Do you like Skateboarding? Follow these safety tips

Skateboarding is an exciting sport, but usually brings with it a fair share of bumps and bruises. However, if practiced in a proper and safe manner, it can be a really enjoyable experience. Injuries are a part and parcel of skating, but these injuries can surely be reduced considerably if we follow certain guidelines while skating.

Some safety tips that should be followed while skating are –

• Always skate within your level. Always know your limitations, and never try to push yourself excessively beyond your limits, as it almost always leads to injuries. Skating within your own skill level is always the safest way to skate and not get injured.
• It is important to gradually advance to higher levels, instead of jumping from a lower level to a much higher one, skipping the intermediate ones. If you want to Ollie over four boards, try four boards, but only after successfully completing the move with two and three boards. A lot of novices forget these simple rules and get involved in serious accidents as a consequence.
• It is important to try hard. But at the same time, it is equally important to rest when you are tired. It is much easier to injure yourself if you deny your body its right to rest. Straining the body more than it can tolerate is a good way to develop a permanent injury in the muscles or tendons. A refreshed and rejuvenated body will be much better for practicing and developing new skills.
• Always examine the spot or area where you will be skating. Check the place for rocks or uneven, protruding parts which could disturb your balance. Also make sure there are no glass shards or other sharp particles which may cause serious injury, if you happen to take a tumble. Also keep a lookout for rusty nails or other metal shards which may injure you.
• Always keep hydrated while skating. While dehydration does not look like a serious problem, but dehydration has often caused accidents while skating. In the long run, your body will suffer too. Our bodies are better equipped to skate and are more flexible when hydrated properly. Dehydration may also cause cramps. Be aware of the temperature outside. Both heat strokes and frostbites are potential risks.
• The protection provided by proper skating gear to novice skaters can never be too stressed on. Your helmet, your pads and a good skate are the most essential equipments when you are a beginner at skating.

A proper helmet is a must every time you skate; there are special designs for inline skating or skateboarding. These provide maximum protection to the back of the skull in case of a backward fall. Skates should fit snugly and provide proper ankle support. Make sure that the wheels and brakes are properly functioning. You should also use at least elbow guards and knee pads to prevent scrapes and cuts. Other gears which you may like to try out include gloves and mouth guards.