While skateboarding is an enjoyable activity, it can be quite dangerous. However, by taking skateboarding safety seriously, you can make the experience safer and more thrilling. Whether you are a beginner or a professional, you must take the necessary precautions to avoid hurting yourself and others around you. These precautions can also help you enhance your skateboarding skills.
Here are some safety tips for skateboarders to prevent injuries.
Inspect the Skating Space
Most of the time, skateboarders get injured due to poor or uneven terrain. Before you ride your skateboard, check the pavement for cracks, crevices, and any blockages. This will not only prevent you from tripping but also help you endure an enjoyable and smooth ride. Avoid spaces that are crowded, poorly lit, or extremely damp. Beginners should always check the ramp surface before practicing on it. If you are able to access a skatepark near your house, use it to practice as they are specifically designed for skateboarders. Avoid practicing around kids as you may end up injuring them.
Avoid Skating in the Rain
Needless to say, avoid doing any outdoor activity on rainy days. Skateboarding, in particular, can be extremely dangerous due to slippages and roadblocks. Even if you do feel like skateboarding during rainy days, check the roads for holes and water flooding. At times, manholes and deep trenches on roads can get covered due to heavy rain, making them invisible. Even if the rain stops, screen the roads for water buildup and wait until they are fully dry. Ideally, muddy roads are not suitable for skateboarding as the wheels get stuck. Conclusively, it is advised to avoid skateboarding in the rain and wait for the water to dry up.
Wear Protective Gear
Tripping and falling is a common phenomenon in skateboarding, which is why you must invest in protective gear, such as wrist guards, a helmet, comfortable shoes, elbow pads, and knee pads. The most important skateboarding safety gear of all is your helmet as it protects your head from serious injuries. You can find various helmets for skateboarding online that primarily vary according to their price, size, and design. Invest in a pair of high-quality knee pads to avoid abrasions and bruises on your knees. For enhanced flexibility and comfort, choose knee and elbow pads made of soft and light material.
Practice Before You Hit the Main Road
Once you master the right techniques, you will not only prevent injuries but also get better at your skateboarding skills. For every beginner, attempting sharp turns and maneuvering can be quite challenging. One false move and the person can sustain irreversible damages. Before you take your skateboard on the main road, practice in a skateboard park, and since such settings are designed with the norms of a controlled environment, you can easily master your jumps, tricks, and maneuvering skills. Some parks also have medical facilities to treat injured patients without any delay.
Wear Comfortable Clothing
Since skateboarding involves a lot of free movements, wear comfortable clothing when skating. However, resort to clothes with thicker texture such as denim and chinos as they are less likely to rip when you fall. This can also help prevent your skin from getting bruised. Skateboarding involves a lot of leg work, so pay more attention to your lowers. Hoodies, tanks, and cotton shirts are acceptable, as long as they provide optimum flexibility. The type of lowers you wear also depends on the type of skating you prefer.
For example, pants should be worn while practicing flips to avoid hurting your shins, whereas shorts are more preferable while vert skating for enhanced flexibility. It also gives you enough room to tie knee pads.
Maintain Your Skateboard
At times, buying a cheap skateboard can result in injuries. Even if you are taking care of other aspects, a poor design and build cannot prevent you from tripping. Furthermore, prevent injuries by keeping a check of your skateboard and maintaining it before taking it for a ride. Check the surface for any cracks and make sure that the wheels are intact.
To begin with, invest in a high-quality skateboard. Even though it costs more than its counterparts, it will last longer, making the investment worthwhile. When buying a skateboard, check the wheels for the type of ride you want. Check the bearings, spacers, type of wood used, and grip tape.
If you like skating on the sidewalk, make sure that other pedestrians have enough space to walk. Be careful not to hit others and if you or someone you dash into ends up getting hurt, call 911. If you ensure your skateboarding safety, you can make the entire experience more enjoyable and thrilling.