The Rules Listed below are the rules of the park, hopefully you will read through the rules with explanations and agree with them. If you don’t like the rules no one can make you follow them but you will then have to be responsible for your own actions. Voice from Tetbury Council The rules have been developed by Richard Hill and Julie Wickham with various members from the Tetbury Skate Park. The Town Council would like to make the following statement about the rules section: ‘Tetbury Town Council wish to point out that the views on this site are independent and the views expressed are not necessarily the views of the Town Council. We are however keen to support members of the community in such constructive voluntary work’. NO ALCOHOL If you are participating in extreme sports such as skate boarding, roller skating bmxing etc intoxicating yourself with drink is a really bad idea. As we all know your reaction times are obliterated, your coordination goes and you are likely to ground yourself pretty quickly. Clearly rules can be broken and in this case it is your own personal choice but if we can avoid accidents the park is likely to be around a lot longer so please take this rule as a real important one. ALWAYS WEAR PROTECTIVE GEAR AT ALL TIMES Always a hot topic this one. It’s a hot summer’s day 26 degrees +, all I want to do is ride round the park maybe pulling a wheelie or two. Do I need a crash helmet? Always a difficult question to answer but in theory yes. Wearing protective gear will always help you in case of an accident and in some cases save your life or at least save you from serious injury. A lot of this decision is down to the individual and what you are looking to do. Here are some examples with ideas: Q“I am new to riding and boarding and have no experience in a skate park. I am not planning on any jumps or tricks I just want to ride around and familiarise myself with the site.” AIn this case we would suggest some knee pads, gloves and possibly elbow pads. A helmet is always advised but perhaps a little OTT in this case. Particularly if it’s hot! Q“I am with all my m8s, my girlfriend is here and I am going to really impress everyone with the latest aerial move I have learnt. The higher I get the better.” AThis is fine as competition and show piecing is what it’s all about but if you are going for air cover your head. Go for knees, elbows, wrists, gloves, fall scrapers. If you are going to ground at this height and speed you need to be protected in every way possible. Regardless of temperature how much of a dick you feel with a helmet on etc etc wear all the protective gear you have. Falls from air hurt and without protective gear can be really bad. Q“I am not planning on any jumps but want to ride my BMX and ground freestyle. I am experienced but want to do a whole host of cool freestyle moves.” A The concept of ground freestyle has a whole range of moves from simple stuff like short wheelies to bar presses where if you fall you will almost guaranteed hurt yourself in some way. However, ground freestyle is less dangerous than ramp moves as usually the speed is slower but none the less you need to analyse what you are doing and scale the protective gear accordingly. The examples above are just our opinions. In reality what you choose to do, how you conduct yourself, what kit you wear is up to you. There are no rule enforcers at the park the rules are contained within your own mind. Hopefully with some explanation and being able to justify and discuss the rules, they will be self enforced. We would also advise, if you are very young, wear all the protective kit you can. Parents will also determine these decisions. If you are new to a skate park remember: “Falls from concrete ramps really HURT!!” PLEASE PUT LITTER IN THE BIN Self explanatory but it is important to be aware for riders and skaters litter can be dangerous. Also Please No Glass! Smashed bottles and glasses on the skate park will hurt people, hurt animals, puncture tyres and is very dangerous to clear up. TAKE EXTRA CARE DURING CRICKET & RUGBY TIMES The recreation ground can get pretty busy. It is not just the Skate Park that use the grounds. There is running, rugby, football, cricket, kids swings, remote control planes and cars, kites, basketball and many other activities. Please respect these people and their interests and in return they will respect you and the Skate Park. CHILDREN UNDER THE AGE OF 8 SHOULD BE ACCOMPANIED BY AN ADULT Definitely a good idea. In addition to this something to add would be that the users of the park should be aware of young children and show that little bit of extra caution when they are around. Often young kids like extreme sports and often want to participate so add a bit of patience and understanding and we can all have an enjoyable time. We were all that age once! VANDALISM & ANTISOCIAL BEHAVIOUR Breaking the equipment and abusing people messes everything up for everyone and spoils a lot of the community’s hard work. If you choose to destroy the skate park by your actions do so at your own risk. Be under no surprises when you break the law and turn your back on the Tetbury Community negativity will follow. If you feel the need to do this type of thing think about the consequences first and just remember ‘What you give, is what you get..’. This activity will not improve your life it will just make it worse. Please for the interest of everyone don’t destroy the park just be part of the community! ALL PERSONS USE THE SKATEPARK AT THEIR OWN RISK What happens at the Skate Park is your own space. There are no authorities, no one telling you what to do. The only thing that controls the Skate Park is your own head space and the law of the land. If you stick with the other rules, or at least stay close to them, the risks are minimal. Show no sign of respect to the rules and things may go wrong. What you do is your own risk! Kind of like life in a way.. Stay smart, live to ride and have fun. Any ideas or opinions about the rules or general ideas on the Tetbury Skate Park. Please feel free to email rules@tetburyskatepark.co.uk