A Place on Earth

This a story of curbs, the afterlife, personal chaos, and finding a moment of sanctuary.  

A ritual is an act regularly repeated in a set precise manner, often performed in a sequestered place and according to a set sequence. Meditation is harder to define. Suffice to say it may be used with the aim of reducing stress, anxiety, depression, and pain, and increasing peace, perception, self-awareness, and well-being. Some claim it can lead to enlightenment.

The older you become, the longer it takes to get “warmed up” on a skateboard. Some years back I developed a “warm-up” routine. It was around 20 or so curb tricks that are mirror images of each other. B/S ollie to tail. F/S ollie to tail. B/S blunt. F/S blunt. Etc. I could often tell how well a session was going to go based on well how the warm-ups went. After I broke my leg, these were no longer “simple warm-up tricks.” They had all been transferred into major goals to hopefully one day again achieve with some degree of regularity. Much of my recover to this point has been relearning these “warm-ups.”

My elderly, crippled, and financially insecure parents were told two days ago that their lease would not renewed on Aug 1st, 2020. They do not own a home. They now have three months to move. They have lived at their current location for 15 years. They will have to relocate into a substantially smaller place, and will likely be forced to shed about 2/3rd of their entire belongings. I will probably have to finance most of their move. Emotion and stress levels are running very high.

I went skating tonight. I arrived at a curb I often skate. They place was utterly deserted. Even the drone from the nearby highway was absent. Its abnormality was actually bit eerie. The Corona Virus has caused a blanket of silence to fall across the night. I was alone in a quiet world with my curb.

I started doing my warm-up tricks, and then realized that I was actually doing “an act regularly repeated in a set precise manner, often performed in a sequestered place and according to a set sequence. I was performing a ritual. One I had developed long, long ago. Skateboarding can be many things. Some of those are things like “reducing stress, anxiety, depression…and increasing peace…and well-being.” My warm up tricks. This wasn’t just a ritual, it also had aspects of meditation. Especially now.

I stopped skating for a bit, and just listened to that unusual, deep stillness that enveloped the land. My mind drifted. I’ve been thinking about that Grosso birthday tribute a lot over the last week. Towards the end of it, Lucero says something to Jeff like, “Make sure there is a nice curb for me up there in heaven.” I remembered this quote, and then heard myself say out loud, “Me, too. Me, too.” I surprised myself that I had done this. A voice from nowhere that shattered the silence. I looked around for brief second to see where it had come from. In doing so, a veneer was lifted.

Fifteen feet in front of me was a nice curb. The veneer wasn’t just lifted it. It was shattered. It was like flying through clouds, and then breaking into the endless blue sky. A wave of euphoria and deep understanding swept over me. I almost started to cry from joy. “Make sure there is a nice curb for me up there.” The object and intentions of eternal happiness are not some abstract utopian concept. There are here. Now. I was actually standing in paradise at that very moment. And for that moment, sanctuary was mine.     

Some claim that ritualistic meditation, even in the midst of chaos, can lead to enlightenment. I (now) believe them.

Welcome Back: Starting Up Again After a Long Break, Part III.

                                                      Part III: Social Navigation

Welcome to Part Three of a four part series on returning to skateboarding after a long break. Part One covers a Mind/BodyReality Check. Part Two covers equipment. Part Three covers basics social navigation in the modern world of skateboarding. This section is included so you don’t end up making quick enemies, looking a turboclown, and having people desire to become better strangers with you. More importantly, all of this here to keep the Stoke flowing, and to make sure you have a good time. I recently added a Part 4 to this series which deal with skate-related anxiety.

An unknown older skater.

                                            Where to Shop: Skater Owned v. The Mall

There are basically two types of shops. The “core” skater-owned shop, and the “Mall Brand” shop (Zummies, Vans, etc.). Within skateboarding there is a common trope which mandates that you should “support skater owned” businesses. If all other things are equal, then sure, there is merit to this sentiment. However, it is seldom that all other things are indeed equal. You may not have a skater-owned shop near you. They may not carry the equipment you want. They may have horrific customer service. They may be assholes. There is absolutely no reason why you should support a bid’ness that is far away, doesn’t have what you want, and throws around attitude, just because they are “skater owned.” Anyone who tells you to patronize a shop like that just because it is “skater owned” is an idiot. Like everything mentioned (about equipment) in Part II of this series, find a shop that best suits your situation, no matter what that is. That said, there are a few things to watch out for.

If you go to a Mall Store, chances are they may not have same knowledge-base that a “core” shop has. If you know what you are looking for, then this isn’t really much of an issue at a Mall Store; they either have it, or they don’t. If however, you have some questions, the people at the Mall Store may not be able to answer all of them. Of course, I am generalizing here. Some “core” skate shops have employees that are ultra dolts, and there are also some very knowledgeable skaters that work at Zummies and Vans stores.  

Be prepared to catch some heat if you mention shopping at a Mall Store to other skaters. I would recommend that you never mention getting equipment at Mall Store while you are actually INSIDE a skater-owned shop. This may seems obvious, but you’d be surprised how many people can’t keep their feet out of their mouth. It’s better just to avoid those awkward situations.

On-Line shops also vary a bit, too. Some are skater-owned, some are not. SoCal Skate Shop seems to have less of a selection than they used to, but are still worth checking out. Old Skull Skateboards is great, too, but much smaller. Tactics and Skate Warehouse both have huge selections (beware Tactics tech specs on decks, etc...they can sometimes be incorrect. Always check against manufacture websites) are also a good place to shop on-line. Again, I would caution mentioning that you bought stuff on-line while/when you are actually in a “core” shop. 


                    General Interactions (On-Line, the Park, the Shop, Local Curb, etc.)

When older and/or returning skaters interact with other skaters (ones who never quit, or skaters who are much younger) there are few things to avoid saying or doing. These are things that generally rub people the wrong way, and can get you off on the wrong foot. That said, these are just guidelines. At some point, I have broken every single one of these “rules” myself, and can easily think of examples where it might a good idea to do the exact opposite everything stated below. However, if you do heed these “warnings,” you’ll never go wrong.

First, nobody cares how good you used to be, or who you used to skate with. This usually comes across as some washed-up braggart who is desperately trying to remain relevant. Live in the collective present, not your personal past. People care about what positive energy you can bring to TODAY’S session, not some cool-guy shit you (maybe) did twenty-years ago.  

Second, don’t bash modern skating (or go on about “how much better it was back in the day”) to people you are not friends with. Skateboarding evolved, and you got left behind. If you don’t like, or can’t relate, to modern “flippy shit,” huge rails, big gaps, popsicle shaped decks, modern parks, etc., that’s great. However, like it or not, that is the state of modern skating, and a lot of people are stoked on that. When you bash stuff other people like, you are probably coming across as a pretentious dinosaur with a bad attitude. No ones like that dude. If you know your audience, by all means, bash away. However, spewing that stuff off to random people (in person OR on-line) is just going to leave a bad taste. Focus on the positive, not the negative.

Third, don’t hate on people who wear pads. Conversely, if you wear pads, don’t be a Public Safety Evangelist. Both of these people suck. People who wear pads often fall into one of three categories. First, is the Evangelist. He thinks it’s insane that anyone would even look at a skateboard without full gear on. Worse, is when he tries to convert everyone to his pad-religion. This dude sucks. Never be him. Second, is Mr. Insecurity. This is the guy who feels really self-conscious about wearing pads. As a result, he has to constantly explain to everyone around him about why he has them on (past injury, can’t miss work, wife makes him, etc.). 99% of the time, no one as asked why he is wearing pads, but he feels the need to constantly broadcast in case anyone was wondering. The last type is Mr. Zen. This is the guy you want to be. He never mentions his gear unless it comes up naturally in conversation. He is not trying to convert anyone. He is not trying to justify himself. He is comfortable in his own skin. The truth is, no one really cares if you wear pads or not, and Mr. Zen knows that, so he doesn’t awkwardly force the issue into the spotlight. If you don’t like pads, that’s great. Good for you. Keep that to yourself and don’t act like some big tough guy (you’re not) just because someone else has them on, and you don’t. In any of these situations, you do you, and let others do themselves. Everyone is better off this way.   

Fourth, don’t act all “hardcore,” now that you’ve been back on the board for two weeks. People can smell a “poser” a mile away. Don’t become what you once hated.

Fifth, Thrasher t-shirts, Vans, DC Shoes, etc. are all now mainstream fashion. You may not like it, but that game is over. Complaining that non-skaters are now wearing skate brands it is just going to make you sound really out of touch with reality, as if you were complaining that someone wearing a New York Yankees shirt didn't actually play baseball, or may not even be a real fan of the game.

Sixth, wax can be a very controversial topic. If you are anywhere other skaters are actively skating, and you want to wax something, make sure you ask others first. People will be pissed if you over wax something. First, maybe throw some wax on your board rather than the ledge. If you are skating alone somewhere, use as much wax as you want (but lacquer is often a much better option, esp. on curbs).

Seventh, a note on the word “build" in regards to your skateboard (e.g. look at my new “build”). I would encourage you to never use this term. “Build” is a term used by collectors (who often do not skate), and random old-dudes on-line who are totally out of touch with skate culture. The term "build" is never used by actual skateboarders. You know how you can instantly tell when someone is from out of town, because they mispronounce the name of a common street, store, city, etc.? That’s what it sounds like when the term “build” is used--you immediately identify yourself as "non-skater" when you use that term. Never let it cross your lips. 

                                                                  At the Park

A few “rules” for the skate park, spot, ramp, etc.

First, don’t be a sheep! You have as much right to be there anyone else! Just because someone better than you suddenly starts skating the bowl, curb, ledge, bank, etc. it does NOT mean you should stop skating, or let him get a run whenever he wants. Rather, I would argue it’s MORE of reason to take your turn/turn/etc. On the flip side, realize that a total beginner (or someone else just starting again) might be really intimidated by your ability. Smile. Be kind. Talk to people. Make them feel comfortable, no matter who they are, or what their ability is.  Finally, parks can get really busy after school and on weekends. Early mornings are the best time to go if you want to avoid crowds, cross traffic, and small kids on scooters who have zero situational awareness.

Second, you’ll be shocked at how good even the locals have become. Go to a local park, and you’ll see kids doing stuff that will probably blow your mind.

Last, and I hope this one is obvious, if you are at a skate park, be mindful of others. By that, I mean pay attention to where you are standing, sitting, and skating. You don't want to be sitting on a "bench" someone is trying to skate. You don't want to be standing at the base of gap someone is trying to ollie, or standing too close to the coping while someone is skating the bowl. Also, PICK UP YOUR TRASH!


                                                              Follow YOUR OWN Stoke

Hate modern boards, can’t relate to huge rails, and despise super tech ledge skating? No problem. Just ignore that stuff and find/follow what gets YOU stoked to skate. Watch old videos on YouTube that used to get you amped-up. Check out the Thrasher Archive for your old favorite issues (ALL of the 80s and early 90s issues are fully scanned, cover to cover). Look around on Facebook and Instagram and you will find tons of other people doing the exact kind of skating that YOU relate to, and motivates you to get out there on the board. Social Media sucks on many levels, but it can also be pure stoke. As I said before, the Golden Age of skateboarding is happening right NOW—there is something for everyone, and yes, that includes YOU.


                                                          Maintain a Positive Attitude

Last, and most important, remember that skateboarding is supposed to be fun. Don’t take it, or yourself, too seriously. However, sometimes that positive attitude can be hard to maintain, and anxiety around injury, or being around other skaters can cause some problems. Part 4 of this series talks about those exact issues.  

Small Victories

Writing something down transforms abstract concept into something more concrete. It makes dismissal and repudiation a harder task. Moreover, it is acknowledgement and admission that something occurred. It provides for recognition. 

My relationship with skateboarding has been quite strained recently. It has been creating far more frustration than joy. This mood is spilling over into other aspects of my life. I am probably not a fun person to be around right now.

The problem is expectation, reality, and the vast, empty chasm between. It has been eleven months since I broke my leg. I expected to be much, much further along the so-called “recovery process” this late in the game. I thought I’d be able to skate a 4’ mini ramp again by now. I am nowhere near that (ankle could not handle running out of a bail with that much force). I thought my ankle would be strong enough/flexible enough to do nollies again. It isn’t close. I have to wear pads to skate a curb. I thought I’d be able to jog/run by now. I cannot.  Stairs can be difficult. These are but just a few examples. There are many more. Worse, I do not know if it is reasonable to think things will improve much beyond what they are now. A broken leg is troublesome, but loss of hope is what really cripples. I find myself incredibly…frustrated. I try not to have any expectations from the past, to stay in the moment, and enjoy skateboarding for what it is now, here, today…and to not be clouded by ghosts from before. It is not an easy road.  

So, how to push through this? I posted something about it on social media the other day. I got a lot of feedback from people. Two things stuck with me. First, was something Jim T. posted a few hours later.

The other was a comment someone made directly to me on Instagram.

“Dude, you broke your leg and had two surgeries on a key component to your skateboarding. It’s gonna take time, and progress is progress, regardless of how frail it looks. It’s easy to let shadow overcome light when you know what you are capable of at 100%. Allow yourself small victories. Build on those. Enjoy growing into a new skater.” 

“Allow yourself small victories.” 

I bought a small note book today. About 3” x 5”. On the cover I wrote in small (but bold), black, block letters “SMALL VICTORIES”. I will bring it with me every time I go skateboarding. It will serve as a ledger, a journal, a register of, well, my small skateboard victories.

I repeat myself. Writing something down transforms abstract concept into something more concrete. It makes dismissal and repudiation a harder task. Moreover, it is acknowledgement and admission that something occurred. It provides for recognition. 

Before I can allow myself small victories, I first need to recognize and admit they even occurred, no matter how small they are. To that end, I now have pages to fill.         

Managing My Now

“You no longer have any restrictions, but you will certainly have some limitations. What those are, and how you manage them, is for you to figure out.”

These words from my orthopedic surgeon run through my mind daily. My ankle is still fucked. It will never be 100% again. The question is just how much I will regain, and how long that will take. It is still quite weak. It has limited flexibility. It hurts if quickly come down on it with a lot of force (e.g. running, “running out” of a trick, landing Primo, etc.). Stairs are difficult.

What does this mean for skateboarding?

The short version is that;
(1) There are a lot of tricks I can no longer do at all,
(2) There are a lot of basic tricks that are really sketchy/scary to do, and
(3) My ability to do “controlled falling” is not what it used to be.

I can not skate transition over 2’ high, because I can’t run out of bail with that much force coming down on my ankle, and it isn’t reasonable to think I’d be able to just knee slide out of everything. Nollies, switch ollies, etc., those are gone. Ankle just isn’t strong enough for them. Even regular ollies are weird, because my ankle does not have the fine motor skills anymore to guide the board with exact precision. Right now I am mostly just doing stall tricks on curbs/low ledges, and slappies, to get the muscle (new) memory going. Small transition is just basic lip tricks. Independent of my ankle, I have not seriously skated in nine months. The rest of my body also has to become reacquainted to the demands of skateboarding. So, there is a lot going on right now.


                                                GOALS & EXPECTATIONS

I realize that I will probably never again skate like I once could. I return to skating with no expectations from before. That said, my goal is to skate at a level that is meaningful to me. Carving around a parking lot, with no tricks, is not going to cut it. So, the question becomes what is a “meaningful level”? As of now, my goals/hopes are:

-Basic curb tricks (slides, grinds, etc.)
-Basic tricks on very small transition (2’ and under)
-Carve around in bigger bowls

If I can get to that level, with some degree of consistency, I’ll be happy. And I feel fairly confident I will be able to—it just may take awhile. A dream situation would be to skate a 4’ mini ramp again.


                                                 STRETCHING / WARMING UP

My entire body, not just my ankle, needs to get in shape again. I have become really stiff. I need to stretch on a daily basis not just for ankle physical therapy, but to help with everything else, too. Before skating I now have to spend at least 5-8 min stretching out. This is not only to help get my ankle loose, but to help prevent strains, pulls, tears, etc. to other parts of my body. 


                                                                 PADS

There is a metal plate and screw in my lower leg/ankle. Even slight taps to that area cause tremendous pain. The scar tissue/incision area is really sensitive, and when the plate gets hit…game over. And as any skateboarder knows, getting hit in the ankle with your board (even lightly) is a very, very, very common thing. So, I need to add some protection to that area. I got a kid’s soccer shin pad, which fits right over the area and protects it nicely.

I cannot fully “run out” of bails. This causes me to fall sometimes on occasions that I never would have fallen before. My ankle sometimes betrays me, and causes me to collapse in pain (e.g. during a failed “run out,” or if I bail and land on foot with too much force/at an angle, etc.).

Because my ankle is weak, slow, and stiff right now, I no longer have the same capacity to do “controlled falling” (to the extent I ever did before). We all know that “controlled falling” is an essential skill to skateboarding. Sometimes I go down in very awkward ways now.

Then there is the “mental game.” I will be 100% honest—a lot of skateboarding scares me right now. Fear of reinjury to my ankle. Fear of serious injury to some other part of my body because I can’t properly fall because of my ankle. Reinjury Anxiety is a REAL thing.

So, the obvious conclusion here is that for the near future I absolutely should be wearing knee/elbow pads anytime a “run out” might be required. Grinds, slides, transition, etc. Yet, I haven’t always done so. Somewhere in my head I hear this voice saying, “You don’t need pads to skate a curb or a 2’ tall quarter-pipe.” Truth is, right now I actually do. Maybe there is also some level of shame in there, too? I’m not sure what it is all about. I just know what logic tells me to do verses what I actually do. Sometimes there is a gap between those two. I’m working on that. 

A Quck Recovery Update

It’s been awhile since I updated about recovery, skating, hockey, etc. With the world gripped by Corona Virus, looks like I’ve got some time on my hands.

MEDICALLY
On December 20th, 2019 I had another surgery. Some hardware was removed from my ankle, and they scrapped out some internal scar tissue. Hopes were this would make my ankle more flexible and functional. Up to this point, things were not progressing as fast as anyone would have hoped. I was cleared to skate again (within reason) on Feb 19th, 2020. Orthopedic surgeon made a very poignant comment. “You no longer have any restrictions, but you will certainly have limitations. What those are, and how you manage them, is up to you to find out.” That is actually good life advice.

ACTIVITY
My ankle is still fucked-up. Maybe better than before the second surgery, but nowhere near what it was before the break. It will probably never be 100% again. The question remains just how much I will get back, and how long that will take. I am skateboarding again (very low impact, and no tranny over 2’ high). I am back on the hockey (in-line) skates, but haven’t been back on the ice yet. For short distances, I can “run” (light jog) in a very fucked-up way. In the near future I will make another post which is specifically about what I can/cannot do with skateboarding at this point.

MENTALLY
First, I still have a lot of “reinjury anxiety.” It’s a real thing. That will take quite some time to go away (if it ever fully does). Second,  I am very happy to be skating again, even at limited capacity.

2019: Thank God It Is Over

2019 was one of the hardest years of my life. I supposed I should take a moment to reflect on it. It was marred with emotional, physical, and existential pain. A few of the “highlights” include my mom having another back surgery, a friend’s father dying, a bad kidney stone (and subsequent surgery to remove it), my car died (for good), a second major surgery for my mom (hip replacement), a pet put down, a friend’s sister committed suicide, some problems at work, and taking care of my increasingly elderly and disabled parents alone. If that wasn’t enough, I broke my leg in late May. It didn’t heal all that well, and I had a second surgery on 12/20 to remove hardware and scrape out internal scare tissue (hopefully increase its flexibility). I will be in a “boot” until at least Jan 6th. It remains to be seen what the outcome will be. The entire year has been a very humbling experience. The biggest sources of stress were, and remain, (1), will I be able to meaningfully skateboard again (and if not, then what becomes of my life), (2) general concern for my parents, (3) anxiety about my own future. It’s certainly been a bad year.

That said, it has not been all bad. In February I started the process of learning to play ice hockey. Granted, I hit a huge speed bump with the broken leg. Hockey was also one of the things that helped get me through the “broken” period. I was able to start dry land hockey stuff long before I could even hope of stepping on a skateboard again. So, I am really fortunate that I had that as an outlet. It’s been bittersweet, however. I was not able to take two different “Learn to Play” classes because of the injury. I should be much further along in this process than I am already.

The two best things that happened in 2019 were that (1) I had some great friends who helped keep me occupied, and positive during the worst of the “crippled” period, and (2) I spent a lot of time with my parents (for better or worse). I am very grateful for those two things.

I leave 2019 behind, not with any resentment or ill-will, but with a greater sense of gratitude and humility for daily life than I ever had before. I have a few hopes for 2020. They are:

(1)    Ride my skateboard and bike as much as I can
(2)    Continue learning hockey
(3)    Develop an even deeper understanding of what it means to find salvation in daily life
(4)    Spend quality time with friends and family

I wish all of you a healthy, happy, and meaningful New Year. 

Welcome Back: Starting Up Again After a Long Break, Part II.

PART II:  EQUIPMENT

This is the second installment of a four part series on returning to skateboarding after a long break. The first section covers a mind/body “reality check,” and what you should, and should not, expect upon your return. Also covered in that section is common injuries with returning skaters, and how to minimize them. If you have not read that information yet, you are encouraged to do so. That post can be found here.

This is the second section, which covers equipment in case you’ve been out of the industry-loop for a while. Part Three covers navigating the skateboard social world, as a “returning” skater, so you don’t end up look like a total turboclown (hint: no one cares how good you used to be). I recently added Part 4, as an epilogue to this series, which deals with skate-related anxiety.

While this is a long post, it intended only to be a “quick” and general overview of equipment. It is certainly not exhaustive. I’m sure that others may have different views and perspectives on everything I cover here. Just remember this material is only intended to be a starting point, and it is not dogma. Only you can figure out what works best for you. I am just trying to help get the ball rolling. That said, on we go…  

Decks

The most common question when returning to skating after a long break is, “What kind of deck should I get?” It’s a great question, and the truth is you have more options now than at any point in skateboard history. If you want a 1983 Madrid Explosion reissue, no problem. A late 1980s H-Street deck? Yup. That’s reissued, too. Early 1990s football shaped decks are also available, along with modern “shaped” decks. And of course, the now standard “popsicle” is widely available. If you want it, you can get it. The amount of variety available now is really astonishing. There is literally something for everyone, and that is how it should be.

So, what should you get? The short answer is get whatever resonates with you. That said, what worked for you as younger skater might not work as well for you now. The shape and size of boards evolved for a reason; ease of functionality. You may have a much easier time honing your ollie again on a modern deck (lighter, large upturned nose and shorter wheelbase) than with an old-school deck (super heavy, no nose, and longer wheelbase). The upturned nose allows your front foot scoop the board up, and the shorter wheelbase helps with more effective vertical pop. But what if you don’t care about big ollies, or just really want an old-school reissue for nostalgia purposes? Then without any hesitation, you should unquestionably be riding that reissue. A friend of mine who religiously rode shaped boards later gave a popsicle a try. He wrote a great article on the two, and what advantages and disadvantages each has. It is absolutely worth your time to read. That article can be found here: Popsicles vs. Shaped Decks. If you don't want a modern popsicle deck, no problem. But again, equipment evolved for a (damn good) reason. If you are looking for some functionality, but don't want a popsicle, I would strongly advise taking a hard look at modern shaped boards. These retain some of the old-school feel, with modern advances.

So, the best path forward is to find a local shop, and stand on as many boards as you can. Stand on everything, 1980s reissues to popsicle-shaped decks. In doing so, start to develop an idea of what feels good under your feet. Most all, just figure out what seems like something you’d have the most fun with (but a word of caution comes with that; Reissues often seem like the would be fun. However, people often get on them and realize, "Yeah. These things are horrible skateboards. I'm so glad equipment evolved"). Keep in mind that not all skate shops are the same. Some carry many different board styles. Others cater to only “popsicle” shaped boards. Tactics Skate Shop has a great web site and inventories of all kinds of decks. Browsing their stock can give you an idea about what options are out there. 

Deck Dimensions: If you stopped skating in the 1980s, today most standard sized boards will seem small to you. Conversely, if you stopped in the early/mid 1990s, boards will now seem big to you. In contemporary times, the most common dimensions are:

Width: 8.0” – 8.75”
Length: 31.8” – 32.4”
Wheelbase: 14” – 14.75”
Tail: 6.25” – 6.5”
Nose: 6.75” – 7.25”

Remember that these numbers are only the average, typical sizes. You can get boards that are much smaller, or much larger, in both popsicle and shaped decks. Again, stand on as many boards as you can, and just see what “feels right.”

Small Batch Brands: Everything I’ve said so far is about mass produced skateboard decks. There are other options. There are now a plethora of smaller, local, hand-made, brands available. You will have to connect with your local scene to tap these options.

Grip Tape: The most common grip tape companies are Jessup, MOB, and Grizzly.  Jessup is a little less “grippy” than MOB (which can be a too coarse for some people). However, Jessup is known to peel-up a bit on the sides after long use/wear. Any local shop, or on-line store, can put tape on for you if you don’t want to do it yourself.

Trucks & Bushings

Trucks: The big four names in trucks these days are Independent, Thunder, Venture, and Ace. There are other options (Tracker and Gullwing still exist!), but the "Big Four" are the most common. The basic rule is to match the width of your trucks to the width of your deck. While you are absolutely free to ride trucks wider, or narrower, than your deck, matching-up width is a great place to start. Each company has their own truck size charts that can be viewed on their respective web sites. Each has their own different truck models, too (e.g. standards, hollow axle/king pin, titantiums, etc). Personally, I would say go with a set of Independent forged trucks if you're getting back into things. Why? Because you will never go wrong with Indy. Ace and Thunder are also very popular trucks. Ace trucks ride looser than Indys. Thunders ride tighter. Indy is a good happy medium to get you rolling again. Why the forged Indys? Again, aiming for the happy medium. Standard Indys are 55mm tall. These are among the tallest trucks on the market. Most trucks now range between 51mm and 53mm tall. Indy forged trucks are 53mm tall, so again, that happy medium. But what if you are setting up larger wheels? No problem. Just add a small riser pad. You can always make lower trucks taller (with a riser), but you can never make taller trucks lower. Plus, the forged Indys have a stronger baseplate than the standard (non-forged) ones. (NOTE: I would advise staying away from the Indy "Mids" (inverted kingpin, 52mm tall) which were released in 2021. I'll update why in the near future).

Bushings: You may be a bit, well, "larger" than you were when you last skated. This will impact how your trucks turn. A 200 pound adult male is going to put a lot more pressure on truck bushing than a 140 pound teenager. Where am I going with this? Your trucks might feel a lot looser than you want them to be. Part of this can be directly attributed to increased weight. But fear not. If you find your trucks are too loose, you can get harder bushings to replace the stock ones with. Usually bushing comes in two "shapes." One is a conical shape (e.g. the bottom one tapers) and the other is a standard cylinder shape (e.g. there is NO taper). The standard cylinder ones ride a tad "tighter" than their conical counterparts of the same hardness. It was on explained to me that, "conical bushings allow more turning range, while barrel bushing provide stability." This seems to make some sense.

Most trucks come with stock bushings that are in the 90a-92a range. After market bushing can go up to 100a hardness. If you decide to swap out your bushings, just make sure you get ones that are compatible with your trucks (not all bushing are interchangeable). Last, you may hear a lot about Bones Bushings. They are indeed great, take very, very little time to break-in, and give a very smooth turn. Note however, they are known for "blowing out" after awhile. They also blowout from the inside, so it can be difficult to visually tell they are toast. If you keep tightening them down, but they don't seem to get any tighter, that means they have blown out. Despite this problem, they do indeed have a large following because of how good they otherwise perform. One last note on Bones bushings--their "hard" bushing is a 96a (which is actually a mid-range hardness), and it rides MUCH "softer/looser" than almost all other 96a bushings. The "medium" Bones bushings come in at 91a, which actually on "soft" end of things, and they ride much softer than any other 91a bushing. Last the soft Bones bushing are 81a, which is incredibly soft. I have never met anyone who has those on their skateboard. Personally, I would avoid those.   

Three last notes on bushings:

First, if you skated in the late 1980s or early 1990s, then you remember how bad Indy stock bushing were. Well, a lot has changed in the last 30 years. However, the folklore around Indy bushings unfortunately remains. In the present day, Indy stock bushings are great. Moreover, if the stock ones are too soft/hard for you, Indy makes a ton of after-market bush in a whole range of hardnesses, in both cylinder and conical shapes. 

Second, Ace trucks ride very "loose." They come stock with quite soft bushings. Ace bushing are not standard sizes, meaning they can be difficult to swap-out without changing the intended turn geometry of the trucks. Ace makes harder after-market bushings for people who may think the Ace stock bushings are too soft/lose, but even the "harder" Ace bushings are still quite soft. If do not like the feel of really loose trucks, avoid Ace. 

Third, and this one is important. When you are riding a new set of trucks, with new bushings, the bushing will often feel a bit "mushy" and soft at first (e.g. your trucks will ride "loose"). Bushings stiffen-up as they break-in. So, avoid really cranking down the kingpin nut if they are too loose when you first get on them. Yes, you can tighten it, a little, but don't go crazy. Instead, just keep skating. They will break-in, and once they do, they will start to ride a bit stiffer (stock Indy bushings take me about 20-30 min for this to happen). If you crank down that kingpin nut before the bushings are really broken in, you run a much greater chance of blowing-out the bushing. Also, if your kingpin nut is showing a lot of kingpin threads sticking out over the top of the nut (e.g. you've got the nut cranked down pretty hard to tighten your trucks up), it means you need harder bushings. Your kingpin nut should, more or less, sit close to flush with the top of the kingpin bolt.          

Wheels

In the 1980s wheels averaged around 60mm in size, and about a 95a hardness. In the early 1990s the size dropped down to sub-40mm, and hardness went up to 103a. Things have since stabilized. Standard size wheels now range 51-54mm for street, and 55mm-58mm for bigger transition. Again, all of this is somewhat subjective. Like decks, if you want reissue Rat Bones or Slimeballs, you can get them. Most modern wheels are 99a or 101a. There are, however, many companies that make softer wheels, even down 85a. Again, if you want it, you can get it.

For most of this post I will steer clear of advocating for specific brands or products, because I want people to make up their own minds about what works best for them. I will, however, make a few exceptions to that rule. Wheels is one of those expectations.

In my humble opinion, the best wheels made today are Spitfire Formula Four wheels. There are few reasons why I think they are the best. First, they are among the most flat-spot resistant wheels on the market. There are several YouTube clips of people TRYING to flat-spot them with long power slides, and they are unable to do it. Yes, ALL wheels will go out-of-round with time and use, but Formula Four Spitfires seem to be far more durable than anything else. The second reason I am big fan of Spitfires is that they come in a lot of sizes and shapes. The performance of wheel shape is a subjective thing. Which is the best? That is your call. A wheel with a rounder edge will roll into and out of grinds easier, and will initiate power slides easier than a more squared-off wheel. Conversely, a squared-off edge will “lock-in” to (some) grinds better. Spitfire makes a variety of different shapes to choose from. This video does a GREAT job of explaining all the technical difference between rounder edged wheels and square edged wheels. I would strongly advise you watch it. 

IMPORTANT: DO NOT buy “regular” Spitfire wheels. They suck, and flatspot quickly. ONLY BUY THE FORMULA FOUR Spitfires. 

Other popular wheel companies are Bones (Powell), Speedlab, Mini Logo, Ricta, Slimeballs, and OJs. Note that some of Bones wheels are graded on a different durometer scale (the B-Scale), and might be a bit confusing at first. Their web site will explain it.  

A Note About Ratios: My friend Bob made this remark in the comment section below. It is so important that I am adding it to the main body of this post. I can't believe I over looked this. Bob's comments are spot on;

 "If you are going to ride a modern board, set it up as a 100% modern board. Setting up a modern street deck (popsicle) with massive old school wheels really doesn't work. The proportions aren't right. And proportions are everything." Following Bob's comments, here is someone's account of an epiphany they had about their ratios being way off. Dude's board was set-up in a way that not only negatively impacting his skating, but it also having adverse effects on his body (board height was aggravating an Achilles problems). Dude changed his equipment, and things got much better, almost instantly. His story is well worth your time to read, because it illuminates and important point about "proper" ratios with your set-up. 

Bearings

Bearings are another place where I will advocate for a specific product. But first, a note about bearing technology. Historically bearings contain seven 5/32 inch balls within each bearing ring. Powell came up with a new system. They now produce a bearing that has six, larger, 3/16 inch balls instead of the smaller seven-ball version. In the six-ball version, the balls are 20% larger, and thus roll fewer times to go the same distance. The six-ball version accelerate quicker, have a higher top speed/roll faster, and resist the impact of landings better than the standard seven-ball design. The six-ball version is most likely the future for bearings. So, what should you get? If you want to go the six-ball route, there are two options. First, is Bones Big Balls Reds. These are the “lower price point” version. They run about $25 bucks for a set. Second is Bones Super Swiss Six. These, IMHO, are the best bearings on the market. They run about $60 a set. Yeah, they are more expensive, but they are absolutely worth it. If you don’t want to go the six-ball route, Powell still makes standard seven-ball versions. Those are the Bones Red ($18 a set), Super Reds ($30 set), and Bones Swiss ($55 a set). Remember that you get what you pay for, and half the fun of skateboarding is the ability to roll. Bearings are what makes that happen. Choose wisely. There are number of other decent bearings out there, but you will never go wrong with Powell/Bones.

IMPORTANT: Never buy bearings (esp. Bones bearings) from Amazon/eBay. Never. There are many counterfeit, fake, cheaply made versions of Bones bearings out there. Powell is aware of this, and has even issued some public statements about the issue. If you are going to buy Bones bearings ONLY get them from a reputable skate shop.

CLEAN YOUR BALLS: Bones bearings can easily be cleaned, provided that you so according to manufacture specs. You should do this when needed, esp., if you get one of the more expensive versions. Cleaning them will make them last longer, and keep you rolling at top speed with minimal effort.   

Shoes

Ok, shoes. This topic could be its own post. Hell, it could be its own blog. Shoes are a huge market, and there are many, many options. Shoes are actually a somewhat controversial topic. Some very Big Name Sporting Companies have developed a strong presence in skateboarding. Nike. Adidas. New Balance. Converse. Etc. And as I am sure you know, Vans is no longer a tiny company that takes out tiny ¼ page ads in back of skate magazines. They now have retail outlet stores at almost every large mall in America. Things have really changed. Before I get into specific brands, there are two basic models of skate shoes. One is “vulcanized.” The other is “cupsole.” These terms refer to the way the sole of the shoe is manufactured. They feel, and skate, radically different from each other. Vulcanized give you much more “board feel” but can also provide a lot less “cushion” for your feet. Cupsoles are the exact opposite. Cupsoles can make it more difficult to “feel” the board, but they provide a lot more impact cushion. I’ll go an extreme to illuminate the point: vulcanized shoes are like skating in socks, while cupsoles are like skating in moonboots. What to get? Go somewhere and try on lots of shoes (and stand on a deck if you can), and see what feels best to you. Usually people fall squarely into one these camps (vulcs v. cups) and despise the other. It is very rare to find someone who likes both vulcanized and cupsole shoes.

VANS: Vans have been around forever. They have supported skateboarding since Day One. Their shoes have changed a bit over the years, but mostly remain the same. The vast majority of Vans shoes are vulcanized. Some older skaters say that their feet and knees will no longer allow them to skate in Vans. Usually that is because they are wearing the "classic" Vans. Note that Vans has two lines of shoes, Classic and Skate. The "classics" are designed for people that hang out in the food court at the mall. The "Skate" version is designed for, well, skateboarding. I often see people rail against Vans and complain that their feet hurt after skating...only to realize they wear the Classics and not the Skate version. To this end, however, there are some skaters who prefer the Classics...but not many. The "pop cush" insoles that come with the Skate version is top-notch, and can do a lot to help those old feet and knees. That said, some may need the added cushioning of a cupsole shoe.

NIKE / ADIDAS / NEW BALANCE / CONVERSE: These are all big name sports companies that have deep pockets for research and development department. And it shows. Contrary to Vans, some older skaters claim that Nike (or other Big Name company) shoes are the only reason they can KEEP skateboarding. These shoes can be surprisingly expensive. Moreover, all of these companies can be somewhat controversial in skateboarding. Some people are really against the idea of "outsiders" trying to play the "carpetbagger" role. I will not take any sides on that issue here, other than to point out that such controversy exsits.

OTHER BRANDS: I’ll be honest, I cannot speak from too much personal experience on other brands. I skate in Vans. I have tried other brands (inc. Adidas), and I just didn’t like the board feel, the fit, or the looks. There a ton of other brands, and each offer lots of different shoes. Other big companies are Emerica, Etnies, and eS (all owned by same company), DC, Fallen, Lakai, and Supra. If you want any more detailed reviews of these, check out the SLAP Forum.  UPDATE: Circa late 2024 there are some big "corporate" changes to some these companies (esp. Lakai), and it's not clear what their future is, if at all.

Accessories

Ok, maybe I lied. I said you could get anything you want these days. Well, that may not be true. I am not sure if you can get skid plates anymore (aside from ones for freestyle boards) or nose bones for that matter. That said, rails, coopers, and even lappers are still available! Moreover, side rails have made somewhat of a comeback. While they never totally went away for transitions skaters, for a long time you never saw side rails used by street skaters. That is no longer true. While they are not the standard for street skating, you absolutely see some street skaters using them again. In some contexts rails have a huge advantage, and they can be really fun to play around with. What are those huge advantages? Watch this clip and you will see it all explained in great detail. 

 

Pads, Helmets, Etc.

I talked a bit about pads in part one of this series. I have also written about pads elsewhere on this blog (this one is definitely worth your time to read). One thing is quite true with pads, you get what you pay for. If you are seriously looking for protection, drop the money for it. If something seems expensive, ask yourself, is the ability to walk worth $100? I recently wrote a much more extensive safety gear Buyer's Guide, which can be found here. That Buyer's Guide is a deep-dive into pads, so I will let that post do the talking, and not say much else about pads here. 

 

  On to the Next

So, that about covers it for equipment. Remember that skateboarding is supposed to be fun, and it has no rules. With those considerations, when putting together a new board, go for what you are going to have the most fun with, but remember that equipment evolved for a reason (e.g. don't unduly let nostalgia for past hinder your ability/equipment choices in the present). That said, follow your own path to happiness, no matter what deck, truck, or wheel that may be. Your Stoke does not have to meet anyone else's standards.

Part Three covers navigating the skate shop, the skate park, and skateboard social media without making a fool of yourself.