Are Elbow & Kneepads a Must for New Skateboarder?

[Heart_Mom]

My 11 year old son thinks he might want to learn to skateboard and he's borrowing one from a friend to try out for a couple of weeks. (He doesn't want to blow his money on one if he doesn't like doing it!)

 

Anyway, I'll definitely have him wear a helmet, but in your experience, are elbowpads and/or kneepads necessary if he won't be trying to do stunts ... just trying to learn to go and stop on our asphalt driveway.

 

My tendency would be to require the elbow and knee pads (which we don't currently own), but I tend to go overboard with safety sometimes.

 

Any thoughts or experience I should know about? What would you do?

 

Thanks!

[Jann in TX]

If you have them I'd suggetst elbow, knee and wrist pads in addition to the helmet.

I've known too may skateboarders/skaters who have broken their wrists when falling (and trying to catch themselves).

 

I also taught with a woman who was trying to be 'cool' for her high school boy and tried out his skateboard. She broke BOTH wrists!

[Unicorn.]

I would get him knee pads and wrist guards. Wrist gaurds are more important than elbow pads, imho. Of course, I rode skateboards as a kid, and we didn't have any of that, including helmets. Our boards were narrower, couldn't handle the little rocks like today's boards, and we were used to taking falls. I never knew abyone to break anything either, so....

[Spy Car]

I'd say knee, elbow, and wrist pads are absolutely necessary. And a helmet.

 

Bill

[Spy Car]

You might want to check sizing at a skate shop, but you can get really good junior starter pad sets like "187 Killer Pads" (which we got despite the name), or Triple 8 or ProTec, for about $30. Money well spent IMO.

 

If you need a helmet, the ProTec helmets with the soft lining (not the hard styrofoam like liner you find in bike helmets, they make both) are very good, and comfortable. The hard liner kind are terrible and uncomfortable, so kids don't want to wear them.

 

Bill

[Tess in the Burbs]

wrist guards are the most important thing in my opinion. scraped up knees/elbows come with active sports like skateboarding. Broken wrists can be avoided. And a helmet. Assume you know this is a must have!

[Heart_Mom]

Thank you so much!

 

I had NO IDEA that wrist guards were so important (or even in existence!).

 

I'll make sure he's properly outfitted!

[magnificent_baby]

Echoing the others...they are a must, as well as wrist guards.

 

If you end up buying one, splurge for a nice one from a skateboard shop. The cheap ones from Walmart, Target, etc. do not hold up and are flimsy, which can impact his experience and thus giving the sport up too early. (Or says my skateboarder brother). :coolgleamA: We paid around $100 for a complete (board, trucks, wheels).

[Spy Car]

Also, if you get a board know that there are different styles that are good for different kids of riding.

 

We got my son a little injection-molded plastic Australian Penny board that has big soft wheels. It is great for skating on the street and sidewalk. Great for old school cruising around. But not so good for skateparks.

 

Skatepark riders usually go for a standard popsicle stick style with small hard wheels. Great for the park, maybe not as good on the street. Then there are in-between wheels.

 

Bill

[Miss Mousie]

Sounds like you're sold on all the protective gear, so I won't add more on that, but please do make sure he practices falling. Really! I'm sure there are youtube demonstrations and other information available online. He needs to learn not to stop a fall with his hands (the easiest way to break a wrist).