Skateboard Safety

What are the risks?

Skateboarding has come a long way since the middle of the last century. Today, it even has a place in the Olympics. Skateboarding can be a fun and relatively cost effective means of entertainment and physical exercise but it does come with some risks.

 

Types of injuries

  • Head injuries including concussions
  • Hand, wrist, shoulder and elbow injuries including fractures
  • Ankle and knee injuries including fractures

Good reminders for all boarders

  • Obey local laws on where you can and cannot skateboard
  • Never skate in the street
  • In skate parks, be considerate of other skateboarders, especially those younger than you or less skilled
  • Do not use headphones when skateboarding
  • Never put more than one person on a skateboard
  • Never hitch a ride from a car or bike

How to protect

Check your equipment

Wear protective gear

Learn to fall

  • Check your board for loose, broken or cracked parts
  • Sharp edges on metal boards
  • A top surface that is slippery
  • Wheels with nicks or cracks
  • If you feel like you’re about to lose control, crouch down so you don’t have far to fall
  • Try to land on fleshy parts of your body (for instance on your buttocks)
  • Try to roll rather than absorbing the force with your arms
  • Try to relax your body rather than going stiff
  • Practice falling on a soft surface or grass

Links and Resources

Back to Safety-Tips

For more information on skateboarding safety and equipment, click here.

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