Once a counterculture, skateboarding is now an event in the Olympic games. While most skate activities involve wheels, they may not all be skateboarding. Here’s a quick rundown on the different kinds of skates out there to give your “software” an update.
1. Skateboards
Probably the most recognized of the bunch, skateboarding is the OG that made it into the Olympics. It is also what Tony Hawk is known for and what all skateboarding games are based on. Skateboards are primarily used to perform tricks like flips and slides. They are usually shorter and have smaller wheels than the other boards.
2. Longboards
As the name suggests, longboards are longer and have bigger wheels. These are the ones that people walk and dance on in the videos that have made their rounds on social media many years ago. Longboards are also used for downhill racing, and that is strictly not for beginners!
3. Surf skates
The recent videos that you’ve been seeing of people skating in a zigzag-like motion like they’re on ocean waves? That’s surfskating — which is quite different from skateboarding because of the build of the equipment itself. Here’s a quick way to identify it; a surf skate is taller and has bigger wheels.
4. Quad skates
The 80’s are making a comeback! Think roller disco and fun dance moves! The quad skates are skates with 4 wheels, which gives more stability and make them beginner-friendly! If you have not skated before and would like to try doing it for fun, we highly recommend this to begin with.
5. Inline skates
Inline skates, like quad skates, also have several wheels but the major difference is the arrangement of them. Wheels on an inline skate are arranged in a row in the center of the boot, which makes it similar to an ice skate. If you’re looking for a more aggressive style of skating, this is the one for you as inline skates are perfect for straight-line speed on the road!
