Giving setups to kids that have interest in skating

[club]

A friend of mines 12 year old son has been carrying around a mini Walmart board for months. Over the past couple weeks I’ve been giving him stuff for a setup. First an old deck (8” Jason Spivey vacation), then some 139 Indy’s that we’re missing all the bolts and a top bushing. I got the missing bolts and bushing at a shop over the weekend and a new pair of wheels for myself. Completed the board today giving him my old pair of classic formula 4 blues. I’ve given plenty of old stuff to friends over the years but never a kid that wants to learn how to skate. It was a good feeling and he doesn’t even know how proper his setup is haha. I’m obviously hoping to see him doing kickflips one day. Y’all have any similar experiences?

[leopard print]

Family moved in and kid was out every day on some plastic shit so kicked him down a setup. Fast forward a couple months and I see that shit out in the corner of his yard rotting in the grass.

on the flip, I released a setup it into the wild outside my house once and still see this little redhaired fucker ripping around on it and talking to girls like twice his size.

[iKobrakai]

In our small circle we would give stuff to each other when we could. Nothing more to say.

[leopard print]

Oh shit - what's up, Gary! How's life on parole - we miss u in here!

[doublesteveburger]

Always give my old setups to kids at the local. Hope they can manage on 8.75 decks and 159’s.

[burn_to_live]

At my Grandma's condo complex, there was this kid named Caleb who lived down the hallway. I was skating by there with my brother and this kid was rolling on a scooter. I was being nice and asked him what was his name, and if he ever skated. He said, "Yeah, I used to have a skateboard, but when the Thomas Fire came, we had to evacuate and most of our belongings were stolen, along with my board". I felt bad so I gave him this badly chipped 8.38 Polar with like 38mm F4s, down to the axle Indys, and some random bearings and hardware. He was so excited and within the first week he learned ollies and front 180s. He started getting better, and for his birthday he got a Darkstar complete from Walmart from like his uncle. I went ahead and bought him a new complete. 8.25 Girl, 149 Indys, Reds, Shorty's 7/8", and Mob. I hope he has fun.

[20matar]

I did this once, to a coworker's kid. The thing is, the guy would have to buy the wheels, just to show that I'm not giving free shit to grown-ass men. He bought a set of cheap wheels and the kid was very happy for a while. Then the dad barred the kid from skating, because he was afraid he was "hanging with the wrong crowd", and got upset with me, apparently. So fuck that guy.

[h00man]

At my Grandma's condo complex, there was this kid named Caleb who lived down the hallway. I was skating by there with my brother and this kid was rolling on a scooter. I was being nice and asked him what was his name, and if he ever skated. He said, "Yeah, I used to have a skateboard, but when the Thomas Fire came, we had to evacuate and most of our belongings were stolen, along with my board". I felt bad so I gave him this badly chipped 8.38 Polar with like 38mm F4s, down to the axle Indys, and some random bearings and hardware. He was so excited and within the first week he learned ollies and front 180s. He started getting better, and for his birthday he got a Darkstar complete from Walmart from like his uncle. I went ahead and bought him a new complete. 8.25 Girl, 149 Indys, Reds, Shorty's 7/8", and Mob. I hope he has fun.

Amazing. Must've been fun being like "fuck your uncle's darkstar gift, take this one from me instead! I'm your uncle now".

[burn_to_live]

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At my Grandma's condo complex, there was this kid named Caleb who lived down the hallway. I was skating by there with my brother and this kid was rolling on a scooter. I was being nice and asked him what was his name, and if he ever skated. He said, "Yeah, I used to have a skateboard, but when the Thomas Fire came, we had to evacuate and most of our belongings were stolen, along with my board". I felt bad so I gave him this badly chipped 8.38 Polar with like 38mm F4s, down to the axle Indys, and some random bearings and hardware. He was so excited and within the first week he learned ollies and front 180s. He started getting better, and for his birthday he got a Darkstar complete from Walmart from like his uncle. I went ahead and bought him a new complete. 8.25 Girl, 149 Indys, Reds, Shorty's 7/8", and Mob. I hope he has fun.

[close]

Amazing. Must've been fun being like "fuck your uncle's darkstar gift, take this one from me instead! I'm your uncle now".

I had to give him something better. Uncle Jesse.

[SneakySecrets]

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At my Grandma's condo complex, there was this kid named Caleb who lived down the hallway. I was skating by there with my brother and this kid was rolling on a scooter. I was being nice and asked him what was his name, and if he ever skated. He said, "Yeah, I used to have a skateboard, but when the Thomas Fire came, we had to evacuate and most of our belongings were stolen, along with my board". I felt bad so I gave him this badly chipped 8.38 Polar with like 38mm F4s, down to the axle Indys, and some random bearings and hardware. He was so excited and within the first week he learned ollies and front 180s. He started getting better, and for his birthday he got a Darkstar complete from Walmart from like his uncle. I went ahead and bought him a new complete. 8.25 Girl, 149 Indys, Reds, Shorty's 7/8", and Mob. I hope he has fun.

[close]

Amazing. Must've been fun being like "fuck your uncle's darkstar gift, take this one from me instead! I'm your uncle now".

[close]

I had to give him something better. Uncle Jesse.

Wow, that was really nice of you.  I leave my 4-5 week old decks that are still in fairly good condition at the local skatepark tucked away under a bench with a little note “Take if you need, leave if you don’t.” 

So I’m basically like the tooth fairy.  Except no one has to leave me baby teeth.  That’d just be weird.

They’re always gone the next time I go to the park.  Some park employee probably just comes after me chucks them straight into the dumpster, haha.

[tension]

gave my neighbor a full set up. hes about 14 and seems like hes always lonely and doesnt speak english great. gave him the whole thing with one catch- dont leave it outside. saw him trying to skate in the driveway we shared and around town for the first few days which made me so stoked and super proud, then for the past 5 months its been outside in the backyard totally waterlogged and fucked.

Ive seen him a bunch since and we just both act like that never happened for some reason. oh well.

[redcurb12]

[johnes]

There was a point around 2011-2015 when almost every person under 18 at my local park had ridden some of my old stuff.
I have given a lot of boards and wheels and even new shoes to lots kids.
Sadly there aren’t many still skating from that time.

[SneakySecrets]

then for the past 5 months its been outside in the backyard totally waterlogged and fucked.

Haha, reality hits you hard bro.  Still a nice gesture.  I’d give you a fucking medal if I had one to give.

[burn_to_live]

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At my Grandma's condo complex, there was this kid named Caleb who lived down the hallway. I was skating by there with my brother and this kid was rolling on a scooter. I was being nice and asked him what was his name, and if he ever skated. He said, "Yeah, I used to have a skateboard, but when the Thomas Fire came, we had to evacuate and most of our belongings were stolen, along with my board". I felt bad so I gave him this badly chipped 8.38 Polar with like 38mm F4s, down to the axle Indys, and some random bearings and hardware. He was so excited and within the first week he learned ollies and front 180s. He started getting better, and for his birthday he got a Darkstar complete from Walmart from like his uncle. I went ahead and bought him a new complete. 8.25 Girl, 149 Indys, Reds, Shorty's 7/8", and Mob. I hope he has fun.

[close]

Amazing. Must've been fun being like "fuck your uncle's darkstar gift, take this one from me instead! I'm your uncle now".

[close]

I had to give him something better. Uncle Jesse.

[close]

Wow, that was really nice of you.  I leave my 4-5 week old decks that are still in fairly good condition at the local skatepark tucked away under a bench with a little note “Take if you need, leave if you don’t.” 

So I’m basically like the tooth fairy.  Except no one has to leave me baby teeth.  That’d just be weird.

They’re always gone the next time I go to the park.  Some park employee probably just comes after me chucks them straight into the dumpster, haha.

Dude, its the thought that counts! That's rad. I wish I always had extra decks, because I always see kids snapping them.

[j....soy.....]

I always offer old decks to kids especially ones on scooters.  They often appreciate it because no skaters have ever talked t them.  Plus it means they have to get trucks and wheels from a legit shop.

[Trickflip]

Once when I saw switching out my cracked/almost broken board, some kid for some reason wanted it, so I gave him the board and he was hyped. I was really confused and still am.

In our small circle we would give stuff to each other when we could. Nothing more to say.

Same, the only downside is usually we skate it till it breaks, unless someone is just hyped on their new board, trucks, wheels, etc., and switches it out. But spare boards are usually kept in case one or more break(s) in the session

[SpankerChief]

Knew a guy who was doing this for a bit, he got in over his head at one point. He'd have a duffle bag full of used gear and hook kids up, until a point where they were treating him like a bitch, oh my board got stolen, oh my brother traded it, or just laziness. He finally said fuck it when a kid who was a known racist broke in his house and stole all his stuff.

[Centipede]

When i first started skating i bought a full set super cheap only because the last owner started biking. I have recently gifted it to a small kid at my local park who could only afford those crappy boards that you buy in the supermarkets. He was so excited that his father personally came to thank me at the park.
Felt great.

[feedmeseymour]

“Go out and get a job and buy a choo choo skateboard”

[lampshade]

I am lucky enough to have some friends who are am/flow/work at shops, so I usually have some extra product on hand.  I also have a little crew of kids (8-14ish) in my neighborhood.  They are always into something different.  One week it's throwing the baseball, next it's lacrosse, next it's soccer.  Last year they got all in on skating.  Just in the street out side our homes.  This kid had an old ass Zero deck.  He wanted me to do a kickflip on it for some reason.  I was wearing work clothes/shoes and did the worst kickflip ever and just snapped the tail.  I felt so bad. I went into my house, gave him a fresh deck, hardware, and grip.  I even showed him how to properly grip and set up a board. 

[Lee Ralphs Dear Old Mum]

Give kids boards and wheels all the time. Never trucks. Always keep your trucks. I'd rather buy a kid a set of cheap Krux than give away my old Ace, Thunder or Indys.