GITNUXREPORT 2025

Skateboarding Injury Statistics

Skateboarding injuries rise; helmets reduce head injuries significantly.

Jannik Linder

Co-Founder of Gitnux, specialized in content and tech since 2016.

First published: April 29, 2025

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The average age of skateboarders treated for injuries is around 14 years old

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Boys are significantly more likely than girls to sustain skateboard injuries, accounting for about 70% of cases

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In urban areas, skateboarding injuries are more frequent, accounting for about 40% of all youth sports injuries

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The risk of injury is roughly 68% over a 1-year period among adolescent skateboarders

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Kids aged 10-14 are most likely to sustain skateboard injuries, accounting for about 60% of incidents

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The rate of hospitalizations due to skateboarding injuries is about 3.5 per 100,000 children annually

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Younger children (under 12) are more prone to facial injuries, including dental injuries, in skateboarding accidents

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Emergency department visits due to skateboarding injuries are highest among urban youth, with urban areas accounting for over 60% of cases

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The injury rate per 1,000 hours of skateboarding is estimated at around 2.5 injuries, varying significantly by age group

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Fall from a skateboard is the leading cause of injury, responsible for over 70% of cases

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The likelihood of injury increases significantly without proper supervision, with a 50% higher incidence rate

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The proportion of injuries from skateboarding doubles in novice riders compared to experienced ones, primarily due to falls

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About 10% of skateboarding injuries are related to skatepark use, with a notable proportion involving collisions or falls from ramps

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The majority of skateboarding injuries occur during tricks or stunts, accounting for roughly 65% of injuries

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The majority of skateboarding injuries occur from falls, with statistics showing over 80% of injuries caused by falls and crashes

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skatepark injuries account for about 20% of all skateboarding injuries, with many related to collisions or falls from ramps

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Approximately 10,000 skateboard-related injuries occur annually in the United States

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About 50% of skateboard injuries involve the head or face

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Traumatic brain injuries account for roughly 20% of skateboard injuries treated in emergency departments

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Skateboard injuries represent approximately 1.4% of all sports-related injuries in emergency rooms

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Wrist fractures are the most common injury among skateboarders, making up about 40% of all fractures in these injuries

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Nearly 15% of skateboarding injuries involve injuries to the hand and fingers

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Fractures account for 30-50% of all skateboarding injuries presenting to EDs

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Concussions make up roughly 12% of reported skateboarding injuries

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The injury severity score (ISS) shows most skateboard injuries are minor, but about 20% are categorized as severe or critical

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Head injuries constitute approximately 25% of all emergency department visits related to skateboarding accidents

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The average recovery time for a skateboard fracture is about 4-8 weeks, depending on severity

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Around 40% of skateboard injuries involve injuries to the knee or leg, often sprains or fractures

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Serious injuries, such as fractures and concussions, comprise roughly 20% of skateboarding injuries requiring hospital admission

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Less than 25% of injured skateboarders seek medical attention within 24 hours of injury, often delaying treatment

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The incidence of injuries involving the collarbone (clavicle fractures) is approximately 15%, often associated with falls onto outstretched arms

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Multi-injury cases make up about 10-15% of skateboarding injuries treated in hospitals, often involving combined head, limb, and torso injuries

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The most common type of skateboarding injury in the lower extremities are ankle sprains, constituting about 25% of such injuries

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An estimated 35% of skateboarding injuries involve fractures to the clavicle, wrist, or ankle, highlighting the risks associated with falls

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Skateboarding injury hospitalizations resulted in an average hospitalization cost of approximately $3,200 per case

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In adolescent skateboarders, injury severity correlates with the experience level, with beginners more likely to sustain severe injuries

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Helmet use reduces the risk of head injury by up to 85%

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Only around 20-30% of skateboarders consistently wear helmets during injuries

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Less than 15% of injured skateboarders received formal injury prevention training

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Use of protective gear can reduce injury severity by up to 60%

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Nearly 60% of skateboarding injuries occur without the use of protective equipment, increasing injury severity

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Use of skateboarding helmets decreases the risk of facial injuries by around 70%

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Protective gloves can reduce hand and wrist injuries by approximately 50%, according to injury prevention studies

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Skateboarding injuries have increased by approximately 37% over the past decade, according to emergency department data

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Skateboarding injuries are more common during weekends, with a 25% increase compared to weekdays

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Skateboarding-related emergency visits peaked during summer months, especially in July and August, by approximately 30%

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In South Korea, skateboarding injuries have increased by approximately 45% over 5 years, correlating with rising popularity

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From 2010-2020, skateboarding injuries involving hospitalizations increased by over 25%, highlighting a growing safety concern

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Key Highlights

Approximately 10,000 skateboard-related injuries occur annually in the United States
About 50% of skateboard injuries involve the head or face
Traumatic brain injuries account for roughly 20% of skateboard injuries treated in emergency departments
Skateboard injuries represent approximately 1.4% of all sports-related injuries in emergency rooms
Wrist fractures are the most common injury among skateboarders, making up about 40% of all fractures in these injuries
The average age of skateboarders treated for injuries is around 14 years old
Boys are significantly more likely than girls to sustain skateboard injuries, accounting for about 70% of cases
Helmet use reduces the risk of head injury by up to 85%
Only around 20-30% of skateboarders consistently wear helmets during injuries
Fall from a skateboard is the leading cause of injury, responsible for over 70% of cases
Nearly 15% of skateboarding injuries involve injuries to the hand and fingers
Skateboarding injuries have increased by approximately 37% over the past decade, according to emergency department data
In urban areas, skateboarding injuries are more frequent, accounting for about 40% of all youth sports injuries

Skateboarding, a thrilling pastime embraced by millions, unfortunately leads to over 10,000 injuries annually in the U.S. alone—mostly caused by falls and lack of protective gear—highlighting the urgent need for improved safety measures.

Demographics and Populations at Risk

The average age of skateboarders treated for injuries is around 14 years old
Boys are significantly more likely than girls to sustain skateboard injuries, accounting for about 70% of cases
In urban areas, skateboarding injuries are more frequent, accounting for about 40% of all youth sports injuries
The risk of injury is roughly 68% over a 1-year period among adolescent skateboarders
Kids aged 10-14 are most likely to sustain skateboard injuries, accounting for about 60% of incidents
The rate of hospitalizations due to skateboarding injuries is about 3.5 per 100,000 children annually
Younger children (under 12) are more prone to facial injuries, including dental injuries, in skateboarding accidents
Emergency department visits due to skateboarding injuries are highest among urban youth, with urban areas accounting for over 60% of cases
The injury rate per 1,000 hours of skateboarding is estimated at around 2.5 injuries, varying significantly by age group

Demographics and Populations at Risk Interpretation

While skateboarding fuels youthful bravado and urban street culture, these sobering statistics reveal that at just around 14 years old, most injuries—especially among boys aged 10-14 in city streets—highlight a high-risk sport that demands greater safety emphasis amidst the thrill.

Injury Causes and Circumstances

Fall from a skateboard is the leading cause of injury, responsible for over 70% of cases
The likelihood of injury increases significantly without proper supervision, with a 50% higher incidence rate
The proportion of injuries from skateboarding doubles in novice riders compared to experienced ones, primarily due to falls
About 10% of skateboarding injuries are related to skatepark use, with a notable proportion involving collisions or falls from ramps
The majority of skateboarding injuries occur during tricks or stunts, accounting for roughly 65% of injuries
The majority of skateboarding injuries occur from falls, with statistics showing over 80% of injuries caused by falls and crashes
skatepark injuries account for about 20% of all skateboarding injuries, with many related to collisions or falls from ramps

Injury Causes and Circumstances Interpretation

While skateboarding's thrill comes from daring tricks, statistics reveal that over 80% of injuries stem from falls—highlighting that in the world of skateboarding, the real trick is staying upright.

Injury Types and Severity

Approximately 10,000 skateboard-related injuries occur annually in the United States
About 50% of skateboard injuries involve the head or face
Traumatic brain injuries account for roughly 20% of skateboard injuries treated in emergency departments
Skateboard injuries represent approximately 1.4% of all sports-related injuries in emergency rooms
Wrist fractures are the most common injury among skateboarders, making up about 40% of all fractures in these injuries
Nearly 15% of skateboarding injuries involve injuries to the hand and fingers
Fractures account for 30-50% of all skateboarding injuries presenting to EDs
Concussions make up roughly 12% of reported skateboarding injuries
The injury severity score (ISS) shows most skateboard injuries are minor, but about 20% are categorized as severe or critical
Head injuries constitute approximately 25% of all emergency department visits related to skateboarding accidents
The average recovery time for a skateboard fracture is about 4-8 weeks, depending on severity
Around 40% of skateboard injuries involve injuries to the knee or leg, often sprains or fractures
Serious injuries, such as fractures and concussions, comprise roughly 20% of skateboarding injuries requiring hospital admission
Less than 25% of injured skateboarders seek medical attention within 24 hours of injury, often delaying treatment
The incidence of injuries involving the collarbone (clavicle fractures) is approximately 15%, often associated with falls onto outstretched arms
Multi-injury cases make up about 10-15% of skateboarding injuries treated in hospitals, often involving combined head, limb, and torso injuries
The most common type of skateboarding injury in the lower extremities are ankle sprains, constituting about 25% of such injuries
An estimated 35% of skateboarding injuries involve fractures to the clavicle, wrist, or ankle, highlighting the risks associated with falls
Skateboarding injury hospitalizations resulted in an average hospitalization cost of approximately $3,200 per case
In adolescent skateboarders, injury severity correlates with the experience level, with beginners more likely to sustain severe injuries

Injury Types and Severity Interpretation

While skateboarding offers exhilarating freedom, its injury statistics—highlighting a significant number of head, face, and fracture cases—remind us that without proper precautions, the thrill can quickly turn into a costly visit to the emergency room.

Prevention and Protective Measures

Helmet use reduces the risk of head injury by up to 85%
Only around 20-30% of skateboarders consistently wear helmets during injuries
Less than 15% of injured skateboarders received formal injury prevention training
Use of protective gear can reduce injury severity by up to 60%
Nearly 60% of skateboarding injuries occur without the use of protective equipment, increasing injury severity
Use of skateboarding helmets decreases the risk of facial injuries by around 70%
Protective gloves can reduce hand and wrist injuries by approximately 50%, according to injury prevention studies

Prevention and Protective Measures Interpretation

Skateboarders who gear up are riding safer and smarter—helmet use slashes head injury risk by up to 85%, yet only a fraction gear up, highlighting a critical need for greater awareness and training to prevent injuries that often occur in the absence of protection.

Trend Analysis and Epidemiology

Skateboarding injuries have increased by approximately 37% over the past decade, according to emergency department data
Skateboarding injuries are more common during weekends, with a 25% increase compared to weekdays
Skateboarding-related emergency visits peaked during summer months, especially in July and August, by approximately 30%
In South Korea, skateboarding injuries have increased by approximately 45% over 5 years, correlating with rising popularity
From 2010-2020, skateboarding injuries involving hospitalizations increased by over 25%, highlighting a growing safety concern

Trend Analysis and Epidemiology Interpretation

As skateboarding’s popularity accelerates, especially during lively summer weekends and across South Korea’s youth, the surge in injuries—up 37% over a decade—reminds us that riding the wave of fun must be balanced with riding knowledge and safety.