A Beginner’s Guide to Skating in Egypt Including Prices

Have you ever tried to fly? You’re not a bird or a plane so you must have not flown before, but do you know that you can experience the feeling of flying if you try skating? Join Faydety as we explore skating in this article about skating for beginners. 

The history of skate boarding

Skating for beginners
 

Skateboarding is a sport that began to appear in the 1950s in America under the name of “sidewalk surfing” because originally people used the boards -without the wheels of course- to surf waves at the beach.

In the seventies, skateboard wheels started to be made from materials other than metals and wood which allowed them to be more secure and they started to rise in popularity.

Skating became significantly popular in Egypt in the eighties and nineties. People often skated in clubs and upscale neighborhoods, and it was limited to certain social classes.

Now the sport has reemerged in Egypt again and has begun to spread widely among younger generations, but this time on the streets among all strata of society. Of course it does require a certain amount of courage and a sense of adventure in order to start skating and avoid the injuries that may happen if you’re still new at it.

How to start a skateboarding or roller-skating in simple steps?

In order to start your journey as a skating beginner, you must first look for the right skating implement for you. This is where we must tell you that there are different ways to skate and they have different  shapes, sizes, and prices. Some are cheap and some are expensive. 

And now let’s begin our tour to find out the different types of skateboards or roller skates.

What are the types of skates?

Before you start skating you must know that there are several types and not all of them suit everyone. There are 4 main types:

1- Skateboard 

Types of skateboards – skating for beginners

Skateboards come in 3 types; the skateboard, the longboard, and the penny or cruiser.

The skateboard: has a concave structure and an arched tail. It is made out of a wood board consisting of layers of maple wood and wheels that carry the axles, and it has a rough top layer that prevents slipping. The BD Deck Rustic Gold Fiberglass 8.125-inch board from BDSkateCo is one of the most durable.

Regular skateboards have an arched back - skating for beginners

The longboard: is longer and wider than a regular skateboard and its wheelbase is longer and larger, which makes it ideal for beginners such as the Longboard Shoots Complete by Sector 9.

The longboard has a large, flat surface and large wheels - skating for beginners

The penny board: also known as the cruiser, is a light weight skateboard made out of silicone which makes it suitable for everyday use and also allows it to be very fast. It is suitable for beginners, but it is also easy to break which can be dangerous for the user.

Penny board or Cruiser – Skating for Beginners

Watch this video  for more detailed information on the different types of skateboards.

Skateboard prices in Egypt in 2022

Skateboard prices on Jumia

Skateboards prices on Amazon

Skateboards prices on noon
Skateboards prices in Tawheed & al Nour
Used skateboard prices

FYI

If you are a beginner then it would be best to use the original skateboard, which has seven layers of wood, and not the one made of 3 layers because in the beginning you will fall a lot, and if the board is not original it will break and expose you to injury.

2- Hoverboard

Hoverboard – skating for beginners

The hoverboard is known as the electric scooter and it can be used for skating. It is composed of an electrical panel with large wheels on the sides with sizes ranging between 6.5, 8 and 10 inches. The smaller sizes are the most suitable for beginners.

The weight of the hoverboard is very important because you will sometimes have to carry it so it is better to choose a light weight hoverboard and also make sure to choose the right wheels for the nature of the roads you are going to use it on.

Some types are suitable for flat roads while others are suitable for off-road but they are more expensive.

Also available is the smart hoverboard, which is equipped with Bluetooth and headphones in case you wish to listen to music while riding and it also comes equipped with GPS locator as an anti-theft measure. It also comes in assorted colors.

Hoverboard prices in Egypt in 2022

Smart hoverboard prices on Jumia

Smart hoverboard prices on Amazon
Used hoverboard prices

3-Electric scooter

It is one of the tools used for teaching skating to beginners which is also a lot of fun. It is composed of a skateboard with a handle to hold on to and 2 wheels. It makes you feel like you are flying without the fear of falling off which is great when you’re starting to learn.

 
Electric scooters are environmentally friendly to the point that they don’t even produce noise pollution. 

If you use it as a means of transportation, it will help reduce traffic congestion, but you must be careful especially on the street or in crowded cities.

It can travel 20 miles per hour and can withstand a passenger weight of up to 120 kilograms.

There are different types suitable for all ages. 

And most importantly it saves on the use of fuel

Electric scooter – skating for beginners

Electric scooter prices in Egypt in 2022

The prices of the electric scooter vary according to the brand and size

Mercedes electric scooter: 3500 EGP for a limited time

Electric scooter prices from Amazon

Electric scooter prices from Jumia

Used electric scooter prices
  

While we’re speaking of scooters, don’t miss: Which is the cheaper option: Cairo Bike or Rabbit Scooter?

Roller-skate 

Patinage or roller-skates

Roller skates or patinage are basically shoes with wheels that allows the user to skate. They are considered one of the best ways to teach skating to beginners.

There are many types available, some of which are cheap whole others are on the more expensive end.

Patinage prices in Egypt in 2022

Prices range from 250 EGP to 1350 EGP

Patinage prices on Amazon

Patinage prices on Jumia
Patinage prices in Tawheed and al Nour

Used patinage prices 

Can you rent skates?

If you decide to start skating you don’t need to buy your own equipment, you can rent it instead. Usually the types available for rent are patinage and penny boards, with an hourly price ranging from 35 to 50 EGP, depending on the type.
 

You will find rental shops in certain places where skaters are constantly present such as:

Dokki: skaters usually congregate at a place dubbed the square or “al saha” behind the Saudi Embassy near Giza Square.

Downtown: you will find them in Talaat Harb Square, Kasr al Nil bridge, and the Nile Corniche in front of Maspero and the Ahl Masr walkway.

Zamalek: in Abu Al-Feda Street, in front of Al-Sawy Wheel, and in different places in the neighborhood.

 

How can I start?

It is important to know that at the beginning you will fall a lot, so you must have your protective gear on.

You should have the right equipment to start your skating journey such as:

1- Choosing the right type and size for you. Roller skates for example must be the correct size and fit properly on your feet. If they are too big you will be more prone to accidents and injury.  

2- You must wear a helmet to avoid head injuries. 

3- It is necessary to wear an elbow protector to protect your arms. 

4- Just like an elbow protector you also need knee protectors because you will fall, a lot! 

5- Choose the right venue to start learning. Open spaces are best so maybe a club or an empty parking lot. Stay away from crowded areas and public roads especially with speeding cars. No need to tempt fate! 

6- Try to have a pro with you or someone who has been skating for a few years. They will be able to teach you the basics including how to balance and brake correctly and how to fall without causing injury.

7- If you have long hair tie it back away from your eyes

8- Try to stay close to a wall for support at the beginning till you find your balance.

Benefits of skating

• First of all, it is a very good way to get rid of negative energy.
• It will help you burn calories.
• It strengthens the muscles especially leg muscles.
• If you use it as a means of transportation, it will facilitate your movements and you’ll be able to save up on fuel.

Where can you buy skating equipment for beginners?

Either from sports stores oronline from sites like Amazon, Jumia and Noon. You might be lucky and find them at AL Tawheed & al Nour at very cheap prices compared to other places. You can also buy them used on Facebook or second-hand sites such as OLX and Opensooq.

This concludes our journey at skating for beginners. We hope we were able to give you all the information you were looking for and we wish you happy skating. 

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