Choosing the right skateboard setup is crucial for mastering the art of pool and bowl skating. This guide will explore the ideal components, from decks to wheels, ensuring you have the perfect setup for a smooth, high-performance ride. We’ll dive into what works best and why, helping you optimize your gear for maximum enjoyment and success in the bowl.
Understanding the Ideal Bowl Setup
A good bowl setup is about more than just individual parts; it’s about how they all work together to enhance your skating experience. The right setup can make the difference between struggling and effortlessly carving through the bowl. Here’s what to look for:
- Wider Deck: Provides stability and control.
- Medium-Hard Wheels (56-58mm, 90A-99A): Offers the right balance of speed and grip.
- Loose Trucks: Allows for responsive turning and carving.
- Quality Bearings: Ensures smooth, fast rides.
- Gritty Grip Tape: Gives you the secure foot placement you need.
Let’s break down each element in more detail and explain why they’re so important.
skateboarder performing a handplant in a pool
Essential Components for Bowl Skating
Wider Decks: The Foundation of Stability
For bowl skating, a wider deck, ideally 8.5″ or larger, is essential for stability. This additional width provides a larger platform for your feet, which significantly enhances control and balance, especially when carving and navigating transitions in the bowl.
The construction and pressing of the deck are also key factors. Look for a single-pressed deck with a mellow concave. This means more stability and control compared to boards pressed in batches, which can be inconsistent. A wheelbase around 14.25″ and an overall length of just over 32″ is ideal for many, providing a balance between responsiveness and stability. If you’re a taller skater or have larger feet, consider going even wider (9.0″ or 10″+) to maximize comfort and control.
Santa Cruz VX skateboard deck
Trucks: Precision Turning
When it comes to trucks for bowl skating, Independent trucks (Stage 11 – 149) are highly recommended. These trucks are known for their responsiveness and durability, crucial when navigating the curves of a bowl. Make sure the truck width matches your deck width, for instance, 8.5″ trucks for an 8.5″ deck.
It’s also vital to adjust your trucks for bowl skating. Loosening the kingpin nut will allow for more carving capability, making it easier to make quick turns and adjust to the curvature of the bowl. Trucks that are too tight will make it difficult to turn effectively, limiting your ability to ride the bowl smoothly.
independent trucks
Bushings: Fine-Tuning Your Ride
Bushings play a huge role in how responsive your trucks are. Standard bushings often require frequent adjustments, but Bones Hardcore bushings offer a more consistent feel. They reduce the need for constant tweaking, allowing you to focus on your skating.
The hardness of your bushings should be adjusted based on your weight. Soft bushings are good for lighter skaters (under 132 lbs or 60 kg), mediums for those between 154-200 lbs (70-90 kg), and hard bushings for heavier skaters. If you prefer loose trucks, you might consider using a softer bushing, but this can increase board wobble, especially at higher speeds.
bones hardcore soft bushings
Bearings: Speed and Efficiency
For bowl skating, you’ll want bearings that provide speed and durability. While ceramic bearings are known for their speed, they may not always be worth the high price tag. Instead, consider Bronson G3 bearings, which offer an excellent balance of quality and price. Avoid standard ‘Red’ bearings, as they lack the speed and durability needed for bowls. Quality bearings will significantly improve your ability to maintain momentum and focus on your skating technique.
Bronson Ceramic bearings
Wheels: Grip and Momentum
The right wheels are crucial for bowl skating. Look for 56mm or 58mm wheels with a durometer of 97A to 99A for a balance of grip and speed. Wheels in this range are hard enough for speed on most surfaces, yet have sufficient grip for turns and tricks. Spitfire or Bones wheels are excellent options for bowl riders.
For dustier surfaces, consider wheels around 97A for the best grip. If you skate in concrete bowls, harder wheels might be more suitable. The right wheel choice depends heavily on the specific conditions of your local bowl.
Spitfire classics and formula four conical wheels
For a grippier experience, especially on wooden bowls or surfaces with dust, consider a wheel like the Bones Rough Riders (80A to 97A). These provide a larger contact patch with the surface, which can be useful for increased control, but will require more effort to pump.
Bones rough riders skateboard wheels
spitfire formula four classics 97A
Spitfire 97A 56mm skateboard wheels
Bones SPF P5 84B/56mm skateboard wheels, designed for maximum speed in grippy concrete bowls.
Grip Tape: Secure Footing
For bowl skating, where your feet need to stay firmly on the deck, a grippier tape like Mob grip tape is recommended. While Jessup grip tape is a good general option, Mob grip tape offers enhanced grip, especially on dusty indoor bowls. This is not just a small detail, when you’re going at high speed, having that extra grip is essential.
Recommended Setups
Putting together a great bowl setup requires the right parts. Here are two recommendations:
Setup 1: Stability Focused (9.0″ Deck)
- Deck: 9.0″ wide (e.g., Santa Cruz VX) with a mellow concave
- Trucks: Independent Stage 11 169
- Bearings: Bones Super Reds (plus spacers)
- Wheels: Spitfire Full Conical (97A-99A/56mm)
- Grip Tape: Gritty 9.0″ grip tape
This setup is ideal for skaters who want maximum stability and grip.
Pool skateboard setup
Setup 2: Balance of Stability and Nimbleness (8.5″ Deck)
- Deck: 8.5″ wide
- Trucks: Independent 149 Stage 11
- Bearings: Bones Super Reds (and spacers)
- Wheels: Spitfire Classics 56mm/99A
- Other: 1/8″ shock pads, 1″ hardware
This setup offers a mix of stability and maneuverability, suitable for those who want a responsive feel without sacrificing control.
Pool skateboard setup
What to Avoid
Here are the common mistakes to avoid when setting up your skateboard for bowl and pool skating:
Small Wheels
Wheels smaller than 54mm require more effort to maintain speed and can make it harder to focus on technique. 56-58mm wheels are the ideal range.
Soft Wheels
Soft wheels (under 80A) create too much friction and are not suitable for most bowl surfaces. They slow you down and require too much energy to gain speed, making it hard to enjoy your ride.
Narrow Decks
Decks below 8.25″ lack the stability needed for bowl skating. They can make it more difficult to maintain your balance while carving.
Tight Trucks
Tight trucks hinder your ability to carve smoothly in the bowl, reducing your control and responsiveness on transitions.
Personal Experience with Bowl Skating
Bowl skating is an incredibly rewarding experience. It requires a good understanding of your equipment and a focus on the right techniques. While it can be physically demanding, mastering the flow of a bowl brings a lot of satisfaction.
skateboarder in a bowl
Protective Gear
Don’t forget about safety! Wearing protective gear is essential, especially for older skaters who need to avoid injury. Consider knee pads, elbow pads, a helmet, and wrist guards. Pro Designed knee pads, 187 Killer elbow pads, Triple Eight helmets, and Triple Eight Hired Hands are great options. These can greatly reduce the risk of injuries and allow you to skate with more confidence.
bowl skateboarding protective gear
Bowl Skating for Older Skaters
Bowl skating can be a great option for older skaters, as it doesn’t necessarily involve the same high-impact tricks as street skating. The focus is more on technique and flow. With the right gear and some practice, it is possible to enjoy bowl skating and still progress, regardless of age.
Conclusion
Choosing the right skateboard setup for pool and bowl skating is a matter of balancing all the various components. By selecting a wider deck, the right sized wheels with the proper durometer, loose trucks, and quality bearings, you’ll be well-equipped to tackle any bowl. Remember to pay close attention to the details and customize your setup to match your local bowl conditions and your personal preferences. With the right gear, you’ll be able to skate with greater confidence, control, and enjoyment.
