Evolve Skate Camp participants must come to camp with their own equipment. The reason we prefer that everyone has their own skateboard is simple; it’s much easier to learn how to skate when you are comfortable using your own equipment. This is important for beginners as well as intermediate and advanced campers.
Equipment Needed (detailed descriptions of all equipment can be found below):
- Skateboard – these are available in our SHOP
- Helmet – Skateboard specific- these are available in our SHOP
- Knee and Elbow Pads- mandatory for campers 15 and under- these are available in our SHOP
- Skate shoes
- Jeans or shorts
- Hat and Sunscreen
- Backpack
- Towel and Bathing Suit
Skateboards
At Evolve we skate “street” and “vert” style of skateboarding so the gear we recommend relates to that style of skating:
We recommend a Modern or New School Shape of boards. These boards are generally symmetrical. These boards can be used for any type of skating.
A skateboard has three major parts: the deck, the truck and the wheels. If you are unsure about the type of board to buy you can follow the guidelines below. You can purchase skateboards at any skateboard shop as pre-assembled complete boards; or you can purchase individual items to customize a skateboard of choice. Most skaters choose to customize their own board.
The Skateboard Deck
The classic skateboard deck is made from 7 plys of wood, usually maple, laminated together. Decks are often decorated with graphics from the brand that makes them. Brands don’t really matter until you’re more of an advanced skater. Some companies have different shapes and “feel different” for different skaters. At most skate shops you will be able to find ‘blank” decks that are super cheap. These decks are usually made in the same factory as the branded boards. You can then put any sticker you want on the board.
The important thing about the deck is its shape:
- Width: We generally recommend a board that’s 7.75-8.00 for our style of skateboarding. The wider the board, generally the more stability. However, like anything else this is all about personal preference. It doesn’t have too much to do with the height or weight of the skater.
- Concave: This is the curve that starts at either end of the board and continues through the middle of the deck. This allows you to grip the board to perform tricks. The easiest thing to do is step on the deck at the shop (without trucks or wheels on it); so you get to feel how the board feels under your feet.
- Other styles of decks like pool boards, long boards, or ‘old school boards’ are super cool. Sometimes these shapes will be okay at camp, but to get the most out of our program, we recommend the New School shapes discussed above.
Skateboards are generally not chosen based on size or weight of the individual – it is all about personal preference. Nevertheless, we have outlined some size ranges here for our younger campers.
| Deck Size | Camper Height | Age Range | Shoe Size |
| 7.75 | Under 3’4″ (approx. 102cm) | 5 years or younger | 3 or smaller |
| 7.75 | 3’5″ to 4’4″ (approx. 102cm-130cm) | 6-8 years | 4 to 6 |
| 8.00 | 4’5″ to 5’2″ (approx. 130cm-160cm) | 9-12 years | 7 to 8 |
| 8-8.25 | 5’3″ (approx. 160 cm) or bigger | 13 years or older | 9 and up |
Wheels
Skateboard wheels have two classifications: Hardness (Durometer – measured by an a-scale) and Size (Diameter – measured in mm). The harder the wheel the higher the number on the a-scale.
At camp we mostly ride vert and street
Vert Riding involves steep bowls, curves and inclines and Street Riding involves urban obstacles to perform tricks on or over.
For vert: Campers want larger wheels that roll a lot faster. Try 55-65mm wheels with a hardness of 95-100a.
For street: Campers will want smaller wheels that are a little bit softer. To start we recommend 50-55m wheels that are 97-101a.
Trucks
The truck should be made with aluminum alloy. The three important parts of the trucks are the baseplate, the hanger and the bushings. The bushing is the rubber pivot point where the truck turns the skateboard. There is a screw or kingpin that connects the pieces. The tighter the kingpin, the tighter the truck. The tighter the truck, the more stability.
The width of the truck should be fitted to the width of the deck. Usually the same width or slightly smaller. Trucks that are too big can make doing tricks difficult. Trucks that are too small can limit your stability.
For additional help or information, please call 416-619-4521 and we will be happy to help.
