Skateboards

Where is a good place to buy a descent skateboard for a 7 year old beginner? My boy, Omar, has been asking me for one and we've gone to some shop at the great mall but they never seem to have any in stock.

I'd prefer not to buy him one of those cheap ones that caused the scar on the back of my head so I'm not looking for a toys r us type of board.  I'd rather buy a whole board than something you have to buy in pieces.

I think he's just looking for a plain laminated board (with the grip tape on it) without much drawing on it.  Other than that I don't think he really cares all that much.

Where would be a good place to buy one and what should I be looking for?

Sport Chalet's has a decent skateboard selections.

Powell-Peraltifico, take him to a legitimate skate shop. I'd make a suggestion on where to go but I don't know whats up in your neck of the world.  If you come down this way circle-A on 2nd street will do you right.  While you're there buy a longskate for yourself then go over to wintersportz warehouse to get yourselves snowboards.   

When I was a kid in Palo Alto we would get our boards at Palo Alto Sport Shop and Toy World on Waverley. It was a legit skate shop in the back. Call and see if they still have the skate shop. You may also wanna try Skate Works in RWC. Oh and I 2nd picking up a longboard for yourself

oye primo,

There's a skate shop right by Wallins Dive Shop - actually, it's right next to Runners World. It used to be called Core board Shop....but it's called something else now...I think it's now called Action Sports or something...anyway, check them out. They even have an indoor skate ramp.

So what should I be looking for in a board?  I'm sure anything will be better than the steel wheels that i think I had on mine. 

I'd venture a guess that if you go to a real skate shop and 'build' your board. Deck, trucks, wheels, etc. You should be able to build a deck that will be 1000% better then any toys r us board. And your son is 10 so the guy working behind the counter should be able to help you buy quality and not rip you off. Decks are pretty much all the same. You son will just have to pick the graphics he likes. When I was a kid independent trucks were the say to go. Wheels have totally changed but I wouldn't spend a ton on the top end bearings since your son will most likely ride thru water and sand, etc. Just keep in mind (as I am sure you have) skating is a sport that tend to beat up gear even more so when you are learning and young. So I'd error on the less expensive gear. Oh and I am sure you (or mom) has pads on the top of the shopping list.

I'm with EWB, build a board.  If it turns out this is something Omar is really into, the trucks/wheels will outlive the deck.  It will be easy to just swap out the deck.  Sometimes the cheaper pre-built board makers do stupid things like mount the trucks and then apply the griptape, which is a headache not worth dealing with.
Indys have a lot of meat on the axles (good for grinding), but always seemed heavy to me.  I'd go with Venture featherlites or Thunder trucks.  I don't think wheels are more than personal preference, but some folks will tell you some brands flat-spot quicker than others.  I always went with Spitfire (no real reason). 
The shop might have their own brand of goods, or blank wheels and decks, at a lower price than name brand stuff.  Same quality products, minus some screenprinting is all...

Most shops will build the board for you at no charge.

Make sure to buy all the safety gear/ good pads and helmet.

Omar will be schralping soon!!!

Allen

Build the thing with your son. It will be a great experience for you both.

http://www.roarockit.com/

I bought a kit for 2 longboards. Its very easy and all inclusive. He can then paint it however he likes and you can make one for yourself to ride with him. Spend some time on the site, they provide good info and video tutorials. If you get into it, look up Marquetry online. There is some beautiful work done

Thanks for all the tips fellas!  He's too concerned with how spooky his costume is going to be tomorrow and Saturday to focus on the skateboard though.  Maybe we'll do some shopping Sunday.

Thanks for all the tips fellas!  He's too concerned with how spooky his costume is going to be tomorrow and Saturday to focus on the skateboard though.  Maybe we'll do some shopping Sunday.

Oh to be a kid again...."Dad, can we go skateboard shopping tomorrow. I need to get ready for Halloween today"

your a hell of a Dad!

I always splureged and bought my kids "real" bikes and skateboards.  They work better and last longer.  If the work better, they  use them more.  As a bonus, when they're not using them, you can.  Just remember you're OLD as hell, and falling of a board hurts now.

Like the others said go to a real skate shop. By real I mean that shop should ONLY have skateboards. If there's other crap like Razors or Rollerblades leave immediately!!! Especially skip the mall shops. Heavily pierced white faced black haired skaters only exist in movies. Real shops will have no problem giving you good suggestions about good gear.

Z

If there's other crap like Razors or Rollerblades leave immediately!!!

Best advise so far     

Just remember you're OLD as hell, and falling of a board hurts now.

...and hurts the day after, and the day after that, and the day.....  I miss the days of bouncing right back up