skateboard for a 5 year old?
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I can only comment on part 1. I say let the girl(s) experiment! So long as she's well padded and you keep her in relatively safe environment (aka, FLAT), I doubt any serious harm can be done. And she may really get an ego boost from trying something so challenging.
thanks for the support, that was sort of what I was thinking too...
(1) Consider it. Skateboarding is fun and great exercise. Just ask my boys 5 and 7. We go to a skate park at least twice a week, and doing it since they could walk. We have a lot of fun. It is a great time for us, and promotes fun and exercise. They are great riders and fast learners, with good balance and confidence that I found transferable to other sports, like snowboarding....and more. 2) My opinion is that everyone should get the best skateboard they can buy, since the best will allow for good balance and riding skills. Cost about $100-120. The cheaper skateboards only promote bad riding skills. I've taught many kids, and 1/2 of them I loaned them my board to ride b/c theirs were the cheaper ones. Cheaper is poor bearings (slow ride), bad trucks (in-stable, poor response), and weak board material (in-stable, no "click") Can find these useless boards for under 50 bucks at say, Big 5. Don't buy them. Waste of money. Here some more tips: 1) take-em to a kid friendly skate park (the Sunnyvale park by LM is too advanced-don't take'm there). 2) falling is part of learning, their recovery time is very short. 3) scooters are cool too. They are cheaper, more maneuverable, and work well inside/outside a skate park. Sometimes not allowed at skate parks, but do it anyway. 4) and, of course, wear the helmet and pads. 5) I play kid games around the park, like follow-the-leader, "flag-skateboarding", etc... it's fun. 6) I own a Alva skateboard with Independent trucks for sometime now, like it a lot. 7) "soft-wheels" == street riding, "small-hard wheels" == parks and pools. 8) converse, Big 5 does sell pads that are decent. 9) get a helmet will the back-side "closed" for protection of the back of the head. (bike helmets won't cut it).
WOW! thanks Bob! I am getting right on it. Which one would you recommend from the following link? These are all Alvas, but they don't look like the right price range...when they say deck do they mean the wheels are separate? http://www.warehouseskateboards.com/products.asp?brand=ALV&class=1D this one seems closer to the right price range...
Yes, when they say "deck" they do mean the wheels, bearings, trucks are separate. If they say a "complete skateboard", its everything. So, there are two basic ways to buy 1) complete skateboard (they pick all the hardware), 2) build-your own, meaning you pick your deck, grip tape, wheels, bearings, and trucks. Customizing on-line is great if you know what you want. I hope this is clear- it's confusing if you're new to it. So regardless of the route you take, your daughter at 5 years old would benefit from a deck size between 7.0" and 7.5". I would edge towards the 7.5" since bigger decks tend to be more stable and she is taller than any 5 year old I've ever met. To keep it simple, the complete skateboard is a safe route for any 5 year old. Brand names like "Chocolate", and "Almost" are popular with kids today. Any brand from the websites you listed will do fine. I think the best you can do Debby is to have her pick her favorite design, and you just need to assure that the board is sized correctly. I'm stoked she's interested and hope she enjoys it as much as my boys and I do. Anymore questons, just let me know. Oh- one last thing, water ages skateboards faster than normal use. Have her tuck the new skateboard in the garage at nights.
i can't believe i am going to be the conservative party pooper here, but i say no to the skateboard. and no tattoos either!!
Aura Gersenson's comment has merit. Skateboard surfaces are not grass or water, but concete and steel. Also, two weeks ago, NPR Fresh Air topic with author of 'Warrior Girls' spoke of a sharp rise in injuries among young females athletes. http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=92181946 The author's main point is girls/women can do any sport, any sport, however, their training, conditioning, and gear requirements are different from male athletes.
hmmmm aura, don't you have a tattoo? We will need to discuss this one more when you come to visit!
what about this website, and the brand black label?
No to skateboards for 5 year olds.Yes to pics of Aura's tattoos.
Skateboarding is every Californian's birthright!Right now, I'm riding the latest Tony Alva Pro Model with Independent Trucks and Speed Demon wheels. It's pretty sweet. Here's a photo: http://www.goodtone.net/Members/tony/Alva%20Pro%20Model.jpg Bill's Wheels (http://www.billswheels.com/home.html) Most Bay Area city's now have skate parks and after school programs that include instruction. The sooner you get your kids skating, the better they'll be.
I just ordered Laney's skateboard online. Here it is...http://www.warehouseskateboards.com/products.asp?item=1CMYSCHECK75000&class=1C&brand=MYS Laney LOVED your skateboard and so do I, but we couldn't find an exact replica online in 7.5 inches. anyways, I will let you know how it works out.
hello aura's tattoo, nice to see we have finally become famous, even if it is only to lonnie. third parties are always welcome.
That's pretty cool, but what do you think of mine?
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