Skateboard Safety

Skateboarding is great fun and now Jersey has its very own park with specially designed ramps.  You will find the skatepark near the harbour in St. Helier, next to the Sailors Rest Café.

Follow these ABC's to make sure you do not end up in hospital!

• Always get the right type of skateboard   

  Shorter boards are best to learn on. Check it over before you use it - it could be broken.

• Be smart and wear the right gear

  
  A skateboard helmet fits more of the back of your head than a cycle one. Fit it properly with the straps done up. Wrist guards can help when you fall and try to stop yourself. Don't forget your shoes, flip flops ain't a good look, think trainers.

• Crash in style, learn how to fall

  You are going to fall so learn to do it properly! Losing it? Crouch down low on your board so you don't fall so far and RELAX and ROLL. Ask people to teach you. Start with the basics like how to stop and build on it.
  

Skateboarding is a fantastic way of keeping fit and healthy and most importantly having fun. Accidents do happen though - the board moves over a hard surface at speed. Injuries range from cuts and grazes to broken bones and head injuries.

Why do accidents happen?

• As children grow up their balance is poor, they are less developed and have a higher centre of gravity. This makes it easier to fall and get hurt.
• Children think they are better at doing things than they are - and they are not as good at judging speeds and the risk of other traffic.
• Children react more slowly so it is harder for them to save themselves from falling.

What can you do?

1. Don't let children ride under the age of 5.
2. Adult or teenager supervision is needed for 6-10's.
3. Get your child protective gear - that's a skateboard helmet (protects more of the back of the head), wrist guards, knee and elbow pads. Team up with your child's friends parents and encourage them all to always wear their kit and helmet.
4. Keep an eye on their skateboard and make sure it is safe.
5. Try and find an older child to teach yours - on a smooth surface and not on the public roads.  The skatepark near the harbour in St. Helier, next to the Sailors Rest Café, is a great place to learn.