Skatepark Rules

Okay kids, time to pass down some time honoured codes of conduct. We didn't make these rules up, I was told this stuff 15 years ago, and it's kept me from getting killed at a skatepark.

When You Arrive at a halfpipe or platform or any park, let everyone who is already on the platform drop in before you do. This is to avoid turning an organized session into a snake jam. Take a minute to absorb the atmosphere and determine what you would like to ride first. Don't just aimlessly skate around when the park is full of people flying around.

Always Stand a board length back from the coping while on platforms of ramps. This will help prevent you from getting grinded through, or catching a straying hand across the face. Don't just sit there with your friends goofing off, platforms often result in flying boards and if you are not paying attention you may get hurt.

Snaking People ( taking a run before your turn ) is Dangerous! Pick one person to skate after, only go after that one person. I can't stress the importance of this enough.

If You Make A Mistake -end your run. The easiest way to hurt yourself is to try to recover from an obvious mistake that should have ended your run.You will eventually piss people off if you try to keep going, everybody wants a turn. Don't stress either, it just makes you look like a baby.

Look Everywhere! Always! When approaching an obstacle, before you hit it, look left and right to make sure you're not going to get hit. Crashing into people sucks.

Don't Stand in the Middle. This is the easiest way to make enemies by standing in front of someone else who is waiting to roll in, drop in or just waiting for his turn. Don't stand in front of an obstacle or leave your board hanging off the edge of coping, ledges, whatever it may be.

Speed Determines Right of Way. If two people are approaching a ramp at the same time, whoever is going faster gets the hit. The slower skater must stop. Don't panic when someone is barrelling down at you, chose one direction and stick to it. Try to avoid collisions, more experienced skaters will be more responsive than you, and will be in more control, so just keep your cool, and pick where you are going and stick to it. It gets more confusing and adds risk when you are rolling aimlessly about woith no direction.

BE ALERT. Too many people don't stay aware of what is going on around them and make targets of themselves. ALWAYS be scanning the are around you. These are guidelines for responsible park skating, failure to follow them will eventually result in injuries.

Rules About Filming Don't stand in front of a guy with a video camera, background props are cool, but it can also ruin the shot and you may be in the way of the skater. Always watch out for the camera, they a worth more than most people think. The cameras used for Skatersinc. are worth $900 - $4000. You don't want to run into one of these and have to try apoligizing, it won't work.

This might sound like alot, but it is for safety, although accidents do happen, alot of htem can be avoided by just keeping alert, looking around and not playing games. Try to treat everyone the way you would like to treated as well, That is just a good rule to live your life by.

Adam Barker

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