don't sk8 in the rain
As an avid skateboarder, I’ve had my fair share of close calls and ruined gear, and one of the biggest lessons I’ve learned the hard way is this: absolutely do not skateboard in the rain. It might seem like a small thing, a bit of water, but trust me, it’s a recipe for disaster for both you and your beloved board. First off, let's talk about your safety. Rain makes surfaces incredibly slippery. What was once predictable concrete or asphalt becomes a treacherous ice rink. Your wheels lose all traction, making simple turns or pushes incredibly dangerous. I remember one time, I thought I could just cruise home during a light drizzle. Next thing I knew, my board slid out from under me on a painted crosswalk, and I took a nasty fall. Luckily, it was just scrapes and bruises, but it could have been much worse. The risk of hydroplaning, losing control, and suffering serious injuries like sprains, fractures, or even head trauma is significantly higher when skating in wet conditions. Beyond your personal safety, the rain is an absolute nightmare for your skateboard. Every component on your board is susceptible to water damage, and it can drastically shorten its lifespan and performance: Bearings: These are perhaps the most vulnerable. Bearings are made of metal and contain lubricant. When water gets in, it washes away the lubricant and causes the metal to rust. Rusty bearings will seize up, making your wheels spin slowly or not at all. You'll hear a horrible grinding sound, and soon enough, you'll need a whole new set. I've had perfectly good bearings become useless after just one unexpected downpour. Deck: Your skateboard deck is made of several layers of wood (ply) glued together. Water is wood's worst enemy. Exposure to rain causes the wood to swell, leading to delamination (the plies separating). This weakens the deck, makes it lose its pop, and can even cause it to warp, making it impossible to ride properly. A warped deck is essentially a ruined deck. Grip Tape: The rough surface of your grip tape is designed to keep your feet firmly on the board. When it gets wet, it loses its effectiveness, becoming slick and less grippy. Over time, repeated wetting and drying can cause the adhesive to fail, leading to the grip tape peeling off, especially around the edges. This means you lose control and stability, and you'll have to re-grip your board sooner than you'd like. Trucks: While trucks are generally more robust, the metal components, especially the bolts, kingpin, and axles, can rust over time with repeated exposure to moisture. This can lead to squeaking, stiffness, and eventually compromise the structural integrity of your trucks. Wheels: While wheels themselves aren't damaged by water, their performance is severely affected. They lose grip on wet surfaces, increasing the chances of slipping and sliding, making tricks and even just cruising difficult and dangerous. So, what should you do if it starts raining or if you just can't resist the urge to skate? My advice: find an indoor spot if you're desperate to ride, or simply put the board away and wait for dry weather. If your board accidentally gets wet, make sure to dry it thoroughly as soon as possible. Take the wheels off, dry the bearings, wipe down the deck, and stand it upright to air dry. It won't reverse all damage, but it can mitigate some of it. Ultimately, protecting your board from the rain is crucial for its longevity and, more importantly, for your safety. Trust me, a dry day of skating is always better than a wet one!
