You're never too young or old to🛹skateboard. Get on board with your kids today!
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With the suspension of all high intensity, unmasked activities in indoor facilities due to the return of Phase 2 (Heightened Alert) starting 22 July to 18 August, the type of sports we can participate in have dwindled significantly.
Group sports such as soccer and basketball, or strenuous indoor sports such as taekwondo, karate, rock climbing, amongst others, are on pause for now. Understandably, sporty individuals, including parents, are concerned. What other sports can we and our family participate in safely while we strike a balance between abiding by the Safe Management Measures and staying active?
Look to the outdoors. Besides cycling and running, now's the time to embrace sports we have never attempted before. One of the sports that’s getting greater attention amongst adults, teenagers and children alike is skateboarding. Imagine this: Dressed casually chic, you are cruising on wheels, the wind blowing your hair, with not a care in the world – how cool is that?
Do not belittle the health benefits of skateboarding. Apart from its cool factor, skateboarding offers a full-body, muscle-building workout. It also improves flexibility and enhances the coordination of your eyes, legs, feet, and arms. In addition, the demands of the sport make it the perfect springboard for parents to inculcate the values of consequence, practice and patience.
Yahoo Shopping speaks with Khairul Azree (also known as Ree); Sport Leader Coach, Oxelo Product Expert (SEA) and Skateboarding Ambassador at Decathlon; who shares the variety of skateboards available, how to choose a suitable skateboard, safety tips and where you can pick up skateboarding techniques.
With 20 years of skateboarding under his belt, Ree provides valuable advice on skateboarding gears on top of other tasks, including formulating business strategies for the Oxelo brand, product training, and managing the retail merchandise of Decathlon stores across Southeast Asia. Curious to find out more? Take a look at some of Ree’s trick shots here, as well as on his Instagram account here.
Yahoo Shopping: How does a total newbie get started in skateboarding and master basic skateboarding techniques?
Ree: For a start, the sports sales assistants at Decathlon stores can provide fundamental insights and information on a suitable board for you. The beauty of skateboarding is very much about learning from one another. Follow docksessionsg on IG to connect with the skateboarding and longboarding communities who are always game to share tips and tricks. You will also learn a lot by speaking to fellow skateboarders in the skatepark too. Don’t be shy!
Yahoo Shopping: What are the benefits of skateboarding? Will I be working out on one leg only?
Ree: Apart from working out your entire body, skateboarding also works for different muscle groups. It is a form of relaxation, an art form, and it aids your mental health. The sport creates a sense of unity for anyone who wishes to be a part of a community.
Yahoo Shopping: Any tips to take note of while buying my skateboarding gear?
Ree: First, you must know what you want to do with a skateboard. Leisure cruising or performing tricks, or both. There are four main types of skateboarding: i) Freestyle Skateboarding ii) Cruisers, iii) Longboards and iv) Surf Skateboarding.
Freestyle skateboarding is when you want to learn to balance on the skateboard and perform some tricks. Cruisers, as its name suggests, are mainly for leisure and enjoying the scenery. Longboards have lots of variation in terms of what you can do with them, including longboard dancing, going downhills and cruising. Surf skateboarding is also known as surf skates. New to Asia, surf skateboard is a skateboard that you can use to practice surfing. The trucks are built for really sharp turns and require more shoulders and hip control to keep the board going – Great for losing weight and developing abs.
Yahoo Shopping: Skateboarding is for teenagers. Is there any truth to the statement?
Ree: This is a misconception. There are no limits (background or age) to any sports. There are different styles to suit different people. The most common techniques being freestyle, vert, street, park skateboarding, where tricks and obstacles are involved. There’s also cruising, which is more relaxing. People of all ages do this to get around short distances or simply to enjoy the park.
Yahoo Shopping: Skateboarding seems dangerous. Are there any safety tips for beginners?
Ree: As an amateur in the sport, it is vital to wear guards and a helmet. Always protect your head in case you fall off your board. It is also essential to protect your joints and areas most prone to injuries when you break your fall. Also, look out for protective gear for other sensitive areas:
Wrist guards are essential because we usually use our hands to break falls leading to broken wrists. Knee guards protect the knees from getting painful bruises and abrasions when you fall off the skateboard. Elbow guards provide padded protection for the elbows.
Yahoo Shopping: Are there any official or ideal venues for those based in Singapore to skateboard?
Try Bishan Skatepark, Somerset Skatepark as well as Stadium Skatepark.
For those who are keen to try out this new sport, Yahoo Shopping found some awesome skateboards for everyone in the family.
Cruiser Skateboard Yamba 100, Blue/Coral, S$40
Skateboard Deck Oxelo 120 Og 8.25 Inches, Bruce Blue, S$50
Big Yamba Cruiser Skateboard, Blue/Coral Gradient, S$60
Skateboard Oxelo Team 500 8Inch Paranoid White, S$110
Oxelo's Kids’ 3-7 Years Skateboard Play 120 Skate, S$35
Kids' 8-12 Years Skateboard Mid 500 Monkey, S$50
Oxelo’s Basic Children’s 3-piece Protective Gear for Skates/Skateboard/Scooter, S$12
Oxelo’s Kids’ Inline Skates Skateboard Scooter Helmet B100, S$15
More skateboards by Decathlon
Skateboards from Amazon
Skateboards from Lazada
Skateboards from Shopee
Try out skateboarding at the Decathlon Sports Festival 2021. Final day for registration!
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