Oahu, Hawaii in general is a great vacation destination, however, if you are into extreme sports, then it is a world class vacation destination. Skateboarders are going to find numerous skateparks to choose from, great skateboard shops and other fun skateboard related sports to try out. If you are planning a vacation this year and you are a skateboard fanatic then consider Oahu.

Skateparks in Oahu, Hawaii

Skateparks can be found all over the place in Oahu. Some hotels and resorts even have their own skating areas on site. However, before you get out your board you will want to ask if skating is allowed in the parking lot, or if the hotel has a special area dedicated to skateboarding and in-line skating. Generally, most of the skateparks that are located on Oahu will not be associated with hotels or resorts.

Your first choice is a free skatepark that is located in Kailua, Oahu. It is called the Keolu Skatepark and it is ADA accessible. It offers about 15,000 square feet of terrain and pads and safety equipment are not required. Your other skatepark choices include:

• Aalo Park, 280 North King Street, Honolulu, Hawaii
• Ewa Beach Skatepark, 91-955 Nroth Road, Ewa Beach, Hawaii
• Hawaii Loa Skate Park, Kaneoho Bay, Hawaii
• Kapahulu YMCA Skatepark, 1112 Kapahulu Avenue, Honolulu, Hawaii
• Makiki District Skatepark, 1527 Keeaumoku Street, Honolulu, Hawaii
• Hickman Skateboard Hanger, Building 2065, Hickman Air Force Base, Oahu, Hawaii

Since skateboarding is a sport that is rapidly gaining followers in the U.S., keep your eyes open for new and improved skateparks in Oahu. Ask your hotel concierge service for recommendations and directions to the best skateparks on the island.

Skateboard and Equipment Shops

While on vacation in Oahu, don't forget to stop by some of the local skateboard shops. These shops offer boards with uniquely Hawaiian graphics. Find great boards and equipment for your Hawaiian skateboard adventures, or stock up on special items to take back to the mainland with you. Here are three great skateboard shops located on Oahu, Hawaii

• 808 Skate, 354 Hahani Street, Kailua, Hawaii 96734
• Apb Aala Park Board Shop, 1200 College Walk, Suite 110, Honolulu, Hawaii 96817
• Mission Skateboard Shop, LLC, 812 Lehua Avenue, Suite C, Pearl City, Hawaii 96782

Expand Your Board Sport Repertoire

While there are a lot of great places to skateboard while on the island of Oahu, you can find more activities to participate in if you expand your board sport repertoire. Try surfing or kite boarding. Both of these sports take similar skills as skateboarding, including balance, quick decision making and thrill seeking. As you become familiar with these alternate sports, look for free clinics, free lessons and special events that will educate you more about your boarding options and provide you with the chance to exercise your competitive nature. With all of the sand, sun and various terrains to explore in Oahu, this skateboarding vacation will not disappoint.

Learn all about the Coronado Skate Park in Coranda, California.

If you happen to be roaming around near Coronado, Calif., and you are a skater then you are in luck. One of the coolest skate parks in the country is located in this city at 2000 Mullinix Drive. It opened back in 2001 and offers skaters 16,000 square feet of skateboarding fun. This park is designed for skateboarders and in-line skaters who want a safe place to skate and a park that offers a variety of skating formations.

General Attractions

There are four main skating formations in this skate park. The first formation is the Street Plaza. It is a shallow bowl with wall heights between 2 and 3 feet. This is a formation for beginners; if you are looking for a place to work on basic skills, this is a great formation to work on.

Intermediate skaters are going to enjoy the second formation, which is called the Clover Bowl. This bowl has wall heights between 5- and 7-feet tall. This is a great formation for skaters who are trying out new tricks and are not ready for the challenge of the Teardrop formation.

The Teardrop formation is designed for experienced skaters. It has walls that are up to 8-feet tall. This formation is great for air tricks, though some skaters criticize the height limitation of this formation.

The Street Course is the final skateboarding option that you can explore. It includes pyramids, banked hips and a fun box. This is the formation that you will want to try out if you are interested in a variety of skating terrain and formations. This course is great for breaking out of a rut.

Coronado Skate Park Costs

To start with, everyone will need to pay a one-time annual waiver fee of $10. This fee applies to everyone. In addition to the annual waiver, you will also need to pay an admission fee. There are several different admission passes that you can buy. Your first option is to pay a $5 daily admission each time you use the park. This is a great option for people who are in town on vacation or who don't plan on using the park that much. Your second option is to buy a Youth Year Pass. This pass costs $60 a year and is sold to kids between 6 and 17 years of age. Adult Year Passes are for adults, ages 18 to 54, and they cost $100. Senior citizens receive a discounted price on their year pass. The Seniors Year Pass only costs $60.

If you need to rent your safety equipment then you can do that right at the park. It will cost you $1 for a basic safety equipment rental package, which includes a helmet, knee pads and elbow pads. You can also rent a skateboard for $2; however, the parks supply of skateboards is limited.

Rules

The rules for this skate park are designed to keep skaters safe. The first rule is that you have to wear safety equipment if you want to skate here. As mentioned above, if you don't have your own safety equipment you can rent it at the park. Next, only skateboarders and in-line skaters are allowed in the park. No bikes are allowed. Spectators are also not allowed in the park. Rule three is that you have to sign a liability waiver in order to skate at the park. You only have to do this once. Your waiver will then be kept on file. The final rule is that you need to be at least 6 years old to skate here, and you will need to have proof of your age.

Scottsdale, Arizona has several great skateparks to choose from, however, a great one for families and kids is the McDowell Ranch Skatepark. This skatepark is actually part of a large activity complex that includes an aquatic center, two ball fields, four soccer fields and a great urban skatepark. If you are looking for a safe and fun park to practice your tricks in then make your way to 15525 N. Thompson Peak Parkway.

The McDowell Ranch Skatepark - The Basics

The McDowell Ranch Skatepark is generally open from sunrise until 10:30 p.m. However, for skaters' safety, the park shuts down during rain storms, electrical storms, when the park is wet and when the maintenance team is working on it. If you are planning a trip to the park it is a good idea to call ahead to make sure it will be open, especially if the weather has been less than ideal.

The skatepark offers both in-line skaters and skateboards about 16,000 square feet of terrain. This park has an urban set up that includes sturdy tables, planters, benches and ledges to practice on. There are three different areas of the park that you can work in, the six foot park, the ten foot park and the twelve foot park. According to local skaters, the pavement is smooth and the transitions into verts are very easy.

The Rules

Like any skatepark,you need to follow the rules to keep using the park and to make sure that the park stays safe. The first rule for this park is that no BMX bikes are allowed in. This rule was made to protect skaters from collisions and to protect the integrity of the park. The next rule is that no tagging is allowed. Again this rule is designed to keep the park looking great. Rule three is that you can't bring in any outside modifications like ramps. Just work with what the park has to offer. Finally, unlike many other parks, safety equipment is not required, however, it is recommended. This is a "skate at your own risk" park so you are in charge of your own safety.

What Makes McDowell Ranch Skatepark Cool

The seting of the McDowell Ranch Skatepark is one of the best features of this park. How often do you get to skate with beautiful scenery as your backdrop? Another great feature of this park is that it is set in the center of a multipurpose activity compound. This means that after you work up a sweat skating on the hot cement you can go for a dip in one of the pools or play a game of baseball. If you have young kids or if you are under 13, then you are going to love this park. Because it is set inside of a family activity center a lot of kids with skills skate here.

As far as cool skating features are concerned, this park offers a variety of shapes and obstacles to play off of, the cement is nice and smooth, there are various wall heights to work with and the transition zones that lead into the vert are smooth and easy. Overall, this is a fun and versatile park that offers you more than just a great day on your board.

Los Angeles is one of the best places to go on vacation if you are a skateboarder or skateboarding fan. This city offers multiple skate parks, museums, skateboard shops and skateboarding events. No matter what time of year you visit L.A., this city has a full menu of skateboarding activities and venues for you to enjoy.

Los Angeles Area Skate Parks

There are more than seven public skateboard parks in the Los Angeles area, four of which are in Los Angeles proper. The first park is the El Sereno Skate Park located at 4721 Klamath Place, Los Angeles, Calif., 90032. This park is open Monday through Sunday.

Gilbert Lindsay Skate Park is another option and it is located at 429 East 42nd Place, Los Angeles, Calif., 90011. It costs $1 for kids under 18 and $5 for adults 18 and older. The park is open Monday through Friday from 2 p.m. until dusk, and Saturday and Sunday from noon until 6 p.m.

Hollenbeck Skate Park is your third option. It is located at 415 South Saint Louis Street, Los Angeles, Calif., 90033. The entry fee is $1 for minors and $5 for adults. Helmets are required at this park.

Your fourth option is Lincoln Park Skate Park located at 3501 Valley Blvd., Los Angeles, Calif., 90031. It is open Monday through Friday from 2 p.m. until dusk, Saturday from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. and Sunday from noon until 5 p.m. This park offers both rails and ramps and costs $1 for skaters 7 and up.

Other skate parks in the Los Angeles area include Pedlow Field Skate Park in Encino, Sunland Skate Park in Sunland and Wilmington Skate Park in Wilmington.

Skatelab Skateboarding Museum

Another plus to vacationing in Los Angeles is the Skatelab Skateboarding Museum. This museum opened in 1997 and is free to visit, however a donation is appreciated. This museum is located just north of Los Angeles at 4226 Valley Fair Street in Simi Valley, Calif. It has a great collection of over 2,000 vintage boards and classic skateboarding memorabilia. In addition to a great display, this museum also hosts summer camps, book signings and other special events that you won't want to miss.

Skateboard Shops

While you are in Los Angeles don't forget to get a little shopping in. This city offers over 30 skateboarding shops. Your first option is the Brooklyn Projects Skateboard Shop Echo Park located at 2125 W. Sunset Blvd., your second option is DT Board Shop located at 3024 W. Vernon Ave. and your third option is Ghetto Stars Skates located at 4040 W. Washington Blvd.

Skateboarding Events

The final attraction of Los Angeles is a kicking collection of skateboarding events. The premiere skateboarding event that you won't want to miss when it is in town is the X Games. The WCS Bowl Series is another great skateboarding event that is hosted in Los Angeles. Skateboarding events and venues change each year, so you will need to keep your eyes open when reading your favorite skating magazine or ezine for the next great event.

Skate shoes are a great fashion statement, but these shoes are constructed to be more than just fashionable. Skate shoes are constructed to make skateboarding comfortable and tricks easier to do, not to mention that they're also constructed so that they hold up to extreme skateboarding. But, what's the big deal about how they're constructed? What is it that makes these fashionable shoes worthy of skateboarding gods?

Different brands of skate shoes are constructed in different ways. But, there are basic features that many companies use. Many companies choose to use double or triple stitching that works to prevent ripping. Another popular feature of skate shoes is that they have a wide, flat sole that allows more of the sole to meet the board.

Many brands are also vulcanized. Vulcanized is a term to describe the way the sole is attached to the upper part of the skate shoe. Another feature of the sole is the tread, which is constructed to make it easier to hold on to the board. Skate shoes are also made with leather or suede so that they are as durable as possible. Last but not least, thick tongues and sides are used to make skate shoes more comfortable. In other words, skate shoes are constructed to last a long time, prevent injury and provide for maximum skateboarding abilities. Of course, each brand has a special way of constructing skate shoes.

Vans is one of the most popular brands of skate shoes. They have several different styles available, which feature different types of construction. For example, their J-Lay version features reinforced uppers, a slim profile, drop-in PU midsole and the classic vulcanized waffle sole. This construction allows for durability, breathability, flexibility, grip, comfort and increased board control. Another popular brand is Etnies. Etnies's Angle features tongue ventilation, tongue-centering straps, padded tongue and collar, cushioning footbed with heel support, lightweight rubber outsole with PU midsole and an integrated airbag. This construction allows for ultimate comfort on the most uncomfortable board.

A few other features you may want to keep in mind are lace protectors, air pockets in the heels, STI foam, lace loops that hide shoelaces, Action Leather, Thermoplastic Toe Box Reinforcement, Fusion Grip Rubber Outsole and asymmetric stabilizers. All of these features are made with comfort, durability or grip in mind. Take time to look at several brands to find the perfect type that suits your skateboarding style.

Finding the perfect skate shoes will take time and a bit money. With so many different styles to choose from, you need to take time to choose a style that is constructed to fit your skateboarding needs. Whether you love doing insane tricks or choose to play it safe, there's a brand that will suit your style. Of course, if you just look at the fashion aspect of skate shoes, there are several fun styles to choose from. Skate shoes may have been made with skateboarding in mind, but they're a great fashion statement as well.

Sources:

skate.vans.com/SHOES/jlay.html

etniesskate.com/footwear/mens/angle/white-white-black/