What's the longest you can stop skating without a huge dip in skill?

[doctorkickflip]

I have weak, pathetic, loser ankles that sprain once a year like clockwork. I'm considering taking several months off to totally rehab and build-up ankle strength. I know that if I don't skate for a couple of weeks my pop is affected and my ledge, flatbar, manual confidence is blah, but after a few sessions, I'm back to where I was. But the prospect of taking off 6 months has me thinking...

What's the longest you've quit and been able to totally recover 100% of your gnar? And how did the duration of your break affect your skating ability recovery time? 

Can't wait to heckride again, sincerely, Dr. Kickflip.

[os89]

Ain’t you the doctor?

Seriously that sucks though. Hope you’re better soon. I’m sure someone has been in a similar situation and can give you a little advice/piece of mind.

Sprain once a year, doesn’t sound that bad either.

I have heard though, that talking to your ankles, or playing  them classical music helps. You know like a plant.

[doctorkickflip]

I mean tbh the ankle is fine (walking like normal a week later) but since this is a thing that happens roughly every year I figure I should take some more drastic rehab style steps. I know what I gotta do to get this ankle in tip-top shape but just don't know what my skating's gonna look like after.

I ain't a doctor of skateboarding after all. Or of anything just thought it was a funny screen name.

[Sluggloaph]

I missed a month after a pretty shitty injury. Wasn't too much of a dip... but I haven't skated in 6 ish months and I recently went to try and oh shit I suck. So maybe less than 6 months? Godspeed doc.

[Frank]

5 min

[Sila]

Once a year isn't really that much. And I don't know if taking a few months off is absolutely necessary unless you have a sprain that takes you out of action for a while. But yeah, strengthening your ankles and the rest of your leg muscles is a good move. Don't just focus on your ankles. Your core,hips, glutes and all of the other muscles in your leg help stabilize you. Your skating and body will be better off for it. Even if you lose some tricks in the process.

[Fernandito]

Maybe 4 days

[Lou Strux]

5 min

THIS^^^
My crappy ankle starts to lock up after just a few minutes of inactivity.
I thought Geritol & lots of Metamucil were supposed to fix the problem, by NOPE!
Aging is awesome.

[os89]

Once a year isn't really that much. And I don't know if taking a few months off is absolutely necessary unless you have the sprain takes you out off action for a while. But yeah, strengthening your ankles and the rest of your leg muscles is a good move. Don't just focus on your ankles. Your core,hips, glutes and all of the other muscles in your leg help stabilize you. Your skating and body will be better off for it. Even if you lose some tricks in the process.

Buns of steel. Get that booty in shape.

[doctorkickflip]

I missed a month after a pretty shitty injury. Wasn't too much of a dip... but I haven't skated in 6 ish months and I recently went to try and oh shit I suck. So maybe less than 6 months? Godspeed doc.

Yeah I think 6 months is def a tuning point. Kinda daunting but I might actually try to aim for a compromise and do 3 months.

[doctorkickflip]

Once a year isn't really that much. And I don't know if taking a few months off is absolutely necessary unless you have a sprain that takes you out of action for a while. But yeah, strengthening your ankles and the rest of your leg muscles is a good move. Don't just focus on your ankles. Your core,hips, glutes and all of the other muscles in your leg help stabilize you. Your skating and body will be better off for it. Even if you lose some tricks in the process.

Word. This is the solid, practical advice I was looking for. Adding lunges squats, deadlifts, etc. Although I'm a little worried I'm going to have a huge ass at the end of all this.

[ok boomer]

Yo, I'm coming off my latest shitty ankle injury from Dec. 26th 2019. torn tendons/ ligaments etc.
I've only skated 8 times this year. I was on crutches until almost April. To help get myself back to somewhat normal...
I did a lot of stretching with the rubber straps around foot. I did those for about 2 months. Walked in a thin ankle brace.
Once I was able to walk without the brace, I went straight to biking. And I mean, a LOT of biking. That really helped my foot and ankle a lot. The number 1 stretch I did that helped, was like an exaggerated lunge stretch (that also helped strengthen my foot by my toes). And I also, STILL, roll my foot on to a tennis ball for the bottom of my foot.

I'm also 44 and have done this injury 2 other times in my life, so yeah! This time really fucked me though. I skated a couple of times in June but got some ache again so I went back to the routine and now I'm ready to skate (I think). Just cruising so far. Did a few flatground kickflips. Pretty sure ALL grinds are going to be off after this time off. Good luck though. I hate my ankles.

[doctorkickflip]

Yo, I'm coming off my latest shitty ankle injury from Dec. 26th 2019. torn tendons/ ligaments etc.
I've only skated 8 times this year. I was on crutches until almost April. To help get myself back to somewhat normal...
I did a lot of stretching with the rubber straps around foot. I did those for about 2 months. Walked in a thin ankle brace.
Once I was able to walk without the brace, I went straight to biking. And I mean, a LOT of biking. That really helped my foot and ankle a lot. The number 1 stretch I did that helped, was like an exaggerated lunge stretch (that also helped strengthen my foot by my toes). And I also, STILL, roll my foot on to a tennis ball for the bottom of my foot.

I'm also 44 and have done this injury 2 other times in my life, so yeah! This time really fucked me though. I skated a couple of times in June but got some ache again so I went back to the routine and now I'm ready to skate (I think). Just cruising so far. Did a few flatground kickflips. Pretty sure ALL grinds are going to be off after this time off. Good luck though. I hate my ankles.

Fuck man. I thought I had it bad. That's gnarly. Guessing you had surgery then? If so, did they say the surgery would help strengthen your ankle a bit? I read somewhere that the scar tissue that repairs a torn tendon is not as strong as the original tendon.

I'm 34 so I can definitely envision this kind of shit happening to me in 10 years. I should bike then huh, just started walking around normally today.

[gonzSOI]

depends on the person, depends on how hellride they are

[shucknjive]

[ok boomer]

Expand Quote

Yo, I'm coming off my latest shitty ankle injury from Dec. 26th 2019. torn tendons/ ligaments etc.
I've only skated 8 times this year. I was on crutches until almost April. To help get myself back to somewhat normal...
I did a lot of stretching with the rubber straps around foot. I did those for about 2 months. Walked in a thin ankle brace.
Once I was able to walk without the brace, I went straight to biking. And I mean, a LOT of biking. That really helped my foot and ankle a lot. The number 1 stretch I did that helped, was like an exaggerated lunge stretch (that also helped strengthen my foot by my toes). And I also, STILL, roll my foot on to a tennis ball for the bottom of my foot.

I'm also 44 and have done this injury 2 other times in my life, so yeah! This time really fucked me though. I skated a couple of times in June but got some ache again so I went back to the routine and now I'm ready to skate (I think). Just cruising so far. Did a few flatground kickflips. Pretty sure ALL grinds are going to be off after this time off. Good luck though. I hate my ankles.

[close]

Fuck man. I thought I had it bad. That's gnarly. Guessing you had surgery then? If so, did they say the surgery would help strengthen your ankle a bit? I read somewhere that the scar tissue that repairs a torn tendon is not as strong as the original tendon.

I'm 34 so I can definitely envision this kind of shit happening to me in 10 years. I should bike then huh, just started walking around normally today.

I did not get surgery, they said I was "lucky" that I didn't need it but that I probably will later. I lose confidence in that ankle more every time I injure it, but I'm also 44 so my prime was over 15 years ago if not longer. I will get surgery at some point, I had just bought a house so the money was not there for sure regardless. As far as biking goes, I do a lot of uphill.. so you're almost standing, and can really work your ankles and feet. Seems to be doing the job. Sucks the first week but more out of exhaustion.

[Paperclip20]

Expand Quote

Once a year isn't really that much. And I don't know if taking a few months off is absolutely necessary unless you have a sprain that takes you out of action for a while. But yeah, strengthening your ankles and the rest of your leg muscles is a good move. Don't just focus on your ankles. Your core,hips, glutes and all of the other muscles in your leg help stabilize you. Your skating and body will be better off for it. Even if you lose some tricks in the process.

[close]

Word. This is the solid, practical advice I was looking for. Adding lunges squats, deadlifts, etc. Although I'm a little worried I'm going to have a huge ass at the end of all this.

Everyone loves a huge ass

[doctorkickflip]

Expand Quote

Expand Quote

Once a year isn't really that much. And I don't know if taking a few months off is absolutely necessary unless you have a sprain that takes you out of action for a while. But yeah, strengthening your ankles and the rest of your leg muscles is a good move. Don't just focus on your ankles. Your core,hips, glutes and all of the other muscles in your leg help stabilize you. Your skating and body will be better off for it. Even if you lose some tricks in the process.

[close]

Word. This is the solid, practical advice I was looking for. Adding lunges squats, deadlifts, etc. Although I'm a little worried I'm going to have a huge ass at the end of all this.

[close]

Everyone loves a huge ass

I'm convinced part of the reason I don't like Zion Wright's skating is because he's caked up and it looks funny.

[Kooky_Monster]

I quit skating for three years in my mid 20s for a cornucopia of reasons.

Getting the balance back was the hardest. I could visualize doing the tricks, but my body wouldn't allow it to happen. I'd dream of seeing that 360 flip come around, but id lose balance before the pop. All and all, I had to drop about 20 pounds of weight and skate consistently for a year for mostly everything to come back.

It's like muscle memory, you never lose it per se, but you have to retrain.

Sending the best, you'll get it back....it just takes time.

[HugeBodBoyle]

Quit skating for 23-ish years right before I turned 19.

I have vague memories of doing harder stuff than I do now.

[Noble Experiment]

I try not to go more than a week without skating, anymore than a week and the rust starts forming and I start feeling flimsy on my board.

[Circaskater420]

I was injured on and off during the winter and missed about 4 and a half months of skating.  The first hour is rough but honestly you would be surprised at how quickly a lot of tricks come back.  I also broke my ankle a few months before that and missed the whole summer but came back pretty quickly. 


Its funny cause if im fine and i take off a week of skating because of work then im fucked and i skate like shit for days afterward but if im injured and miss several months i can get back to normal a lot faster. 

[Circaskater420]

That being said i also have friends who quit for a very long time because of work, life problems, etc. and its always sad seeing how much theyve regressed.  So dont quit for too long. 

[lk130]

Probably a month,
Get a cruiser board and just ride. .I jst picked one up from a brand called Retrospec, u don't have to do hard sht

[Lowcalcium]

Maybe 4 days

Sounds about right honestly

[Miller92]

Taking a month or two off of skating isn't really gonna effect you too much but anything more than that, you're looking at some frustrating days ahead.

[theSketchLord]

I pretty much stop skating during winter altogether, so about 4-5 months off aside from a session once in a while in the garage if the lady is at work.
Went out today to see where I was at and I can't even ollie.
Super frustrating, it's like I can see where my feet are supposed to go and move but my old man brain can't get the signals there fast enough.

[Abyss1]

When I was skating all the time it took a week to loose most my tricks

[skunty]

I was injured on and off during the winter and missed about 4 and a half months of skating.  The first hour is rough but honestly you would be surprised at how quickly a lot of tricks come back.  I also broke my ankle a few months before that and missed the whole summer but came back pretty quickly. 


Its funny cause if im fine and i take off a week of skating because of work then im fucked and i skate like shit for days afterward but if im injured and miss several months i can get back to normal a lot faster.

jealous. I broke my leg 2.5 years ago and I've come to accept it will never be better. I have arthritis in my feet too though. Lifes a bitch and then you die

[Coco Santiagos Kitten]

I don't really lose much if I take a break. After 2 or 3 long sessions I'm back, trickwise. The only thing that fucks me up is that my fear comes back and I have to go through that again.