Deciphering Skateboarding Languages

Summary: By the time a skateboarder has refined their techniques and styles to a level that meets all the requirements for competition, they have also had time to amass a whole new language that is understood by all skateboarders around them. As they perform various skateboarding tricks, there are certain terms that they will use to let others know that they bested their best score and feel ready to try something else. A parent might be totally lost around youngsters as they begin ...

By the time a skateboarder has refined their techniques and styles to a level that meets all the requirements for competition, they have also had time to amass a whole new language that is understood by all skateboarders around them. As they perform various skateboarding tricks, there are certain terms that they will use to let others know that they bested their best score and feel ready to try something else. A parent might be totally lost around youngsters as they begin their training, but by the time the adolescent reaches the competitive levels of skateboarding, they are sure to be well-versed in what is said and know enough about the sport to look favorable in the social circles that develop at these events. Some parents have learned to carry a skateboard trick glossary with them, and others simply prefer to keep a skateboard parts glossary in the glove compartment that they can use while shopping for parts to a skateboard. These reference materials will be very helpful when parents need to find out what was said over the loudspeaker at an event. The strange word might deal with the name of a trick, or the term might be a simple word that skateboarders speak all the time. No parent wants to stand out in the crowd as the one that does not know what is going on, so these parents rely on the handy reference materials to keep them informed. Some parents find that learning about the differences in wheels will help them when they must shop to replace some. If the skateboarder is kind enough, they might just provide the number which is on the wheel and take all the guess work out of getting the right wheel for the skateboard they use for street skating. Harder wheels stand up better when used on the streets and parents like them more because they do not have to be replaced as often. Some skateboarders will change wheels out just because they want a better grip even though they are using a longboard. With some type of reference material on hand, it might be impossible for a parent to shop for an axle. They might get word from the skateboarder that the wheels are starting to slide, and they might believe that the wheels need to be replaced. If the parent knew that there were several reasons why this type of slippage could occur, then they might be able to negotiate their way around a sports shop and buy a new truck, or a new hangar if that is the cause of the slippage. A skateboarder will know the difference between the bushings and the deck, and might even have a favorite brand of grip tape that they want to use. A seasoned skateboarder will be in tune with the sport enough to know when they need new trucks or need to replace the risers and the shock pads. All of these items will keep a skateboarder skating and they make it a point to know the terminology just so they can tell their parents what to pick up at the store.