the age, but also to the height of the child. A standard board has a length of 78 to 83 cm and a width of 19 to 21.5 cm. These parameters may not always be suitable for children. Therefore, you should pay attention to such groups of boards that are designed for different age categories.
- Children's skateboard from 3 years to 5 is considered the smallest. In this case, it is better to use the Micro model. This board is designed for children below 1 meter. The parameters are models: 70 x 16.5-17 cm.
- For children from 6 to 8 years old, it is better to choose the Mini model. On such a skateboard it will be convenient for a child up to 1.4 m tall. Dimensions: 71 x 17.8 cm.
- For children from 9 to 12 years old, you should give preference to the Mid-size model. This is an ideal board for children up to 150 cm tall. Skate dimensions: 73.7 x 18.5 cm.
- For teens (children from 13), experts recommend choosing a Decks model. It is suitable for a child of any height, but the size of the shoes should not be less than 38.
Materials of manufacture
The most reliable tree for making skateboards is Canadian maple. It is carefully pressed and laid in several layers. This manufacturing feature provides a long service life and high structural strength. You can also find plastic decks on sale. They are much cheaper than wood, but their parameters of elasticity and durability are much inferior to the first. Also, some manufacturers offer their consumers wood decks in combination with fiberglass or aluminum. The benefits of the latest boards can rightfully be appreciated only by a true professional.
Wheels
Often the wheels are made of polyurethane. The minimum diameter of the wheel is 52 mm, the maximum is 70 mm. If you choose a skateboard for beginners, then you should choose wheels with a smaller diameter. It will be much easier to control them, and the speed on them will not be very high.
You should also pay attention to rigidity. It can be from 87 a to 100 a +. The first wheels are soft, they have excellent grip. The second ones are tough, they are used by professionals to develop great speed.
For a beginner, it is better to choose soft wheels that can also smooth out vibration. Managing a skateboard will be easier, and the speed is low. Remember that such a chassis wears out quickly and therefore needs to be replaced regularly.
Bearings
Bearings are designed to reduce friction and evenly distribute the load. Skate wheels rely on bearings. Better to choose closed ones. They will not get dirt, which will positively affect the duration of their operation.
Pendants
This is a special part that is mounted under the deck. Its length is 12-14 cm. The tracks or pendants can have different weights. The heavy ones are considered more durable, while the wide ones provide stable support. High suspensions provide greater speed.
Concave
These are side bends. Thanks to this element, skaters can perform a variety of tricks. Some decks on the underside have special plastic tips that allow you to slide on the railing. But for a beginner, a simple flat board is suitable.
Shelf life
Surprisingly, the expiration date also has a skateboard for children. Photos of the boards are attractive, but you should be extremely careful when choosing. First of all, you need to look at the date of manufacture of the skate. Do you want him to serve you as long as possible? then give preference to the board made in the current year. Also, you should not buy a skateboard for growth, because the tree has the property to deform over time.
Care
You should be careful about the skateboard and follow the simple rules for caring for it.
Before training, check all bolts. They must be tightened tightly. This is especially important for people who perform difficult tricks or jumps. Cracked bolts must be replaced.
The top of the board should be cleaned periodically. To do this, use a brush and a small amount of water.
Remember that wood does not tolerate moisture very well, so water is often not used.
Small scratches and crevices will not interfere with learning. But if deep cracks or delaminations appear on the surface, the board is replaced.
Pay attention to the wheels while riding. If cracks appear on the surface, they should be replaced.
Store the board preferably in a room with low humidity. It is advisable that direct sunlight not fall on its surface.