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#31
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Roller skiing protective gear
On May 9, 8:01 pm, "Jeff Clausen" wrote:
As a long-time lurker, this thread seems to be deja-vu all over again. I think JFT played the foil marvelously during the last go around if memory serves me correctly. jc "Randy AKA Cubby" wrote in ... This is normally a hugely supportive, serious snippage Wow. This certainly has been an interesting thread. In response to the OP: I really can't advocate anything for protection beyond gloves (which are needed to protect the hands from blistering when poleing anyways) and a helmet. As many other posters said, there are inherent risks involved in any active sport, and it's a risk vs. reward analysis that must be preformed by each participant. I learned very early on that falling on rollerskis is NOT a very good option. So I take precautions when I start the rollerski season by skiing on easy terrain and gradually build back to going full out again on the road (and FWIW I consider myself an expert skiier). I also have to support some of the comments about the negative effect that too much fear of falling can have on technique, as well as the detriment that too much cumbersom equipment can have on technique. With that being said, I can't imagine that I would continute to rollerski if I felt I needed as much protection as you are talking about. From my 15 plus years of experience as a fully certified alpine ski instructor, former club racer and high school coach, I can say that one of the most limiting factors, performance wise, for any skiier is fear. As others have recommended, you probably would benefit more from addressing the reasons why you feel the need for so much protective gear. And I'm not intending to be condesending here at all. But if you are afraid of falling, or your skills are such that falling is a likely possiblity you may seriously want to consider alternative training, alternative rollerski routes, or a combination of the two. To JFT: Though I do somewhat agree with some of your points I think you came out of the gate a wee bit harsh on the OP. (Though he did turne up the hyperbole in the Vietnam, toe tag, body bag, etc. response.) |
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#32
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Roller skiing protective gear
Hugh P wrote:
world cup ski trails are roller-ski trails underneath) I don't think I ever saw an adult roller-skiing in a helmet; the only significant injury I heard of there was incurred on roller-blades, which are far less stable at high speeds (and it would not have been prevented by helmets or pads). Of course, not crashing entails judgment about the kind of roads you ski on: if you are scared of hitting a stone then you are probably not skiing well anyway - that was why I started wearing a head-lamp for night roller-skiing. If you do an advanced google groups search on rsn, you'll find a few years ago Jay T fell on his noggin rollerskiing and broke his jaw and whatever else. One of those bad pole plant episodes, if I recall right. A few contributors to this thread have suggested that, "If you are scared...," then something's wrong. First of all, anyone who does high risk work knows that when you're not scared is precisely when you're most likely to get hurt. It's that controlled fear which keeps one alert for danger. With rollerskis, one of those dangers is rocks. Yes, depending on the ski wheel size, speed, angle of contact and use of a fender, a rock can definitely bring one down. So can a small twig, as small as about 1/4" x 1" long. To the extent that rollerskiing is not just exercise but also an attempt to improve one's form (technique, balance, speed), then progressively challenging those fears is essential for improvement. rm |
#33
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Roller skiing protective gear
I spoke to a colleague today about her volleybal. Intensional rolls and
slides on sport hall floors. They wear knee protection a bit different from what's used for skating. Perhaps less of a protection level, but apparently very comfortable through a multi-hour intense workout. Who knows, on the streets these protectors may do a sufficient job, with much less discomfort? Each sport has it's own protectors. Perhaps a really big ball sports store would have some choices. "Randy AKA Cubby" schreef in bericht ... Dumb question: What do you guys wear for protective equipment? I'm not sure if it's just me, or what, but I've been through like 5 different pairs of 'roller blading' and 'roller skating' protective gear, i.e. knee, elbow and wrist pads, and have yet to come up with something I can live with. The wrist protectors seem to inhibit my pole work a great deal. The knee pads are the biggest bugaboo; they seem to really dampen my push and almost seem to change the angle of my knee a bit. I'm an Emergency Room nurse in real life, so I WON'T go without them (having cared for many of the local H.S. team roller ski injuries). I also wear a generic bicycling helmet which isn't all that big a deal. Depends on the weather, I'm either in a Swix ski pant or shorts. wit h the knee pads, I've tried the wrap around velcro and the pull-over volleyball type. Any suggestions? Randy B |
#34
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Roller skiing protective gear
A few contributors to this thread have suggested that, "If you are scared...," then something's wrong. First of all, anyone who does high risk work knows that when you're not scared is precisely when you're most likely to get hurt. It's that controlled fear which keeps one alert for danger. With rollerskis, one of those dangers is rocks. Yes, depending on the ski wheel size, speed, angle of contact and use of a fender, a rock can definitely bring one down. So can a small twig, as small as about 1/4" x 1" long. To the extent that rollerskiing is not just exercise but also an attempt to improve one's form (technique, balance, speed), then progressively challenging those fears is essential for improvement. rm I really think that if you roller ski when frightened you are likely to not replicate effective efficient snow technique. Tentativeness is not a good quality for skiers to have. Obviously there is a learning curve. Of late I've been humbled as I re-enter the world of roller skiing. It will take a while to develop the reckless abandon indicative of powerful and relaxed technique. But I agree that even if practiced with technique that does not duplicate your snow skiing, or with technique that is "unacceptable", there are still benefits to be enjoyed. As to the helmet/no helmet and protection issue. Jeeeze, I'd much rather have on protective gear when I crash,. But really, in a serious crash impact with a car, a helmet probably won't help much. You know that in populations studied in which it became law to wear a helmet when cycling the incidence of head injuries went up. Why? Decreased risk aversion maybe? Anyway I think it is foolish to not wear a helmet when doing so doesn't much interfere with enjoyment. However I wouldn't hesitate to roller ski or ride in most circumstances if a helmet wasn't available.My greatest fear of a head injury is when standing stationary on roller skis with out a helmet on. The thought of a fall backwards onto an unprotected head brings to mind the image of the outcome of dropping a melon onto the asphalt from 5.5 feet. I put my helmet on before I put my roller skis on. I've just researched a rare cancer that my dear friend has in his skull. I expected that it might have had something to do with a motorcycle accident and head injury 25 years ago. Indeed, there seems to be a relationship between trauma of the skull and latter development of this vascular cancer of the bone. Gary Jacobson Rosendale, NY |
#35
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Roller skiing protective gear
Without boring you with my story of rollerskiing, here is a list of
all the safety equipment and techniques I use to stay safe: * Helmet - Well duh! But you would be surprised how many young bucks I see rollerskiing around my loop (Medicine Lake in Plymouth, MN) without this basic necessity. * Weightlifting Gloves - Last year, I started looking for an alternative to the overpriced, poor quality "rollerski gloves". While always frustrated with them, I was also starting to develop wrist problems from the shock of the pole hitting the pavement. I found some leather weightlifting gloves (http://www.dickssportinggoods.com/ product/index.jsp? productId=15907&cp=694002&view=all&parentPage=fami ly&searchId=694002) that were cheap, had a tough leather palm (durable), and a long strap to wrap around my wrist to absorb some of the shock and protect them from falls. It make a huge difference. * Speed Control - Speed control is very important to safe rollerskiing. Speed Reducers and slow wheels help. Don't be in a hurry, if you want to work hard, do it uphill. On some downhills, I put one rollerski out in the grass to help me control my speed. * Monitor Trail Conditions - Don't skate on a wet trail, go extra slow if there's gravel or a lot of debris on the trail, and watch for leaves they can be slippery even if the trail is dry. * Know Your Route - Making sure you have grassy bailout spots where you might need them. Be sure there are no blind road crossings on any sort of downhill incline where you might not be able to stop. * Warn people as you approach - Give others plenty of time to get out of the way as you come through, especially going downhill where you can't stop if you had to. Based on my falling experience (more than I care to admit), the areas that get hurt the most are my fingers and wrists, always from catching myself from the fall. I've also gotten some roadrash in odd places, but there's not much defense against that. I don't use knee or elbow protection and I don't think it's necessary because injuries in those areas are not life-threatening and are actually very rare based on my experience, so I don't see any reason to go overboard to protect them. Jon |
#36
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Roller skiing protective gear
On 30 May 2007 14:30:12 -0700, wrote:
* Warn people as you approach - Give others plenty of time to get out of the way as you come through, especially going downhill where you can't stop if you had to. I wouldn't count on other people getting out the way for safety. -- JT **************************** Remove "remove" to reply Visit http://www.jt10000.com **************************** |
#37
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Roller skiing protective gear
I do NOT want to start this thread up again but found this rather
interesting article about a local cycler: http://www.active.com/story.cfm?stor...gory=cycli ng Run over by a truck, helmet crushed but he's just fine. If you have to wear them, it's nice to know they work. |
#38
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Roller skiing protective gear
On Thu, 07 Jun 2007 17:01:40 GMT, Randy Bryan
wrote: http://www.active.com/story.cfm?stor...gory=cycli ng Run over by a truck, helmet crushed but he's just fine. If you have to wear them, it's nice to know they work. No way the helmet saved his head from being crushed -- helmets are simply not that strong. In all likelihood the helmet was pulled off the guys head by the wheel and crushed while his head just avoided the tire. -- JT **************************** Remove "remove" to reply Visit http://www.jt10000.com **************************** |
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