good board for a newbie?

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Pixie Hatfield
Posts: 1
Joined: Sat Feb 16, 2008 5:23 pm

good board for a newbie?

Post by Pixie Hatfield » Sat Feb 16, 2008 5:40 pm

Hi,
I've been googling the net ever since i decided to buy a slalom board and read the forums, but am still no wiser. Does anyone have any suggestions on what a good board would be for a newbie? the ones i've been looking at are airflow and 3dm.

anyway, i would be greatful for any advice at all. :)

cheers!

/pixie

Wesley Tucker
1961-2013 (RIP)
1961-2013 (RIP)
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Joined: Tue Aug 27, 2002 2:00 am

Post by Wesley Tucker » Sat Feb 16, 2008 6:11 pm

Pixie,

Here's the way it will work. You're going to get a few responses and most of them will be for you to get the board the poster is riding.

My advice is this.

First of all, where do you live? What is really best is to find some people already slaloming and try their stuff. There are so many variables involved that recommending a good all-around starter slalom board is an exercise in futility. So, find some slalomers (at a race, at a session or whatever) and try their stuff.

Secondly, there's the issue of different kinds of slalom. There's wide open Giant Slalom, in between hybrid slalom and zig-zagging teeth chattering tight slalom. All boards are not good for all types of slalom.

Finally, there's PRICE. What someone could recommend as a "starter" board could end up costing over $200. Do you want new or used? Do you want a stiff or flexible board?

See what happens? The options even for a beginner board get overwhelming.

IF, though, you live somewhere out in the country or deep in the city and you're just 1000 miles from any slalomer you might not get a chance to try a board. So, READ this website. There's all kinds of stuff about decks, trucks, wheels, bearings, bushings, risers, toe stops, wedging, concave, flex, durometers, nuts, bolts and where to find the best BBQ.

I'm not going to dis' anybody but always remember to take someone's direction on buying ANYTHING with a grain of salt. Sure, Biff Strongarm who rides for Builtright Skateboards will say Builtright's full range of boards has one that's perfect for you. But until you actually stand on it and go down a hill you'll never know.

So, that's my portion of "any advice."

And don't forget: you asked for it :-)
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GARY OHM
Posts: 13
Joined: Sat Dec 08, 2007 11:50 pm
Location: Paso Robles, California

Post by GARY OHM » Sat Feb 16, 2008 9:30 pm

Take a look at sk8kings.com . They have a line of boards and a line of trucks that will fit your budget and what you want to do. You can get a complete custom setup for your weight and discipline for under $200 in the US. Richy and Maria are great to deal with and have good starter packages. Richy will take your weight and discipline preference and customize a bushing set for you too. It will be dialed in for you and ready to ride straight out of the box. Good luck.

josé fuentevilla
Posts: 17
Joined: Sun Nov 18, 2007 3:07 pm
Location: santiago, chile
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Post by josé fuentevilla » Sun Feb 17, 2008 8:19 pm

GARY OHM wrote:Take a look at sk8kings.com . They have a line of boards and a line of trucks that will fit your budget and what you want to do. You can get a complete custom setup for your weight and discipline for under $200 in the US. Richy and Maria are great to deal with and have good starter packages. Richy will take your weight and discipline preference and customize a bushing set for you too. It will be dialed in for you and ready to ride straight out of the box. Good luck.

+ 1 sk8kings, they will answer all your questions, and send you the board ready to use out of the box. plus best customer service ever !!!!!!
* Devoto de una Mala Religion *
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