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Choosing a first skateboard can feel confusing. There are loads of sizes, brands, and setups, and most of the advice online assumes you already know what you're doing.
This guide doesn't do that. Whether you're buying for yourself, your child, or as a gift, here's what actually matters. No jargon. Just honest advice from an independent skate shop that's been helping beginners get rolling since 2002.
A complete skateboard arrives fully built and ready to ride. Deck, trucks, wheels, bearings, and grip tape are all put together. You just step on and go.
For a beginner, this is almost always the right call. Building a custom setup from separate parts is worth doing once you know what you like, but when you're just starting out, the variables get overwhelming quickly. A complete takes that off the table.
Our complete skateboards for beginners come set up with well-matched components for learning. Trucks are tightened to a sensible level, wheels suit general use, and everything is dialled in from the off.
One important thing to know: not all completes are the same. There's a big difference between a proper complete from a skate shop and a cheap board from a toy shop or supermarket. More on that below.
Deck width is the key measurement. It's measured in inches across the widest point of the board, and it has the biggest impact on how the board feels underfoot.
Age and height are the most reliable guides. Shoe size is a secondary check, useful for fine-tuning, but not the main factor.
A junior complete is the right starting point here. Junior boards are typically around 29 inches long and 7.25-7.5 inches wide. That smaller footprint makes the board easier to stand on, push, turn, and carry. Our junior complete skateboards are a good place to start for younger riders.
Most riders this age are ready for a full-size board, usually 7.75 to 8.0 inches wide. A 7.75 inch board keeps things lighter and more manageable for riders who are still growing into the full size.
For most teen beginners, an 8.0 inch complete is the best neutral starting point. It works for both street skating and skatepark use. Once they've ridden it for a while, they'll know whether they want to go wider or narrower.
For adult beginners, 8.25 inches is a solid choice. It offers more foot room and feels more stable underfoot. If you're mainly looking to cruise or roll around a skatepark rather than learn flip tricks, anywhere from 8.25 to 8.5 inches is comfortable. See our beginner skateboards for adults for current options.
On shoe size: it can be a rough guide, but height and riding style matter more. Any deck width is technically rideable in any shoe size, so don't let it be the deciding factor on its own.
You don't need to be a mechanic to ride a skateboard. But knowing the basics helps you understand what you're buying, and how to maintain it.
Deck: The wooden board you stand on. Most are made from seven layers of maple wood pressed together (7-ply). Width is the key measurement.
Trucks: The metal axle assemblies that attach to the underside of the deck. They connect to the wheels and control how the board turns. Trucks should be matched to your deck width.
Wheels: Measured in millimetres (diameter) and durometer (hardness). Harder wheels suit skateparks and smooth ground. Softer wheels handle rough surfaces and cracks better.
Bearings: Small rings that sit inside the wheels and allow them to spin. Standard skate bearings are 608 size and fit all standard skateboard wheels.
Grip tape: The sandpaper-like sheet on top of the deck that keeps your feet in place.
On a complete skateboard, all of these are chosen to work well together. That's what makes completes the sensible starting point: everything is compatible from the off.
For a full walkthrough of how everything fits together, see our guide on how to assemble a skateboard.
Here's a quick reference:
Venom Skateboards completes are a popular choice across several of these age groups. Built to proper skate shop standards, durable, and well-priced for a first board.
Falls are part of learning to skate. That's not meant to put anyone off, it's just the reality of picking up a new skill. Good protection makes falling less painful and helps new riders keep going.
At minimum, a helmet is worth having, especially for younger riders and anyone using a skatepark. Wrist guards are probably the most practical piece of protection for beginners: the instinct when you fall is to put your hands out, and wrist guards handle that impact far better than bare skin.
Pad sets covering knees and elbows are a good idea for kids and anyone skating ramps or bowls. Browse our skateboard protection gear to find helmets and pads suited to the rider's age and style.
Buying a toy-shop board. This is the big one. Cheap boards from toy shops, supermarkets, and unknown online sellers often have plastic components, poor bearings, and trucks that barely turn. They make learning much harder than it needs to be and often don't last more than a few weeks. A proper skateboard from a skate shop, even a basic complete, rolls, turns, and feels completely different.
Getting the wrong size. Too big is hard to control; too small can feel unstable. Use the age and height guide above rather than guessing.
Skipping the helmet. Especially for kids. Falls when learning are common. It's not worth the risk.
Buying separate parts before you know what you want. Unless you're confident about compatibility, stick with a complete for your first board. Build custom later once you know what you prefer.
Overtightening the trucks. Trucks need to turn, that's how the board steers. Very tight trucks make turning harder and can actually make balancing more awkward. Leave them at the factory setting to start and adjust gradually as you get more comfortable.
A skateboard doesn't need much looking after, but a few simple habits will keep it rolling well.
Check your bolts occasionally. Hardware can loosen with use, especially on the trucks. A skate tool (or T-tool) lets you tighten everything up in seconds.
Keep bearings dry. Water ruins bearings faster than anything else. If you've been skating in the wet, dry the board off and spin the wheels to shift any moisture. Rusty bearings feel noticeably slower and will need replacing.
Replace grip tape when it gets smooth. Grip tape wears down over time. When it starts to feel slick underfoot, it's time for a fresh sheet. It's cheap and straightforward to apply.
Watch the deck for wear. Chips and razor tail (where the tail wears down to a thin edge) affect how the board feels and pops. A worn deck just means it's done its job, and it's time for a new one.
It depends on age and height. Riders under 5ft, usually younger kids, suit a 7.25-7.5 inch junior board. Teenagers are best starting on an 8.0 inch complete. Adult beginners should look at 8.25 inches. Use height as the main guide. Shoe size is a secondary check, not the deciding factor.
Yes, they're the best starting point for most beginners. A complete arrives fully built and ready to ride, with components that are matched to work well together. There's no need to research individual parts or worry about compatibility.
It's strongly recommended, especially for younger riders. Falls are normal when learning. A helmet is the most important piece of kit. Wrist guards are also worth having, they absorb impact far better than bare skin when you instinctively put your hands out. Knee and elbow pads are a good idea for kids or anyone skating ramps.
A toy board, typically from a supermarket, toy shop, or unknown online brand, often has plastic parts, poor-quality bearings, and trucks that barely turn. A real skateboard from a skate shop uses a proper maple deck, metal trucks, and bearings that actually spin. The difference in feel is significant, and a proper skateboard is far easier and more enjoyable to learn on.
A decent complete from a skate shop typically starts around £35-£50 for junior sizes and £55-£80 for full-size setups. That's the range where you're getting proper components rather than toy-shop quality. Spending less than that usually means compromising on the parts that matter most.
Yes. There's no age restriction on learning to skate. A beginner complete in an adult size, 8.0 to 8.25 inches, is a perfectly sensible place to start. Cruising and basic flatground skating are very achievable for adults, and skateparks are generally welcoming to beginners of all ages.
Ready to find your first board? Browse our complete skateboards for beginners or head to beginner skateboards for adults if you're buying for a grown-up rider. Not sure which size is right? Call the shop on 01837 55778, we're happy to help.
