FAQs

We accept any age, but to get the most benefit we suggest 5 yrs old and older.

GROUP CLASSES: We have ad hoc access to indoor areas for teaching at Alexandra Palace and Camden. However, if this isn’t possible, we will let you know via email so you can reschedule without further cost.

PRIVATE LESSONS: A final decision can be agreed up to 3hrs before the lesson is due to start. As with group sessions, if an under cover version isn’t available we we reschedule.

NEW TO SKATEBOARDING: This is the first time on a board and/or you’re unbalanced when riding and would like to learn from scratch.

ALREADY GOT THE BASICS IN PLACE/BEGINNER: Knows basic skills such as kick turns, carving, tic tacs and other simple tricks and is also able to use the smaller ramps with assistance of a coach.

INTERMEDIATE: Is competent with most standard skateboard tricks, including basic ollies and can go up and down ramps without any assistance. Can also do kick turn on banks, 1/4 pipes with assistance and knows how to skate over small obstacles (hockeys sticks).

ADVANCED: Minimal coach assistance required. Task based learning…for example, “I want you to do an axle stall on that quarter pipe and manage your speed on way back so you can rock to fake the spine ramp”. Coaches will always offer more help when a class is learning new moves :-)

Generally we ask all pupils to bring their own equipment, however we do have spares. So please get in touch via email before your lesson with your enquiry and we’ll do our best to help.

NB. We don’t provide rollerblades/skates.

We are sponsored by Triple8 and can offer a 15% DISCOUNT to members who have booked a lesson via us. Email us to receive your code.

The below links are to some of our favourite shops that sell a wide variety of helmets, pads and skateboards. However we’re not affiliated with any of them and cannot guarantee they’ll always have what you need in stock. It’s recommended you get in touch with them directly should you have a specific enquiry about a product.

We always ask that, where possible, you support and buy from your local skate shop.

• Three Amigos, Camden: https://www.threeamigosskateboardshop.com/

• Slick Willies, Bayswater: https://www.slickwillies.co.uk/

• Route One, Covent Garden: https://www.routeone.co.uk/

Altar, Online https://www.altarskateshop.co.uk/

Slam City, East London https://www.slamcity.com/

The below is a list of additional online resources that offer a wide and varied choice for skateboarding equipment. Again, this is just a few of our favourites and we can’t always guarantee they’ll have what you need in stock:

• Triple 8 - good quality protective gear for both skateboarding and rollerblading: https://www.triple8.co.uk/

• S1 Helmets: https://s1helmets.co.uk/

• Pro-tec - another reputable make of protective gear. https://protecbrand.com/

• 187 Killer - The best brand for skateboarding big bowls and half pipe skating (if you’re an adult getting into bowl-skating we recommend the Pro model): https://www.187killerpads.eu/en/

We are sponsored by Triple8 and can offer a 15% DISCOUNT to members who have booked a lesson via us. Email us to receive your code.

First and foremost, look for the ASTM Skate Safety Standards sticker. Read here for more information (https://www.astm.org/f1492-15.html). If the helmet is to be used for riding a bike as well, it’s highly recommended that you make sure it has both CPSC and CE EN1078 certificates.

There are so many options to choose from. This is what we recommend:

COMPLETE BEGINNER (UNDER 8YRS OLD)
You can get a decent board in the price range of between £30 - £50. These are cheaper boards and not great for tricks, so mainly recommended to be used as a starting board.

With regards to size, we recommend 7.25 inch wide for a small child. Look at:
• Enuff skateboards: https://www.enuffskateboards.com/
• Fracture Skateboards: https://www.fractureskateboards.com/

BEGINNER / IMPROVER (AGE 6YRS AND OVER)
Look in price range £50 - £90. Choose width based on your shoe size and height.
• Birdhouse - Stage 3 complete board. The trucks turn properly, the bearings go fast(ish) and it’s much easier to learn tricks: https://www.birdhouseskateboards.com/

INTERMEDIATE AND EXPERT
Prices range from £100 plus for a custom all-rounder board. Look for:

THE BOARD - Prices start from around £30 and there’s an endless number of graphics to choose from.
• We recommend purchasing 7 or 8 ply Canadian Maple skate deck.
• 7.75 to 8.5 inch deck width.

TRUCKS - To suit deck width. From £40.
• Independent: https://independenttrucks.com/
• Thunder: https://www.thundertrucks.com/
• Tensor: https://tensortrucks.com/

WHEELS - Lots of options with wheels…think about the surface you’ll be boarding on. From £30.
• Hardness 97a to 101a. Dia. Between 52mm-54mm. Classic shape.
• Spitfires: https://www.spitfirewheels.com/
• OJs: https://ojwheels.com/
• Rictas: https://rictawheels.com/

BEARINGS
• We recommend Bones Reds Precision Skate Bearings: https://www.routeone.co.uk/products/bones-reds-bearings

• Rollerblade - the original brand. Kids skates have adjustable sizes: https://www.rollerblade.com/uk/en
• Powerslide - a very good brand: https://powerslide.com/pages/inline-skates
• SFR - Kids skates have adjustable sizes. Available from multiple websites. Enter ‘SFR inline skates’ to find information.
• K2: https://k2skates.com/en-gb
• Roces: https://www.roces.com/en/skates.html
• Razors: https://www.razorskate.com/