Basics: How to Buy a Skateboard
Dateline: 6 September 2000
If this is a first skateboard there are a number of options available to the shopper regarding how much money is to be spent and what kind of quality products are to be obtained. There's no way to know beforehand how dedicated a skater will become to the sport so the best option is to simply start with what is obvious.
First Principles:
When faced with the decision of what to buy, most folks will turn to that with which they are immediately familiar. They'll go to a mall or maybe a Wal-Mart or the like. Places such as these have toy stores or often sport's stores or sections where you'll be able to obtain a pre-assmebled something that looks an awful lot like a skateboard but will most likely be lacking in the area of functionality.
Does it matter? Well, that depends on what you want.
There's no way to know beforehand how dedicated you will become to the sport of skateboarding. Early on, if you are totally new to the sport I say get whatever you can. Some folks will beg to differ on this, with good reason. Cheap products mean cheap equipment. Weak decks, trucks that barely function as turning mechanisms, wheels that will barely roll, and metal bearings that will rust and seize at the first sign of moisture.
If you're thinking long term, this is definitely not the way to go. On the other hand though, and in my honest opinion, do with what you have, it's cheaper. Very often what we do depends on how much cash we have in our pockets and if for some reason you're lacking (as many skaters seem to be) go ahead and go for the cheapos. After all, everything is good for something.
Stay with: We're talking - First time out. And we're thinking - Whenever it dies, move on.
Here's an example:
Once you've experimented a little bit you'll be able to figure what kind of skating you're interested in doing. Some will say, and they're right, that one of those boards you get from Target or someplace like it are made of cheap greenwood, with equally cheap rubber wheels on sorry plastic trucks that will break the first time you ollie a gap. Here's the crux of it. They'll break, but not the first time and in the meantime you can learn a thing or two for cheap.
Hey, I learned to ollie on one of these. So can you. The board I bought (back then) cost a whopping 20 bucks. It was safer for that specific purpose because the small rubbery wheels didn't roll as fast (or even freely.) It was a smaller, lighter board that was closer to the ground and since it was cheap I didn't care about busting it up. It was an excellent tool that served its temporary purpose. Learning. Anything you can break makes for an excellent learning tool. Especially if you're small framed, this ought to last a good while.
Once you've experimented a little bit you'll be able to figure what kind of skating you're interested in doing.
Next Step: (The Important One)
After you've gone as far as you can go on your cheapo wimp board, consider hitting a skate shop. The folks that run the stores are almost always knowledgeable and more than willing to help with someone who is taking a genuine interest.
Different strokes for different folks they say. There are all kinds of boards out there. The one that's best for you depends on what you're looking to do so be prepared to answer the following questions about your skating?

Do you like to go fast on the flat away? (Heavier Freestyle board)
Do you like skating downhill? (Longboard)
Do you like doing all sorts of flips? (Smaller lighter board)
Do you like to ride ramps? (Heavier short board)
Do you skate only at skate parks? (Harder, faster wheels)
Which of these would you like to pursue? (Any combination thereof)

This information is key in figuring out what kind of deck you'll need to buy and what kind of style you'll want to focus on. Answers to these questions will also serve in your choice of trucks, wheels, bearings and other hardware so think about what you want to skate before trying to invest in a setup.
Think hard. Skate hard. That is all.