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Skateboard parks have become more commonplace over the past 10 to 15 years with the rising popularity of skateboard riding in the United States. Skateboard parks make for a safe venue for skateboarders to ride their boards with friends and away from traffic and pedestrians. If well maintained, the park can be the safest way for skateboarders to learn their sport and enjoy the outdoors. It is also a great way to keep skateboarders from ruining streets, parking lots, and other landmarks as they try to find a place to ride. But like any other sport, you should know the basic safety tips for riding in skate parks.

First and foremost you must make sure you're wearing the proper safety equipment. Riding a skateboard can be dangerous. Falls and injuries are quite common. And accidents can happen just as easily at a park as they could in the street or a parking lot. So make sure you are wearing a helmet, elbow pads, knee pads, wrist guards, sneakers, and maybe even gloves, safety goggles, and a mouth guard. You never know when or how you're going to fall but eventually you will. So make sure you have on the right safety gear so you won't lose any valuable skateboarding time from an injury. Also make sure that your safety gear is worn properly and in good condition.

Another safety tip for skateboarding in a skate park is to watch out for other skateboarders. Most likely you won't be the only person in the park trying to be the next Tony Hawk. So respect other people's spaces and paths. Be alert of other riders around you. Skate defensively and avoid running into the paths of other riders. Sometimes the worst injuries from skateboarding come from collisions with other riders on ramps and half pipes.

Also be aware of skate board ethics; little unwritten tips to keep the skate park organized and safe. Wait for your turn before entering a ramp, bowl or pipe. Let other riders finish their run before starting your own. If you're learning a new trick, try and use the park during less busy hours so that you can have that trick area to yourself. If you're just casually riding around the park for the fun of it, be aware of others around you and what they're doing. Respect the skill levels of other skateboards too. You may be a better boarder than others and will need to slow down or change your style to avoid collision. If your skill level is less than others currently riding in the park, try and use other areas or ramps to avoid getting in their way. And communicate with other riders. Get to know what they're doing and perhaps skate together.

Most of all just have fun with your sport. Skateboarding involves speed, balance and lots of skill, so always try to be safe. You'll quickly find that a skateboard park is a great place to spend time with others, make new friends, and learn how to successfully land those tricks just like the pros.

Learn more about this author, Tom Stewart.
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