The perfect skateboard is not the only thing you need in the activity. In fact, it is only a part of the gears you need. The offer half is completed by the gadgets which make skateboarding a safe sport for you. Although well-seasoned pros make skateboarding seem so easy, they are still at risk for injuries. Therefore, being responsible through wearing of protective gears is a must.
The Head
Protective head gears are one of the most important equipment in skateboarding. The helmet needs to fit well on every side of your head. It should protect the front, the sides, and the back part so you can be safe in case of injuries. Some helmets have special padding which prevents sweat from getting to the forehead. Although these gadgets may be expensive, they can provide the ultimate protection you need. Be sure to wear one while skateboarding. It can greatly reduce the risk of severe head injuries.
The back part of your head should be covered properly with the helmet. The front part should be cushioned as well. If serious accidents will happen, your head can still be safe. The risk of getting injuries will greatly lessen through the use of these protective gears. Having the right type of helmet is very important to make skateboarding a safe activity for you.
Padding For The Knees And Elbows
Another protective gear is the padding. Like helmets, these are important gadgets that can lessen the severity of injuries. Minimizing the impact of falls is greatly needed by skateboarders. Therefore, using padding for the knees and elbows is necessary. With these gears, a skateboarder can be a hundred percent fully functional during stunts. Some even wear ankle braces for added support. Be sure to wear padding for knees and elbows to provide proper cushioning during the activity.
Padding for specific body parts are sold in various prices, quality and design. Some are even designed with different colors to suit your taste. It can become your signature gadget especially when you have earned enough fans from skateboarding.
The Shoes
Wearing professional shoes is also important for the skateboarder. The skills will be completed efficiently with the use of proper shoes. These gadgets should have enough grip on them so the skateboarder won't fall from the deck. Socks should also be worn so the shoes can be comfortable for the skateboarder. These gears can make skateboarding a success because of comfort and safety in the activity.
The Brand And Price Of Protective Gears
Many manufacturers sell these gears for very low prices. However, you need to find something which is made under safe and quality standards. Many people would want to follow the promoters of these protective gears; but this is only a common marketing plan used to lure consumers to their doors. So before making the purchase, be sure that you are buying quality items at an affordable price. Do not rely on the endorsements alone because you might get tempted buying gadgets which are either poor in quality or over priced.
Well-seasoned skateboarders wear various protective gears. They also change their items from time to time. Because several new gears are released in the market, a lot of skateboarders change their items together with the trend. Although it may serve you several benefits, sticking on a set of protective gears is already enough. Having something which can provide great comfort during skateboarding is important. Make sure that your gadgets have high quality so they can last for a very long time. You must also be safe and comfortable on it so you can practice your skateboarding skills without limitations.
By: John Pauls
Tuesday, January 6, 2009
Tips For Choosing Your Skateboard
Choosing the perfect skateboard can be an exciting experience. But before you jump right in and buy one, you need to make sure that you do your research. There are some very impressive skateboards on the market today that feature amazing graphics, and some have even been designed by professional skateboarders themselves. It is important to do your homework and decide exactly what features you want before making a final purchase.
Realizing your own unique skating style will help you decide which type of skateboard is right for you. Some skaters prefer longer boards, while others swear by wider boards. You also need to keep in mind that your size also plays a part in what size of skateboard you will need. In general, the more the skater weighs, the heavier the deck of the skateboard needs to be. Another good tip to follow is that beginners usually start with wider boards.
You can compare skateboards and accessories at several places online, or browse through skateboard specialty shops to find the perfect board for you. If you are just beginning in the sport, you may not want to start out with the most expensive board to practice with. Not everyone decides to continue with the sport once they have tried it, so you do not want to be out too much money if you decide to quit skateboarding.
Reading online reviews about different types of skateboards is also a good idea. Quality is so important with skateboards. You want to make sure that the manufacturer's claims are true. It is important to get the best quality skateboard you can afford. Even with daily use, a good quality skateboard should last between six months to a year. Skateboards can become expensive, so you do not want to replace boards any more than you have to.
While many people find that purchasing a skateboard online is less expensive than purchasing one from a local skateboard shop, there are advantages to purchasing locally. By purchasing from your local shop, you are able to actually get a feel of the board making sure it will work for you before purchasing it. If the skateboard is not what you want, the savings you might have gotten online won't matter.
If you do decide to go ahead and order online, do not forget to review the return policy well. If you are not able to return your skateboard for a refund if you find that it does not work for your skateboarding needs, you will be out that much money. Make sure that the company you are ordering from has a liberal return policy before buying!
There are many affordable skateboards on the market that will work great. Or, if you are really dedicated to the sport and have the money to invest, you may consider having a skateboard custom built to your specifications. By setting a budget and researching several different styles and designs of skateboards before making a purchase, you will insure that you will have a skateboard that should give you months of use and accentuate your personal style.
By: John Pauls
Realizing your own unique skating style will help you decide which type of skateboard is right for you. Some skaters prefer longer boards, while others swear by wider boards. You also need to keep in mind that your size also plays a part in what size of skateboard you will need. In general, the more the skater weighs, the heavier the deck of the skateboard needs to be. Another good tip to follow is that beginners usually start with wider boards.
You can compare skateboards and accessories at several places online, or browse through skateboard specialty shops to find the perfect board for you. If you are just beginning in the sport, you may not want to start out with the most expensive board to practice with. Not everyone decides to continue with the sport once they have tried it, so you do not want to be out too much money if you decide to quit skateboarding.
Reading online reviews about different types of skateboards is also a good idea. Quality is so important with skateboards. You want to make sure that the manufacturer's claims are true. It is important to get the best quality skateboard you can afford. Even with daily use, a good quality skateboard should last between six months to a year. Skateboards can become expensive, so you do not want to replace boards any more than you have to.
While many people find that purchasing a skateboard online is less expensive than purchasing one from a local skateboard shop, there are advantages to purchasing locally. By purchasing from your local shop, you are able to actually get a feel of the board making sure it will work for you before purchasing it. If the skateboard is not what you want, the savings you might have gotten online won't matter.
If you do decide to go ahead and order online, do not forget to review the return policy well. If you are not able to return your skateboard for a refund if you find that it does not work for your skateboarding needs, you will be out that much money. Make sure that the company you are ordering from has a liberal return policy before buying!
There are many affordable skateboards on the market that will work great. Or, if you are really dedicated to the sport and have the money to invest, you may consider having a skateboard custom built to your specifications. By setting a budget and researching several different styles and designs of skateboards before making a purchase, you will insure that you will have a skateboard that should give you months of use and accentuate your personal style.
By: John Pauls
Monday, December 8, 2008
Skateboards Give You the Freedom to Fly Past
The skateboard is a certain device which was conceived as a means of surfing outside of water. The history of skateboards cannot be specifically traced back to a certain age but is indeed very fascinating. Some hold the belief that the art of skateboarding began on the beaches of California while some other hold other that the background of skateboarding can be traced to some other place. In the recent times however skateboards are seen as an emblem of youthful energy and vigor. In the early era of 1930s the kids in the United States attached the roller skates to a board which measured up to two to four inches. But it was not before 1958 that the modern range of skateboards was invented.
Talking about the design of the skateboards it can be easily claimed that they were inspired from that of surfboards. In the initial phase they were quite similar to that of the surfboards but in the following times there was a change in the design due to that of the commodities. The first range of skateboards was manufactured in the year 1965. They were thick by one inch and had in them rubber wheels and also cast iron trucks. With varied range of skateboards available the skateboarders are also able to classify themselves accordingly like free style skateboarders, high jump skateboarders, downhill skateboarders, long jump skateboarders and so on.
Today with the popularity of skateboarding especially in the Western parts of the world the surfing enthusiasts are developing a special fascination over the skateboards and this is leading to an increase in the manufacture of skateboards of different types. There are also certain trivia attached to that of the skateboard. In the year 1993, on 17th August Thomas Welsh was issued patent # 5,236,208 for a skateboard which would be platform steerable. Following that Allan Ollie Gelfand invented Ollie which was again a trick of skateboarding where in the skateboarder would jump into the air with the skateboard completely attached to his feet. Though there was a lapse in the popularity of the skateboards in the 70s and 80s it has made a huge comeback again both in the arena of pastime and sport in the contemporary times. In the United States skateboarding ranks sixth when it comes to the talk of the sports which has the largest number of participants. In the coming years also it is likely to remain the major attraction as well as the centerpiece of the youth culture of America.
Getting exposed to skateboards early in life is a great boon because it helps you overcome your fear of trying those daredevil stunts. Mastering tricks on skateboards and being able to manoeuvre them through your busy streets will truly help you fly past. It gives you a freedom that's unmatched and this little stint that you get acquainted with will give provide you with an unmatched joy for life. It's not just fun, but it's time saving apart from being cost effective and eco friendly. Truly they provide you with a freedom that can only be complimented.
By: Manny Ramirez
Talking about the design of the skateboards it can be easily claimed that they were inspired from that of surfboards. In the initial phase they were quite similar to that of the surfboards but in the following times there was a change in the design due to that of the commodities. The first range of skateboards was manufactured in the year 1965. They were thick by one inch and had in them rubber wheels and also cast iron trucks. With varied range of skateboards available the skateboarders are also able to classify themselves accordingly like free style skateboarders, high jump skateboarders, downhill skateboarders, long jump skateboarders and so on.
Today with the popularity of skateboarding especially in the Western parts of the world the surfing enthusiasts are developing a special fascination over the skateboards and this is leading to an increase in the manufacture of skateboards of different types. There are also certain trivia attached to that of the skateboard. In the year 1993, on 17th August Thomas Welsh was issued patent # 5,236,208 for a skateboard which would be platform steerable. Following that Allan Ollie Gelfand invented Ollie which was again a trick of skateboarding where in the skateboarder would jump into the air with the skateboard completely attached to his feet. Though there was a lapse in the popularity of the skateboards in the 70s and 80s it has made a huge comeback again both in the arena of pastime and sport in the contemporary times. In the United States skateboarding ranks sixth when it comes to the talk of the sports which has the largest number of participants. In the coming years also it is likely to remain the major attraction as well as the centerpiece of the youth culture of America.
Getting exposed to skateboards early in life is a great boon because it helps you overcome your fear of trying those daredevil stunts. Mastering tricks on skateboards and being able to manoeuvre them through your busy streets will truly help you fly past. It gives you a freedom that's unmatched and this little stint that you get acquainted with will give provide you with an unmatched joy for life. It's not just fun, but it's time saving apart from being cost effective and eco friendly. Truly they provide you with a freedom that can only be complimented.
By: Manny Ramirez
Why Every Kid Loves Skateboards
There are many things in life that I will never understand. The amount of things that I don't understand has increased significantly since I became a mother and began to watch my kid's choices and preferences as they got older. I couldn't understand why my daughter wanted to wear such an ugly shirt with pants that clearly didn't match it, and I definitely couldn't understand it when my junior high aged son came home wanting to get his ears pierced. Being a mother definitely adds mystery to my life. Up until recently, the fact that all kids seemed to love skateboards was a mystery to me.
I began to recognize the phenomenon of skateboards when my own three children asked for them for Christmas a few years ago. I thought it was strange that they all wanted the same thing, yet when I asked them about it they said that literally everybody they knew was asking for skateboards that year. So my husband and I went out after researching the best skateboards for their ages and novice abilities, and we purchased three skateboards to place under the tree on Christmas morning.
From the moment our children opened their skateboards they were hooked. They haven't stopped using their skateboards almost daily even still, three years later. It is by far the most loved and best used gifts we have ever purchased for them. Since that Christmas day I have spent countless hours at our local skateboarding park watching my children play with their friends on skateboards. Usually I bring a blanket and a good book and enjoy a morning at the park while I watch. I'm so intrigued by the whole place, however, that I rarely get a chapter read.
I've learned that kids love skateboards because they love the freedom, the adventure and the risk that skateboards give. In small proportions, kids love the thrill that skateboards allow them to have. They love learning a new trick or showing off a skill for their friends. I've learned that skateboarding is a healthy way for kids to burn energy and to learn how to relate with other kids. A skateboarding park is quite a social gathering place, and I am thankful that my children are learning to relate with all kinds of people simply because of their skateboards.
So parents, take my advice. If your child wants a skateboard, be the first to encourage them. Yes, it is risky and hence there is potential danger involved, but it is a healthy way to let your children experiment with adventure and learn to make friends in the process.
By: Julee Mitchelsin
I began to recognize the phenomenon of skateboards when my own three children asked for them for Christmas a few years ago. I thought it was strange that they all wanted the same thing, yet when I asked them about it they said that literally everybody they knew was asking for skateboards that year. So my husband and I went out after researching the best skateboards for their ages and novice abilities, and we purchased three skateboards to place under the tree on Christmas morning.
From the moment our children opened their skateboards they were hooked. They haven't stopped using their skateboards almost daily even still, three years later. It is by far the most loved and best used gifts we have ever purchased for them. Since that Christmas day I have spent countless hours at our local skateboarding park watching my children play with their friends on skateboards. Usually I bring a blanket and a good book and enjoy a morning at the park while I watch. I'm so intrigued by the whole place, however, that I rarely get a chapter read.
I've learned that kids love skateboards because they love the freedom, the adventure and the risk that skateboards give. In small proportions, kids love the thrill that skateboards allow them to have. They love learning a new trick or showing off a skill for their friends. I've learned that skateboarding is a healthy way for kids to burn energy and to learn how to relate with other kids. A skateboarding park is quite a social gathering place, and I am thankful that my children are learning to relate with all kinds of people simply because of their skateboards.
So parents, take my advice. If your child wants a skateboard, be the first to encourage them. Yes, it is risky and hence there is potential danger involved, but it is a healthy way to let your children experiment with adventure and learn to make friends in the process.
By: Julee Mitchelsin
Skateboards, Skills And Riders
A skate park is nothing neither more nor less than an athletic facility specifically for skateboarders, in-line skaters, and freestyle BMX riders. There are at least 533 in the US. California, with sixty-eight, has more than any other state; Colorado comes in as second with twenty-six, and Florida with twenty-five. So what does a skatepark offer? Most importantly, it offers a place for skateboarders to meet, perform their skills, and relax in a safe environment.
Most offer a variety of surfaces for different skill levels, from a kiddie course, through a main street course, to a vertical ramp and bowl for the most skilled. Usually, a skatepark needs between 18,000 and 25,000 square feet in order to meet all skill levels. In beginner areas, individuals with limited or even no experience can practice out of the way of intermediate and advanced skaters; the beginner areas can feature small hips, moguls, banks, curbs, and rail slides.
The skatepark designers’ association recommends that parks include street elements such as ledges, stairs, and rails familiar to non-skaters, to allow skaters to practice in safety. Not only will a place to skate, skateparks offer modestly-priced lessons to give students back information, skateboarding techniques, and safety gear. Skateparks are reused facilities, in that municipalities frequently develop skateparks from unused basketball, tennis court, or parking lots. In developing new skateparks from old facilities, architects are counseled to follow the ten quick rules for design, which are simplicity, smoothness of surface, no kinks, flatbottom, no overcrowding, pushing room, no ledges over your bellybutton, edges that grind, pumpable hips, and lights.
While some of these are clear, others require a bit more explication. Any skatepark needs flat bottom between obstacles, since skateboarders generate speed by pumping up and down transitions; maximum flatbottom allows more skateboarders to skate at the same time without collisions. Any wall, bank, or skate able pool’s edges must be hard and grind able; a slightly protruding edge allows a skater to feel where they are. Street elements—curbs, blocks, and walls—should be included in every skate park’s design.
There are two ways to accomplish transitions between flatbottom and included surfaces; either round, with a perfect radius, or banked, with a tighter transition curve; the wall’s height determines the transition, but the angle should never exceed 50 degrees. Skateboard parks offer safety. The US Consumer Product Safety Commission reports that more than 15,600 people a year require hospital emergency room treatments for skateboard-related injuries.
More than half the injuries are caused by falls due to irregular riding surfaces. Wrist injuries lead, followed by sprains and fractures. A third of the injuries are sustained by those who have been skateboarding for less than a week. The best advice that the National Safety Council can offer is, ‘wear your protective gear,’ ‘learn how to fall,’ ‘use your skateboard properly,’ and ‘head to the skatepark.’
By: Dana Bradley
Most offer a variety of surfaces for different skill levels, from a kiddie course, through a main street course, to a vertical ramp and bowl for the most skilled. Usually, a skatepark needs between 18,000 and 25,000 square feet in order to meet all skill levels. In beginner areas, individuals with limited or even no experience can practice out of the way of intermediate and advanced skaters; the beginner areas can feature small hips, moguls, banks, curbs, and rail slides.
The skatepark designers’ association recommends that parks include street elements such as ledges, stairs, and rails familiar to non-skaters, to allow skaters to practice in safety. Not only will a place to skate, skateparks offer modestly-priced lessons to give students back information, skateboarding techniques, and safety gear. Skateparks are reused facilities, in that municipalities frequently develop skateparks from unused basketball, tennis court, or parking lots. In developing new skateparks from old facilities, architects are counseled to follow the ten quick rules for design, which are simplicity, smoothness of surface, no kinks, flatbottom, no overcrowding, pushing room, no ledges over your bellybutton, edges that grind, pumpable hips, and lights.
While some of these are clear, others require a bit more explication. Any skatepark needs flat bottom between obstacles, since skateboarders generate speed by pumping up and down transitions; maximum flatbottom allows more skateboarders to skate at the same time without collisions. Any wall, bank, or skate able pool’s edges must be hard and grind able; a slightly protruding edge allows a skater to feel where they are. Street elements—curbs, blocks, and walls—should be included in every skate park’s design.
There are two ways to accomplish transitions between flatbottom and included surfaces; either round, with a perfect radius, or banked, with a tighter transition curve; the wall’s height determines the transition, but the angle should never exceed 50 degrees. Skateboard parks offer safety. The US Consumer Product Safety Commission reports that more than 15,600 people a year require hospital emergency room treatments for skateboard-related injuries.
More than half the injuries are caused by falls due to irregular riding surfaces. Wrist injuries lead, followed by sprains and fractures. A third of the injuries are sustained by those who have been skateboarding for less than a week. The best advice that the National Safety Council can offer is, ‘wear your protective gear,’ ‘learn how to fall,’ ‘use your skateboard properly,’ and ‘head to the skatepark.’
By: Dana Bradley
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
