Skateboard Decks
The skateboard deck is the heart of any setup. Essentially it’s what all the other parts of the skateboard are bolted on to, and if you haven’t got a deck then you’re not going anywhere fast.
Modern skateboard decks do actually vary quite considerable in design. Some have a bit more length and resemble more of a longboard style, whilst others are shorter and more compact, making them easier to control in the air and during grounds tricks.
A large number of skateboard decks are made of Canadian maple these days, which is famed for its strength and flexibility. To increase both of these attributes the maple is layered in sheets and held together with flexible glue. So for example, if a board was made up of 9 sheets of maple, it would be known as a 9ply skateboard deck.
Variation also comes in the degree of concave on the upper side of the board and the size of the upward angles at either end of the board. Having a greater concave and higher ends allows for greater ‘pop’ in the board and so the rider can get more air off a flat surface when they “ollie”. However, such attributes make the skateboard deck less stable at high speeds and so are not always suited to all riding styles.
