May 14, 2010 - Today, the Thunder Bay Skateboarding Coalition (TBSC) unveiled its new safety campaign, Falling Hurts, Pain Sucks, Wear Gear!, created in partnership with the Thunder Bay District Health Unit. In support of skateboarder safety, Youth Zone members were also on hand to introduce Marina Skate Plaza’s new Ambassador Program.
Recognizing the need to promote safety gear to novice skaters and those attempting new tricks, TBSC members partnered with the Health Unit to create a campaign to call their own. Since the opening of the Marina Skate Plaza, coalition members have witnessed numerous instances of novice skateboarders attempting to do jumps before they had mastered the basic skills required to skate safely. Also of concern are the more experienced skaters at the Plaza who do not wear a helmet when challenging themselves to attempt risky maneuvers.
The Coalition and the Health Unit today launched their campaign to promote the use of appropriate safety gear when attempting techniques and tricks beyond one’s skill level. The campaign features Dakota White of Wisconsin, who at the age of 13 is already a seasoned skater. Well-known to local skaters, Dakota advocates for wearing gear to lower the risk of injury when skateboarding. “I wouldn’t be able to skate the way I do today if I didn’t wear this gear,” says Dakota. “If you’re not wearing the helmet and pads, you can’t follow through on a trick or slide out when it’s not going your way.”
For parents leery of their child’s interest in skateboarding, an information card that provides tips on promoting safety is now available. “Skateboarding injuries are common,” says Marita Campbell of the Thunder Bay District Health Unit. “Although scrapes and bruises are the most common, we’re hoping that this approach will reduce the possibility of more severe injuries like fractures, sprains, and especially head injury.”
Integrated into the Marina Skate Plaza safety plan now is the Youth Zone Ambassador Program, in which skating Youth Zone members monitor the Plaza, model safe behaviour and assist young skaters as needed. "We want to ensure that safety is the number one priority at the Plaza," states Myles Cizmar, Supervisor of Community Programs for the City of Thunder Bay. "The Ambassadors will be positive role models encouraging the use of protective equipment and safe skateboarding practices."
Skateboarding safety tips can be found online at TBDHU.com.