Decks

The deck is the piece of wood (usually laminated maple) you stand on. When choosing a board, it's important to get the right size deck. If it's too small your feet and heels will hang over the edge making it difficult to keep your balance. But the bigger the deck is the harder it will be to turn and lift off the ground when you try tricks. Most decks are concave - that means they have a raised nose and tail. The deeper the concave, the more aggressive the skater can be with their tricks. The shallower the concave, the more forgiving the deck is for newer skaters. Before using your board make sure you have grip-tape fitted to your deck.

Grip-tape

This has a similar texture to sandpaper and helps your board stick to your feet. Without grip-tape you won't be able to perform basic tricks like the ollie. There a huge variety of patterns and designs you can get on your deck. Choose a deck you like the look of and then add some stickers for that personal touch.

Nose

The front of the skateboard, from the front truck bolts to the end.

Rail

The edge of the skateboard, also, plastic strips attached to the board’s underside.

Trucks

Trucks work like the suspension on a car and they provide the turning capabilities for the board. They are the metal attachments which house the board's axles and connect the wheels to the deck. Although they are smaller than the deck they are just as important. Trucks have to be flexible enough to make the board manoeuvrable but strong enough to survive heavy impacts. They are usually made of lightweight metal alloys - some manufacturers are even experimenting with titanium trucks! Like the suspension on a car, trucks can be set either hard or soft. Beginners should use soft trucks as they offer more stability. More advanced skaters tend to prefer harder trucks as they allow sharper turns and are better for tricks.

Tail

The rear of the skateboard, from the back truck bolts to the end

Wheels

Skateboard wheels vary according to size and hardness. They are usually made of polyurethane and sized between 39 and 66 millimeters in diameter; their hardness is measured by durometer, a number ranging from 0 to 100—soft wheels have a durometer of about 85, hard wheels have a durometer of 97 or higher wheelbase: the distance between the front and back wheels, measured between the two sets of innermost truck holes. Smaller wheels (50-60mm diameter) will make you go slower but may make the board lighter and easier to control. They are usually favoured by street skaters. Larger wheels increase your top speed and are best suited to skating ramps. Top professionals use the hardest wheels, which are graded as 100a. These offer little grip and can be difficult to control on extremely rough or slick surfaces. Wheels graded as 97a are suitable for skate parks while 95a are perfect for general street skating. Just like decks, they come in a variety of colours and designs.

Bearings

Most boarders will need hard-wearing bearings. Bearings are measured using an archaic system called ABEC used by bearing manufacturers. The ideal rating for skaters is 3 or 5. These bearings will give you a smooth ride but shouldn't break when you try your first jump! Your bearings won't last forever so don't think that buying the priciest ones available will make you the ultimate skater. No matter how you set your board up, the only way to improve is to head outside and get some practice!