Do all skateboarders break a bone? (Risks + Precautions)

Skating has become an increasingly popular activity for both recreational and professional skaters. At one point seen as a rebellious pastime, skating is now widely accepted across the globe and many people enjoy it because of its inherent cool factor.

But along with being on the cutting edge of ‘x-treme’ sports comes a risk – injuries occur regularly amongst skaters, some more serious than others. So if you’re considering taking up skateboarding yourself, chances are that at some stage in your skate career you might have to experience the pain from a broken bone or two – but how likely is this actually?

In this article, we will take a closer look at how often serious injuries occur within skateboarding so that all aspiring boarders can make an informed decision as to whether they feel like risking it in order to reap the rewards.

Do all skateboarders break a bone?

In the past few decades, reaching a professional level of competition that rivals some of the world’s most admired athletes. While many view skateboarding as an inherently risky activity, it can be surprisingly safe if done properly.

The truth is that not all skateboarders do break a bone at some stage. In fact, many skateboarders never experience any major injuries over their lifetime.

The key to injury prevention is for skaters to ensure they are wearing proper safety gear, maintain high levels of technique and practice common sense when attempting more difficult tricks.

Even though the possibility of injuries remains very much real when engaging in such activities, it is also highly possible to enjoy skateboarding without severe repercussions or breaking any bones.

Are broken bones common in skateboarding?

Broken bones are unfortunately common injuries from skateboarding. The repetitive grinding and impact of jumping down stairs, curbs and other obstacles can lead to fractures.

Hand and wrist fractures are the most common types of broken bone suffered in skateboarding, usually through an attempt to cushion a fall with one’s hand.

Collarbone, tibial and fibula fractures are also commonly caused by falling onto one’s side while attempting large steps or grinds on rails. Despite the risk of breaking certain body parts, many skaters choose to wear protective gear such as hard-shell elbow pads, knee braces, helmets, palm guards and specialized foot pads as a way to minimize the risk of sustaining serious injury.

A balance should be maintained between enjoying the sport without fear and striking a sensible attitude towards avoiding potential harm.

How often do skaters get injured?

Skaters may experience minor bumps, aches, and scrapes depending on their skill level but injuries become more frequent when tricks and jumps become part of the routine.

Statistics show that about 32% of skaters aged 6-17 experience an injury each season. Common injuries for skaters include muscle strains, joint sprains, contusions or open wounds.

While protective gear helps to minimize the risk of serious injury such as head trauma, it’s important to adhere to safety regulations like wearing a helmet and pads.

With the proper safety precautions in place and adequate warm up prior to skating, the chances of experiencing an injury can be drastically reduced.

How do you not break your bones when skateboarding?

Knowing how to stay safe while skateboarding is essential for any skater, from beginner to experienced. Here are a few safety tips that will help you enjoy skateboarding without breaking your bones.

Wear Protective Gear

No matter what level of skater you are, one of the best ways to avoid injury is by wearing protective gear such as helmets, elbow pads, knee pads, and wrist guards.

It’s also recommended that you wear clothing that won’t snag on the board or components like wheels or trucks.

Even if you’re an experienced skater who isn’t afraid to take on risky tricks, it’s still important to have the right gear so that if something does go wrong, you can minimize your risk of injury.  

Know Your Limits

Before attempting any trick or maneuver on a skateboard, make sure you know your limits.

If you are a beginner skater, start out with simple tricks before moving on to more complex ones. Even experienced skaters should practice new tricks in areas where there is plenty of room for error in case things don’t go as planned.

Additionally, be sure not to attempt tricks unless you’re feeling fully energized and alert being too tired or distracted could increase your chances of making a mistake and getting injured.

Be Aware Of Your Surroundings

Always pay attention to your surroundings when skateboarding including other people in the area and any obstacles or hazards that may be present.

Make sure that the surface you are skating on is even and free of debris; uneven surfaces can cause serious injuries if not avoided.

Also keep an eye out for traffic when riding around vehicles always stay alert and aware of their movements so as not to get hit by a car or run into someone else’s vehicle. 

Conclusion

To conclude, skateboarding may appear to be a high risk adventure sport from the outside looking in; however, with proper protection, technique and respect for the craft skaters can avoid serious injury. Taking risks don’t necessarily have to mean taking a trip to the emergency room afterwards.

The U.S Consumer Product Safety Commission reported that in 2018 there were only 1,237 catastrophic injuries related to skateboard accidents – 1,007 of which involved skull fractures and brain damage due to lack of protective gear (helmet, knee and elbow pads).

Although skateboarders may not break bones every time they hit their board on the pavement, it’s important for them to understand that part of taking the necessary precautionary steps towards protecting themselves is an awareness of their personal limits while riding.

Besides, those who choose not to use protective gear should expect it might only be a matter of time before they experience some sort of injury due to riding without due care or caution.

It’s up to each individual skater as much as possible health and safety knowing when it’s time to take a break or pull back and ride another day with all the safety necessary is just as important as taking those first steps towards learning a new trick.