Private Lesson

Use this tool to find a skatepark near where you live. You can also use it to explore many other skateparks in the Tristate Area. New parks will be added as soon as they are complete.

To narrow your search click the arrow button on the top left of the Skatepark Finder. You can select each area and see more parks. You can also favorite the map to view in your own maps.

Click Here For The Lists Of Skateparks In Philadelphia.

If you are a first-time skateboarder, running or regular walking shoes are okay to use. However, we highly recommend that do not skate in running shoes if you plan to skateboard more than a couple days.

As skaters, we are constantly using our feet to do tricks, push, navigate, and even bail by jumping off the skateboard when attempting a trick/maneuver. Skateboarding is a difficult sport, and running shoes makes the sport much harder, puts the skater at a big disadvantage and increases the chances of getting injured.

Below are some of the major differences between running shoes and skateboard shoes.

Footprint:

Skate Shoes have wide soles that provide an increased surface area contact with the deck of the skateboard. Having a wide footprint allows the rider to navigate their skateboard with maximum balance and control.
Running shoes have a really small footprint, making it harder to navigate and balance.

Material:

Skate shoes are very durable. They are a bit heavier than running shoes because they are built to endure the abuse skaters will put on them. Skaters are always jumping down/over obstacles, sliding their feet across the grip-tape, and stopping by dragging their foot across the ground.
Running shoes are made to bend easily, and the material rips very easily when riding.

Angle:

Skate shoes have a flat sole that allows the bottom of the shoe to completely touch the ground and the skateboard. flat soles also provide maximum grip to the deck.
Running shoes have heel raised soles that puts the skater in danger of twisting/rolling their ankle when stepping off their skateboard. Simple moves such as pushing, stopping, or jumping off the board in emergency situations can cause an ankle sprain. Additionally, shoes on an angle will make it harder to balance when riding, increasing the probability of the skater jumping off and twisting their ankle.

Recommended Skate Shoes: Vans, Nike SB, DC Shoes, Es, Emerica, Lakai
 

As soon as your nose or tail starts to chip it’s time to replace your deck. It also depends on how often you skate, even if there’s no damage at all at some point a skateboard deck loses its pop. With time your deck wears out, often you don’t even notice when you struggle with your board too much.

1. Skateboard – We do not accept Penny boards, longboards, scooter/skateboards, RipStiks, or any other non-traditional skateboard. Having the wrong type of skateboard during our programs will have a higher risk of falling and getting injured. Additionally, we will not be able to properly teach you some tricks/maneuvers.

2. Helmet – A certified Skateboard helmet is preferred (Triple 8 or Pro-Tec) because it will provide more safety than a bicycle helmet. However, for beginners who are testing the sport out, a bicycle helmet is acceptable. Below are the helmets we highly recommend, which can be found in our online store.

3. Safety gear (knee pads, elbow pads, and wrist guards). Skateboard pads from Triple 8 or Pro-Tec is preferred. Skateboard pads offer the most safety and comfort. They are made so that your knees and elbows can bend while doing tricks, and not having a parts of the plastic dig into your skin. Below are the pads we recommend.

4. Water bottle – please bring a water bottle that is easily refillable. During the warm months, we prefer that you bring a stainless steel refillable water bottle. Please do not bring plastic disposable bottles.

5. Snack and lunch – An insulated lunch box/bag is preferred.

6. Mask – Must cover mouth and nose. Must stay securely on the face.

To buy a board, you can visit our newest skate shop at 120 Yorktown Plaza, Elkins Park, PA, 19027. At our shop, we will expertise to get you properly sized for the correct skateboard and safety equipment. You can also order products from our website and have them delivered to your skateboard program or lesson. If Skate The Foundry is too far from your home, go to your nearest local skate shop. Skate shops will have the products and expertise to guide you on the whole process. Steer clear of the malls and toy stores such as Walmart, Target, and Amazon that sell crude versions of skateboards because that will be a much lower quality board. In fact, purchasing a skateboard outside of a skate shop can be dangerous. Here are a few reasons why you want to stay clear of Amazon, Target, Walmart or any other toy store:

1. Turning ability. The trucks will not react with your body weight when trying to navigate around around a skatepark. You are most likely to fall at faster speeds when you have the inability to turn.
2. Weak Trucks. The trucks are usually a low quality metal or plastic. These trucks will break and fall apart as you ride on different concrete surfaces, because they are not made to withstand the vibrations.
3. Bad Wheels. Most wheels we’ve seen at Target and Walmart are plastic and have low quality bearings. These wheels can stop at any time when skating. I’ve personally seen people ride up a ramp and come to an abrupt stop while on the transition. Most often when your mind prepares your body for a trick/maneuver, but suddenly your skateboard comes to an abrupt stop , you will fall.
4. Wrong board shape. Most often, toy stores will have low quality longboards, penny boards, scooter/skateboard, rip-stick or some other non-traditional skateboard. To many people starting out, these non-traditional skateboards may look cool and fun to ride. However, stay clear of them. They are not made for skateboarding on ramps, and you will struggle and fall much more then you should.
5. Slippery griptape. The griptape is the top sandpaper-like surface you stand on. Within only a few sessions of skating, the griptape will 100% rub off. I’ve seen some griptape rub off within one hour after purchasing it. When this happens, the skateboard is very difficult to ride because your feet will slide around, making it easy to fall and twist your ankle.
6. Heavy and Squishy Deck. The skateboard deck is the wooden part you stand on. On low quality skateboards, the deck is usually thicker and heavier, making it hard to maneuver. Also, within a short period of time the skateboard will feel soft and squishy which will have a negative impact on your ability to ollie (jump).

The Popsicle deck is currently the standard, modern skateboard deck design. This deck is ideal for street or transition (ramp) skateboarding. It has a symmetrical popsicle stick shape with a concaved nose and tail that are used to perform tricks.

Note: The term “Popsicle” is not actually used in normal (skate) language, but rather it is merely used within the skateboard industry to refer to this specific type of deck. The popsicle deck can be referred to as a “standard deck”.

Beginners should not start with a skateboard from a toy store such as Walmart, Target or Amazon.