GITNUXREPORT 2025

Skateboarding Injuries Statistics

Skateboarding injuries are common, often involve head, wrist, and fracture risks.

Jannik Linder

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

First published: April 29, 2025

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Kids aged 10-14 are the most commonly injured age group in skateboarding incidents

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Girls account for approximately 17% of skateboarding injuries requiring emergency care

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Males are injured twice as often as females in skateboarding accidents

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Females tend to sustain fewer fractures but more soft tissue injuries than males

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The annual cost of skateboarding injuries that require emergency treatment is estimated at over $50 million in the U.S. alone

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Around 60% of injuries are sustained during stunt performance or tricks

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Skateboard accidents are responsible for about 8% of all sports-related emergency room visits in urban settings

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The overall injury rate has remained steady despite increased popularity of skateboarding

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Approximately 25% of injuries occur during the first year of skateboarding activity, suggesting inexperience as a risk factor

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Younger children (under age 10) are more prone to head injuries due to lower skill levels and less protective gear

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The injury rate for skateboarding is highest during afternoon hours, particularly between 3 pm and 6 pm

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The most frequent cause of injuries is falls from the skateboard, accounting for over 60% of incidents

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The injury rate among novice skateboarders is twice as high as among experienced skateboarders

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The use of skateboarding ramps and rails increases the risk of injury during tricks, with injuries common in this context

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The rate of re-injury within a year of initial skateboarding injury is approximately 15%, indicating potential gaps in injury prevention

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In high school athletes, skateboarding injury prevalence can reach up to 25% among extreme sports participants

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There is a higher incidence of upper extremity injuries in skateboarders performing tricks, with wrist and shoulder injuries being most common

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Chronic overuse injuries, such as tendonitis and stress fractures, are reported in long-term skateboarders, especially in the knees and ankles

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The rate of injury in skateboarding is almost three times higher than in inline skating, indicating differing risk profiles

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Most injuries occur during freestyle or vert tricks, accounting for over 50% of incidents, as opposed to street skating, which accounts for about 30%

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The prevalence of alcohol consumption during skateboarding accidents is about 12%, which increases the severity and likelihood of injury

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Emergency room visits due to skateboarding injuries tend to peak during summer months, with June-August accounting for over 40% of cases

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The most common time frame for skateboarding injuries is during recreational activity, accounting for approximately 70% of all incidents

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Falls while attempting complex tricks account for nearly 55% of injuries, emphasizing the need for skill and protective gear

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The rate of injury among professional skateboarders is higher than amateurs, largely due to riskier tricks and urban environments

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Long-term skateboarders have reported increased incidence of osteoarthritis in the knees and hips, related to repeated trauma

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Approximately 45,000 skateboarding injuries are reported annually in the United States

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Wrist fractures account for nearly 20% of all skateboarding injuries

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Head injuries from skateboarding constitute about 23% of all skateboarding-related trauma cases

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Approximately 38% of skateboarding injuries involve fractures or broken bones

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Skateboarding injuries leading to hospital visits increased by 30% over the past decade

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The injury rate per 1,000 skateboarding exposures is estimated to be 123 injuries

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An estimated 15% of skateboarding injuries require surgical intervention

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Fractures are more common in skateboarding injuries than dislocations, accounting for about 65% of injuries

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The most common sites of injury are the wrist (39%), head/face (18%), and ankle (16%)

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Skateboarding maximum injury severity scores often involve head trauma, with scores ≥25 indicating severe trauma

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Nearly 12% of serious skateboard injuries involve traumatic brain injuries

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The injury severity scores tend to be higher when skaters perform in urban environments versus skateparks, due to difficulty managing obstacles

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Studies estimate that the overall risk of serious injury (requiring hospitalization) in skateboarding is about 1 in 150 participants per year

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Skull fractures make up 9% of all hospitalizations from skateboarding injuries, underscoring the severity of head trauma

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Upper limb injuries, including wrist and elbow injuries, are most common in beginner skateboarders, who are less experienced at falling safely

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Helmet use reduces the risk of head injury by approximately 85% among skateboarders

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The use of protective gear reduces injury severity by around 70%

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In a surveyed group, 58% of skateboarders never wear wrist guards, increasing injury risk

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Helmet use among youth skateboarders is reported at only 25%, despite evidence that helmets significantly prevent head injuries

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Despite increased awareness, only about 30% of skateboarders regularly wear protective gear, indicating a need for improved safety campaigns

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Key Highlights

Approximately 45,000 skateboarding injuries are reported annually in the United States
Kids aged 10-14 are the most commonly injured age group in skateboarding incidents
Wrist fractures account for nearly 20% of all skateboarding injuries
Head injuries from skateboarding constitute about 23% of all skateboarding-related trauma cases
Approximately 38% of skateboarding injuries involve fractures or broken bones
Helmet use reduces the risk of head injury by approximately 85% among skateboarders
Around 60% of injuries are sustained during stunt performance or tricks
Skateboarding injuries leading to hospital visits increased by 30% over the past decade
Girls account for approximately 17% of skateboarding injuries requiring emergency care
The injury rate per 1,000 skateboarding exposures is estimated to be 123 injuries
An estimated 15% of skateboarding injuries require surgical intervention
Fractures are more common in skateboarding injuries than dislocations, accounting for about 65% of injuries
Males are injured twice as often as females in skateboarding accidents

Every year, thousands of skateboarders face injuries ranging from fractures to head traumas, highlighting the urgent need for better safety practices amid rising incidents and persistent risks on ramps and streets alike.

Demographics and Player Characteristics

Kids aged 10-14 are the most commonly injured age group in skateboarding incidents
Girls account for approximately 17% of skateboarding injuries requiring emergency care
Males are injured twice as often as females in skateboarding accidents
Females tend to sustain fewer fractures but more soft tissue injuries than males

Demographics and Player Characteristics Interpretation

While boys are twice as likely to wipe out on their skateboards, girls tend to suffer more soft tissue mishaps than broken bones, highlighting that skateboarding injuries are a balanced act of risk and resilience across genders and ages.

Healthcare Impact and Economic Costs

The annual cost of skateboarding injuries that require emergency treatment is estimated at over $50 million in the U.S. alone

Healthcare Impact and Economic Costs Interpretation

With over $50 million annually in emergency treatment costs, skateboarding injuries remind us that riding the line between thrill and tragedy often comes with a hefty price tag.

Injury Causes and Risk Factors

Around 60% of injuries are sustained during stunt performance or tricks
Skateboard accidents are responsible for about 8% of all sports-related emergency room visits in urban settings
The overall injury rate has remained steady despite increased popularity of skateboarding
Approximately 25% of injuries occur during the first year of skateboarding activity, suggesting inexperience as a risk factor
Younger children (under age 10) are more prone to head injuries due to lower skill levels and less protective gear
The injury rate for skateboarding is highest during afternoon hours, particularly between 3 pm and 6 pm
The most frequent cause of injuries is falls from the skateboard, accounting for over 60% of incidents
The injury rate among novice skateboarders is twice as high as among experienced skateboarders
The use of skateboarding ramps and rails increases the risk of injury during tricks, with injuries common in this context
The rate of re-injury within a year of initial skateboarding injury is approximately 15%, indicating potential gaps in injury prevention
In high school athletes, skateboarding injury prevalence can reach up to 25% among extreme sports participants
There is a higher incidence of upper extremity injuries in skateboarders performing tricks, with wrist and shoulder injuries being most common
Chronic overuse injuries, such as tendonitis and stress fractures, are reported in long-term skateboarders, especially in the knees and ankles
The rate of injury in skateboarding is almost three times higher than in inline skating, indicating differing risk profiles
Most injuries occur during freestyle or vert tricks, accounting for over 50% of incidents, as opposed to street skating, which accounts for about 30%
The prevalence of alcohol consumption during skateboarding accidents is about 12%, which increases the severity and likelihood of injury
Emergency room visits due to skateboarding injuries tend to peak during summer months, with June-August accounting for over 40% of cases
The most common time frame for skateboarding injuries is during recreational activity, accounting for approximately 70% of all incidents
Falls while attempting complex tricks account for nearly 55% of injuries, emphasizing the need for skill and protective gear
The rate of injury among professional skateboarders is higher than amateurs, largely due to riskier tricks and urban environments
Long-term skateboarders have reported increased incidence of osteoarthritis in the knees and hips, related to repeated trauma

Injury Causes and Risk Factors Interpretation

Despite its rising popularity and daring tricks, skateboarding's injury statistics reveal that over half of accidents stem from stunts, with inexperience and risky maneuvers like ramps and rails turning urban playgrounds into reluctant injury zones—proving that even in the pursuit of cool, safety should still come first.

Injury Types and Severity

Approximately 45,000 skateboarding injuries are reported annually in the United States
Wrist fractures account for nearly 20% of all skateboarding injuries
Head injuries from skateboarding constitute about 23% of all skateboarding-related trauma cases
Approximately 38% of skateboarding injuries involve fractures or broken bones
Skateboarding injuries leading to hospital visits increased by 30% over the past decade
The injury rate per 1,000 skateboarding exposures is estimated to be 123 injuries
An estimated 15% of skateboarding injuries require surgical intervention
Fractures are more common in skateboarding injuries than dislocations, accounting for about 65% of injuries
The most common sites of injury are the wrist (39%), head/face (18%), and ankle (16%)
Skateboarding maximum injury severity scores often involve head trauma, with scores ≥25 indicating severe trauma
Nearly 12% of serious skateboard injuries involve traumatic brain injuries
The injury severity scores tend to be higher when skaters perform in urban environments versus skateparks, due to difficulty managing obstacles
Studies estimate that the overall risk of serious injury (requiring hospitalization) in skateboarding is about 1 in 150 participants per year
Skull fractures make up 9% of all hospitalizations from skateboarding injuries, underscoring the severity of head trauma
Upper limb injuries, including wrist and elbow injuries, are most common in beginner skateboarders, who are less experienced at falling safely

Injury Types and Severity Interpretation

Despite its cool image, skateboarding's annual tally of 45,000 injuries—highlighted by wrist fractures, head traumas, and broken bones—reminds us that in the skatepark or city streets, style can be deadly without safety gear, especially as serious injuries and hospital visits surge over the past decade.

Protective Measures and Safety Practices

Helmet use reduces the risk of head injury by approximately 85% among skateboarders
The use of protective gear reduces injury severity by around 70%
In a surveyed group, 58% of skateboarders never wear wrist guards, increasing injury risk
Helmet use among youth skateboarders is reported at only 25%, despite evidence that helmets significantly prevent head injuries
Despite increased awareness, only about 30% of skateboarders regularly wear protective gear, indicating a need for improved safety campaigns

Protective Measures and Safety Practices Interpretation

Despite compelling evidence that helmets cut head injury risk by 85%, with only 25% of youth skateboarders and 30% of all skaters consistently donning protective gear, it seems that the real ride towards safety still requires a serious overhaul in awareness and gear adoption.