Ideas & Advice
When it comes to organizing your garage, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed, especially if you’re storing bulky gear like kayaks, bikes, and seasonal equipment. Whether you’re short on space or just need to create a more efficient system, having the right setup can make a big difference. In this blog, we’ll share creative ideas and expert advice on how to maximize your garage space, from wall-mounted storage solutions to ceiling racks and freestanding units. Plus, we’ll provide guides for safely storing larger gear like kayaks and bikes. Let’s get your garage in top shape!
Wilder Family: Garage Makeover
The Wilder family, with their busy schedules and a house full of kids, needed a solution to keep their garage under control. Their space was packed with everything from sports equipment to seasonal items, making it difficult to stay organized.
Snow Family: Before & After
We helped the Snow family transform their cluttered garage into a functional space that supports their busy lifestyle. With a few smart upgrades, their garage became a game-changer for their daily routines.
Legacy Articles
Skateboard Deck Materials
The skateboard deck is the actual board of the skateboard. Although you may think a skateboard is simply a piece of wood with axles and wheels attached underneath, this is not the case. While the deck is usually made of plywood, today there are many choices of skateboard deck materials. Most beginners are fine with plywood, but as you get more involved in skateboarding, you may want to upgrade your deck to one of the following types. Composites, aluminum, nylon, fiberglass, resin, Kevlar, Plexiglas, and other artificial materials are being experimented with to increase the rigidity of the skateboard deck. The main issue that many have found with these designs is that the deck requires some flexibility to perform tricks and other maneuvers. Also, these materials can make decks too heavy to use. Some experimental designs use artificial materials to form a honeycomb design inside a wooden exterior. Inexpensive decks may be made simply of plastic. Even if you opt for a simple plywood deck, you still have several options. Most plywood decks are made of maple, laminated together with glue. The grain of each wood layer is laid in an alternating direction, so that the deck cannot split along the natural grain of the wood. The main difference here is between 7-ply board and 9-ply boards. 7-ply have seven thin sheets of wood laminated together, while 9-ply have nine sheets. The 9-ply decks are thicker and heavier, which can make it more difficult to manipulate the board. Most skateboard decks measure about 32 inches long and 8 inches wide, and are roughly rectangular or oval in shape. Longer boards are better for downhill or street riding, as well as transportation, while shorter ones make it easier to use skateboard parks and perform tricks. However, the length of the board is not nearly as important as the width. If you are very tall, choose a wider deck, as it can help you feel proportionate while riding the board. On the other hand, a wider deck will also give beginners stability as they learn to balance on the skateboard. The dimensions of the board may vary depending on intended use, so decide whether you want to use your board mainly on streets, in skate parks and bowls, or as transportation. A deck that is too skinny will be hard to use because your feet may hand over the edge of the board, reducing your stability. On the other hand, a larger deck may be too difficult to control during tricks. After the laminated boards are shaped into a skateboard, holes for the truck mount are drilled, and the board is coated with paint or sealant. Grip tape may then be placed on the top of the deck, although some manufacturers leave this step for the user. Most decks also include a large logo of the manufacturer. Decks also differ in their angles depending on the intended use. Decks are not straight across and flat. All decks rise slightly at both ends. The amount of curvature and the shape of the front and back are designed specifically for different uses; a bigger curve will give more leverage, making it easier to perform more tricks.
Learn moreFingerboards
Finger skateboarding, a recent craze, is mainly popular with preteen boys. However, its roots actually extend much further back into the history of skateboarding. Finger skateboarding was first popularized in the late 1970s and early 1980s; an article in TransWorld's SKATEboarding magazine in 1985 by skateboarder Lance Mountain taught boarders how to make fingerboards. First available as homemade toys, this first incarnation of the fingerboard was mainly viewed as a novelty toy or keychain, though the hobby remained popular with a small group of fans. Some early fingerboards were built from cardboard, coffee stirrers, wheels from diecast toy cars, and other makeshift parts. During the late 1990s, skateboard manufacturers and toy makers latched onto the potential for branding and profit. Today, fingerboards range from cheap novelty toys to high-end collectibles. Nearly the same range of accessories is available for a fingerboard as for a skateboard. This hobby employs a finger-skateboard or “fingerboard”, a miniature version of a skateboard, approximately 4 inches long. These miniature versions of a real skateboard include moving wheels, carefully assembled trucks, and graphics on the deck. Most are plastic, with diecast metal trucks and plastic wheels. Others are made with bearing wheels and wooden decks; these may even be hand-shaped, like a regular skateboard, and usually command a premium price. Today, many makers produce fingerboards, the largest being the Tech Deck brand. Accurate scale size, interchangeable parts, and graphics from popular skateboard companies make certain brands of fingerboards more desirable than others. Many even include grip tape and the smaller components visible on a full-scale skateboard. The contouring of fingerboards varies from board to board, the same as with real skateboards, which is reflected in the type of tricks that can be easily performed with each fingerboard. These fingerboards are used to perform tricks, using the fingers instead of the feet to propel the board. To use a fingerboard, place your middle finger on the tail of the board, and the index finger on the middle of the board. A surprising variety of real skateboarding tricks can be performed with a fingerboard. Today, ramps, bowls, and other accessories are available in scaled-down “fingerboard” size to allow for a wider range of tricks. In some areas, fingerboarding contests are held regularly, particularly in Europe and in California. These smaller, more affordable versions of the skateboard are particularly popular among a younger age set, although skateboarders of all ages collect and compete with fingerboards. Fingerboards are also used by skateboarders who use them as miniature models to plan their own tricks. Finger snowboarding is a new invention using a miniature snowboard in a similar manner to the fingerboard. Another variation on the fingerboard is the handboard, a skateboard that has been scaled down to approximately 11 inches long. These handboards are controlled using the entire hand to perform tricks. Because of their larger size, they are constructed in much the same way as a full-size board, utilizing the same construction methods and materials. Today, fingerboards, handboards, and snowboards remain a very popular hobby among skateboarders.
Learn moreSkateboards of the Future
How will futuristic advances in technology affect skateboarding? The first skateboards were simple wood and wheel constructions. Today’s skateboards are more sophisticated designs, but they are still constructed in essentially the same manner. Skateboards of the future will continue these refinements, and also incorporate futuristic technology, such as solar power and the ability to hover, as it is developed. There are two main ways that many believe that skateboards will evolve; these are motorized skateboards and hover boards. Though these designs are likely a ways off, many believe that they will eventually be possible. Advances in technology will affect skateboarding as they will affect many other products, by making features available that today we only dream of. There is already talk about solar powered skateboards. These skateboards could be wrapped in thin film solar panels and left in the sun to charge. A traditional motor could also be used, though many believe that this additional weight will badly affect the board’s use. Motorized skateboards could be the next step in technology, particularly for those who use their skateboards mainly for transportation. Hover boards, or flying skateboards, would be shaped like a skateboard deck, but would not require trucks or wheels for propulsion. As seen in the “Back to the Future” movies, this board would simply fly through the air, about a foot away from the ground. Along with flying cars, this technology has been featured in sci fi movies depicting the future for decades. They have been on the drawing board for years, but the technology is not yet available to produce such boards, though many have tried. This technology is likely further into the future than the technology for motorized skateboards, but many have envisioned what these futuristic devices would look like. The designs for such boards rely on complex concepts of physics, aerodynamics, and engineering. For example, the hoverboards could work using air blowing underneath, like a hover craft. They could also work on anti-gravity devices that have not yet been invented. The key is to make this skateboard as fully controllable as the wheeled versions of today; difficulties also lie in the skateboard’s size relative to the weight it needs to carry. Because of the wearer’s weight, hover boards are very top-heavy, and would be likely to tip over. All of these are issues that still need to be worked out as the hover technology develops. One futuristic advance that is just on the horizon is changes in the way today’s skateboards are constructed. New materials are being incorporated into skateboard design as they are into everything else. Although maple plywood is still the preferred material for skateboard decks, this is almost sure to change as new materials are developed. With all of these technological advancements, there’s no telling where the future of skateboarding competitions will lead. Will competitions be held on motorized and hover skateboards? It is unlikely that regular boards will become obsolete as skaters switch to these new versions, but skaters have proven likely to quickly adopt any new technological changes in their boards. Only time will tell what the future’s skateboards will look like.
Learn moreSkateboarding Parks | StoreYourBoard.com
Skateboarding parks have been popular since the 1960’s and 1970’s, though they haven’t always been acceptable in mainstream society. Originally built by boarders themselves beginning in the 1970’s, these parks contain bowls, pipes, and other obstacles for riders. Soon, local towns and businessmen began building such parks as they saw their popularity rise. However, by the end of the 1970s, most of these early skate parks were forced to close, as skateboarding became increasingly controversial and injuries sparked a fear of lawsuits. In part because skateboarding has been considered a counterculture sport, and also because skateboarding in fact can be dangerous, local laws exist in nearly every community to control skateboarding and limit where skateboarders can practice their skills. Skateboarding parks provide skateboarders a place to practice their skills amongst like-minded people who will not get angry at them for boarding in inappropriate locations such as parking lots or in front of stores. Many popular skateboarding tricks can only be done with the aid of a curb, flight of stairs, or a railing. However, these of course are usually in use for other purposes by pedestrians, shoppers, and others. In fact, many local ordinances have resulted in signs in front of local business, prohibited skateboards, skates, and bicycles. Boarders using public areas like parking lots to practice are sometimes labeled loiterers, even though they may not have a suitable practice area, such as a skate park. Plus, skate wax applied to skateboards to make them slide easily can leave behind a residue, and the act of skateboarding may damage some surfaces, whereas in skate parks, skate wax residue is not a problem, and the obstacles are specially designed to hold up to frequent use by skateboarders, using materials such as high-density cement that will not chip. Building such items in a skate park alleviates the need for skateboarders to use such items in other locations. By allowing a designated area full of stairs, railings, bowls, and other areas, cities can keep skateboarders from using public areas for their tricks. Today, skate parks are regaining their former popularity. This resurgence is also helped by pro skateboarders and large skateboard companies who are transforming the image of the skateboarder, from a loiterer to a serious athlete. Skateboard parks allow skateboarders a safe, designated place to skate. Many towns have begun building such parks as a way to reach out to youth culture. These parks also provide a way for skateboarders to congregate, learning new tricks from each other. Parks may be built by cities, sponsored by skateboard manufacturers or others in the industry, or built by local businesses. According to some estimates, today there around 500 skateboarding parks throughout the United States, and most were built within the last decade or so. Today, the fixtures of skateboard parks are fairly well defined. In most parks, you’ll find a bowl, railings, steps, and curbs. These are used in nearly every skateboard trick. Skateboard parks of the future may incorporate new designs, not based on items found in real-life situations like parking lots or buildings, as the world of skateboarding tricks evolves.
Learn moreCaster Boarding | StoreYourBoard.com
Caster boarding has been compared to both surfing and snowboarding, even though it has wheels like a skateboard. Even though it has elements of all three board sports, riding a caster board requires a unique set of motions that sets it apart from any other sport. The caster board is the newest board to come into widespread use. In fact, this type of board has been around for less than decade. The caster board is designed with two foot plates, joined with a pivot mechanism so that they can twist independently. The caster board has two caster wheels which can rotate in any direction, unlike a skateboard. This added range of motion allows the rider to slide and turn, just like carving on a snowboard. If your left leg is dominant, it should be placed on the front foot plate; if your right leg is dominant, then it should go in the front. Once you have your feet placed on each foot platform, you’ll want to start by practicing balancing on the board. Remember that your feet can turn and twist independently from each other; this can make it hard to balance on the board. Caster boards can be propelled by the side to side movement of the legs. Unlike a skateboard, the rider does not need to remove their foot from the board to push it along, even when going uphill. For many new riders, learning how to propel themselves along is the most difficult part of riding a caster board. This motion is not used in skateboarding, so even experienced skateboarders may have trouble with this part. To propel the caster board, twist your hips as you move your feet to respond to the motion of the board. Begin doing this will on level ground for practice. The board will begin to roll forward. As it picks up speed, you’ll find that you no longer need to twist as much to keep it going. This unique board can be used to do most of the tricks that can be performed using a regular skateboard. It is also capable of additional stunts that are impossible on a regular skateboard, thanks to its increased range of motion. An easy beginner trick is a manual, where you lift the front wheel off the ground. This requires careful balancing to allow you to ride on just your back wheel. Many riders find it difficult to balance on a caster board with only 2 wheels. For this reason, a 4-wheeled version is available, mainly designed for younger riders or those who are new to the sport. If you have experience skateboarding or snowboarding, you should be able to balance on a caster board with just a little practice. Like all board sports, caster boarding should only be done when wearing appropriate clothing and pads, and a helmet. Even if you are an experienced skateboarder you may fall when learning to use a caster board. If you feel like you’re up for a new challenge, take a look at the caster board.
Learn moreOffroad Skateboarding | StoreYourBoard.com
When you think of skateboarding, you probably think of sidewalks, skate parks, and pavement. Most skateboards are designed only for use on hard, even surfaces. If you hit a rock on a normal skateboard, you will probably fall off the board. A new type of skateboarding, called offboard skateboarding, utilizes specially-designed boards that can be used nearly anywhere - not just on the pavement. Off road skateboards can even be used on dirt, gravel, and hard-packed sand. They can also be used on pavement, of course. By replacing the wheels on your regular skateboard, you can gain some off-road capabilities. Try larger rubber wheels. This will allow your board to glide smoothly on some surfaces, like grass and dirt. If you want a skateboard that can handle even more rugged terrain, consider an offroad skateboard. These special skateboards use a regular skateboard design, but each component is specially chosen to allow for heavy-duty use on rough terrain. One feature found on mountain boards that isn’t usually available on regular skateboards is a brake, making it easier to stop on dangerous terrain. Sometimes called mountainboards, these skateboards usually have bindings to keep your feet securely on the board, like you’d find on a snowboard. In fact, mountainboards or offroad skateboards are sometimes seen as a hybrid of snowboard and skateboard styles; they incorporate four wheels, like a skateboard, but are usually ridden with a stance similar to that of snowboarders. Mountainboards can be used nearly anywhere, rolling over sticks, leaves, bumps, leaves, and other items that would stop most regular boards. Offroad skateboarding is also called all-terrain boarding, and these boards can literally go almost anywhere. The one limitation of mountainboards is that they are meant to be used on slopes, not flat terrain. In fact, they have been seen as a summer alternative for snowboarders, and can usually be used on the same slopes that become snowboarding courses in the winter months. To get started as an offroad skateboarder, you’ll want to use plenty of protection. The rough terrain makes it even more important to wear padding and a helmet. Otherwise, you run the risk of hitting against trees, large rocks, and other obstacles. Because these boards are ridden on sloping hills, you can often go very fast. Although there is a brake, higher speeds do increase your risk of falling. Don’t forget about padding for the rest of your body, and always wear long sleeves and pants to protect your skin from branches and other obstacles that may hang in your way. Always ensure that the bindings hold your feet securely, like you would if you were going snowboarding. Begin learning to offroad skateboard on gentle slopes. It’s a good idea if you learn how to skateboard or snowboard before trying it offroad; this can help you learn how to balance. Stopping can be difficult; you’ll want to bend your knees and lower yourself down, grabbing the front edge of the deck with both of your hands. When still holding the deck, lean backwards. The board will make a sharp turn, stopping suddenly. Be sure to keep your weight in the center of the board when performing this maneuver, or you will lose your balance.
Learn moreSandboarding | StoreYourBoard.com
Sandboarding is one of the many spinoffs of skateboarding and snowboarding; it first became widespread during the 1980’s. Especially popular for snowboarders during the off-season, it is done in deserts or on sand dunes. The best sandboarding locations are usually located in or near deserts or beaches. However, there are other areas, like Monte Kaolino in Germany where the yearly sandboarding world championships are held, that are not near deserts or water. Most sand boarders search for their own locations to board, since the sport is not yet popular enough to have well-known sand boarding locations across the globe. Experienced riders look for long, steep hills in beautiful surroundings. Although sandboarding is possible on every continent, Africa and Australia are perennial favorites for those who are willing to travel for the best sand. Sandboarding makes use of a specially polished board to slide on the dunes. Although it can be ridden head-first, like a boogie board, most riders choose to stand on the board with a stance similar to that of surfers. The board may or may not have bindings, though those without bindings are considered more dangerous than those that provide some means to keep your feet on the board. The sandboard is made of a very hard composite or laminated material, like Formica. After a while, the surface will begin to be sanded down due to constant contact with rough sands. The board bottom is waxed with a special sandboard wax so that it glides smoothly along the sand. Boards range in length from about the size of a longboard skateboard to the size of a snowboard, depending on the boarder’s style. Wearing the right eye protection is very important for those in the sand, to protect their eyes from both UV rays and flying sand particles. Tricks can be done with a sandboard, just like with a snowboard or skateboard. Josh Tenge is a professional sandboarder who holds the world record for longest distance back flip, at 44 feet and 10 inches. He is a four-time world sand boarding champion with multiple world records. Still, many involved in the sport will affirm that performing tricks on sand is much more difficult than tricks on skateboards or snowboards. Kite sandboarding is the latest incarnation of this sport, utilizing a kite to travel along the sand at up to 40 miles per hour. The world record for sandboard speed is 51 miles per hour, though unofficial speeds of 60 miles per hour are reportedly possible. Although sandboarding has grown exponentially as a sport over the last deade, it remains less popular than snowboarding, in part because of the difficulty of building a ski lift on a sand dune, so boarders must walk or use a dune buggy to get back to the top after every run. However, one benefit of sand boarding is that it is usually possible year-round, whereas snowboarding is only possible on snow-covered slopes. There are said to be about 14,000 sand boarders in the U.S. alone, with six major events annually sanctioned by the U.S. National Sandboard League.
Learn moreThe X Games and Skateboarding
The X Games are an event much like the Olympics, but held annually and focusing on extreme sports. Broadcast by ESPN, the Winter X Games occur in January, and the Summer X Games are held in August. Both events are held in the United States, and draw competitors from all over the world. The competition is known for frequently showcasing new tricks. Each year, over 80,000 spectators show up to the Winter X games and over 200,000 to the Summer X Games, and thousands more watch the events on television. Along with the competitions of the X Games, ESPN also hosts the X Fest sports and music festival, with live music, autograph sessions, and other interactive activities. The event is growing each year, with more events added to the lineup, more sports stars competing, and more fans showing up to watch. The Winter X Games will be hosted in Aspen, Colorado, through 2012, while the Summer X Games will be held in Los Angeles, as they have been for the past several years. Besides the main X Games, there are also smaller international competitions called the Global Championships, as well as demo events held by X Games at varying times through the year, all around the world. The first Winter X Games were held in Big Bear Lake, California, in 1997. The event has also been held in Colorado and Vermont. The Winter X Games include skiing, snowboarding, and snowmobiling events, and have recently included new events such as free skiing, SnoCross, and SkiBoarding. New events are added every couple of years to keep up with the changing face of the extreme sports world. The first Summer X Games took place in 1995, when the event was called Extreme Games. Competitions were held in Rhode Island and Vermont. Summer sports include inline skating, bike stunts, motocross, skateboarding, surfing, and wakeboarding. Most of these extreme sports’ biggest stars have taken part in the X Games. Popular participants include snowboarder/skateboarder Shaun White, snowboarder Danny Kass, skier Sarah Burke, skateboarder Tony Hawk, motocross and rally racer Travis Pastrana, and many others. The X Games gain media exposure by attracting big name sponsors and the top athletes in their respective sports. For skateboarding, the X Games currently includes six divisions: Big Air, Street Women’s, Street Men’s, Vert Men’s, Vert Women’s, and Vert Best Trick, where top skateboarders often debut new stunts. Big Air includes a 60 to 80 foot roll-in with a gap 50 or 70 feet long, ending in a 27 foot quarter pipe. This style of skateboarding was developed by pro skateboarder Danny Way, and is used exclusively at the X Games. During the street competitions, athletes perform in a concrete skate park with stairs, ledges, banks, and other features. In the vert competition, competitors ride down a 120-foot wide ramp with transitions, combining big air and lip tricks. Scores in all three competition types are based on style, creativity, difficulty, and amplitude. Big Air competitions are untimed, while Street competitions give an allotted time of seven to fifteen minutes, and the Vert competitions include 45-second runs.
Learn moreThe History of Dogtown and the Z-Boys
The history of skateboarding, as is well known, began in California. Thanks to the movie “Lords of Dogtown,” many have heard of the 1970s history of skateboarding in California. Dogtown, or the Santa Monica/Venice Beach area, is in fact where skateboarding first became really popular. During the 1970’s, a group of skateboarders called the Z-Boys essentially created the punk/skater subculture that exists to this day. These skateboarders were part of a team called the Jeff Ho Zephyr team, which is how they got their name. The Z-Boys got their start in 1973, when Jeff Ho and others opened Jeff Ho Surfboards and Zephyr Productions in Venice Beach. The first Z-Boy was Nathan Pratt, then fourteen years old. He was hired to work at the shop, and became an apprentice surfboard maker and the founding member of what would become the Z-Boys. By 1974, this group of teenagers also included Allen Sarlo, Jay Adams, Tony Alva, Chris Cahill, and Stacy Peralta. These surfers were notorious around Dogtown for being a rough-and-tumble crowd who dominated the surf. In the 1970s, surfing was a counterculture sport, frowned upon by much of mainstream society. The Z-Boys were not only surfers, but also avid skateboarders who used their boards to imitate popular surfing moves and create their own tricks. They developed a new style that was completely different than that of most other skateboarders of the time. By 1975, the Z-Boys started a skateboard team that was separate from the surf team started by Jeff Ho. The Z-Boys’ first competition was the Del Mar Nationals in March of 1975, today recognized as the first major skateboarding competition since the mid 1960’s, nearly a decade earlier. Half of the finalists of the competition were Z-Boys members, in part thanks to their new style and approach when compared to the other competitors. Despite their comparatively young age, the Z-Boys soon rose to the top of the skateboarding world. The Z-Boys’ style, which relied on vertical and airborne moves, would become widespread over the next year. During a drought in the mid 1970s, the Z-Boys took their boards to empty pools, skating on the sides. It was during this time that the technique of coming out of the “bowl” and re-entering was discovered; the Z-Boys had invented aerial skateboarding. Their techniques paved the way for today’s skateboarding world, which relies heavily on aerial tricks. It is hard to imagine today, but before the Z-Boys, no one was skateboarding in bowls. Soon their stories were gracing the cover of Skateboard Magazine. Members of the Z-Boys became top ranked surfers and skateboarders. As a result, many team members left for other companies and teams. By 1977, the Z-Boys were no longer together. Despite their short history, the Z-Boys are considered one of the most influential skateboarding teams to this day, and their story has been chronicles in numerous films and books. The Z-Boys played a significant role in turning skateboarding from a hobby to a widely recognized extreme sport.
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