I used to skate in my teens..but that was 15 years ago so this info will probably be out of date! £80 should be a pretty good set up for a beginner. Get a good pair of skate shoes..they're pricey...but its false economy to buy cheap ones as they wear out very quickly! NMB bearings are the best to keep things moving, but if they feel too loose whilst he's learning Abec 7's have a little more resistance. I used to use Santa Cruz decks, Pig wheels and Indy trucks. It's not the cheapest of hobbies (the bigger the steps he starts jumping, the more likely he is to break decks/trucks!) but good exercise! Ive been known to rock my skills on my 5 year olds Angry Birds skateboard...he's always impressed, but his mother just rolls her eyes...