Just wondering, cause' it looks interesting and I want to try it (I know the basics of riding, etc).
I'm not going to jump off 30 feet ramps or anything like that,
but otherwise is it dangerous (general riding only)?
I know it's best to have helmets and other stuff, but when I have the equipment, is it still dangerous?
My parents think it's really dangerous to skateboard because they think I'll
do like CRAZY tricks, but just riding in general I think is fine.
So is it dangerous or not?
Thanks, - 13 year old girl
How do I convince my parents to get one? 
Thanks for the anwsers guys.
Skateboarding, per se, isn't dangerous. In fact, it's both a great athletic sport, AND it encourages you to practice tricks until you get them right.
And I don't need to tell YOU how much people think teenagers can't concentrate or commit these days! 
That said - you will frequently see skateboarders with cuts, bruises, casts and so on. This is the nature of every "extreme sport". If you want to get really really good, you'll constantly walk on the edge of your capabilities. And sometimes you'll fall over that edge, leading to injuries.
For every one that goes the extra mile and gets hurt, there are tens or hundreds who just like to ride, and do it in a safe manner. This is the case with almost any extreme sport.
If you wear protective gear (I'm 31 and I wear a helmet everytime I snowboard - it's NOT just for little kids ;-)), concentrate on what you do, only take calculated risks and keep yourself VERY aware of the traffic around you at any time, I'd say it's safer than riding a bike, once you get the hang of it.
(I have some pretty nasty scars from riding a bike when I was younger. All from falling on the street. Sure, I was going too fast and I was jumping small ramps from time to time, but sometimes I'd just hit a rock … but it didn't make my parents take away my bike)
Until you gain a lot of confident on the board, just go slow to keep your balance. When you snowboard and fall, you'll only fall on snow. When you skateboard, you'll fall on the street.
And let me tell you this - it'll tear up your skin for sure. But it's minor cuts and bruises. Besides, skaterboys dig chix with scars 
Be especially protective with your wrists and head. Always wear a helmet and wristbraces (once you've fallen enough times to learn to break the fall, you might loose the braces). Elbow- and kneepads would be a must, too. Also - dress thick to begin with, so your clothes will protect your skin.
As for the parents. Is there a skater park near you? Try to get them to go there with you when kids your age, or even younger, hang out there. Then they'll see what the sport is all about. It's not just crazy jumps and trix, but a very healthy excersice.
Besides, how many football (soccer) players you know of who can play a whole season without getting injured? It's just a question of how hard you push yourself.
Good luck, and please, remember to be aware of traffic.
January 3rd, 2009 at 3:11 pm
Yes it is a dangerous sport. Please be careful. Learn to do it right.
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January 3rd, 2009 at 3:46 pm
No. Start off with the basics. I've never heard of anyone dying from skateboarding
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January 3rd, 2009 at 4:31 pm
There is so much momentum in the tricks, it is just as safe as anyway else. It is just as dangerous as riding a bike. Negotiate the rules with your parents and then go for it.
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January 3rd, 2009 at 5:08 pm
it is seriously dangerous, and someone i was very close to died in his late teens due to a skateboarding accident
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January 3rd, 2009 at 5:17 pm
Yes, it is. But heck all things in life a dangerous. Just living is in fact a hazard to your health. More reason to enjoy it any way possible, if you wanta skate go skate. I wouldn't let it stop you even if your parents disaprove.
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January 3rd, 2009 at 5:25 pm
if u r doind vert where a helmet
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January 3rd, 2009 at 6:15 pm
It depends where you want to skate.
Like if your boarding in the middle of the road, yeah.
If you totally suck and are trying to do a big stunt, yeah.
If your just practicing at a skate park or on the sidewalk, not so much.
if you're an amateur just make sure u don't crash into people.
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January 3rd, 2009 at 6:53 pm
get a good quality board and protective gear, dont be cheap!
if you know your limits and dont push the envelope too hard, you should be fine!
the biggest key i can tell you about riding safe is knowing how to crash right.(i learned how to roll out of a collision or bailoout in my karate class, ya gotta tuck your arms in-dont put them in front of you to break the fall). the difference is that i would get a few bruises instead of a broken arm-hand etc.
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former competitive sk8er
January 3rd, 2009 at 7:06 pm
If youre not careful then yes it is.
You have to gain your parents trust about skateboarding.
Just dont be like the pros cuz they do stunts beyond craziness!
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January 3rd, 2009 at 7:11 pm
Skateboarding can be dangerous, just make sure that wear the gear that you have and be careful trying new tricks
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January 3rd, 2009 at 7:45 pm
Skateboarding, per se, isn't dangerous. In fact, it's both a great athletic sport, AND it encourages you to practice tricks until you get them right.
And I don't need to tell YOU how much people think teenagers can't concentrate or commit these days!
That said - you will frequently see skateboarders with cuts, bruises, casts and so on. This is the nature of every "extreme sport". If you want to get really really good, you'll constantly walk on the edge of your capabilities. And sometimes you'll fall over that edge, leading to injuries.
For every one that goes the extra mile and gets hurt, there are tens or hundreds who just like to ride, and do it in a safe manner. This is the case with almost any extreme sport.
If you wear protective gear (I'm 31 and I wear a helmet everytime I snowboard - it's NOT just for little kids ;-)), concentrate on what you do, only take calculated risks and keep yourself VERY aware of the traffic around you at any time, I'd say it's safer than riding a bike, once you get the hang of it.
(I have some pretty nasty scars from riding a bike when I was younger. All from falling on the street. Sure, I was going too fast and I was jumping small ramps from time to time, but sometimes I'd just hit a rock … but it didn't make my parents take away my bike)
Until you gain a lot of confident on the board, just go slow to keep your balance. When you snowboard and fall, you'll only fall on snow. When you skateboard, you'll fall on the street.
And let me tell you this - it'll tear up your skin for sure. But it's minor cuts and bruises. Besides, skaterboys dig chix with scars
Be especially protective with your wrists and head. Always wear a helmet and wristbraces (once you've fallen enough times to learn to break the fall, you might loose the braces). Elbow- and kneepads would be a must, too. Also - dress thick to begin with, so your clothes will protect your skin.
As for the parents. Is there a skater park near you? Try to get them to go there with you when kids your age, or even younger, hang out there. Then they'll see what the sport is all about. It's not just crazy jumps and trix, but a very healthy excersice.
Besides, how many football (soccer) players you know of who can play a whole season without getting injured? It's just a question of how hard you push yourself.
Good luck, and please, remember to be aware of traffic.
References :
January 3rd, 2009 at 8:24 pm
even just cruising around is dangerous because of cracks, rocks on the street, bad concrete, etc
but screw it, be a rebel and get a board
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January 3rd, 2009 at 8:44 pm
Yeah youre probably going to get hurt but not as often as if you would be doing tricks. you might ride on a pebble and fall and scrape your elbow or something, but generally you will be fine as long as you have big wheels. convincing parents is easy just make something up tell them it will keep me off of drugs or something like that
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January 3rd, 2009 at 8:54 pm
Yes Then again, anything is dangerous without some knowledge of it. Usually, the more knowledge you have with skating, the more you'll know what your capabilities are.
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January 3rd, 2009 at 9:26 pm
hell no
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