| The skateboard deck is the actual board of the | | | | long and 8 inches wide, and are roughly rectangular or |
| skateboard. Although you may think a skateboard is | | | | oval in shape. Longer boards are better for downhill |
| simply a piece of wood with axles and wheels | | | | or street riding, as well as transportation, while |
| attached underneath, this is not the case. While the | | | | shorter ones make it easier to use skateboard parks |
| deck is usually made of plywood, today there are | | | | and perform tricks. However, the length of the board |
| many choices of skateboard deck materials. Most | | | | is not nearly as important as the width. |
| beginners are fine with plywood, but as you get | | | | If you are very tall, choose a wider deck, as it can |
| more involved in skateboarding, you may want to | | | | help you feel proportionate while riding the board. On |
| upgrade your deck to one of the following types. | | | | the other hand, a wider deck will also give beginners |
| Composites, aluminum, nylon, fiberglass, resin, Kevlar, | | | | stability as they learn to balance on the skateboard. |
| Plexiglas, and other artificial materials are being | | | | The dimensions of the board may vary depending on |
| experimented with to increase the rigidity of the | | | | intended use, so decide whether you want to use |
| skateboard deck. The main issue that many have | | | | your board mainly on streets, in skate parks and |
| found with these designs is that the deck requires | | | | bowls, or as transportation. A deck that is too skinny |
| some flexibility to perform tricks and other | | | | will be hard to use because your feet may hand over |
| maneuvers. Also, these materials can make decks | | | | the edge of the board, reducing your stability. On the |
| too heavy to use. Some experimental designs use | | | | other hand, a larger deck may be too difficult to |
| artificial materials to form a honeycomb design inside | | | | control during tricks. |
| a wooden exterior. Inexpensive decks may be made | | | | After the laminated boards are shaped into a |
| simply of plastic. | | | | skateboard, holes for the truck mount are drilled, and |
| Even if you opt for a simple plywood deck, you still | | | | the board is coated with paint or sealant. Grip tape |
| have several options. Most plywood decks are made | | | | may then be placed on the top of the deck, although |
| of maple, laminated together with glue. The grain of | | | | some manufacturers leave this step for the user. |
| each wood layer is laid in an alternating direction, so | | | | Most decks also include a large logo of the |
| that the deck cannot split along the natural grain of | | | | manufacturer. |
| the wood. The main difference here is between 7-ply | | | | Decks also differ in their angles depending on the |
| board and 9-ply boards. 7-ply have seven thin sheets | | | | intended use. Decks are not straight across and flat. |
| of wood laminated together, while 9-ply have nine | | | | All decks rise slightly at both ends. The amount of |
| sheets. The 9-ply decks are thicker and heavier, | | | | curvature and the shape of the front and back are |
| which can make it more difficult to manipulate the | | | | designed specifically for different uses; a bigger curve |
| board. | | | | will give more leverage, making it easier to perform |
| Most skateboard decks measure about 32 inches | | | | more tricks. |