“California, knows how to party,” is what the video said. But what it showed was a video posted initially by @grlswirl, a women-founded skate collective. While the footage promotes empowerment through skating, Reddit could only notice one thing: The lack of protective skate gear. With no helmets, pads, or, for some, shoes to be found, the internet had opinions… and gruesome personal anecdotes for the skaters.
“As someone who has done this and regretted it… Wear a helmet and protective gear for f***s sake,” said one of the top commenters on Reddit, with more than 600 upvotes. Another replied with a video detailing why helmet safety is so important, saying, “Got knocked out for over a minute and a half, hitting the Back of my head after getting the death wobbles on a footpath–have never been the same.”
Some commented on the California vibes of the video, comparing it to the 1970s in California. However, for every response praising the video, there was one pleading for better safety practices. “My daughter ended up with a skull fracture because she wasn’t wearing a helmet. She got lucky that it didn’t kill her, but it was our fault that we didn’t make her wear a helmet. Please, please, please, just wear a helmet, you gorgeous ladies. If anything, it can save your life,” one Redditor shared.
Some commented on the skater’s attire, noting that it can quickly become a safety hazard. “On top of it, the wheels with flowing skirts is making me anxious,” one user said. Another replied, “And barefoot too. I love seeing more women enjoying skateboarding. But for the love of god, wear a helmet, put on some shoes, and no long skirts. I get that it doesn’t look aesthetic, but you know what else isn’t aesthetic? Road rash.”
While one person replied and joked, saying, “Dress for the ride and the slide,” an EMT chimed in with an upvote. They commented, saying, “Up-voted from a former EMT. It is amazing the amount of damage ‘small’ falls can do to your skull.”
