GUIDE
SAFETY & SIZING
No scare tactics, no lectures. Skateboards and scooters are fun — a bit of prep makes them more fun. Helmets, pads, the right size: it's all here.
01 · HELMET
HELMET: SNUG ON, STAYS ON.
A helmet only works if it fits. Ten seconds in front of a mirror:
Final test: shake your head. If the helmet slides around, swap the pads or the size.
Took a hard knock? Replace it, even if it looks fine on the outside.
SEE THE HELMET-
TWO FINGERS
The front edge should sit about two fingers above your eyebrows. Don't leave your forehead exposed.
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V STRAPS
The side straps should form a V just below your ears.
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ONE FINGER
One finger under the chin strap — no more. When you open your mouth, the helmet should pull down slightly.
02 · PADS
WRISTS, KNEES, ELBOWS.
When you're starting out, wrists, knees and elbows hit the ground most. This trio turns a slam into a non-event. That's the goal.
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WRIST GUARDS
The piece beginners need most. Hands shoot forward on reflex when you fall; wrist guards take the sting out of it.
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KNEE PADS
Pretty much essential at the park. Sliding out on your knee pads is the fastest way back up a ramp.
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ELBOW PADS
Elbows take the first hit in a sideways fall. Slim, light ones won't cramp your style.
And shoes: flat, grippy soles, laces tied. Flip-flops and heels don't skate.
03 · WHERE
FIRST METRES: FLAT, SMOOTH, QUIET.
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Flat, smooth ground
An empty basketball court, a car-free path, a wide open square. Gravel, cracks and wet ground are not for day one.
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Away from traffic
No roads, no car-park exits, no packed pavements. Save hills for when you've found your balance.
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Park etiquette
Skateparks have their own etiquette: wait your turn, don't cut anyone's line, don't sit on the ramps, make room for the little ones.
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For kids
Have an adult around for the first sessions. The goal isn't speed — it's learning to stop and turn.
04 · HOW TO FALL
FALLING IS PART OF IT.
Every skater falls. Pros too. The difference: they learn to fall well. Practise a few times on grass or something soft.
- 01
GET LOW
The moment you feel it going, bend your knees and drop your centre of gravity. The lower you fall from, the less it hurts.
- 02
ROLL
Roll onto your shoulder or hip. Spread the energy out instead of landing on one point.
- 03
NO STRAIGHT ARMS
Don't lock your arms to catch yourself — wrists hate that. Keep arms soft and start rolling before your palms hit.
- 04
LET THE BOARD GO
Don't try to save the board. It'll roll away. Look after yourself.
05 · SIZING
DECK WIDTH & WHEEL HARDNESS.
The right width means your feet sit comfortably on the deck. The chart is general guidance; shoe style and personal taste count too.
| Shoe size (EU) | Approx. US | Recommended width | Ours |
|---|---|---|---|
| 34 and under | ≈ 2.5 and under (youth) | 7.0–7.25″ · 17.8–18.4 cm | ZIPLA |
| 35–38 | ≈ 3.5–6 | 7.5–7.75″ · 19.1–19.7 cm | FIRLA 7.75″ |
| 39–42 | ≈ 6.5–9 | 8.0–8.25″ · 20.3–21.0 cm | FIRLA 8.0 / 8.25″ |
| 43–45 | ≈ 9.5–11.5 | 8.25–8.5″ · 21.0–21.6 cm | FIRLA 8.25″ · UÇ 8.5″ |
| 46 and up | ≈ 12 and up | 8.5″ and up · 21.6 cm+ | UÇ 8.5 / 8.75″ |
General guidance only; everybody's different. Unsure? Ask us.
STYLE TWEAK
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Street / flip tricks
Go for the narrow end of the range (≈ 0.125–0.25″ narrower). Flips spin quicker.
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Park / ramps / bowls
Go for the wide end (≈ 0.25″ wider). More stable on transition, more room to land.
| Hardness | Feel | Where |
|---|---|---|
| 78A–83A | Soft, grippy, quiet | Cruising, city, rough asphalt, longboards |
| 84A–94A | Medium, a bit of both | Mixed use, rough park surfaces |
| 95A–101A | Hard, slidey, snappy | Park, ramps, street tricks |
| What's the plan? | Board type | Ours |
|---|---|---|
| Ollies, flips, street tricks | Popsicle skateboard (complete) | FIRLA |
| Ramps, bowls, park | Wide deck (park/transition) | UÇ |
| Small feet, first board | Mini complete | ZIPLA |
| Short city hops, school run, easy to carry | Plastic cruiser | KAÇ 22″ / 27″ |
| Longer distances, comfy commuting | Drop-through longboard | SÜZÜL 38 |
| Carving, surf feel | Pintail longboard | KIVRIL 40 |
| Dancing, board walking | Dancer longboard | OYNA 46 |
| Ramps and tricks on a scooter | Trick scooter | SEK PRO / SEK JR |
| Getting around town on a scooter | City scooter (big wheels) | GEZ 200 / GEZ JR |
06 · SCOOTERS FOR KIDS
BAR HEIGHT IS EVERYTHING.
On a scooter, the bars decide the fit. Measure your kid standing straight, shoes on. Trick scooter bars should land between waist and hip; city scooter bars around the waist.
| Rider height | Trick bar (≈ waist–hip) | City bar (≈ waist) |
|---|---|---|
| 110–130 cm | ≈ 55–75 cm | ≈ 65–80 cm |
| 130–150 cm | ≈ 65–85 cm | ≈ 78–92 cm |
| 150–170 cm | ≈ 75–95 cm | ≈ 88–103 cm |
| 170 cm and up | ≈ 85–105 cm | ≈ 100–112 cm |
General guidance only; everybody's different. Unsure? Ask us.
These are recommended ranges, not hard rules. Bar height is what really counts. For the ZIPLA mini skateboard we recommend ages 5–10, shoe size up to EU 37.
- Bar height is measured from the ground to the top of the bars.
- Don't size up "to grow into": bars that are too high are harder to control.
- Brakes: practise stopping with the rear brake on flat ground before the first proper ride.
- Check the bars and clamp now and then. Any wobble? Stop and fix it.
07 · NIGHT
EVENING RIDES: BE SEEN, SEE MORE.
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LIGHTS
White up front, red at the back. Clip-on lights for your helmet or bag do the job.
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REFLECTORS
Bright clothes or reflective tape. The sooner drivers spot you, the better.
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KNOWN ROUTES
Gravel and cracks are harder to see at night. Stick to well-lit routes you know from daytime.
STILL ON THE FENCE?
Answer a few questions and we'll tell you which board fits. Or build your own, part by part.