My six year old has been dying for a skateboard (he thinks it will be "so easy!" and that he'll be able to do lots of tricks; I've tried to tell him it's not so easy and he'll have to practice alot, but he's still been begging for one). So, we made a deal that if he finished the school year strong (there was criteria, details not important) then he could earn his skateboard. Well, he did it! So we'll go in the next week or two and get the skateboard. I plan on going to Acadamy and getting a cheap, basic model ($10-15 range). He already has a helmet (for bike riding) so that's covered. Any moms with skateboarding boys have recommendations on other "must have" equipment or accessories? I'm thinking that gloves for the hands (cause when you fall the hands usually hit first) will be better than knee or elbow pads, but don't even know if those exist. He has $10 from his Gran that I'll encourage him to spend or put towards extra gear. Tips or suggestions?
Thanks for the great advice! I know nothing about skating, obviously, cause I didn't even know the proper name for "wrist guards". I think I will hold off on the skater helmet and nicer/more expensive board until I find out if it's something he really wants to pursue and practice. We live in a neighborhood with sidewalks and on a cul-de-sac and I suspect he'll just ride on those surfaces and maybe try to jump a curb occasionally. However, this information is great in case he pursues it further, and maybe for future Christmases or birthdays we can upgrade the equipment if he wants to be more serious about the sport. Thanks!
Oh my gosh GET ELBOW PADS!!!!! My son is a pro (haha, seriously, he is very good at it) anyway he still falls and bangs up his elbows. Haven't you seen the professional do it on TV? They still fall on their elbows. You don't want to end up in the ER wishing you had invested in them. Also in the beginning I'd suggest letting him wear his jeans that you don't care so much about, so his little legs will be protected.
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My girls ride skateboards and it is a lot of practice. Knee and elbow pads are a must. Wrist guards are a good idea also since he will most likely put his hands out on a fall as you say. A bike helmet is okay but if he ever really gets into doing tricks, you might want to consider getting a true boarding helmet. There is a difference since the fall is different. Gym shoes, no sandals so that the foot is fully covered is also a good idea.
When you buy the board do not get the really small ones. They are about a foot long or so and you might think that well he is smaller....Get a regular 2 foot board. Make sure the wheels do not wobble and are screwed or bolted on and they shold spin easily. My husband once bought one that the wheel bases were glued on. Sigh, cannot even describe that one. One day left in the yard....
just remember that you get what you pay for - I realize that he is only 6, but a nice board will be easier for him to control......
Definitely wrist guards (more then just gloves) and knee pads. If you can afford it I'd pitch in for a skateboarder helmet too, since it covers more of the back of the head.
We spent about $60 for a nice board (bought online, because he wanted just a simple plain green one). It rolls smoother then the cheap ones.
If your boy doesn't have an older "friend" who can teach him to ride, look up vids on you tube. I ended up having to learn how to skateboard myself so that someone could teach my son (also 6yo when he got his first board). He and I are now getting confident enough to try some of the board kicks, even though we don't practice as often as we probably should.
best wishes.
Honestly... board, trucks, wheels cost us about $100 all told. And it was COMPLETELY worth it. Excluding the helmet (a skate helmet) the BOARD is the "must have". You really, really, get what you pay for. You don't need to drop 500 on crazy bearings, or $50 on wheels... but buying a quality board/trucks/wheels (typically sold 'together' at a skate shop for about $100) is THE #1 for safety and fun.
A skate helmet is important (and we ONLY use the now for biking, razoring, etc) because the shape prevents them from breaking their neck (bike helmets protect the "over the handle bars" hits... but if they're caught on the side they yank the neck) which skate helmets are rounded (and cover more) so landing on your head or banging it doesn't do serious damage to your neck. Skate helmets ALSO cover a FAR larger area (not just the already thick top of your skull, but the thinner and more easily damaged sides, as well as the whole brain stem).
EXTRAS (after the $100 board -or less bought used, and boards last for upwards of 10-20 years- and helmet) would be elbow and knee pads
My son was a big skater and my daughter was right behind him - I agree that a better board would be easier for him to control (I did not spend $100) and you must have knee, elbow and wrist protection as they fall all directions on a board plus an appropriate helmut...try freecycle, craigslist or even you local bike store for used equipment.....my kids loved it and still like to ripstick as 18 and 19 year olds.....good luck and enjoy his fun!
Knee pads for the first few months until he gets his skater legs under him. I would do elbow pads too. Not only for the sake of falling but extra coverage if the unthinkable happens.
The gloves are a great idea too. You want to make sure he has good shoes for it too. Start looking into getting him shoes that are more designed for skate boarding. Yes you can wear most any type of shoe to board in, but skate boarding shoes will help him with balance and stance on the board. They are usually wider in the sole, which helps have a solid feel on the board itself. They make rocking back and forth easier and more comfortable. Shoes are not something you MUST buy before he gets started, they are something to look into for the near future, if he really takes a liking too the sport/hobby.
Good luck and have fun watching him learn. Our house mate is a very good ''Sk8ter'' He will take our youngest on our board between his legs...It is so much fun watching my little guy get so excited!! He tries to stand on the board and make it flip...some day he will get it down!!
Elbow pads are a must, as is the helmet. The most important thing is where he skates--not in an alley or the street! Do you have a skate part nearby where he can take lessons?
Expect some accidents. We have had to call ambulances or do first aid for kids who where unsupervised at skate parks and suffered broken bones and a concussion. It is amazing how many kids you will see there with no safety equipment or a parent around.
One of my sons who is more of a daredevil has had two cuts on his face even though he was wearing a helmet.
My 19-year-old is now into long boarding and it is even more dangerous. :(
