Unless you have experience riding a shaped board - something a little more retro or unusual, we recommend you start with a popsicle shape. Since the day skateboarding went from something surfers did when the waves were flat to its own sport that involves technique, practice, and careful consideration, a small handful companies have been there to help skateboarding become what it is today.Ĭhoosing a skateboard deck is a great place to start when building a complete skateboard. It’s no wonder these brands are still doing so well - they’ve been with skateboarding since the beginning. NHS, Inc., the company that produces Santa Cruz Skateboards, Independent Trucks, Bronson Speed Bearings, Krux trucks, Flip Skateboards, Ricta Wheels, Mob Grip, and OJ Wheels started in 1973. Powell Peralta, the company responsible for Powell Skateboards, Bones Wheels, Bones Bearings, and the Bones Brigade also started in 1978. Independent Trucks has been designing trucks since 1978.

And while we’ve come a long way from the days of metal and clay wheels, some aspects of skateboarding - like the brands manufacturing some of the most trusted products - haven’t changed at all. When looking at skateboarding’s history, the only thing that’s stayed the same is the overall structure: every board consists of four skateboard wheels, two skateboard trucks, and a riding surface of some kind. Like most sports or art forms, progression is at the heart of skateboard innovation. Skateboards grew and changed shapes as riders experimented with everything from plastic to fiberglass to aluminum constructions - all in an effort to push what was possible. As skateboarding progressed to mimic surfing, skateboards evolved with the style of riding. Skateboarding, in one form or another, has been around since the late 1950’s when the first brave pioneer first attached roller skate wheels and trucks to a piece of wood.

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