Before skateboarding was even considered to take part in the Olympic Games as it finally did in 2020, this fun sport belonged exclusively to the streets. You’d find kids practising in hidden corners of their neighbourhoods, the city parks, inside old buildings, etc. At the very beginning of it, most people were creating some form of boards and called them sidewalk surfers. In essence, their idea was to recreate the sensation of surfing on land. Kids would find small hills around the neighbourhood and surf downwards with the help of their imagination and their skateboards.
This so-called adrenaline board wasn’t always in the round shape as it is today. First, a skateboard was simply a plank of wood that had wheels attached to it. Only over time, designers started to understand the theory behind speed, balance, and durability, making it easier to create an aerodynamic board easy to move around and control. Getting hurt is a part of any sport but it’s certainly notable in skateboarding. So, let’s take a look at what equipment you’re required to have to be as safe as you could be.
Properly Fitted Helmet
When choosing a skateboard helmet, the first step is to determine what size fits you best. Helmets need to have a perfect fit because if not they can do more damage than good in some cases. There are many multi-sport helmets sold in skate shops or online but always look for a helmet that’s certified. A good helmet has a harder foam interior, which transfers impact energy away from the head much more effectively. Single-impact means that a helmet is certified to protect your head from one impact before it requires replacement. Multi-impact helmets are certified to protect your head from multiple low impacts.
Knee and Elbow Skate Pads
Knee pads and elbow pads will take more beating than any other gear you have. Skateboarding adventures often result in at least some kind of bruising or scrape, quite often around the palm, knee and elbow areas. Protective pads are designed to support you when you learn new tricks on your longboard because you can slide to a stop on your hands and knees, while elbow pads will help to prevent injuries when you go down taken by a surprise.
From all available equipment, most skaters use only skating safe pads, because they claim they like to have a certain freedom in their movement. Other skaters opt for as much protection as possible and they gear up from head to toe. Whichever route you decide to go, skating safe pads are the basic gear when it comes to skateboarding safety. Try out your elbow and knee pads make sure you wear an additional layer of clothing underneath so that they won’t irritate your skin.
Also, pay attention if your skate pads are durable, made of good quality materials and with tough protective shells on the outside. They need to be able to absorb a certain amount of shock to lessen the stress from the situation when you use your hands or knees to slow down a fall.
Slip-Resistant Shoes with a Closed Toe
Look for shoes with soles that are designed to provide a higher level of friction to improve slip resistance. Additionally, a non-corrosive steel toe cap protects the toe area. A padded collar for comfort and to help prevent your ankle from slipping, a breathable mesh lining that increases ventilation to keep your feet cool and restrict irritation, and a cushioned footbed provide all-day comfort. Slip into stylish, lightweight, comfortable non-slip shoes and feel confident when you step into the skate park.
Wrist Guards
Wrist guards are essentially gloves with wrist support. This safety gear is meant to protect your wrists while you’re engaging in activities like skateboarding or longboarding. They’re padded on both sides and support the wrists and may help prevent a broken bone when falling. Wrist guards may help, but it is better to learn to fall properly. Wrist guards made of a harder material deflect energy caused by the impact of hard falls. Instead of bending, causing injury to your wrist, the wrist guards keep the area straight and solid plus help it slide across the ground.
Eye Protection
Too much sun or rain can affect your vision and therefore your safety, so you need to make sure not to forget about protective eyewear. There’s also insects, dust, and eye injuries as a reason good enough to look into it. There’s plenty of designs of goggles that won’t fall off no matter how many times you go up and down the skate park. Then, there’s also regular sunglasses made to last with sturdier materials. Just like with your helmet, your skateboard safe pads and the rest, protective eyewear should be in your right size and fit you well.
Better Safe Than Sorry
Did you know that falling is something we can all learn how to perform properly? Because when skateboarding, skiing, rollerskating and other similar sports, falling is simply inevitable and a part of the deal. Even experienced skateboarders fall often and get injured. Skaters are most frequently injured in falls caused by rocks and irregular surfaces.
However, if done properly, falling doesn’t have to result in serious injury. If you ever feel like falling is inevitable, squat down so you don’t have as far to fall. And remember, relax your body and try to always land on the fleshy parts of your body. Try to roll rather than absorb the force with your arms. Leave the headphones at home, be aware of your surroundings. And last but not least, try practising falling on a soft surface such as carpet or grass and strengthen your body by eating healthy and regularly exercising.