The Downhill Skateboarding Survival Guide

[nokeboarder]

hey guys just thought i would post some of my thoughts about how to minimize the risk associated with downhill skateboarding, a lot of this will seem like common sense but this is more for riders just getting into the sport then the seasoned pro. feel free to add any of your own points.

1) Know the Road
Before you ride a new run for the first time drive/ walk up it first and familiarize yourself with the turns, look for any problem areas such as pot holes, gnarly pavement, etc. This is also wise to do even on roads you skate all the time, especially after a storm when gravel can wash into the turns.

2)Safety gear
HELMETS ARE NOT OPTIONAL if you disagree maybe this sport isn't for you. Just in my area alone there have been 2 skateboarding deaths the past year, neither were wearing a helmet and by our standards neither were going fast. Other then helmets all other safety equipment is up to the rider, if you are trying something new and think your going to be falling a lot, wear pads, if your riding in a group at high speeds leathers would be wise. only you can determine how much safety gear is necessary.

3)Bring a Friend
I know this is not always possible but if you have friends that skate see if you can get them to come out and ride. not only is it more fun to ride with friends, it is also safer, if someone goes down you have a first responder or at least someone to call an ambulance. also get everyone in your crew to learn some basic first aid, even some basic knowledge can come in extremely handy.

4)Stay in Your Lane
this is tricky because we all know using as much of the road as possible is more fun and also easier. For blind turns I suggest starting on the far side of the road and drifting back into your lane, shedding enough speed that you can exit the turn in your lane. by doing this you can be back in your lane before an unseen car may become a problem. if you can see around a turn it's ok to be out of your lane, just get back in it as soon as possible. on roads without a center line use a spotter for turns.

5) Check Your Gear
before every session make sure everything is nice and tight, you don't want to loose a wheel at 50 MPh. also make sure you trucks are securely fastened to your board. check your board for cracks, delams, etc

6) Establish Passing Rules
within your group agree upon what you want each other to do if they are passing. some use clapping, others yell. I think clapping is most effective to give a "heads up" to the person being passed. just make sure you agree on something, i almost got run off the road at 45mph because the person I passed got confused on what all the clapping meant.

7) KNOW YOUR LIMITS
this is the most important thing on this list. you have to push your limits in order to get better but there is a huge difference between pushing your limits and being in over your head. ride roads you have the skills for, if you don't stop well then don't ride something that ends in a busy intersection, if you have never gone 40 mph don't go ride a 70 mph hill, and so on so forth. remember the decisions you make affect your loved ones and the people around you. there is nothing wrong with getting the top of the hill and walking away because you feel it's over your head. the hill will always be there, you won't. the 'if everyone else jumped off a bridge would you too?" theory applies here as well, just because all of your buds can ride a road doesn't mean you can, everyone has a different skill set.

8) HAVE FUN!!!!
and of course most importantly have fun, our sport is dangerous but incredibly fun, be safe and ride hard!

[loug]

hey guys just thought i would post some of my thoughts about how to minimize the risk associated with downhill skateboarding, a lot of this will seem like common sense but this is more for riders just getting into the sport then the seasoned pro. feel free to add any of your own points.

1) Know the Road
Before you ride a new run for the first time drive/ walk up it first and familiarize yourself with the turns, look for any problem areas such as pot holes, gnarly pavement, etc. This is also wise to do even on roads you skate all the time, especially after a storm when gravel can wash into the turns.

2)Safety gear
HELMETS ARE NOT OPTIONAL if you disagree maybe this sport isn't for you. Just in my area alone there have been 2 skateboarding deaths the past year, neither were wearing a helmet and by our standards neither was going fast. Other then helmets all other safety equipment is up to the rider, if you are trying something new and think your going to be falling a lot, wear pads, if your riding in a group at high speeds leathers would be wise. only you can determine how much safety gear is necessary.

3)Bring a Friend
I know this is not always possible but if you have friends that skate see if you can get them to come out and ride. not only is it more fun to ride with friends, it is also safer, if someone goes down you have a first responder or at least someone to call an ambulance. also get everyone in your crew to learn some basic first aid, even some basic knowledge can come in extremely handy.

4)Stay in Your Lane
this is tricky because we all know using as much of the road as possible is more fun and also easier. For blind turns I suggest starting on the far side of the road and drifting back into your lane, shedding enough speed that you can exit the turn in your lane. by doing this you can be back in your lane before an unseen car may become a problem. if you can see around a turn it's ok to be out of your lane, just get back in it as soon as possible. on roads without a center line use a spotter for turns.

5) Check Your Gear
before every session make sure everything is nice and tight, you don't want to loose a wheel at 50 MPh. also make sure you trucks are securely fastened to your board. check your board for cracks, delams, etc

6) Establish Passing Rules
within your group agree upon what you want each other to do if they are passing. some use clapping, others yell. I think clapping is most effective to give a "heads up" to the person being passed. just make sure you agree on something, i almost got run off the road at 45mph because the person I passed got confused on what all the clapping meant.

7) KNOW YOUR LIMITS
this is the most important thing on this list. you have to push your limits in order to get better but there is a huge difference between pushing your limits and being in over your head. ride roads you have the skills for, if you don't stop well then don't ride something that ends in a busy intersection, if you have never gone 40 mph don't go ride a 70 mph hill, and so on so forth. remember the decisions you make affect your loved ones and the people around you. there is nothing wrong with getting the top of the hill and walking away because you feel it's over your head. the hill will always be there, you won't. the 'if everyone else jumped off a bridge would you too?" theory applies here as well, just because all of your buds can ride a road doesn't mean you can, everyone has a different skill set.

8) HAVE FUN!!!!
and of course most importantly have fun, our sport is dangerous but incredibly fun, be safe and ride hard!

how bout a first aid kit/supplies? i never leave home with out it.

[nokeboarder]

how bout a first aid kit/supplies? i never leave home with out it.

I was going to put that but some people walk from there houses to skate and carrying a first aid kit would be impractical, but i agree if you are driving defiantly have a first aid kit in the car

[loug]

I was going to put that but some people walk from there houses to skate and carrying a first aid kit would be impractical, but i agree if you are driving defiantly have a first aid kit in the car

i always carry a backpack and it feels like part of the body now. water, gum, pads, helmet, camera and anything else that might be needed.

[sterlingc]

a buddy of mine is a professional downhill mountainbiker and he always rides on the trail with a small bottle of superglue that he sticks beneath his seat, if you get a gash in your knee or something you can just superglue it shut until you get somewhere to treat it

might be something to think about, its not much to carry

there's also medical superglue thats basically the same thing but probably less toxic

[nokeboarder]

i always carry a backpack and it feels like part of the body now. water, gum, pads, helmet, camera and anything else that might be needed.

not a bad idea

[PurrCrabs]

a buddy of mine is a professional downhill mountainbiker and he always rides on the trail with a small bottle of superglue that he sticks beneath his seat, if you get a gash in your knee or something you can just superglue it shut until you get somewhere to treat it

might be something to think about, its not much to carry

there's also medical superglue thats basically the same thing but probably less toxic

Its actually all the same stuff, pretty much. Superglue can work wonders, just be careful with it cause its obviously strong stuff. I carry Super glue and a small bottle of hydrogen peroxide, just in case. Even a scratch can benefit from peroxide

Good guide, I'm happy to see it

[B_Dubya_B]

awesome post

I would add

-you need to have a cell phone or a way to call for help in the event of an emergency
-know where the nearest hospital is, and how to get there
-bring a first aid kit
-use spotters on roads with blind corners/heavy traffic

[Marleyfan1101]

number 1 is important. In my old town before i moved, a lot of injuries and other problems would happen because someone would go down a run they had never seen before because their friends tell them it's a fine idea.

heck, whenever i find a new run I start at the bottom and work my way up, riding down every so often. that way by the time i get to the top i've seen all of it and have skated the sketchy spots at least once.

[nokeboarder]

number 1 is important. In my old town before i moved, a lot of injuries and other problems would happen because someone would go down a run they had never seen before because their friends tell them it's a fine idea.

heck, whenever i find a new run I start at the bottom and work my way up, riding down every so often. that way by the time i get to the top i've seen all of it and have skated the sketchy spots at least once.

yeah that's a good idea, practicing the tougher turns on a road is smart to do before you ride the whole thing, thanks for you input =)

[SlyTX]

Its actually all the same stuff, pretty much. Superglue can work wonders, just be careful with it cause its obviously strong stuff. I carry Super glue and a small bottle of hydrogen peroxide, just in case. Even a scratch can benefit from peroxide

Good guide, I'm happy to see it

Hydrogen peroxide is terrible for wounds. A long with destroying any bacteria, its detroying the tissue of your skin. Instead use saline solution (slightly salty sterile water) to flush the wound, dry with a cloth, then neosporine and bandage.

[schmete]

Great idea. STICKY THIS.

[speshlspeclsteak]

safety is for stuff like football. skateboarding is dangerous common sense is the only thing thats keeps skaters out of the hospital. alot of that stuff falls under the common sense blanket.

[nokeboarder]

safety is for stuff like football. skateboarding is dangerous common sense is the only thing thats keeps skaters out of the hospital. alot of that stuff falls under the common sense blanket.

i thought so too until last weekend, a rider is currently paralyzed because he broke pretty much all of those rules. he didn't know his limits, he didn't even look at a road he had never ridden before, and now he can't walk. that's why this thread was created because apparently not everyone has common sense. so yes i see a need for this thread

[herrimanhills]

my friend, who has almost never ridden a hill bfore, suggested we go hike up the nearby and incredibly steep (15% grade) butterfield canyon and skate down super fast. my response: are you crazy?!?!?!?! I don't even dare to ride that...

so i showed him this thread and im pretty sure he got the point

[Timski]

Great guide. As a noob I'll be keeping all of this in mind.

[i like tacos]

great thread. I just fell pretty bad today goin between 20-25 on a straight down hill with a steep incline that last for about 7 houses and then goes into pretty much flat with a small downward incline. I practice my tuck on this hill and pedaling at the top(like as if it was the start of a race). I ride on the side walk so that it makes it harder to keep my low tuck comfortable because of the slant cuts in the sidewalk at each drive way. Bassicaly its my fun practice hill for a bunch of elements that are needed on technical down hill runs. I've gone down it 50 times or so but I'm pretty new to down hill so im still riding a really long carving crusing board with indys that are quite buttery(never had any problems stability wise though till today). right as im comin down to the flat part one of the nieghbors pulls into there drive way 5 houses up with their sweet VW van well they stop comin up the driveway as the car is half in the street so the side walk is completely blocked. guy in the passengers seat gets out and starts talking to someone in the garage so this car aint goin any where. I see it and think no big deal I'll get realy low grab both sides of my board and do my modded foot break that ive done athousand times(not at this speed though). Im mongo so my foot breaks are kinda hard to keep stable so of course low and behold i start gettin speed wobbles. They keep gettin worse and worse and I'm really tryin to get my foot to the ground so i can stop before slamming my face into the van. My entire modeling carreer is at stake here man! So as i give up tryin to slow down I bring my foot back onto the board and that did it the speed wobbles threw me off at least five feet out onto the concrete i put out my hands it didn't work so my right knee hit and flipped my onto my back where i slid for another few feet. I had knarly road rash and my upper right back and my elbow as well as my right side and knee. PAIN! And it burned more when i cleaned it with alcohol. So moral of the story is that another good saftey precaution is to 1) always make sure your trucks arent to loose. and 2) It's a really good idea to make sure that any situation you could think up you have a way to break so you can slow down or stop safely and practice these techiniques. Sorry for the hugge post I just thought id make the story ineresting.

[thehorse]

^^ bad luck dude, a fall like that really sucks, hope you recover quickly.

but do you footbrake mongo... that's crazy

[i like tacos]

^^ bad luck dude, a fall like that really sucks, hope you recover quickly.

but do you footbrake mongo... that's crazy

thanks man i went surfing today and the salt water did wonders(after the stinging went away). Ya i foot break going mongo its really hard no hands on the board so usually cause im already goin to be really low in a turn i'll get low and grab the board for extra stability then do my foot break to shave off speed then take the turn as usual it just didn't work out this time.

[S.A.M.]

Something a wise man once told me: stay on till you fall off.

It is possible to come out of situations you think are hopeless. You may not have a lot of speed, but you will not hit the pavement from trying to run out a crash.