Been hanging out in a number of discussion forums over the last few weeks getting amped up for my Maven run and learning about wakeskating for beginners. On a recent forum, a rider mentioned that they might not recommend me wearing a helmet unless I am riding rails. I am hoping he expands abit on his thought process, I did ask for his comments. I wanted to also post this here as well, Oury, EvanMolina and a few others could hopefully shed some light on this??? Hello...out there...

Does wearing a helmet hinder you on skatin'? My thoughts were it would help cushion any falls as I learn surface tricks and any potential board fly backs when I do catch an edge and that skate goes flyin'. Well I would hat to be on the receiving end with my maven.

Do tell folks...as I try to get to the bottom of this advice (IMG:http://forums.wakeoutlaws.com/style_emoticons/wake/detective.gif)

I wear a helmet now all the time for Skating and Wakeboarding. I would especially wear it skating due to the board not being attached. It can do some funky things when you're trying new tricks. I got pretty tired of whacking my head on the water when I wakeboard, so I wear it all the time. I could care less how it looks, it protects my head and does lessen the impacts from several angles (faceplants still hurt, can't get away from that).

FWIW...I wear one everytime I wakeboard. An added benefit for me, and equally the reason I wear one...is the EAR pads/covers, which keep you from getting a flood of water in your ears (or a later ear infection) and prevention of busted ear drum. I was thinking of wearing a helmet anyway, but when someone mentioned the ear thing, I was SOLD. After having just gotten over an ear flood/infection that sucked pretty bad.

Hope this helps,

Scott

This does help, I just could not get over the comment about only using your helmet if you are riding rails has me perplexed. I just fear trying a surface trick, catching and edge and the board comes out a no where, ya know? does a helmet inhibit you in any way? (IMG:http://forums.wakeoutlaws.com/style_emoticons/wake/huh.gif)

I've only wake skated a few times, I mostly wakeboard. I don't even own a helmet. Seems like with wake skating every time I have wrecked the board goes one way and I go the other. I won't be trying any huge tricks were it might be more of a hazard.

Never seen the need for it wakeboarding either. The only time I seem to really hit my head hard is on face plants and as mentioned earlier it wouldn't help there anyway.

If I try to hit any rails again I'll be buying one first but 'till then I'd rather put the 40 or 50 bucks in my gas tank. I don't see any way it'd hinder your riding at all though so if it makes you feel better than go for it.

Quick poll though. How many people over the age of 25 here ever rode a helmet riding bikes or skateboards growing up? I thought helmets were for baseball and football when I was a kid.

Yeah, my experience with "others" who will remain nameless "cough cough...LOC...cough errr cough" the wakeskate hit them in the head and leg really bad. But then again he was going for a W2W after being on a skate for 5 minutes.

I exchanged mails with the guy on the other forum. His advice was due to the potential for soft tissue damage that can happen when the helmet absorbs the shock of the hit. Because they float the don't immerse under water (?) well so they can cause some damage that way. I guess it is all personal preference.

When boarding I don't necessarily wear a helmet but since I am starting skating and don't know...I am wearing one...but...hmmmm....

What soft tissue damage is he talking about? I can assure you the helmet will go under water with your head. It's not like your head stays on the surface when you fall... (IMG:http://forums.wakeoutlaws.com/style_emoticons/wake/shock.gif) .

Where it has helped me the most is on those falls when your lower back hits first and your head snaps back into the water. I've almost knocked myself out pre-helmet on those falls, but with the helmet on, the impact is dramatically less. Plus, even doing stuff like ollies or shuv its where your feet are leaving the board, it always has the potential to do crazy things. It doesn't happen often, but it does happen. I'd much rather be safe than sorry when it comes to my melon.

Tru dat...I like my melon too...

I may be overlooking something obvious, but it seems pretty simple to me.. It seems to me that wearing a helmet would be a win - win situation, you don't dent your melon and it makes you look SUPER! (IMG:http://forums.wakeoutlaws.com/style_emoticons/wake/stuart.gif)

i have been skating for the past 3 years and have taken one board to the head but it was because of bad driving, but hey if it makes you feel more comfortable on the water than why not, i personally dont skate with a helmet all the time but for rails and comps i do. mainly because they make you but still a good idea to protect your noggin.

This guy also talking about black helicopters and wearing a tinfoil hat?

Wear the helmet...and strap some shin guards on Loc if he is going to try skating again...

snuffleupagus the weather is bad here...

No, no black helicopters...

I think it is all about personal preference but it also seems for the more advance riders, unless you are on rails and what not; the helmet can impair your visibility? I dunno. (IMG:http://forums.wakeoutlaws.com/style_emoticons/wake/unsure.gif)

I think as I am learning I will be wearing it...and then as I get more comfortable with the tricks I am able to land; I will go sans helmet. At this point...I have been cautious until I learn the basics. Not having the board attached is a bit different right now.

big bird the weather is bad in MN??? HAHAHA LMAO

Dally Mally and I have been thinking of getting helmets. The idea of rupturing an ear drum just sounds too painful. Any particular helmets anyone would like to recommend? We were at the Dallas stop of the Pro Tour this weekend and I thought the one that looked like a backwards batting helmet looked pretty cool. I forgot who was wearing it, maybe Harf? No ear protection, though.

Pro-tec hands down...

Pro-tec is the way to go...it is what most use. There are a few others out there but can't think of their name off hand.

i just got a new byerly helmet... i'm impressed. i really only wear it for rail jams... head injuries are a "no go". and i've busted enough ear drums to feel ok with wearing those "ear pads".



BUT NOW I WANT A HELMET CAM LIKE WAKEDOC'S that thing is sick!! (IMG:http://forums.wakeoutlaws.com/style_emoticons/wake/Surfing.gif)

Ha! How about you need to have a helmet cause you in da navy bra. No good for you if you can't work for me and be my slave. LOL. Rail jams. What would you know about hittin' a rail? HA HA.

I love my helmet, love the ear flaps too. I was caught "shawking" this week and was hit with the board twice. It's those moments that make having a helmet on make perfect sense.

Besides, where else can you mount the cam?