Get your feet wet in the skate scene with basic knowledge of skateboarding equipment key terms

The extreme sports business has an entire language of its own. Those with little knowledge of skateboarding should begin by learning the parts of the skateboard, such as the deck and tape. Also knowing the difference between street and vert skaters - skating in an urban environment versus tricks performed on a ramp - will help you better accommodate the specific needs of your customers.

I recommend: Learn about all the terms and lingo of skateboarding from Exploratorium. Double-check your findings with a second reference from SkateWood.com or a Dayton Daily News article from Cox Ohio Publishing.

Understand the differences between the components of skateboard equipment

Skateboards are more than just a board on wheels - they use a diverse range of interchangeable parts which determine their stability, speed and turning. The main parts of a skateboard are the deck, trucks, and wheels. The deck is the wood board; its shape and grip tape determine rider stability. Skateboard wheels determine speed and come in a range of sizes; larger wheels make a faster board. The trucks hold the wheels to the board and their looseness is instrumental in turning ability.

I recommend: Learn the anatomy of a typical skateboard deck with visuals from Skate Warehouse. Theclickwworldwide.com's "Skater School" will  familiarize you with the parts of a skateboard and how to assemble them.

Learn about the types of skate decks offered from skate deck manufacturers

The skateboard deck comes in all shapes and sizes. When choosing a skateboard deck manufacturer to supply your business, consider the three main types of decks: old school, hybrid and wide new school. An old school board has a distinguishable nose and tail shape, whereas the new school has concave ends and is more suitable for technical applications. A hybrid board has the nose of the old school and the concave tail of new school.

I recommend: Read more about old school boards at Eastbilt.com, wide new school models at Unheard Skateboard Supply, and hybrids from Santa Cruz Skateboards.

Better your knowledge of skateboard safety equipment to help your customers protect themselves

Help your customers help themselves by knowing about the types of skateboarding safety equipment available to them. Some basics include helmets, elbow pads, and knee pads; advanced skateboarding equipment for safety also includes slides gloves and hip protectors.

I recommend: Further your safety knowledge with the variety of information on skateboarding safety equipment available from NDCSA. Visit LifeTips for safety tips and skateboarding equipment information.