Gift Ideas for Skateboarders

Shopping for skateboarders can be a difficult thing. When it comes to equipment, the most promoted brands and labels can be pretty costly, while the cheaper ones more than likely won't last, nor will they make your skater happy. Whether you have $5.00 or $500.00 to spend on that perfect gift, this article will give you some great tips on where and how to shop, what to look for, and just as important, what to avoid.

Shop-on-line, or at your local skate shop.
Brand name board companies usually offer lots of options from very inexpensive gifts (like stickers, patches and pins) to more expensive ones, like new decks, or skate shoes.

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Tee-shirts with logos of their favorite companies, as well as hoodies, and jackets are other options for skaters.

Skate videos are another great idea for the major skateboard enthusiast.

If the skater you're shopping for is considering trying for sponsorship, they need video equipment, and blank tapes.

If the skater has lots of space, and if you want to spend big money, you might go for rails, jumps and half-pipes.

Skateboarding is more than just a sport, it's a culture. Many skateboarders have deep convictions about society, politics, war and genocide. You will find that most skateboarders, while often presented in the public as "degenerate youth" are actually thoughtful, motivated, caring young people, with a message to get out to the world about their generation.
One of my favorite on-line places to shop include is Stay Vocal Skateboards. You will find a lot of clues about the culture of skating, and some important aspects of this sport that many people do not understand.

http://www.stayvocal.com/site/ main.html

360 Skate is another great on-line resource for shopping for a skater. While they are not as politically motivated as stay vocal skateboards, they do have good prices and a wide selection of goods.

http://www.360skate.com

Last, but not least, don't forget your local skateboard shops. These small stores may not have the huge selection that an on-line store can give you, but you will find great people, who support the community and support young people, running these small shops.

Best advice- avoid department store skateboards, they are cheap, but wear out very fast, and most "true" skaters would not dream of using a board bought from a Chain store.
Another good reason to stay away from Chain stores is that in the skating culture, big cooperations are viewed with disdain, and the idea of some "Super Stores" trying to cash in on their culture is offensive and anger provoking to many skaters.

Also stay clear of mall shops, as these are what most skateboarders call "poser" stores. This means that people who like to wear the "skate" clothes, and look the part of the "true" skateboarder, but don't really skate at all, shop there.