board help-old school dad needs help with new school son set-up

[ihavegills]

I'm an old school skater from the 80's and have been back skating since my son was born after a 15 year break . My son is five and has been on a board since diapers. We go to the skatepark together every Saturday and he has managed to snag my Shorty and I'm riding a sick I found in the garbage. The Shorty and heavy indy's are OK for ramps (he's 50/50ing the mini!) but can't get the back trucks off on an ollie. Unfortunately when he's on the street and practicing in the basement he is using a Darth Vader board for ollie's. It's a bad board for what he's trying to do and the bearings and shape of the board sux. It's still amazing to watch what he pulls off on that junk. I'm looking for some direction on a mini deck/brand, something around 28", and the smallest/lightest trucks possible. My last deck before the Shorty was a Powell Peralta street Caballero and I just don't the product like I use to. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks from the dinosaur.

[PopwarPerson]

go to a shop and ask what mini's they have... ive only seen blind and birdhouse minis lately but thats prolly a lot better than what he has darth vader board. blinds and birdhouse arent great but its better to get a deck smaller for a smaller person or theyre gonna have a hard time with a bigger board. so check ur local shops

[skaterat]

Madrid makes quality stuff and has a line of kids/minis. Canadian maple !
http://www.madridskateboards.com/pages/product-list.asp?id=28

[bobiscool]

In one of my old transworlds i just remembered reading an article on mini skateboards. It had some elements, world indusrys, birdhouse, blind, and 1 board from girl. Uhhh i can't find my magazine but if someone has the issue with the gonz on it and the yearly awards look under "Must Haves". Good luck.

[Dookie416]

there are tons of brands that make minis. you might as well pick up a blank mini off www.blankdecks.com. I'm telling you, quality stuff. Venture trucks are pretty light, but truck weight doesn't really make a difference, unless you are using indy stage 8 and below, i guess it might. but if you get your son some stage 9's, it shouldnt really effect his skating. but if you would like to get him lighter trucks, maybe try venture. they are lighter, but indys seem more ideal for the type of skating you and your son do, which i take it is mostly park and stuff. as for wheels, blanks are probably your best bet. there are other good brands like ricta, which I like, but either one is fine. for bearings, grab some bones reds, or if you want nice silent bearings, get some rockstars. they are both great. and the griptape/hardware you get really doesnt matter.

[rkorocks1234]

habitat makes a mini deck now

http://www.actionvillage.com/is-bin/INTERSHOP.enfinity/eCS/Store/en/-/USD/EasyAskSearch-Start;sid=pZwdTmcchvIdLCL1ZRnd5m3It14UUlPAPj0=?sea rchType=USERSEARCH&searchTerm=habitat+mini

[Ramp]