Skateboard Decks
Size:
The size of a deck is important to skater’s ability to feel comfortable on the board and effectively complete more tricks.
Length:
Mini Deck: 29” inches
iSkate recommends mini skateboard decks for very young skaters of high ability level. Skaters often purchase a mini deck thinking they will be able to land more tricks. However in the long run, this will negatively impact skateboard progression. The sooner you switch to a standard size deck the easier it will be for you to adapt to the deck size.
Standard Deck: 30-31” inches
30-31” is the industry standard size of current model skateboard decks. The lengths of skateboard decks will increase in sizes for old school decks or long boarding decks. iSkate recommends the Standard Deck size for skaters of all ability levels.
Width:
7.25”, 7.5”, 7.67”, 7.75”, 8”, 8.25”, 8.5+”
The width of your skate board deck is a very personal preference. For smaller skaters we recommend that you stay small in width (7.5”) as less width will take the place of a mini size deck without losing the length. Skaters who are just starting out, we recommend a deck width of 7.75”+ Current trends amongst professional skaters is a deck width of 8”+
Choosing a Deck
Skaters choose a new deck for many different reasons…the artwork or graphics on the deck, the brand, the pro skaters name on the deck and even its shape or size.
The best advice we can give is to ask the skate shop to put down a mat and let you stand on the board. Try a couple of decks out according to size and the concave of the board.
Concave of the board can be measured from one side of the deck to the other. It is the groove or curve of the deck from side to side. Concave can be deep or shallow. This is a real personal preference. By standing on a board before you buy it you can get the feel of what it would be like to ride it. Make sure you stand on the board first and feel out the concave befor you buy it. Don’t be shy to ask to try and make sure you are extra careful not to scratch it up!Look out for Kewday decks. They are an Australian Skateboard Company and they have great pop!
Pop
The pop of a skateboard deck is best described as the stiffness in the deck. It’s the hidden elements of the skateboard that skaters believe allows them to get bigger Ollie’s. There are many different opinions on pop. One of them is that a painted board has better pop than an unpainted board. iSkate can’t scientifically prove that but you can make up your own mind! The one thing we do know is that the quality of the wood your skateboard is made from is crucial to good pop. Simply put, Canadian Rock Maple is the best wood for skateboard decks. Make sure you ask what sort of wood the deck is made from and if the answer is Canadian Rock Maple you got pop.

