Keeping Extreme Sports Extremely Safe For Your Child

Ways to help your child have fun participating in extreme sports while also being safe.

by Lorri Ballance Laird

Created 12 years ago, the X Games sought to showcase extreme sports--sports like freestyle BMX, freestyle motocross, and skateboarding--and the lifestyle and culture that goes with them. Ever since, tween and teen boys everywhere have been attempting tricks like bar spins on their bikes or heelflips and Ollies on their skateboards.

For nervous Moms and Dads, skateboarding and bike tricks can mean only one thing--a trip to the emergency room. According to Safety.com, skateboarding injuries send approximately 50,000 people to the hospital every year, while "Safe Kids Worldwide" reports that nearly 285, 600 children were treated for bicycle-related injuries in 2003. However, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission reports that skateboarding is a relatively safe activity, producing fewer injuries per 1,000 participants than many traditional sports like basketball.

Safety First While it is true that extreme action sports run the risk of injury, they can provide a safe and fun experience for your children if you and they follow a few simple rules:

Always supervise young children 6 to 10 years old and never allow a child under five on a skateboard.

Ride in a safe place. The best place for learning to skateboard safely is your local rec center or skate park. Avoid areas with rocks, ditches, and holes. Learn all the basics, as well as how to fall. Sign your child up for lessons, or take a lesson with your child.

Always wear protective safety gear. For both skateboarding and BMX riding, a helmet and knee, elbow, and wrist guards are recommended. For skateboarding, long-sleeved shirts and long pants provide extra protection. Make sure equipment is in good condition.

As a parent of a child that finds extreme sports appealing, do your research so you can at least talk the talk with them. Check out skateboard.about.com. It's filled with just about everything you need to know about the sport. Cool gear for cool kids.

Now ESPN Consumer Products is introducing a new line of boys X Games apparel and unveiling its current line of X Games branded bikes, skateboards, and safety gear aimed at teen and tween boys and designed to get them to wear their safety gear. If it's cool, kids will most likely wear it. Available exclusively through JC Penney, the line features an assortment of branded t-shirts, baseball hats, backpacks, camo cargos, zip-up hoodies, and jackets. Penney's--along with Target, Wal-Mart, and Toys R Us--will also carry the new X Games Moto X 20" bike. Targeted to kids 6 to 12, the bike has the look of a motocross bike and features oversized frame tubing and knobby tires.

If you're interested in getting your tween or teen some skateboarding safety lessons in the Los Angeles area, check out laparks.org or call 1-888-Parks.