Free Skateboarding Demos help kids stay injury-free

The Hinsdale Park District is joining forces with physicians to keep local kids safe and injury-free while skateboarding. The park district is one of eight in the Chicago area to adopt the ‘Skate Safe’ program, co-sponsored by Midwest Orthopaedics at Rush (MOR). Skate Safe is a public awareness program featuring injury prevention signage in skate board parks, a free event featuring safety experts and a cool website aimed at reducing the number of skateboard injuries that peak in the spring and summer.

Experts agree that injuries have increased with the popularity of skateboarding, often referred to as the “#1 Extreme Sport” in the US. According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission, there was a 23 percent jump in reported skateboard injuries for kids under age 15 between 2013 and 2015.

As part of Skate Safe, a colorful, new sign with safety information and prevention tips is on display at the Hinsdale Skate Park. In addition, the park district will host a free, public event with demonstrations by semi-pro skateboarders, music, prizes, stickers and a workshop to learn some basics of the sport, including how to fall.

Skate Safe Demo & Workshop

“Lunch and Learn”

June 22, 12:30 pm

Burlington Park, Hinsdale

“We definitely want kids to enjoy our skate park, but we also want to keep them injury-free,” explains Gina Hassett, Director, Hinsdale Parks and Recreation Department. “The Skate Safe program is a great way to teach them about riding safely.”

For tips and tricks on how to be safe while skateboarding and a complete list of Skate Safe program partners, visit: skatesafer.org. You can also view a video about the program here, or another about injury prevention and safety tips here. To sign up for the event call the Parks and Recreation office at 630-789-7090 or visit the website at http://www.villageofhinsdale.org/departments/parks_and_recreation/index.php