Avoid Injury and Skate Longer

How have Tony Hawk, Danny Way, Bob Burnquist and all the skateboarding pros managed to be top competitors well into their 30's and beyond? They're well-equipped! That is, they wear a helmet, knee pads, elbow pads, and sometimes, even wrist guards and hip pads.

All skateboarders fall, it's part of the learning curve. If you're not falling from time-to-time, you're not progressing. Wearing a helmet and pads that fit well will keep you skating longer and with less chance of injury.

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Did you know that over 50,000 skaters in the United States alone visit the Emergency Room for serious injuries?

There are many skaters now in their 30s, 40's and 50's who had rarely, if at all, worn pads when they were younger. They are now suffering from arthritis or other impairments related to all of the falls they had in their youth.

Every year, there are skaters who are very seriously injured. Some are experienced and others are stepping on a skateboard for the first time. In either case, wearing a helmet and/or pads could have made the difference.

Skateboarding is just like any other sport. Football and hockey players wear equipment from head to toe, soccer players wear shin guards, and even basketball players will oftentimes wear mouthguards and protect their eyes. They are all, in effect, protecting their investments...their bodies. This will allow them to continue their professional careers long into "old age!"

Don't be a statistic! Be happy and skate longer!

Here is an informative article by the AAOS (American Association for Orthopedic Surgeons) on skateboard safety, types of injuries and how to avoid injuries.
AAOS on Skateboard Safety

You can avoid most skateboard-related injuries by wearing equipment specially designed to protect you.

Please visit our radical skate kids 'Skate Pads' page to learn more about safety equipment and to get some tips on selecting the right safety equipment for your style and level of skateboarding.

Lastly, Tony Hawk and all the greats wear safety gear. This fact alone has probably contributed the most to their longevity in the sport. Be smart like them & gear up!

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Safe Skate Terrain

A lot of skateboard injuries are attributed to poor or unsafe skating surfaces. Pebbles, dirt, sand, water, holes, poorly built ramps and skating near hazardous material can ruin a perfect skate day. Here are some tips to consider when selecting a safe place to skate:

— Go to a skateboard park.
— Skate where there is no pedestrian, bicycle or automobile traffic.
— Take a few minutes to walk around and thoroughly inspect the skate surface for sand, pebbles, sticks and other debris that may cause your wheels to lock up or slip out unexpectedly.
— Always clear materials from the skating surface and its perimeter in the event you accidentally fall out and hit them.
— Don't skate things under construction or near construction activities.

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Board Safety & Performance

Make sure your skateboard is in tip-top shape before riding it:

— Carry a skate tool whenever you skate.  See our Skate Mechanic page for more on skate tools.
— Be sure your deck surface and grip tape are clean and dry.
— Check all hardware to be sure its snug and tight.
— Be sure your wheels spin easily and there is no grinding noise coming from the bearings.
— Keep your bearings clean and well-oiled.   Avoid sand and water at all costs.
— Replace truck bushings that are cracked or dried out from aging.
— Be sure your pivot cup is snug on your truck.   Damaged or loose pivot cups can hamper your turning ability. If the cups are loose, replace them.
— Be sure your trucks are loosened or tightened to match your skill level and the type of skating you'll be doing.
— Be sure your wheel contact surface is clean and free of flat spots and imperfections.   You can hear most imperfections when rolling (click, click, click....).
— Be sure you're riding the right wheels on the right surfaces!   A skater's skill level and the riding surface determine the appropriate wheel hardness and size. Here's a good rule of thumb:  If your wheels are slipping out and hard to control, swap them with a softer wheel that has more grip.  If the wheel is making contact with the bottom of your board ("Wheel Bite") and causing them to lock-up, try a smaller wheel.
— Be sure the edges of your deck are splinter free.   It's good to use a file, followed by sandpaper, to smooth damaged areas revealing splinters.
— If it doesn't feel right, don't ride it!  Most skateboard shops have experts on staff who will inspect your board for free. Take advantage of an expert's opinion!

See our Skate Mechanic page for more information on how to tune your board for optimal performance.

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Be Alert, Be Prepared, Be Courteous

Here are a few tips to help make your skate experience fun and safe:

# 1. Avoid collisions with other skaters by watching for cross traffic!   Do not put yourself in the path of a skateboarder who is attempting to do a trick.
# 2. Watch out for younger kids as they may be less experienced and not as alert as you are.   Give them advice on how to skate safe.
# 3. Be respectful of everyone around you and wait your turn.   Don't cut in line or in front of ("snaking") another skater who has waited his turn.   Treat others as you would like them to treat you.
# 4. Respect your skate park and keep it clean! Never litter or vandalize it!   Don't give the city or skate park owners an excuse to close your park.
# 5. Do not smoke, do not do drugs, do not drink alcohol.
# 6. Do not use profanity. Especially in front of the kids. Be smart and learn to express yourself in another way.
# 7. Be a good role model.   Younger kids want to learn and they look up to older kids and adults.
# 8. Be sure to have a cell phone handy in the event of an emergency.
# 9. Don't skate alone in case you get injured and can't get help on your own.
# 10. Last but not least, all children should be supervised by an adult.

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