The Best Protective Gear for SurfSkater
- Categories Reviews
- Date August 5, 2024
The Best Protective Gear For SurfSkater
What makes surfskating different from various other existing sports modalities in traditional skateboarding is the fact that it has strictly rules to be evaluated in the competition criteria.
Whatever your intention: recreational practice or high performance. Everyone already knows that the main goal of the new SurfSkate modality is to express, through a surfsimulator, the maximum reality of surf.
So, for a surfskater to stand out among other athletes, he will need to ride at high speed and perform maneuvers with pressure on concrete waves as if he were surfing.
Above all, falling into the water is much softer than falling on the ground! That’s why the use of protective gear for surfskating becomes indispensable.
I believe that all athletes, before starting to practice surfskate, should have basic knowledge of fall cushioning techniques.
Whether you are a beginner athlete having your first experiences with surfskate, or even a high-performance athlete intending to perform more radical maneuvers, in both cases, the use of protective equipment is extremely advisable.
I would like to share with you a list of safety equipment that I recommend for my students to use during surfskate training.
I will detail by topics the importance for each body part and the main characteristics of the protective gear.
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Topics Of Article
The Hips and Protective Shorts
The hip is one of the most important parts of the body for a surfskater, however it is traditionally neglected due to a lack of awareness that this region is highly prone to impacts during falls.
Hip injuries are extremely painful and can directly impact the athletes’ mobility.
Protective equipment, such as padded shorts, absorbs part of the impact, significantly reducing the risk of bruises and hematomas.
Knee and Kneepad
We know that knee pads are considered our first line of defense against injuries.
The utmost importance in using knee pads during surfskate practice is to ensure that the patellas and delicate ligaments within our knees are properly protected.
When you’re buying knee pads, to make the best choice, you should consider the key aspects:
- If the size of the protective pad truly covers the entire knee region
- If the material provides sufficient impact resistance
- If the overall construction of the knee pad is comfortable and durable.
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Head and Helmet
There is a well-known popular saying in the new surfskate modality: Look where you want to go!
This proves the importance that the head has in keeping movements connected with all other parts of the body.
The head is a strategic region but also one of the most vulnerable parts of our body, so we must dedicate special attention and protect it with appropriate equipment.
Lining – Refers to the outer layer of the helmet, constructed with extremely durable material designed to absorb the impact of external forces when we hit our heads on the ground.
Linings can be a single piece or a combination of several layers.
The best linings for surfskate helmets are made with soft EPS foam, as this material is lightweight, durable, and comfortable.
Ventilation – It is a relevant factor to consider when choosing the best helmet for surfskating, as depending on the environment, we may deal with cold or heat during different seasons of the year.
Ideal surfskate helmets feature ergonomic design and ventilation holes. This can vary according to the proposal offered by each manufacturer.
Certification – Represents the compliance of the equipment with the main safety requirements.
When buying helmets for surfskating, look for products that have CPSC, ASTM, and CE EN recognition. If you still have doubts, check out our special tip for the best helmet for surfskating.
Hand and Palm Hand Protection
During a potential incident on a surfskate, your hands will undoubtedly be the first tool you’ll use to apply a falling technique.
This is aimed at dispersing energy and gradually distributing the impact of your body to the ground across other structures of the human body.
Not only in cases of falls, but Hand Protection is also useful during the execution of specific maneuvers in surfskating, such as layback and bertslide, which require the athlete to place their hand lightly on the ground in adverse situations of extreme speed. If the technique is not well-refined, this can lead to injuries in the wrist joint.
Elbow and Elbow Pad
The use of elbow protection equipment is important for both beginner surfskaters, as they have less skill, and the learning process involves frequent trial and error, making them more prone to falls.
It is also crucial for high-performance surfskaters, ensuring that unexpected falls do not result in serious injuries to the specific joint.
Rafael Azevêdo pioneered SurfSkate and developed this new authentic modality in 2014 through hosting championships and social events in Brazil.
He built the legend StreetStyle SurfSkate Park and established the key criteria through WSSL to globally regulate the new surfskate modality.
Full-stack professional in Marketing and Technology, SurfSkate Coach, Content Producer, and CEO of the World SurfSkate League.