Skateboarding has become the coolest pastime for people of all ages and levels. From a kid riding his first skateboard for fun to adults using it as a way to stay active, this extreme sport is on the rise. Skateboarding, unfortunately, involves a high risk of accidents. If you are new to skateboarding it’s advisable at this point that you read more about safety precautions before attempting any skateboarding tricks or stunts. After all, they named the activity an “extreme” sport for a reason.
Wear Protective Gear
The best way to stay safe while skateboarding is to wear protective gear. Getting hurt while skateboarding is always a possibility, but you can reduce your risk of serious injury by wearing the right protective gear.
When wearing wrist guards and knee pads skateboard injuries are reduced to a minimum, since they protect your joints. They are the most important pieces of safety gear for anyone who wants to skateboard safely. Wrist guards protect your wrists from sprains, strains, and breaks if you fall or land on your hands. And thanks to wearing knee pads skateboard stores offer, you’ll protect your knees for your knees if you fall onto them or land on them after jumping and cause an injury. Knee injuries are some of the most common ones caused by this sport, and they also often result in permanent damage.
Also, make sure to get a helmet for head protection to prevent serious head injuries which can occur if you take a hard fall. Your helmet should fit snugly on your head without moving around and allow you to see clearly out of it, even when you’re skating fast.
Consider getting elbow and shin pads to further reduce the risk of injury. You can choose to wear these if you want extra protection, but they aren’t necessary unless you’re doing high-risk tricks.
Pay Attention to Your Surroundings
Accidents can happen in the blink of an eye, so being prepared and aware of your surroundings can mean the difference between having a fun day riding and ending up with a broken arm. This means looking over your shoulder before you cross a street, watching out for cars and pedestrians, and keeping an eye on other skaters nearby.
Be aware of the cars and pedestrians around you. If you’re skateboarding on a sidewalk, know that pedestrians have the right of way. Don’t just be mindful of what’s in front of you, but what’s behind you, too. You can’t hear cars approaching when you’ve got headphones on, so stay alert and look out for traffic.
Additionally, while some cities may allow you to skateboard on the streets and sidewalks as long as you stay out of the way of pedestrians and car traffic, other places require skateboarders to use separate bike lanes or lanes designated for skateboards only. If you’re not sure about your city’s regulations, check their website or call your city government office.
Also, never check your phone while skateboarding. You’ll be more likely to fall off your board if you’re trying to focus on your phone rather than your surroundings.
Keep Your Board Well Maintained
An additional way to stay safe while skateboarding is to keep your board in top condition and perform a quick inspection before every ride. To keep your skateboard ready to ride, you need to:
• Inspect the wheels: You’ll want to check that your wheels are smooth and have the proper amount of air pressure. Also, make sure there aren’t any cracks or deep scratches on them that could affect your ride quality or put you at risk for an injury if you hit a crack or a pothole.
• Check the bearings: Your bearings help your wheels rotate smoothly as you glide across the ground. They should spin freely, but they shouldn’t be too loose either. If they are, they could fall off completely while you’re riding and leave you stranded on the road.
• Look at the trucks: Trucks are the metal parts under each end of the board that allow you to turn and grind on rails. You should check them to make sure they’re not damaged.
Stay Hydrated and Take Breaks
It’s important that all skaters stay hydrated while they’re out on their board. Dehydration can cause dizziness and weakness which may lead to accidents or injuries while skating. To avoid dehydration, be sure to drink plenty of water before going out on your skateboard and always carry a bottle of water with you when skating in hot weather conditions or for extended periods of time.
To Sum Up
So there you have it, skateboarding is an awesome way to keep fit and get some fresh air, and it’s a worthwhile lifelong hobby. But if you do decide to start skateboarding, it’s important to stay safe. Just like any other sport, there is a risk of injury associated with skateboarding. Things such as scrapes, bruises and sprains can all be avoided by wearing the right safety equipment and having some common sense.