Who Skates?

Y'know, thinking about it… (and this is really neither here nor there, but...) the Twilight film series really would've benefited from some Kiefer Sutherland and Corey Feldman cameos.

Aetas

Cruising today.

But there is a Pavel deck on it's way…

Aetas

The rest is here.

gaseousclay

Started watching some skate stuff on YouTube with my boy and he digs it. Of course I introduced him to the Bones Brigade and Tony Hawk specifically. Hard to believe TH is older than me and still able to pull off the same tricks he did as a young man. I told my son when he’s a little older I’d get him a deck. Cool thing is there’s a nice little skate park not far from his elementary school I can take him to. I also highly doubt I’ll try and show him anything beyond how to do an ollie [emoji23] with my luck i’d break a hip

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gaseousclay

Any of you dads introduce skateboarding to your kids? I remember starting off skating in the late 70's on some flimsy fiberglass skateboard. I was probably around 7 or 8 at the time. It wasn't until the mid 80's that I graduated to nicer decks.

Curious what good starter board I should look at getting for my son and at what age he should start? My biggest concern is that kids go through phases and while my boy might show an interest now, he could easily change his mind a year from now. I don't wanna plunk down money on a deck and safety gear if he's going to turn around and decide it's not for him.

Are skate clinics worth looking into?

neph93

That thing with kid’s phases and interests is frustrating. My take on it is to put aside the financial concerns (assuming you can still pay rent/buy food etc) and indulge the interest if it seems sincere now.

The worst that can happen is that it is short lived and the gear goes on eBay/to the back of the closet. The best that can happen is that he finds a rewarding hobby. I would want to give him the chance to find out.

Caveat: giving parental/financial advice to peers is a bit scary and can be a minefield so to be clear, this is my opinion only and in no way intended as criticism or a the only correct way forward.

neph93

Also no idea about skate clinics. I was self taught and falling on my ass a lot the first few years was half the fun. I say get out there with him and enjoy it.

gaseousclay

@neph93:

That thing with kid’s phases and interests is frustrating. My take on it is to put aside the financial concerns (assuming you can still pay rent/buy food etc) and indulge the interest if it seems sincere now.

The worst that can happen is that it is short lived and the gear goes on eBay/to the back of the closet. The best that can happen is that he finds a rewarding hobby. I would want to give him the chance to find out.

Caveat: giving parental/financial advice to peers is a bit scary and can be a minefield so to be clear, this is my opinion only and in no way intended as criticism or a the only correct way forward.

Wise advice. The thing is, skateboarding gear is very affordable these days, and if it's split between his mom and I then it's even cheaper. When I was looking at Tony Hawk skateboards the other day they were listed at about $80. Not sure about a helmet and pads.

But yes, I also learned by doing and falling on my butt along the way. I even said as much to my son the other day about the need for practice. I told him that even Tony Hawk makes mistakes and still gets hurt….and he's a pro