Have you heard of Kevin Pearce?
Going into the 2010 Olympics, Pearce was the only snowboarder in the world who could challenge Shaun White.
A native of Vermont, Pearce was training in Utah when he had a wrenching accident and suffered a brain injury.
It took endless hours of therapy and rehab, but 712 days later, Kevin finally got back on snow.
Kevin was wearing a helmet when he had his accident. It saved his life.
And while most of us, and our kids, won’t be throwing Cab Double Corks in a halfpipe, I think helmets are a good idea for all skiers and riders, regardless of ability.
Why We Wear Helmets
I’m a big proponent of helmets. I wear one. My husband wears one. Our kids wear them.
For the past three years, I’ve been honored to work with Utah’s Ski ‘N See ski shops to offer an annual Junior Helmet Giveaway. We’re doing it again this year, and you can enter using this link.
I’ve also written a lot about helmet safety, including why our family wears helmets, tips on fitting helmets, and the latest research on helmet safety.
Still, there’s nothing like a personal story to really drive the point home. And that’s precisely the story Kevin Pearce is telling.
The Crash Reel
In August, a mom sent me this message on the Brave Ski Mom Facebook page.
Hi, I’m curious if you’ve heard from any parents out there who have seen “The Crash Reel”, a documentary about Kevin Pearce and extreme sports playing on HBO. I watched it with my teenager (an X Games fan) and it sparked a good conversation about taking risks and taking responsibility.
No, I hadn’t heard of the film, but anything that sparks a good conversation with teens, is something I’m going to check out.
So off I went to The Crash Reel website.
The Crash Reel is the story of Kevin Pearce’s accident and rehabilitation. After making the film festival rounds and winning awards, The Crash Reel did indeed air on HBO this summer to good reviews.
Currently playing in the UK and Ireland, the film will make it’s North American theatrical début in December. It will also be available on DVD at that time.
Since I haven’t yet seen The Crash Reel, I’ll be one of the first in line.
#LoveYourBrain
In addition to being a brain injury survivor, Kevin Pearce is an advocate for brain injury education and research. Part of this effort is through the #LoveYourBrain campaign.
Visit #LoveYourBrain to learn more about brain injuries, share your story, get some free stickers and pledge to wear a helmet.
And while nobody wants to hit their head, it may happen at some point, whether you’re wearing a helmet or not.
Here’s a nifty infographic from #loveyourbrain about what to do if you get hurt.
Stop the Goggle Gap
If you ask my children what they hate most about helmets, they will tell you “goggle gap.” They will also tell you that they never have a gap. Only fuddy-duddy parents and gapers have gaps.
Of course, this isn’t true. Anyone, regardless of ability and steeze, can get a goggle gap, which is why a new safety campaign “Goggle Gap: Erase the Space” was born.
Sponsored by Snowsports Industries America, the Goggle Gap campaign aims to eliminate ill-fitting helmet and goggles.
Not only is it uncool to have your forehead showing and your helmet tipped too far back, it’s unsafe. And, not only are you going to get a nasty sunburn (and provide fodder for snarky teenagers), but if you do fall, your helmet may not protect you as it should.
For more information, visit snowlink.com.
Junior Helmet Giveaway from Ski ‘N See!
Many, many thanks to Utah-based Ski ‘N See for sponsoring the 4th Annual Ski ‘N See/Brave Ski Mom junior helmet giveaway.
Ski ‘N See ski shops have a strong commitment to snowsports safety and I cannot thank them enough for their generosity in promoting winter family fun.
This year, one winner will be chosen in a random drawing on October 23rd. The winner will have their choice of any Junior Giro or Junior Smith helmet featured on the UtahSkis.com website.
To enter, please use this form. For a second entry, please leave a comment!
Good luck!
Want More?
- Kids, Safety and Ski Helmets: Some Questions and Answers, October 15, 2012.
- Ski Helmets: Should Kids Have a Choice? October 17, 2011.
- Of Course, You Should Put A Lid On Your Kid, November 18, 2010. (Helmet fitting tips)
This giveaway is now closed. Congratulations to David, a brave ski dad!
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Personally, I’m OK with sunglasses and helmet as far as style… but not gaper gap of course.
Does whoever wrote that SIA Google Gap poster have any knowledge of the ski industry/market anyway? “If it’s sunny, you can get a tinted lens”… gee you think? I would venture to say 99% of goggles on the shelves have a tinted lens (i.e. even finding a clear lens requires some effort)…and the majority are “sunny day” lenses with a low VLT %. Ironic, that it’s an SIA poster.
Your article, however, was excellent as always. You also might want to check out this video
Sally Francklyn works in the ski media biz, so you may know her. She was severely injured at Jackson Hole, but would have been killed without a helmet.
Eric knows of what he speaks. For some really good information on goggles and lenses, check his article here: http://www.liftopia.com/blog/how-to-pick-ski-goggle-lens/
And yes, I do know Sally. I saw the video of her speaking at the opening of Valhalla. She’s incredible and I know we’re all so happy she was wearing a helmet.
Thanks Eric! Let’s ski together this winter again!
Thanks for the info on helmets. Wondering if a hockey/ski helmet is a good idea, but I’ll check fit, and I guess we’re both shopping for goggles to fit our helmets, based on the infographics.
Good question Christy. I know that Nutcase makes some multi-use/sports helmets: https://braveskimom.com/a-nutty-idea-convertible-helmets-for-skiing-and-biking-kids
You might check them out!
Thanks!
I’ve never run across any sort of specially designed combo hockey/ski helmet on the market. Most ski helmets (other than full ones used for racing) tend to just have foam earpads whereas hockey helmets for kids often have some hard protection in that area to protect from a flying puck in the ear. Even more importantly, I believe youth hockey leagues require facemasks and obviously a ski helmet won’t have one.
Also, I don’t really know much about the impact certification standards for hockey helmets, but my guess is that they are different than the guidelines used for ski helmets.
Thanks Eric! Those are important insights. You’re right. Don’t need a full face cage for skiing. I don’t know many skiers who are missing teeth! Cheers!
Helmet I have is aBauer Lil Sport HECC and CSA certified for hockey. Has foam above the ears and face mask comes off, with a snap for goggles. I bought a helmet liner to keep the ears extra warm but going to keep an eye out for fit and warmth as her skiing gets better…
Thanks for sharing Christy! Appreciate the info. Cheers!
Great article. We tell our girls it’s like wearing a seatbelt. Car doesn’t move until buckled in (we get promptly reminded to do so at times). When on the slopes ski’s don’t go on until helmet is buckled. It’s second nature as it should be. Our girls constantly point out people skiing/snowboarding w/o a helmet. Cheers.
fyi: link to contest sign up comes back w/ server error.
Great comment Roberto! Sorry that you got a server error. I don’t get it when I click, so let me try to email you the link. See if that works! Cheers!
link to contest seems to be working this am.
EXCELLENT! Thanks for letting me know!
Yes!! I will be sharing this far and wide – thanks so much for being a helmet proponent 🙂
Thank you for sharing. We only get one brain and my kids are already smarter than me. I like to keep it that way! Cheers!
Those are great images – I love the ‘ Love your Brain’ picture. You can get by with a broken foot and even manage with a back injury, but not your brain. Thank you for the great post!
Thank you Lia! You can get free stickers with the Love Your Brain logo at http://thecrashreel.com/loveyourbrain/
Although, now that I think about it, I still don’t have my sticker! I hope they send it soon! Cheers!
And great point about other injuries…we don’t want any of them to happen, but protection and managing risk can certainly help avoid or lessen the impacts.
I started wearing helmets a few years ago, and they just keep getting lighter and more comfortable. I don’t know why you wouldn’t wear one. Vanity certainly isn’t worth the risk. I’m in the market for a jr helmet for my daughter Ruby. My daughters have known nothing but skiing with helmets, so I’ll be getting a helmet one way or another. Great article to keep raising awareness!
You know, I actually really LIKE wearing a helmet! I think they are warmer and way more comfortable than a hat. Plus, my hair looks better when I take it off than it would with a beanie — so there is a vanity aspect! Ha!
Good luck!
Helmets are so important. I know several young people whose life has been forever altered by a choice that a helmet could have helped with.
So true. And no one wants to make negative life altering choices. Thanks Kathy.
Thanks for a great post, and for the link to the Crash Reel site – I’m getting a sticker to put on my helmet. Growing up in an era of no helmets made me a little resistant at first, but having kids totally changed that, and my kids have never known a time without helmets. I have a snowboarder friend who likes to remind us to “protect the melon” 😉 And you are totally right about your hair looking better than it would with a hat!
Thanks Elizabeth! It’s all about the hair!
No, I totally agree with you. I wasn’t sure at first, but now I love wearing a helmet!
I have a friend who recently had a bike accident. She was wearing a helmet but still suffered a brain injury one step above a concussion. Without a helmet? We don’t even want to think about it.
Protect the melon!
We love our Giro helmets. They fit well. I love that you can adjust them with a twist – that way it fits not matter whether it’s a cold morning with a thicker hat or a spring ski day with the vents open.
Such a great point! Thanks Suzi!
I’m SO happy my kids have helmets – they are much more adventurous than me and I can breathe a little easier knowing their noggins are protected. Thanks for the article!
You bet! Moms need all the help they can get breathing easier! Cheers!