Not only does skateboarding benefit your legs and hands, but it also offers various other advantages, including stress relief, pain tolerance, coordination, and more.
As such, it is a widely popular recreational sport taken up by the youth. Growing up, I would always look forward to skateboarding in my neighborhood. Not just because of the impressive array of health benefits it offers, but for the sheer adrenaline rush I felt while on the go.
Last week, on my younger son’s birthday, I decided to present him with a skateboard. But the problem was, I wasn’t aware of the latest types of skateboards, as it has been quite a while since I last rode one myself.
Confused and frustrated, I called up my neighbor for a solution when she told me about the different types of skateboards for beginners. Hi! I am Stacy Smith, and today I will be telling you everything my lovely neighbor shared with me on the topic.
So, without any further delay, let’s get straight to the good stuff!
Different Types Of Skateboards For Beginners
There weren’t too many options available back in the day; skateboards were a lot simpler with wooden decks and wheels. But today, there are a ton of options available with metal frames, grip tape, and softer wheels. Here is a list of the different types of skateboards a beginner can choose from.
1. Longboards
As the name suggests, longboards have longer boards. They are generally longer and wider than conventional skateboards. Besides having softer wheels, they are also more dependable. Thanks to their balanced structure, they are easier to ride on, making them an ideal choice for beginners.
- BUILT TO LAST: This Retrospec longboard blends 8-ply Canadian maple with sustainable bamboo, creating a deck that's both strong and naturally flexible - ready for any skate adventure ahead
- SMOOTH CRUISING: Precision ABEC-7 bearings and 70mm polyurethane wheels work together to deliver buttery-smooth rides, making this skateboard adult-friendly for both commuting and carving
- BITE-FREE RIDING: Engineered wheel wells prevent wheel bite, while the 85A PU wheels with rock finish grip the road confidently - exactly what skateboards for adults need for worry-free cruising
- California Skater Vibes: Meet the Magneto Kicktail Cruiser, the ultimate bamboo longboard inspired by the chilled-out skater culture of SoCal. Whether you're carving the streets or cruising beachside, this long skateboard brings rad style and smooth rides
- Smooth Ride Wheels: Glide effortlessly over bumpy roads with the 70mm soft urethane wheels of this cruiser skateboard. The translucent design adds a sleek touch, making your rides not just smooth but also super stylish
- Versatile Cruiser Board: Perfect for both teens and adults, this kicktail skateboard lets you ride with ease and versatility. Whether you're a longboard beginner adult or a seasoned pro, its design adapts to your style effortlessly
2. Mini Boards
Mini boards used to be the most common type of skateboard. However, with the rise of various other types and models, their popularity fell, and were left for children alone. So, if you have a kid interested in skateboarding, mini boards would undoubtedly be a good choice.
Now, because of its small size, children will evidently outgrow them pretty soon and need a bigger skateboard. Even then the small size does have its benefits; it makes the board suitable for performing stunts and tricks in your backyard or the park.
So, if your kid aspires to be a pro skater in the future, mini boards would be a great place to start.
3. Electric Skateboard
Electric skateboards are relatively new and have only been on the market since the early 2000s. And like most skateboards, you can find them in various shapes, sizes, and designs. There’s nothing fancy in them other than a motor placed under the deck, which helps you cruise around.
Apart from using your own force to roll it forward, the battery is another power source that helps replace your pushing effort. This ensures that you don’t get too tired from your cruising sessions. In general, electric skateboards can maintain speeds between 10 and 30 mph for about 30 to 50 miles.
That said, the biggest downside to this type of skateboard is its expensive price tag, which may range between $400 and $2,000. Furthermore, the replacement for electric skateboards is a bit difficult and expensive, so it may not be the right choice for those on a modest budget.
- 「MEEPO: Pioneering Electric Skateboarding for Over 8 Years」 - Introducing Campus, a fun and accessible entry-level electric skateboard designed for 12+~18+beginners and teens. Its compact 26.7-inch (68 cm) deck makes it easy to carry and store, while the 4-speed remote control allows users to choose the perfect speed effortlessly. If you're an experienced rider or weigh over 150 lbs, we recommend our V3 Max or V5 series for a more powerful ride.
- Safe and Reliable New Generation Lithium Battery」 - The Campus skateboard can reach speeds of up to 15.5 mph (in Pro mode), providing a fun yet manageable experience for beginners who might need some time to get used to it. Battery module are individually monitored, with UL2272 certified test-approved .Range of 8-10 miles, you can enjoy extended riding sessions. Note: The 26.7-inch compact deck is lightweight and perfect for short commutes. If you prefer a longer board, consider our V5 Series.
- 「Intuitive Wireless Remote Control」 - The Campus comes with a compact, 4-speed remote that lets riders switch speeds with ease, making it perfect for enhancing balance and riding skills for teens and beginners. The ergonomic M5 remote is easy to use, offering intuitive and straightforward controls with a user-friendly interface.
- [Integrated - body] M8 electric skateboard, boasting an integrated body with the battery housed internally and a larger ground clearance, showcases enhanced adaptability to diverse rugged terrains.
- [Fun and Comfortable Ride] The M8 is a brand-new model of 2024.Weighing 11.5 pounds. Its 28-inch short deck and practical kicktail make it easier to ride and carry around.
- [400W] BRUSHLESS HUB-MOTOR - Compared with the belt drive motor, the brushless hub-motor is more reliable and less problems. Even without motor,your electric skateboard can also be used like a regular board, making it easier to use no matter where,DNASKATE Wireless Remote E-Skateboard This motor supports max 14° climbing angle.
4. Old School Boards
The main highlight of an old school board is its deck that sports the shape of a fishtail. Apart from the small nose, every piece and part of this skateboard is bigger than normal. The board, the tail, and the wheels are designed old-fashioned yet classy, so they are called old school boards.
These boards also feature various illustrations and graphics, making them stand out from other models.
5. Cruiser Boards
In general, these boards can be identified by their softer and fancy wheels. The biggest advantage of cruiser boards is that you can turn any skateboard into a cruiser board; you just have to replace the built-in wheels with softer and bigger ones. With softer and bigger wheels, you can ride to great distances much quicker.
6. Mini Cruisers
Mini cruisers are the same as mini boards, but just with wider and softer wheels. Keep in mind that these boards are just meant only for cruising around, and not for performing tricks. As such, they could be a perfect choice for beginners, especially because of their simplistic features.
7. Downhill Skateboards
Even though downhill skateboards are not meant for newbies, they can be a great choice once beginners master the required skills. They are meant for traveling long distances, and the USP of this skateboard is that it lets you achieve higher speeds without any wobbles or disruptions.
8. The Carve Skateboard
The Carve skateboards offer a larger surface that helps stabilize your feet and balance your entire body; they are basically a variation of longboards. However, this skateboard type is a tad bit heavier than the other boards because of its large wheels and size, which may be a problem when performing stunts, such as flipping.
Also, it is slightly expensive and may not be suitable for people on a low budget.
9. Vert Skateboard
Popular among most skateboarders, the parts of a vert skateboard include a deck size between 7.5 and 8.5 inches to maintain optimal balance, allowing skaters to accomplish greater stunts.
For those who want to give this type of skateboard a go, I would strongly recommend learning the basic skills first, such as pushing, carving, and cruising. Otherwise, there’s a good chance that you might hurt yourself.
- Skateboard DECK 7.75" x 31", 7-Ply Maple Deck And SHAPE Trickboard - Mellow Concave, Double Kick on nose and tail makes it ideal for any tricks. Good for all level skateboard skater.
- Skateboard Griptape: Black Widow Premium Grade 80A Black Griptape. Heavy duty high impact deck with full length non-slip black grip tape.
- Skateboard Trucks: 7.675" HD7 Heavy Duty 2 Tone alluminium alloy trucks, 125mm Hanger, Grade 8 Kingpin, 90A PU Cushion.
- DECK SPECS：31"x 8", max load 150lbs, 7-ply of premium maple wood to give the right mix of flex and stiffness
- Quality Material: this wooden skateboard deck is made of quality maple wood, not easy to rot, strong and reliable, can withstand the bumps in transportation and daily use, 7 layers maple board skateboard, light weight, high strength, not easy to break
- DIY Your Unique Deck: This light blank skateboard deck is perfect for you to use your creativity and doodle it the way you want it to be. Hurry up and choose this blank skateboard to DIY your unique skateboard
Conclusion
With that, you have reached the end of my guide. And I hope that I have been able to help you gain some valuable insights into the various types of skateboards for beginners.
On that note, I think I’ll do some reading while you go ahead and find the best option to consider investing in. Until next time, take care!