May 27, 2014

Safety Longboarding tips for Beginners


So when you arrive at a new spot and you are new to the sport, stoked as hell, you probably just roll down the hill with reckless abandon. Well, you may think that this is rad, but safety is your number one priority, not only your own, but for others too. There are
certain protocols (too formal), or checklist to be done to promote safety and responsible skatesmanship (totally made that up) in every skate spot. This is also a way to show the local neighbourhood within that area that we skaters are organized and disciplined. So before doing anything stupid and ending up with road rashes or worse broken bones, make sure to know the following:



1) Check the road

You probably think, “Aww, that’s too time consuming, let’s bomb now.” Well maybe, but regrets don’t come first. So move those lazy legs and start walking, or better if you have a scooter/motorcycle then drive down the road slowly. 


Check for stones, cracks, pot holes, rough surfaces, open manholes or drainage canals. Familiarize the turns to know when to slow down and when to tuck.



2) PROPER GEAR!

So, maybe some can’t afford to buy complete gears, but at least have a Helmet (a must). If not then you could borrow from your friend/s and take turns riding down the hill. Better if you have gloves and knee and shoulder pads.


If you have extra cash to spare and you are really aiming to go faster then go full face and leather suit. A 60-70mph crash won’t feel good when you have exposed skin, you want thane lines not skin lines. Also don’t forget to check your gear every run down the hill, you might have some loose straps and you wouldn't want that.


3) Know your lane

Dreaming of having the road for you to shred on your own? That would be the dream. Unless you’re a billionaire who can afford to buy a strip of downhill spot and make it exclusive for longboarding only (that would be another dream). Then stay in the safe lane, the lane where you are heading and where the traffic is heading. This is strongly observed in blind corners. 


Enter the corner by going outside but not too much that you are on the opposite lane then going inside and hitting just the tip of the apex. That way you can ensure that you don’t overshoot the turn or end up on the opposite lane with a car speeding towards you. Have a spotter in tight corners if possible, otherwise skate with extra care and mental awareness.


4) Skate within your limits

The only person that could know your limits is you. If you are having second thoughts on riding down the hill, then don’t. The hill won’t go away. Don’t pressure yourself and end up getting hurt. Slowly build your confidence. 


I have this friend, when he was still learning the sport; I had him divide the road in sections. The first section would be about 200-300 meters from the receiver (spot where you start to slow down) then skate the first section then as he becomes more confident, I let him move up the hill 200 meters at a time until he reaches the top, took him less than a month to ride confidently from the top to the end. So always practice and try something new, only if you are positive that you can nail it.


So, after all that being said, don’t forget to have fun and enjoy, the dangers come with the sport and being responsible will help you prevent unwanted accidents. That feeling of conquering a hill for the first time just makes you want to beg for more of that adrenaline rush. So enjoy skating and get stoked!

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