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Longboarding is exciting, but practicing safety and responsibility is essential to avoid accidents. However, accidents are inevitable, especially falling. Therefore, learning how to fall correctly will help you as you explore this sport. Read on to learn how to fall and not hurt yourself while longboarding.
Cover Your Head
Falls are usually quick and unexpected, so the better prepared you are, the better you can avoid injuries. Your head is one of the main body parts you must protect, which is why wearing a helmet is essential. Also, when you start falling, wrap your arms around your head, pressing your face against your forearms. This will prevent your face from taking a hit and will help keep your neck straight.
Bend Arms and Legs
When you fall down, your first instinct might be to extend straight arms to take the hit, but the force and angle of the fall might cause them to break. Instead, to prevent broken limbs, you must always keep your arms and legs bent and loose. This will allow your joints to bend, absorbing the impact better than locked joints would.
Roll on Impact
If you fall off your board at a high speed, you could sustain more injury from the impact and the rough features of the road. The best solution to minimize the effects of the impact is to roll upon hitting the ground, thereby transferring the energy of the impact into the roll.
Aim for Open Areas
Just as drivers should swerve away from obstacles in the case of a brake failure or similar situation, longboarders should aim to crash in open areas. First off, you should plan your longboarding route in a location with limited traffic, few obstacles, and wide streets. Then, if you find yourself losing control of your board, try to land over grass. The grass will act as a cushion, absorbing the impact and reducing bodily injuries.
Learning to fall without hurting yourself is an essential safety practice for all types of longboarding activities, from downhill longboarding to longboard dancing. Use these tips to brave your next practice session with confidence. You will fall, but this advice will help you get back on your board in no time.
