Skateboarding is a form of recreation, or a sport, where a person stands, rides and balances on a board with wheels. It’s categorised as an extreme sport, but it gains more and more popularity, especially among young people. According to the current ranking, skateboarding is the 6th most popular sport in the world. But its name wasn’t always skateboarding. People called it “sidewalk surfing” because they were mimicking the techniques of surfers on land. Today, we have around 20 million skateboarders all over the world, and this is a number that increases each day. Even though we have more than 100,000 skateboarding injuries every year, skateboarders are passionate and don’t give up so easily. The most important thing is to wear your safety gear because it lowers the chances of getting injured to 40%.
Helmet
The answer to the question “Should all skateboarders wear a helmet?” is always YES! No matter if you’re a beginner or a pro, this safety gear is a must. A lot of times there is just one fall that makes the difference between life and death. That one fall can lead to permanent injury and change your life forever. That’s why wearing a skateboard helmet is crucial. You can find them in the local skate shop or buy skate helmets online. No matter where you get it from, look for a reliable retailer that’s selling helmets with high safety standards and doesn’t compromise on their quality.
Most of the time, the helmet’s shell is constructed from ABS plastic, carbon fibre, Kevlar or fibreglass. There could be several paddings underneath the shell for optimal protection. Normally, the first layer is soft foam, followed by another layer of foam to add comfort. All helmets must have an adjustable strap and buckle system. However, despite the strap appearing to be a one-size-fits-all item, that is not the case. Before purchasing a helmet, make sure you take the right measurements.
If you want to get the correct measurement, use a soft measuring tape. Wrap it around your head just above the eyebrow and above your ears, which is the widest part of your head. If you don’t have a soft measuring tape at hand, you can do it with a string or a lace. Wrap it around your head and transfer the length to a ruler, mark it with a pen or a market and you’re ready to go. If you’re not sure you’ll get the right numbers, people at the shop will always be glad to help you. If you buy skate helmets online, check for any size charts on their website and contact them if you have any questions about the sizes.
Knee Pads
Wearing knee pads will make your skateboarding experience easier and safer. This is very important for beginners. By being safe they’ll be encouraged to continue to practice and become better each day. If your child is just learning how to skate, explain the importance of the knee pads to them and they’ll wear them all the time to stay away from cuts, bruises, scrapes and even broken bones. If you have a bit of experience and aspire to become a professional, you surely know that you can’t enter a competition without the proper safety gear. Your knees absorb most of the force from your falls so it’s important to protect them as much as we can.
Some of the people that refuse to wear safety gear are hard-headed skateboarders, shy kids afraid of getting embarrassed, and people who think they don’t need knee pads. Don’t be stubborn, there’s nothing to be embarrassed about, you need these pads for your own safety. It’s the best thing you can do for your own health. Knee pads are constructed of 2 elements, a hard plastic or foam shell, and a stretchable material that gets wrapped around your leg and knee joint. The foam-like filling absorbs the impact of the fall and protects your bones. To get the right measurement stretch your leg, grab the soft measuring tape and wrap it around the knee joint. This way you get the most accurate size.
Elbow Pads
Skateboarding is not a sport played on grass or some soft surfaces. Skateboarders ride on concrete which can cause real damage to our skin and bones. That’s why wearing elbow pads is very important. Similar to knee pads, they have a strong outside shell, stretchy material to wrap around your elbow, and soft protective layers underneath to cushion the blow. For you to feel comfortable while wearing them, they’re designed to be flexible and adjustable.
The tape measure comes to the rescue again. Grab it and measure the circumference of your elbow. Your arm has to be extended and the tape placed in the middle of the joint. This way you get the most precise measurement. If you can’t do it on your own, ask for help at the store and they’ll do it for you. It’s important for the elbow pads to be comfortable so they don’t restrict any movements, reduce blood circulation, turn around your arm or even fall out.
Wrist Guards
Anyone who’s ever broken a wrist will attest to the excruciating agony and the tedious, lengthy healing process. Being in a cast for several weeks is the last thing you want to do. Wrist pads are essential because they are one of the first things to contact the earth when we fall. The most common injury in skateboarding, bone breakage and scrapes to the hand can be prevented by this safety gear. For maximum safety, make sure you get wrist guards in the correct size. Measure your hand around the four knuckles without adding your thumb, starting at the knuckle on your index finger.
Accessories
There are some skateboarding accessories that you should have at any time. The skate tool for example is something that will be of great help. It’s designed to fit all of the screws and bolts on your skateboard or longboard. Have it with you and you can tighten the trucks or even change the wheels no matter where you are. The grip tape keeps your legs on the board. After a while, you should replace and re-apply it again but it’s not a complicated procedure. Wax is there to smooth out the surface between the slide and the surface. But be careful with the dosage, a bit too much and it can become very slippery. Lights are a great safety gear that works wonders during the night. They make you visible from afar and reduce the risk of you getting hit by a moving vehicle. You can install them at the bottom, or at the top of the board.
