Everything you need to know to start skating.

First things first: what equipment do you need?

A Skateboard

The best start you can get is having something decent to learn on. You don't need to spend a lot, but the wrong setup will make everything harder than it needs to be.

The most important thing for a beginner is to buy a complete skateboard from a skate shop, not a toy store or supermarket. Those boards look the same but ride completely differently. The cheap trucks, hard plastic wheels, and stiff bearings just won’t last and make everything harder.

For most adults beginners, a deck between 8.0" and 8.5" wide is the right starting point. Wider feels more stable underfoot, which matters more than anything else when you're starting out. For young kids you can find smaller sized boards around 6.5” in width, or full size boards around 7.5 - 7.75” in width is perfect.

You can also go into a Skateshop and build your own custom complete.
I'm putting together a free guide that covers exactly what to look for, what to avoid, and how to choose the right setup for your size and goals. (coming soon)

Good Footwear

Here, you really want skate shoes or at least flat soled shoes. Shoes matter more than most people expect. Skate shoes have flat, grippy soles that let you actually feel the board under your feet. Running shoes and anything with a chunky sole make it significantly harder, with no board feel and grip in all the wrong places. You don't need an expensive pair, just something flat. Most skate brands make affordable options and any skate shop can point you in the right direction.

Pads

Protective gear is worth thinking about, especially if you're an adult learning from scratch. A helmet is the obvious one, falls happen, and concrete is unforgiving (I’ve tried). Wrist guards are probably the most underrated piece of kit for beginners, because the instinct when you fall is to put your hands out. Knee and elbow pads are optional, but if fear of falling is what's holding you back, wearing pads in early sessions removes that mental barrier and lets you actually focus on skating, which is what we want!