Jason Mitchell, Seismic Nationals 2007, Hybrid Slalom.  Photo by Greg Fadell Northern California Downhill Skateboarding Association
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Skateboard Riding Safety

 
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Riding Safety (377 Posts)
Topic Riding Safety
On 5/6/2003 Antti S. Brax wrote in from (193.65.nnn.nnn)

I was bombing home from work yesterday. After the fast hill I heard a clinking noise from the front truck. A quick inspection revealed that the nut holding the left front wheel had become loose and was no longer held in place by the nylon strip. The run ended with a 20m cobblestone sidewalk that really shakes the board. I guess that also loosened the nut. I don't want to think about what would have happened if the wheel had come off one minute earlier (my wife was *not* happy when I told her about it).

Now I try to remember to check my equipment before a session and especially before a fast run.

 
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On 4/15/2003 Fatt Matt wrote in from (216.36.nnn.nnn)

I got a Snell M2000 and Dot cert. helmet at www.genuineaccessories.com (BELL HELMETS) for $59.95. Full face, much safer than a protec on those 40mph bombing runs. There are some DOT only full face moto helmets also at $49.95. Both helmets are stronger and safer than the MAD MAX plus you save about $75. But how much is piece of mind worth.

 
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On 4/15/2003 R.ene wrote in from (156.40.nnn.nnn)

Mike--

Yes, that's a good quality set-up. The Randals 180s might be a little wide with Abec 11s. You can ask your vendor about it. I would try posting up in the decks or completes forum, though, if you want advice on decks and completes.

 
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On 4/12/2003 "Mad Crash" Mike wrote in from (12.230.nnn.nnn)

I whanna start longboarding because i live on a huge mountain with lots of hills. I've been riding redular skateboards for four years now and i'm wondering if a 40 inch comet fiber flex with abec 11's and some randal 2's would be a good board for me. I am probally just goinging to do just downlhilling and mabey some sliding.

 
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On 4/1/2003 Nick wrote in from (198.81.nnn.nnn)

P.S. I have I fiberglass board (read below)

 
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On 4/1/2003 Nick wrote in from (198.81.nnn.nnn)

If my wheels/trucks make extreme amounts of noise when I hit about 30mph and up, is that somthing I should be worrying about? Is my board going to fall apart on me or should I not worry?

 
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On 2/27/2003 Brian Rogers wrote in from (68.2.nnn.nnn)

Check out the lighted risers. www.fluxrisers.com cars won't hit you if you have these risers ON...

 
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On 2/13/2003 heather wrote in from (64.75.nnn.nnn)

safety

 
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On 2/1/2003 EK wrote in from (198.81.nnn.nnn)

*** Correction to last post:
"You think you don't "look" cool while wearing a helmet...
you'll get a "look", for sure, from the paramedics after banging your nog on the concrete surface."

 
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On 2/1/2003 EK wrote in from (198.81.nnn.nnn)

The cost of a "boarding" helmet vs a "bike" helmet is about the same. Not only do you look "cool" wearing a "boarding" helmet at the skate park, you are wearing a helmet that was designed for use while riding a skateboard. Those "pointed shaped bike" helmets are designed for aerodynamics while riding a bike.
So spend the money for proper head gear, made for the sport you're into. And one more note: don't think that you look cool with one on... well you will get "looks" from people when you can't move due to brain damage after banging your nog on the concert... people like the paramedics.

Peace and skate long.
EK

 
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On 1/9/2003 cj wrote in from (198.78.nnn.nnn)

From what I've read, bicycle helmets are not designed for multiple impacts. In fact, much like motorcycle helmets, they advise you to discard a bicycle helmet after a crash.
Skateboard helmets are designed to withstand multiple impacts. The trade off being that the impact needs to be less violent. I know that I fall off my board alot more often than my bike (I think the ratio is about half a million to one).
For this reason I would advise against using a bicycle helmet. However, if that is all you have, then wear it - even a bicycle helmet is better than just your hair.

 
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On 12/29/2002 Matthew Traver wrote in from (202.14.nnn.nnn)

I know the real reason why many skateparks reject pointed bicycle helmets... it's because as many people are doing air tricks there is a risk of not landing a trick and if you land on the back of your head (where the point is) it can cause your neck to be bent abnormally and possibly be broken... as the point extends beyond the back... search it up on the net if you wanan know more about bike helmet flaws n stuff... i read it thru some sites

later

 
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On 12/2/2002 R. wrote in from (156.40.nnn.nnn)

oi, Glaswegian,

If you ride in it enough, it'll soak into the wood and make it soggy, shreddy, and possibly contribute to delamination. Fiberglass boards are probably better--you can seal the edges with urethane or wax. The most noticeable effect, though, is that it will rust your bearings and can seize them up. Maybe use grease to lube the bearings? I don't know. Rain'll rust anything made of steel--axles and bolts. Riding in rain also sucks for carving (fun for sliding, though), as road surfaces tend to offer much less predictable traction. So wear your lid and pads lest you be dumped unceremoniously on your noggin.

 
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On 12/1/2002 Dave wrote in from (172.181.nnn.nnn)

I'm quite to longboard. I got an ace 44 pintail fibreflex with abec 11 wheels set on some randals. Only problem is I live in rainy Glasgow. Can someone tell me, will skating on roads with 24/7 surface water destroy my board/trucks/wheels?

cheerz

 
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On 11/22/2002 sk8nwolf wrote in from (63.171.nnn.nnn)

HMMM....you know I truly never even considered one of those pointed kind of helmets. I also didn't realize that parks reject those kinds of helmets either.

The little park I skate at doesn't have anything posted about those helmets, but then again I don't see anyone wearing of of them, so...

 
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On 11/14/2002 bemsha wrote in from (61.213.nnn.nnn)

Burns and sk8nwolf :

Thanks for kindly answering my question on bike helmets.

As sk8nwolf suggested, I checked Dr. Daves' forum and you were right - there was useful information there. Now I know that bicycle helmets are ok more or less depending on what you want to do.

Burns' tip on the fact that many skateparks reject bike helmets with a pointed shape on the back is interesting. Maybe bike helmets are designed upon the assumption that a cyclist usually hits the front , top or the side of his/her head in an accident; therefore (I guess) the back of a bike helmet is "allowed" to be in a pointed, streamlined shape in order to let the wind go through the helmet and cool the head, and also to minimize air resistance. On the other hand, skateboarders may hit any part of the head - especially if you are in a bowl - perhaps that's why skateparks reject pointed backs.

Anyway, thanks for the info. I really appreciate it.

bemsha

 
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On 11/13/2002 Burns wrote in from (172.144.nnn.nnn)

bemsha,

Many skateparks (esp. Vans) reject bike helmets with
a pointed shape on the back. The skater is coerced
into a loaner or an on the spot purchase. I'm not sure
if the reason is commerce or safety related.

 
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On 11/13/2002 sk8nwolf wrote in from (207.16.nnn.nnn)

yea, the bike helmet would do for now, but depending on what aspect you are focusing (speed, carving, slolam). That's what I'm using myself, but am planning on getting a protec for Christmas. Also check in Dr. Daves forum...he and Patio, and many others have many opinions on helmet safety (and all very useful).

 
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On 11/11/2002 bemsha wrote in from (61.201.nnn.nnn)

Right now I'm using a bicycle helmet as a substitute for a skateboarding helmet.

Is this OK safety-wise?

 
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On 11/3/2002 Pat Chewning wrote in from (12.224.nnn.nnn)

When I learned to skateboard back in '75 one of my favorite ways to ride was barefoot and shirtless. Of course I was much more coordinated back then than I am now. Barefoot because I could get a much more "surfer" feel for the board, and it helped to grab the edge for doing 360's. Shirtless because it was sunny and the girls seemed to enjoy it! (Not now, too many added pounds around the middle!)

Now I have a full set of pads (elbow, knee, wrist), and a helmet. I also have started wearing a helmet for skiing and for biking (which were never seen in '75, except for racers).

I think the entire society is more safety-aware nowdays. In Oregon it is a LAW that bicyclists under the age of 16 must wear a helmet, or their parents get a ticket. I wonder if the lawmakers thought that some magic toughening of the skull happens at age 17?

Anyway, I've gone from skateboarding practically nude to skateboarding looking like Robocop, and I think it's a change for the better.

-- Pat

 
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On 10/29/2002 R. wrote in from (209.243.nnn.nnn)

amen to utahcarver. For the Giro helmets, there is a discussion in session next door at safety equipment on those very two models.

 
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On 10/29/2002 Matt Traver wrote in from (202.14.nnn.nnn)

Hey,

I was wondering if anybody rides with a full-face helmet? I'm thinking about purchasing the Giro - Mad Max 2 helmet... does anybody ride with this helmet? I would greatly appreciate it if someone could e-mail me back at fareast_longboarder@hotmail.com with any feedback regarding the Giro Mad Max 2 or longboarding with full face helmets.

Thanks.

Matt.

 
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On 10/27/2002 utahcarver wrote in from (205.188.nnn.nnn)

Please let me echo one more time the need for helmets. I've been skating and snowboarding for many years now, and I've got to tell all of you to pad up. I'm a sucker for taking one last run around the park, or pool, or down the hill. I've often paid a heavy price for dis-padding and taking that last run sans pads.

Yesterday, at our local skatepark, my buddy dropped into the pool and fell during his run(it had been 'sprinkling' a little moisture and he couldn't tell the dark patches were rain because the city just applied a coat of cement sealer on the park). WITH A HELMET ON, he slammed and avulsed the back of his head. Six staples and one stitch is what closed him up again. Apparently, his Pro-tec has some nasty sharp edges underneath all that soft foam padding.

Today, he's nursing a headache (lucky, very lucky) and a groin pull. Slams are an accepted part of this sport we love but, for g-d's sake, don't be a bloody hero. Pad up and skate for life.

 
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On 10/7/2002 sk8nwolf wrote in from (64.12.nnn.nnn)

Darn..and then i did it again 3 days later in the local park...I've really got to get this centerline thing under control

 
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On 10/2/2002 sk8nwolf wrote in from (63.65.nnn.nnn)

glad i had a helmet yesterday...working on controlling my new board...when i jumped a teensie-weensie bit in the air, and when i landed the board shot out from under me. Down I went. Don't think I cracked my helmet, but not so sure about my brain. I still have one hell of a headache this morning

 
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