Skateboarding
If you are going to get into skateboarding, or are just going to get a new deck or a new pair of bearings, I have some hints for you. First off all, get a good deck from a brand like Element, they are more expensive than other decks but are extremely worth it! The look of the underneath of the deck is totally preference, but what is really important is the size of the deck. Make sure your deck is about as wide as your foot is long, with a little extra. Most skate stores will sell you a deck with all the essentials, so trucks, wheels, and bearings are not important at first. Later on the road, you should try to get Destructo trucks, and while wheels are a matter of preference, 52 mm wheels are a nice in-between number for wheel size. For bearings, the ones you get with the board should be good, but if you ever care to upgrade, Lucky 7’s or Ryan Sheckler’s are probably the best out there and will make you go quite a bit faster.
One of the most important parts of the skating equipment is to get skating shoes. Emerica, Vans, and Fallen all are quality shoes and are great choices. If you plan on doing any tricks or want to go anywhere with some sort of speed, shoes are a must as they help you grip the board as well as the ground while doing tricks or pushing yourself. I would also recommend finding a friend who has skated for a while, as having someone to help you while learning to ride your skateboard is a tremendous help.
One last warning to anyone who is considering skateboarding, while your board may look very cool when first bought, be prepared to lose that. The wheels will become dirty and discolored, the deck will become carved, and the nose and tail (front and back, respectively) will start to fall apart as the deck gets used. So just be prepared for it and make sure you warn your parents that this will happen so they can be prepared for this too.