Skateboarder Omar Hassan, 35, is known as one of the best in the world and as one of the smoothest. You wouldn't think a skateboarder as smooth as Omar Hassan would take a bunch of spills, but as Omar describes some of his travails, you can't help but think of Wile E. Coyote chasing the Road Runner.

So, read forward here only if you have a high threshold for pain.

Omar Hassan says, "One of my first injuries came when I was doing a front-side air. I fell in a straight Pete Rose slider position with the board still in hand. I broke my thumb and ripped off the nail, which is insanely painful in itself."

Ow-ooo-ch! (By the way, younger folks, Pete Rose is an old-school baseball player known for sliding head first.)

When Omar Hassan was 17, he says he dislocated his ankle. Not broke, but dislocated. An ankle? That doesn't sound good, Omar. He says he broke BOTH the tibia and fibula bones in his leg, and the medical fix-up included six screws that will remain for life.

Now, consider this one: "In Japan, I fell and slapped my hand so hard on the ground that it blew out my palm. My palm literally burst open. I had to get surgery to close up the pad of my hand."

Does Omar Hassan love skateboarding or what? Consider his handsome mug.

"I was doing a Rocket air off a jump ramp and held on too long," Omar says. "I broke two teeth, and the force of the fall shoved my braces through my lip ... I've busted my chin open about seven times. There are too many different stories that I don't care to elaborate on. Landing chin-first in pools, on ramps, in the street. All the same outcome: a busted chin and a lot of blood."

Omar Hassan even uses his injuries to make impromptu product endorsements: "While jumping off the back of a Dumpster into a bank, my board bounced up and hit me on the back of my head. Because Black Label wood is so strong, my board gashed open the back of my dome, and I had to get 14 stitches."

So, if you ever happen to bump into Omar Hassan, try not to REALLY bump into him!

Sources:
http://skateboardermag.com/skateboarder-news-features/magazine/Skateanatomy/omar-hassan-anatomy/
http://www.grindtv.com/athlete/omar_hassan/1068/bio/
http://expn.go.com/skt/s/010416_omarhassan.html

According to a recent news report, a group of teenagers were eager to enjoy some fun in the sun on the Sunshine Coast of Australia by jumping off the Coolum Beach's Esplanade rooftop - on skateboards.

The teenagers were practicing awe-inspiring leaps, twists and jumps on top of the roof and managed to catch the attention of shoppers and retail store owners over the weekend. The daredevils managed to pull off an impressive lineup of skateboarding tricks including vertical jumps, 360 degree leaps and 180s on top of an uneven rooftop.

Residents and shop owners confirmed that they were dong no harm and were just having some fun. The skateboarders simply enjoyed their practice session and adrenaline rush before heading home for the evening.

Ramping Up Your Skateboarding Skills

Skateboarding tricks and stunts can take months, even years to master, but the gurus of the skateboard have learned how to ride, maneuver and balance properly to avoid serious injuries.

Beginners may need to wear protective gear such as knee and elbow pads, the right shoesand even a helmet to reduce injury from a skateboarding mishap. Getting just the right angles and balancing the body just right before performing a jump or leap can be difficult for the beginning boarder; still, there are some ways to improve your skills.

First, you'll be better off practicing at an actual skate park before venturing onto the rooftops of buildings in the near future. Skate parks are designed with special edges and tracks that cater to the wheels of a skateboard. This will make it easier to practice those ollies, grinds and 180s without running into walls or other skaters. Well, at least for the most part.

You'll also need to practice good form. Keeping your weight balanced by bending your knees slightly and relaxing the body will help you maneuver the board easily and help you execute each move with ease. Keeping your eyes focused on the ground ahead (and not on your feet) will also help you navigate better and plan your next move.

Finally, don't forget to use skateboard wax. You'll need to rub this on the ledge you are working against so that you can ride up to the edge and make your turns with ease. A block of hard wax is fairly cheap and will likely last you through an entire skating season.

California is the center of the skateboarding universe. This state has an amazing collection of both free and fee skate parks. If you are looking for a great place for bowl skating, venture to Pala, California. Here you will find the Pala Skate Park.

Pala Skate Park - The Basics
The Pala Skate Park can be found at 11154 Highway 76 in Pala, California. This park is primarily a bowl park, and the bowls are fabulous. This is where you will want to bring your board if you are interested in catching some serious air.

Pala Skate Park - Hours of Operation
Like many skate parks, Pala Skate Park has a seasonal schedule for its hours of operation. The winter schedule is in effect from September until May. During the winter season you can skate at Pala Monday through Friday from two in the afternoon until dark, which is about 6 p.m. and on the weekends from ten in the morning until dark. The summer season runs from June to August. During this season you will be able to skate during the week from nine in the morning until seven in the evening and on the weekends from ten until six.

Pala Skate Park - Cost
Pala Skate Park is a fee park. You can buy a daily, weekend or annual park pass for a reasonable price. Daily rates run about $5 for the general public and $3 a day for local residents with a 92059 zip code. The weekend pass will cost about $5 if you are 12 or younger, $10 for skaters 13 and older and $3 for tribal members with an ID. Annual passes can also be purchased for around $100.

Skating at the Pala Skate Park
The Pala Skate Park is located in an area of California that has a temperate climate. This means that the weather gets cold in the winter and hot in the summer. Since the park is open year round you will need to dress for the weather. This means wearing long sleeved shirts and long pants when the weather is chilly and wearing breathable clothing when the weather is hot.

Ohio is filled with hidden skateboarding treasures. This state has a few big cities and a lot of suburbs to explore. If you are looking for skate parks, you will have the best luck by looking in the suburban regions of the state. One skate park that you will not want to pass by is the Stomping Grounds. This skate park is found in Austintown, Ohio, which is just outside of Youngstown, Ohio.

The Basics
Stomping Grounds is a great indoor park that offers nearly everything that you need to develop your skateboarding skills. It can be found at 1379 S. Raccoon Road in Austintown, Ohio. Here you will find quarter pipes and half pipes, ramps, stairs, rails, boxes and other great street and vert park features. This is a concrete and wood park, so you will want to wear long pants to protect your legs from slivers and road rash if you fall.

Schedule and Fees
Stomping Grounds has two schedules: a winter schedule and a summer schedule. The summer schedule is in effect from June 15 through Labor Day. During this time, the park is open Wednesday and Thursday from 6 p.m. until 10 p.m., Friday 6 p.m. until midnight and Saturday from noon until 5 p.m. with a second session from 5 p.m. until 10 p.m.

Winter sessions run Sundays from 1 p.m. until 6 p.m., Monday through Friday from 6 p.m. until 10 p.m. and Saturday from noon to 5 p.m. and again from 5 p.m. until 10 p.m.

Generally you will pay about $10 per session. The only exceptions are Monday and Saturdays. Monday is Cheap Monday and your session is only $5. If you want to skate all day on Saturday, your session fee will be about $20.

Rules and Tips
In order to skate at the Stomping Grounds, you will first need to fill out a liability waiver. A lot of skate parks currently requiring this. Next, if you are under 18 years of age, you will need to wear a helmet at all times while skating at this park. However, if you are over 18, wearing a helmet is up to you.

One of the greatest thrills a skateboarder can have is racking up new skateboarding experiences. If you have a goal to skate at as many skate parks as possible, consider trying out some of the smaller city skate parks. If you happen to be in the state of Washington, you will have dozens of these smaller skate parks to work your way through. One skate park that you will not want to miss out on is the ever-expanding Edge Skate Park found in Redmond, Washington.

Edge Skate Park - The Basics
The Edge Skate Park is located at 8420 161st Avenue NW in downtown Redmond. It offers about 7,700 square feet of concrete skating terrain. It is primarily a street-course skate park with features like stairs, rails, platforms and edges. However, there are also a couple of quirky quarter pipes that you can practice tricks on.

Edge Skate Park - The Rules
Since this is a public skate park, you are responsible for your own actions and your own safety. To protect yourself you will want to wear a helmet, padding, proper skateboarding shoes and clothing. You will also want to make sure you don't bring glass, food or beverages into the skateboarding area.

Other Amenities Offered by Edge Skate Park
The Edge Skate Park is a part of a larger city park that serves Redmond's downtown area. This park sits on nearly an acre and a half of land and has plenty of space to skateboard and set up an impromptu soccer game. This park also offers you an information kiosk and an art wall. If you use this park, remember to pack out everything you pack in or at least use the garbage cans if you have items that need to be thrown away.

Setting Boarding Goals
Setting goals can help you focus the development of your skateboarding career. If your goal is to skate at as many skate parks as possible, start a list of parks that are available and a list of skate parks that you have used. As you skate at different skate parks, move the parks from the available list to the skated-at list. You can also add a third column for remarks and comments about the park. To keep your fans up to date about your skating adventures, post your lists and comments on your social networking page.

If you want to get away from the super crowded skate parks of Phoenix, Arizona, or if you find yourself in or near Gilbert, Arizona, then make plans to check out Freestone Skate Park. This is a free skate park that is open to everyone, including inline skaters, skateboarders and bikers. This diversity can be both an asset and a liability. Overall, this is a great park with something for every type of skater. Locals love this park and say it is one of the best skate areas in this part of Arizona.

Freestone Skate Park - The Basics
Freestone Skate Park can be found at the intersection of Juniper and Lindsay in Gilbert, Arizona, 85234. It is an outdoor concrete skate park that was designed by SITE Design Group and opened on March 17, 2001. This skate park offers over 22,000 square feet of skating terrain including a vert part, a trannie park and street course. One of the best design features of this skate park is that it is lighted so you can skate there safely until the park closes at 9 p.m. in the winter and 10 p.m. in the summer.

Freestone Skate Park - Skate Park Features
The Freestone Skate Park has a little bit of something for everyone. There are a couple of awesome bowls to trick out on, a trannie course and a street course. The street course is modest, but it offers rails, a pyramid, ledges, metal coping and a few other obstacles. It is recommended that you wear full padding and a helmet, but since this is an unsupervised park this recommendation is not enforced.

Enjoying the Freestone Skate Park
In order to fully enjoy the Freestone Skate Park, you need to go there with the intent of having a good time. This is a popular park with skaters and bikers of all ages, so be prepared to dodge traffic on the courses. You will find young skaters and older skaters here, as well as advanced skaters and beginners. Have patience and keep your board and your body under control for your safety and the safety of others at the park. Finally, don't forget to wear the right clothing for the weather and for your sport.

While you may not naturally think of Nashville, Tennessee as a skateboarding vacation destination, it actually is a great city to visit. Not only does it offer you a lot of great musical attractions, friendly people and great Southern food, this city is also dotted with skate parks and great skateboarding opportunities.

Places to Skateboard in Nashville, Tennessee
Like most cities in the world, it is a good idea to limit your skateboarding to skate parks. However, you can find a lot of low-traffic areas to skate and explore in Nashville. Just stay off of private property, don't skate downtown and don't skate where there are a lot of people. Like I said, your best bet is going to be the city's skate parks.

The first option that you have is the Sixth Avenue Skate Park. This is an 11,000 square foot skate park that offers a great selection of features. It is a concrete park, which makes falling rough on the body. To minimize injuries wear a helmet, the proper skater attire and padding. Some of the features that you will find at 401 Sixth Avenue South include a 16-foot vert wall, sub walls, a ten-foot bank leading into a vert wall, ledges, hips, rails, a spine ramp and a couple of modest ovals.

The second skate park in Nashville is the Nashville Skate Park, which is located inside Wave Country. This park, found at 2320 Two Rivers Parkway, offers about 20,000 square feet of skateboarding terrain. It has bowls, vert walls, rails and obstacles for you to play on and in. Have fun at this park and then cool off in the wave pool.

Shopping for Skateboarding Equipment in Nashville, Tennessee
The best skateboard gear and paraphernalia is going to be found slightly outside of Nashville. In Mount Juliet, a few miles away, you will find Resist Skateboards. This shop is located at 11888 Labanon Road. Your second option is Imperial Skateboarding Company, found at 114 East Prince Street in Gallatin, Tennessee. If you visit this shop, bring your board as Gallatin has a brand new skate park that you won't want to miss.

Whether you are in Minneapolis for business or pleasure, this is a great city to go to if you are a skateboarder. The city government has recognizes that skateboarding is a growing sport, and boarders of all ages need a safe place to skate. In response they have create six city-sponsored skate parks throughout the city. This means that no matter where you are in the city, you won't have far to go to find a great skate park. Pack your rash guard and skateboarding shorts and get ready to have fun in the Twin Cities.

Skate Parks in Minneapolis, Minnesota

There are six city skate parks inside the city of Minneapolis, Minnesota. Each of the following parks is an outdoor park found inside a larger recreation center or city park. They each have several skating features including pyramids, ramps and hand rails.

▪ Armatage, 2500 57th Street West, Minneapolis, Minnesota

▪ Bottineau, 2000 2nd Street North East, Minneapolis, Minnesota

▪ Brackett, 2728 39th Avenue South, Minneapolis, Minnesota

▪ Creekview, 5001 Humbolt Avenue North, Minneapolis, Minnesota

▪ Elliot, 1000 14th Street East, Minneapolis, Minnesota

▪ Morris, 5531 39th Avenue South, Minneapolis, Minnesota

Skateboard Shops in Minneapolis, Minnesota

If you are looking for new boards or new skateboarding clothing, Minneapolis is a great shopping destination to visit. This city is chalked full of skateboard and sporting goods shops. Here are a few of the shops found in and around the city of Minneapolis and Saint Paul, Minnesota:

▪ Erik's Bike Shop, 501 Country Road 42, Burnsville, Minnesota

▪ 3rd Lair Skate Park and Skate Shop, 850 Florida Ave. S., Golden Valley, Minnesota

▪ Adrelanine Skateboards and Snowboards, 893 Robert St. S., Saint Paul, Minnesota

▪ Alternative Bike & Board Shop, 3013 Lyndale Ave. S., Minneapolis, Minnesota

▪ Familia Skate Board Shop, 647 Snelling Ave. S., Saint Paul, Minnesota

Outdoor Activities in Minneapolis, Minnesota

Outdoor activities are big in Minneapolis. Throughout the year, you will be able to find special events that celebrate the skateboarding lifestyle. When you are planning your vacation to Minneapolis, talk to your travel agent or read local newspapers to see if a skateboarding demonstration, competition or event is scheduled and how you can attend or participate in it. Minneapolis is waiting for you, so grab your board and hit the road!