Cheapskates is a skate shop at 150 Hardy St in Maitai, Nelson, with a Google rating of 4.7.
A good skate shop is run by people who skate and can tell you what suits you. Boards are sold complete or built to order from a deck, trucks, wheels and bearings, and a shop can set one up for your height, weight and the kind of skating you want, whether cruising, street or park. Deck width, wheel hardness and truck size all change how a board feels, so ask for advice rather than guessing. Protective gear matters, especially a well-fitting helmet, wrist guards and pads for beginners. Shops can replace worn wheels, bearings and grip tape, which keeps a board safe and fast. Regulars know that cheap complete boards can be frustrating to ride, and that spending a little more on decent trucks and bearings makes learning easier.
For skaters around Nelson, Cheapskates on Hardy St is a local shop to visit.