Skateboarding is a fun activity for both children and adults that provides a low-impact aerobic workout. Finding your proper skateboard size is important because the board needs to support your weight; a board that's too small one improperly made could break underneath you, potentially causing an injury. Always be safe while boarding: Wear a helmet and other protective gear, stay out of traffic and don't attempt tricks beyond your skill level. Although micro-sized skateboards are available for young children, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that children under age 5 should never ride a skateboard.
Step 1
Know your height and shoe size. The skateboard sizing guidelines based on these criteria are as follows:
Micro: Ages 5 and younger, height of 3-foot-4 and shorter, shoe sizes 3 and smaller
Mini: Ages 6 to 8, 3-foot-5 to 4-foot-4, shoe sizes 4 to 6
Mid-size: Ages 9 to 12, 4-foot-5 to 5-foot-2, shoe sizes 7 to 8
Large: Ages 13 and up, 5-foot-3 and taller, shoe sizes 9 and up
Step 2
Consider where you'll be skating when choosing your deck size. Skaters who do ramps and other vertical obstacles usually prefer a wider deck, while street skaters prefer a smaller deck. Wide decks also can help support the weight of larger skaters.
Step 3
Match the width of your truck axle to the width of your deck. The truck axle should be no more than a quarter-inch narrower than the deck.
Tips and Warnings
- Don't worry too much about adding extra length to your board; this feature is usually used only by advanced skaters.
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