Where to Start Before You Get Rolling

In baggy shorts, T-shirts and high-tops, skateboarders flock to local skateboard shops on weekday afternoons when school is out. They hang there together, launching their boards off curbs outside, checking out the latest equipment or promotional videos within.

Most of the shops are staffed by skateboarders who know the sport inside and out. They can help younger, beginning boarders get set up with safe equipment. It costs $100 to $160 for a new board, including trucks (axles) and wheels. Safety equipment--a helmet and pads for knees and elbows--runs another $80 to $120.

Here are some of the most popular skateboard shops in North County:

Mike McGill’s Skate World, 414 N. Highway 101, Encinitas; 943-7730. Skate World is owned and operated by world-class pro skater Mike McGill, who lives in Encinitas. It’s a small, funky place where young boarders are free to watch videos in the back.

Street Life, 335 First St., Encinitas; 944-0344. This is a large, well-organized store that carries a lot of merchandise. It’s located in Moonlight.

Stix Skateboard Warehouse, 1551-E W. Mission Road, San Marcos; 471-7966. Richard Everett left his job as a computer programmer to open this skateboarding shop in 1987. It’s one of the largest in North County, with 1,000 square feet of merchandise.

Witt’s Carlsbad Pipelines, 2975 Carlsbad Blvd, Carlsbad; 729-4423. Probably the oldest skateboarding shop in North County, this place opened eight years ago and sells both surfing and skateboarding equipment. The shop sponsors top skateboarders such as Chris Miller and Tony Hawk, and relies on them to recommend the newest and best merchandise.