ENTER

ENTER SKATEBOARDING — FOR PARENTS

Gear that protects the stoke.

Straight answers from the coaches — what to buy, what fits, what to skip. Two minutes at drop-off and we'll fit-check anything, free.

01

The helmet — non-negotiable

If you buy one thing well, buy this. We require it every session, loaners available — but their own always fits better.

  • 01.1Look for DUAL certification on the inside sticker: CPSC and ASTM F1492. Skate falls are repeated little hits — bike-only helmets are built for one big one.
  • 01.2Fit: level on the head, two fingers above the eyebrows, snug enough that skin moves when the helmet wiggles. Shake test — no wobble.
  • 01.3After any hard crack on concrete, retire it. The foam does its job once.
  • 01.4Skip the toy-store bucket. A solid certified lid runs $45–70 and outlasts two seasons of growth with the fit pads swapped.
02

Knee pads that slide

Knee pads change how kids learn. With caps that slide, falling stops being scary — and kids who aren't scared learn double.

  • 02.1Hard plastic caps, not foam sleeves. The cap is meant to skid along concrete and steal energy from the fall.
  • 02.2Butterfly or open-back straps go on without removing shoes — you will appreciate this at 8:55am.
  • 02.3Snug above and below the knee; if it spins around the leg, size down.
  • 02.4Elbow pads: same logic, half the price. Wrist guards matter most for brand-new skaters who still catch falls with their hands.
03

The board — sized to the skater

A board that fits turns easier, flips easier, and weighs less under small legs. Width matters more than anything else on the wall.

  • 03.1Under age 8 or below ~4'5": 7.0–7.5" wide (a 'mini' deck).
  • 03.2Ages 8–12 or up to ~5'2": 7.5–7.75".
  • 03.3Teens and taller: 8.0" and up, full size.
  • 03.4Buy a real skate-shop complete ($90–150), not a big-box toy board — toy trucks don't turn and toy bearings don't roll. It's the single most common money mistake we see.
  • 03.5Soft wheels (78a–87a, 54–56mm) make rough camp pavement feel smooth and keep speed manageable.
04

Shoes & extras

Almost anything flat-soled works on day one. When they're hooked, upgrade.

  • 04.1Flat soles (skate shoes or plain canvas) — running-shoe arches roll off the board.
  • 04.2Sunscreen and a water bottle outlast any gadget on this list.
  • 04.3Skate tool ($10) — every kid loves tightening their own trucks. Coaches will show them how.

Not sure? Bring it to the park.

Any coach will fit-check a helmet, size a board, or tell you honestly that what you already own is fine. That conversation is free and we love having it.

See the schedule

WE DON'T SELL GEAR OR TAKE COMMISSIONS — THIS PAGE EXISTS SO YOUR SKATER IS SAFE AND YOUR MONEY GOES WHERE IT MATTERS.