Can Fat People Skateboard

Can Fat People Skateboard? [Read & Be Happy!]

( If you purchase through our sponsored links, we may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you )

Skateboarding is one of the best ways for people to spend time outdoors. Being a very relaxing activity, it attracts thousands around the globe wanting to cruise on their skateboard in their spare time. 

Like any physically demanding sport, there are some risks involved while enjoying the activity. This creates some confusion among new skateboarders, especially folks’ who are a bit on the heavier side. 

You are probably one of them, worrying that skateboarding may end up being an embarrassment for you. Of course, throwing yourself into the air on a half-pipe can be extremely dangerous. However, if you are a little careful, skateboarding is always a good option

You have to adjust your technique and setup according to your body type. Being a little overweight, you will need a wider and more solidly built deck, bushings that can carry your load, and trucks that can withstand greater impacts. Also, you have to learn to land on the wheel trucks of the board correctly. 

Let’s explore more on this topic below!

You may also read:

Is There A Weight Limit for Skateboarding? 

In all fairness, there is no official weight limit for skateboarding. This also rules out the misconception that fat people cannot skateboard. However, it’s important to find the right kind of board according to your age and body mass. 

Skateboards usually come in a variety of qualities, which have significant impacts on the amount of weight they can sustain. A good quality maple board can hold up to 250-pound weight. 

Here Is A Handy Skateboard Weight Chart for Your Reference:

Skateboard Size Age Height Weight 
MicroLess than or equals 56.5”-6.75”45 lbs.
MiniLess than or equals 87”59 lbs. and under
SmallBetween 9 and 127.3”63 to 89 lbs. 
Mid Size 13 and over 7.5”-7.6”102 to 152 lbs. 
Full Size Adult 7.7”-10”195 lbs. 

Is It Easy to Break a Skateboard for Fat People? 

Breaking off skateboards happen all the time; even pro skaters buy new boards regularly. Being heavier, you might break a few more but that’s not the biggest concern. 

Skateboarding requires coordination and to avoid getting into serious injuries you must excel at it. Proper foot placement and knee bending are extremely important. 

When landing, make sure to distribute your weight evenly on both ends of the skateboard. This will keep the board stable when it touches the ground. You should also bend your knees deeply to release some landing pressure. 

Eventually, you will be able to save your joints from injuries and the board from breaking under your feet every so often.

Yes, you may not be able to:

  • Accelerate as fast as a slim guy 
  • Do risky tricks to impress your friends
  • Jump off of a significant height on a rail

But the most important thing you can do is to keep the basics right. Try to understand the dynamics of the game and put in some practice. Over time, skateboarding will be a rewarding thing for you. That’s not the end of the story though! We have a few more details to come. 

Who Are the Heaviest Professional Skateboarders? 

Danny Way currently holds the Guinness World Record for the longest skateboard ramp jump (24 m/79-ft). He is a professional skateboarder weighing almost 181 pounds. His weight allowed him to gain extra momentum, and helped him to earn the gold medal during the X Games in 2004. 

According to the latest competition, Mike V is the heaviest pro skateboarder with 182 pounds. Both of them weigh below the average weight of an adult in the US (195 lbs.) though. 

Ben Schroeder, Stu Graham, and Sean Sheffey are some of the heaviest pro skateboarders in history.  Ben Schroeder’s career was cut short in 2011 due to a car accident. Prior to that, he was listed as weighing 230 pounds and standing 6’6″ tall.

All these data goes to show that if you are passionate about something, weight can’t be a barrier to entry. 

What Are the Risks of Skateboarding for Fat People? 

Due to the nature of the sport, skateboarding will always involve some level of risks. With protective gear and sole support, the number of injuries can be reduced, but can never be eliminated. 

However, if you ask, skateboarders’ feet are more commonly impacted than other parts of their bodies. For obese skateboarders, gravity becomes an issue. Due to additional weight, their chances of falling harder on the ground are much higher than a skinny guy. 

The same applies to snapping decks. Be more watchful to your Ankle as you land. If you roll it on a kickflip, you will suffer a more severe Ankle Sprain. 

Other common incidents for fat skateboarders includes:

  • Bone spurs
  • Plantar fasciitis
  • Fractures
  • Achilles

How to Choose the Best Skateboard for Heavy Riders? 

From beginners to pro skateboards, choosing the right skateboard can’t be overlooked. A high-quality skateboard will reduce exposures to injuries and make doing tricks a lot easier for you. Below are the key pointers you need to consider in this regard. 

Deck Width

Heavy riders will require more support from their skateboards to spread their weight evenly on the ground. And, this is where the length of the deck comes to play. 

Regarding deck lengths, there are options ranging from 7 to 10 inches. A deck with 8.25” or more on the width will be the best choice for a big guy. This will provide him with greater stability while landing. However, a wider deck, on the other hand, will make it difficult to perform tricks.

Deck Length 

This is one area where you should prioritize your comfort over some quick tips or suggestions. Skateboard lengths typically range from 28 to 33 inches. Taller riders may prefer a 32-inch deck; however, as I said it all depends on personal preference.

Deck Construction

Usually, skateboard decks are made from maple wood, carbon fiber, or plastic. All of them have their benefits and drawbacks, but you need to rank them according to your intended use and needs.   

Most skateboarders love laminated maple wood in their deck construction. Stick to Zero, Element, Powell-Peralta, Plan B, Birdhouse if you are one of them. They produce the very best, nearly indestructible skateboard decks to help pros perform tricks. 

If you prefer composite decks that won’t splinter, settle for Lithe Slate 2 instead. They used a combination of: 

  • Canadian maple 
  • Light woods, and 
  • Carbon fiber 

to make them the strongest candidate on the market. However, for transportation purposes, Penny Skateboard decks will be preferable. They use vinyl plastic, making them stronger and suitable for cruising. 

Trucks 

Your skateboard trucks must be strong enough to handle your weight. Try and look for 356.0 T6 aluminum in your trucks. With a maximum weight limit of 250 pounds, they are the strongest material used in skateboard trucks so far. 

Wheels

As long as you choose 99A wheels, Spitfire’s Classics and Full Conceals are probably the best options. With large contact patches, they tend to be fast and super grippy to help heavy riders enhance their performance in bowls, parks, and streets. 

Here is a more specific recommendation:

  • For Bowl Riding > Go with 56mm 99a wheels 
  • For parks and Streets > 53-54mm 99a wheels 

Bushing 

Bushings come in different hardness (durometers) and this plays a big part when choosing the right skateboard for your weight. Stock bushing might be good enough, however, if you are a little too overweight you will need harder bushings to tackle higher impacts.  

Bushing Hardness Chart for Heavyweights

Weight (lbs.)175200225250
Flexy87a90a93a95a
Medium90a90-93a93-95a95-97a
Stiff90a 93a95a97a

Longboard for Heavy Riders 

Longboards are ideal if you plan on cruising on your skateboard. Unlike regular skateboards, they usually come with higher trucks and larger wheelbases in order to make a ride comfortable. 

These longboards can range in length from 32 to 42 inches, with shorter versions popularly known as ‘’cruisers’. These skateboards will have tapered ends rather than concave ones.  

Cruiser skateboards are usually made with strong vinyl plastic, or carbon fibers. Some well-known manufacturers like ‘Aluminati’ also come up with boards made from recycled aluminum. 

Polypropylene decks can withstand up to 170 pounds of weight. There are also electric/motorized cruiser skateboards with a weight limit that goes from 200 to 300 pounds.

Related: 10 Best Skateboards for Cruising 2022 [Based On Experts’ Opinion]

Final Words

From what we’ve discussed so far, one thing is clear, you should not give up all that fun just because you’re a little overweight. Just focus on improving skills and investing in the right skateboard for your size. 

Don’t push yourself too far at the beginning and consider equip yourself with protective gear for greater safety. A hard slam might end your career, but if you follow these tips and put more focus on having fun. Nothing can stop you. 

Similar Posts

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *