The Real Reason Why Andy Anderson Always Wears A Helmet

[@rkulla]

It's rather ironic that our brain comes up with the thinking "I don't want to wear a helmet".

[@andrewut7ya511]

Lmao, thats some self sabotage right there.

[@freezerfingers]

brain: fuck me up boii

[@Knightgil]

That's the kind of brain that gets weeded out by natural selection.

[@jfkeh5615]

It's called cognitive dissonance!

[@fortknobberdale]

HAH FOR SURE! My brain just laughed at itself 😄

[@sleepgangrecords7316]

Bro is such a good influence to our youth not just for wearing a helmet but also as a conscientious and humble dude even after reaching the top of the sport. Mad respect to Andy and to Nine Club for giving him a platform.

[@fortheloveofit7294]

I rock a helmet everytime I skate. They have saved me trips to the hospital and who knows what injuries I've prevented from wearing one. A cool moment happened the other day when a mom at the skate park came up to me and thanked me. Her son didnt want to use his helmet until he saw me skate. We are the examples!

[@socks2441]

awesome dude.

[@lilbowski3885]

hit das mom g

[@Sirmellowman]

thats so crazy because ive never hit my head a single time been skating for 15 years. not saying people shouldnt and I think its cool that some people do but I honest to god had never hit my head a single time jumping down 10 sets and shit constantly. but I dont skate vert, so maybe its more common there?

[@socks2441]

@@Sirmellowman i hit my head moderately hard in a bowl a year or so back, first time ive 'really' hit my head skating. luckily it did nothing other than give me a headache though. i hit it worse at work ducking under some shelving, lol. i did hit my head once riding my dirtbike and literally forgot who a was or what existence was for about 15 minutes. if it wasnt so dangerous i would honestly say it was quite an entertaining experience, lol. (fyi, i was wearing a helmet riding my bike, and im glad i was) i am 100% for wearing a helmet, but i am also 100% for people to have the choice not to. its their lives afterall, maybe they cant afford it, or skate too infrequently for it to be worth the expense, maybe they just prefer not to wear one, maybe they are too scared of judgement and wouldnt even skate if they had to wear a helmet, maybe it offbalances them. whatever the reason, i respect their choice. as long as they know it 'could' kill them, or put them in a wheel chair the rest of their lives and they will never skate again. honestly, imagine knowing you consciously said no to a helmet and that one little decision is the reason you sit at home all day everyday with no life wishing you could still skate for the rest of your life, thats enough to drive someone insane. better safe than sorry i say. that being said... i dont currently own/ wear one... so im a hypocrite.

[@Sirmellowman]

@@socks2441 yeah bro I've hit my head so freaking hard riding a bmx bike. I Always wear a helmet when riding dirt bikes though that shit can fuck you up so bad. thats crazy you forgot who you were. that would scare the shit out of me. you are totally right thought it only takes that one time.

[@saml8119]

As an older guy that continues to suffer the consequences of not wearing a helmet I think it’s dope to see Andy rock a helmet!

[@austinfontenot8955]

Dude. This is the thing. I've had a few concussions in my life and a bad one several years back from a wreck. I don't remember about two weeks of my life(during which I even bought a car), I'd forgotten I'd moved in with my (now) wife, and was on repeat for that whole night apparently. What if that wasn't just two weeks? What if I hadn't just forgotten moving and forgot my wife entirely? What if I was stuck on repeat every 5 minutes now 7 years later? Wear a freaking helmet.

[@krystalmcknight1834]

@@austinfontenot8955 - absolutely! Glad you didn't suffer more than you did... Scary close to it being far worse. Pro's should really set the scene and wear the helmet - the sport has such a rep against it - it is shocking. I get that people can bail from the board easily, but, that doesn't necessarily mean in a SAFE and CONTROLLED manner! Watching this has enlightened me. I am now 39 - my brother did the skateboarding and I leant more to inline aggressive, and I never understood the helmet issue. Albeit, being young, no one wants to do the safety requirements - but looking to those we aspire to - if many more were like this beautiful young dude, then helmets would be more mainstream. Maybe I am just OLD now - lol!!!

[@marvingamez9057]

Absolutely agreed! I didn’t realize some of my blurred vision in my 30’s isn’t natural, but still lingering issues with concussions.

[@rebbedoes]

What happend

[@yallRweirdAF]

@@austinfontenot8955same thing happened to me after a car wreck. Don’t think I’ve ever fully recovered

[@ripplerfx]

If you’re making fun of someone for wearing a helmet you’re most likely under 20

[@fueg00nyxxx]

Most definitely

[@seife41]

Sadly that's not even true

[@WhenTheyToldTheTruth]

Mentally speaking

[@chrismitchell523]

or over 40

[@ihateallthethings2683]

Nah I’m 29 and it’s definitely gay

[@TheWhyer]

I'm often the only person at the park who wears a helmet. What really helps is 1) knowing that most others don't care at all what you're doing; and 2) anyone who looks down on you isn't worth your time or mental energy.

[@Inexpressable]

well put.

[@ze2004]

the good thing you can be a reference that its not about age to get portected and being covered shows that you are responsible person that cares safety and thats really good. If someone says something funny about it just believe me that you are in the right path.

[@adamwalkeraw]

Andy andersons got a great personality, no spin at all just his truth, seems a really nice guy 👌 great ambassador for skating.

[@Si74l0rd]

Yeah, modern Rodney in a lot of ways.

[@glyphiclive15]

aa for president.

[@mariosharks]

@@glyphiclive15 haha imagine trump making fun of his helmet in the debate

[@kebokev7519]

Yea theses skate brands shud want be throwing their boards and clothes at him to wear their stuff

[@jt_rooster3228]

A nice guy who doesn't take shit from anyone is the biggest badass.

[@emegvf]

I’ve been skating for 8 years and I’ve never fallen on my head. Last year I started wearing a helmet all the time because of Andy. It only takes one bad fall to stop you skating.

[@emegvf]

@Heavyhead2k1 I broke my ankle skating a few weeks ago and I was wearing all my gear (knee pads, wrist guards, helmet) and it probably would have been worse if I didn’t have then on

[@markcrystaltownsend1578]

Im a bmx guy . Concept of no helmet is just crazy to me . Dose the ease of bailing or kicking the board away at any point help with feeling safe with no helmet.

[@Inexpressable]

@@markcrystaltownsend1578 yeah a little, caue with a bike you've got that between your legs and its hard to bail without it, so yeah a helmet on bike is a must.

[@allegorx58]

That’s cool bro but also learn to think for yourself.

[@MikeRay1978]

Good for you bro. Literally one mistake is all it takes.

[@flatgroundtv7097]

Andy Anderson era just begun. Skate anything. Skate everything. Skate all styles. He is a full package skateboarder. ✊🏽

[@andrewut7ya511]

Andy is like the weird shit from fancy lad and tony hawk level fundamental skills mixed together

[@flatgroundtv7097]

@@Hack_The_Planet_ honestly he is like Rodney Mullen and Daewon Song in one.

[@sdh643fn]

@@Hack_The_Planet_ lol I love that part but the cheese and crackers tech, small pants, beanie era ended around 2017-2018 😔

[@neighborhood_k]

Unfortunately the larger companies need someone that looks cool and is able to do tricks down stairs. They don't care about being unique or being creative.

[@Hack_The_Planet_]

@@neighborhood_k except Andy’s board sells like crazy

[@scottharman3331]

I know a long boarder and skateboarder who never wore a helmet, one day he went down a hill on a trail he always used, and wiped out. He hit his head so bad that he caused significant brain damage, his parents had to pull the plug on him because he was too far gone. Doctors said if he wore a helmet, things might have been different. He was only 18. Rest in peace josh Hardy! safety is a lot cooler than people judging you.

[@dyvira7085]

Kid from my high school wiped out longboarding and died on the scene😢😢

[@dyvira7085]

I’ve never not work a helmet ever again. f*** anyone who’s judgmental. why try to impress these people in the first place, not worth your life

[@CarnifaxMachine]

Similar thing happened to my cousin. He survived but had major brain damage, and hasn't been the same since.

[@pauls6448]

I long boarded with a group of buddies in HS and saw a good friend eat it hard on one of the biggest hills in town (Austin. "Hill country") and we had to rush him to the hospital. I was one of 2/6 people that wore a helmet. Luckily he ended up being okay, but that was a scary night.

[@pauls6448]

I also fell badly once and the helmet saved my dome. Too bad I couldn't have a helmet for my shoulder... (My orthopedic surgeon told me in the 30 years he had been doing that job, he only saw one shoulder torn worse than mine. I can still hear that sound to this day, over 18 years later. Wear your helmets people.

[@NutrigrainHulk]

13 year old me would be hard-pressed to wear a helmet, 30 year old me understands how quickly everything can change from one slam. I really respect that Andy stuck to his beliefs during that, lord knows how much bullshit he's dealt with for it.

[@BlazedOutKing818]

Don’t skate if you’re worried about that “one slam”

[@dariquewarren]

@@BlazedOutKing818 to be fair, yours is an immature mindset. older bodies recover slower so slams mean alot more. you cant predict the future so you really dont know HOW you're gonna slam. im also gonna assume youre a young skater and just spoke from emotion , because slams are common af. hall of meat exists for a reason and is NOT a life goal

[@NutrigrainHulk]

@@dariquewarren exactly. Head injuries can be life-changing. I have friends and family I care about, and I want to be able to enjoy life. If wearing a helmet lets me reduce risk while also enjoying skating, I’m gonna wear it.

[@NutrigrainHulk]

@@usernameonutube That's a great way to frame it - wearing a helmet just shows that you want to keep skating. And if someone is only comfortable skating WITH a helmet, that's totally fine! Skateboarding rules and has always been about individualism, if you choose to wear a helmet, more power to you.

[@deathblade909]

@@BlazedOutKing818 lol tell that to any pro skater .

[@merrittlentz3608]

I've had two good friends die from crashes that might still be alive if they were wearing a helmet. One was just skating down the street...dude was a very talented athlete who skated for years and was a sponsored am snowboarder back in the day. The other was one of the best up and coming freeride snowboarders and he fell popping off a relatively small cliff, hit a rock in the landing and was gone like that. It shook our community and still impacts me in a huge way. I'm stoked that Andy helps encourage kids to wear helmets by ripping in every aspect of skating while wearing a lid. Cheers ❤

[@NineteenEighty8]

I call cap.

[@bradmuehlenbein]

I like how skateboarding is the only sport where people think you’re weird to wear a helmet like excuse me for caring about my own health. 🤣

[@BlazedOutKing818]

Because skateboarding is gnarly like that. It’s what makes skateboarding what it is. Not caring about what happens when you try the trick is embedded is it’s history.

[@bradmuehlenbein]

@@BlazedOutKing818 And if you don’t land the trick You might be history. 😂 I’m sorry I’ll stop.

[@1MarcoDavid]

@@BlazedOutKing818 .....so edgy.

[@seife41]

@@1MarcoDavid yea right :D

[@WhenTheyToldTheTruth]

Motorcycling and snowboarding too can be like this around certain crowds.

[@informationsuperkhan]

I always knew this would happen. I've been waiting for the day that someone would have the balls to wear a helmet and just make us all look like try-hards for being too self-conscious to put a helmet on.

[@jusontask]

REALEST comment, ive always supported wrist guards but my young self was anti helment as well

[@gotfetti]

fr

[@jakalack1]

I think Andy’s skating speaks for itself helmet or not. I don’t wear one but would never give hate to someone that does. It’s a waste of energy

[@CaliBreeeze]

Agree

[@theatlasvision]

but i feel like wearing a helmet unbalances me so much, but if i am trying some crazy stuff even if i am unbalanced i sure will put a helmet. but no helmet for regular skate park days

[@SylasG]

@@theatlasvision If you wear it enough to get used to it it won't be an issue.

[@EzStevie2k2]

if youre good noone can say shit but if youre not good best believe the shit talking commences

[@gorandenonde]

Fuuuuck I´ll admit I had some weird dislike for this guy cause he´s unconventional, but after watching/hearing this pod, how can you not love Andy!? I'll happily recognize I was in the wrong and I embrace the future of skateboarding that Andy among others bring to us, BIG love

[@28russ]

Go on ya dude. Good attitude. 👍

[@michaelrave7526]

Yk that’s amazing of you for admitting that bro.

[@mariosharks]

Respect

[@jarrongordon7034]

That’s progress right there

[@C4reful]

I always found "unconventional" one of the main ingredients of skating.

[@firtythive]

Andy's style might not be to everyone's taste, but you gotta respect it. His style is original and he does what he wants, for himself (originally), not anybody else. But now he knows where he's at, he wants to help other people be safe while skating, mostly children. He's a good human.

[@andofb]

Besides his helmet wearing I wasn't aware there were people who didn't like his style. He is really fun to watch and creative as!

[@kebokev7519]

His style is so smooth and fluid

[@ze2004]

Andy himself dont like everything that others like, do you?

[@firtythive]

@@ze2004 what do you even mean

[@kylechapin1057]

Tony hawk, bob burnquist, andy mac all wear helmets all the time

[@Smart-Towel-RG-400]

Tony usally wore one but after the Gorilla loop fall where he cracked his skull he almost never don't wear one

[@3to1media]

Those are all vert skaters of course vert skaters wear helmets

[@thatguy5013]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/lZaYmal-gZeKisk not always

[@Finkardop]

They skate vert. Street skaters don’t wear helmets.

[@amaninaroom8678]

@@Finkardop But they should, the ground is harder than theyr heads.

[@mattxm1]

I got a traumatic brain injury skating and now am missing 20-30% of my frontal lobe . Don’t let skating mess up your life like how it did mine

[@saira9632]

Lol u didn't wear a helmet

[@von...]

@@saira9632 I appreciate that "Lol" added in is so people know you're worthless instead of just ignorant. No shit they didn't wear a helmet, but they are telling others to please consider making the choice to do so when they go skate. Sorry to hear your story MM, I am glad you are still with us & are using your story to inform others.

[@bufforc4555]

@@saira9632 go away :D

[@Shhways]

I agree with von and want to point out you grammar is still better than mine so glad you cam share your story. I don’t ski but I thought for 12 balcony when I was 12 landing on the back of my head went into a coma for a few days. Definitely did some damage.

[@nyxx7813]

@@von... I love guys like you who fall for the "NO shit" bait. If anything hes tasteless a lil insensitive but not worthless. Don worry Saira I appreciate you.

[@Sinlessgrins]

I love this guy. I’m 45, I just started riding an old board around my neighborhood with my kids and I’m definitely getting a new helmet and some pads. At my age, your body is having none of it after a fall. Hell, my feet and ankles hurt just from pushing and doing a few ollies. There shouldn’t be a stigma about helmets, it’s just being smart at any age.

[@garyfreeman896]

I'm also a 45 year old skater. Picked it back up 3 years ago. I use a longboard (37 inch drop thru on 70mm wheels) and find it way more forgiving on my old bones than a park/street board with small wheels. Have fun!!

[@darylarmentrout252]

41yo here. Over the Hill skate club whewwww!

[@sn1000k]

Pads are hilarious. A helmet just makes sense

[@dcamnc1]

I'm 46 and also longboard wearing a helmet. I crashed too many times when I was a road cyclist (cracking my helmet once) to care if others think it looks cool or not.

[@rushthezeppelin]

If you haven't yet look into what in your diet is causing inflammation. Helps a ton with the store joints.

[@chrisJcarr87]

When I was 12, I was just skating down the street without a helmet, not even doing any tricks and I hit a pebble. Woke up in the hospital, had to stay for almost a week. I had a serious concussion and short term memory damage that never fully recovered. That feeling of going into a room and forgetting why I'm there is literally a way of life for me. Where your helmets kiddos!!!

[@rebbedoes]

How are you now

[@chrisJcarr87]

@@rebbedoes I'm fine, just really forgetful. Thank you for asking.

[@TboneTenEighties]

Being a skater from back in the late 80's Andy Anderson is a breath of fresh air tbh. His style reminds me of an older school style imo. I am 46 and getting back at it. I purchased the PP flight Cab Ban this this week. Cannot wait for it..set up and fly. I am just a big kid young at heart. I have not much in common with people my own age LOL. Just do you alway's is my advice to the youth.

[@larrylamonts1483]

You know dude got a fair amount of hate on the helmet and some of his tricks over the years. He stuck to his guns and now every time you hear his name come up among other pros they all seem to give him tons of props

[@diabolical1976]

" I get a surprising lack of hate" - Andy Anderson

[@cjtm92]

yeah he said multiple times he didn’t get hate or bullied over the helmet. andy’s always been respected especially because of his trick list. but i know you mean it all in good spirit!

[@shakes.816]

Look at tony hawk. He always is padded.

[@OFFICIALLYBENPEARCE]

@@shakes.816 vert skater

[@RatSewage]

​@@OFFICIALLYBENPEARCEdoes that really matter? You can crack your head open gapping a 20 stair or grinding a rail of equal size.

[@p00pie]

When I was about 12, an older guy fell doing something relatively small on our 20ft hubba. He suffered brain damage and paralyzation and his life was basically over. Scared the shit out of me.

[@PapaPerk360]

Jeron is very talkative in this podcast. He’s really vibing with Andy for real! Straight up connecting and heart to hearting.

[@hypnoticsoundscapes4406]

Probably cause he feels bad for hating on his helmet so hard in an experience episode a while back.

[@Nobodyimportant696]

@@hypnoticsoundscapes4406 lol exactly!

[@retroonlinemultiplayer9196]

jeron is super libbed out blm victim material

[@rushthezeppelin]

I was one of those kids who gave into the peer pressure on not wearing any safety gear. Almost 37 and started skating again after 12 years. Realized very quickly that I needed as much safety gear as I could buy otherwise my skating would be very short lived. So nice to be at an age where I care way more about not ending up with hospital bills and not having to do joint replacement surgery earlier in life than I do how I look. It's also forcing me to change my diet to reduce inflammation so that I can actually recover. Nice to see a pro who cares about his dome.

[@RetroHabit82]

Mike V wears a helmet, and I don't see anyone trying to clown him, especially not to his face.

[@OldmanSk8ing]

Mike V can do what ever he likes.

[@plexus]

Hell no. Lol.

[@jamesthoem7109]

Except the four random ocks

[@NovemberFoxtrotRC]

@@jamesthoem7109 That video is as old as the internet lol. I remember showing all my friends that shit back in the day.

[@brandonpaavola5634]

@@NovemberFoxtrotRC That was one of the first viral fight videos, Bam Margera filmed it if I recall. Also when Glen Danzig got punched out buy some other big dude that was another O.G early day fight video.

[@danielsmith-kp3ce]

I’m 32 and just started skating again after 10 years. First time out I was doing pretty good and got cocky and busted my ass my hat being backwards was the only thing that kept the back of my head from bouncing off the concrete. I went straight home and ordered a helmet 🪖 and to be honest it’s helped my skating by making me more confident.

[@heyaisdabomb]

When it comes to snowboarding, I always wear a helmet, as it's so easy when your flipping/spinning through the air to hit your head or catch an edge and get slammed. Skating though is different. I've hit my head many times skating, but I've also learned that half of skateboarding is learning how to fall. Catching your head is part of that. Get the elbows and hands down and tuck your neck and hold it tight. Even if you can't get into a tuck and roll, you can hold your head up and prevent the whiplash. But most people don't do this and smash their skull open.

[@danielsmith-kp3ce]

@@heyaisdabomb as a skater I’m very aware of “how to fall” but when you land a trick on your wheels and the board shoots out from under you and you land flat on your back your tuck and roll isn’t gonna stop shit. If you think skating without a helmet is somehow safer than snowboarding you’re either just rolling around and calling your self a skater or you’ve already hit your head to many times and should stick to snowboarding.

[@thegarbageman7511]

if you have ever had a head injury or have seen one happen you wouldn't need convincing to wear one. props to Andy for being himself!

[@SO-ym3zs]

I wear helmet and pads when I skate. I'm too old to want to deal with serious injuries, pain, and medical expenses. I have a job, family, and other hobbies that I need to stay 100% for. I may look silly to some people, but I'm sure I look silly on a board period since most people think it's just for kids. Kudos to Andy for being so good at what he does and setting a good example of using common-sense protection.

[@jimmydgaf8291]

I cut my head right open few years back, 18 stitches nicked an artery fractured my cheekbone. Shook me hard, if I had a helmet on wouldn’t have been anywhere near as bad. I support it.

[@TheBushRanger.]

Did you fully recover?

[@TheMisterBowler]

As a skater with a downhill freestyle background, I loved when guys transitioned to a short board and didn’t take it off! It set a great example for youngins and progression. He stood out for sure and it’s wild that wearing a helmet had such an impact on this guys image! Bravo, brims look slick

[@rydog7920]

Everyone’s a G until severe head trauma comes a calling

[@murkyylurkss]

The amount of people who don't hit their heads is insanely high tho

[@murkyylurkss]

The secret? We learned how to fall

[@StreetWarrior24]

@@murkyylurkss Every dog has its day. There are skaters far better than the both of us who have smacked their domes very hard like JT Aultz.

[@djshiva]

@@murkyylurkss Injuries happen. Acting like you are impervious to an accident you didn't see coming is ridiculous.

[@bmorris5863]

@@murkyylurkss that's why it's called an accident........

[@minseokchoi7857]

i began teaching my daughter stakeboarding and i started to keep wearing a helmet wherever i skate with her because i want to be a good role model to her. I totally respect andy’s attitude and wish more pro skaters would be a good role model for kids or any skaters. Thanks andy for your positive influence!

[@JonnyDIY]

Wearing a helmet while doing an extremely dangerous sport, what a novel idea lol. I tell you wearing one saved me splitting my head open numerous times 🤙🏼

[@stevesharpe3370]

But it makes you look gay

[@mezo72271]

@@stevesharpe3370 oh shut up

[@stevesharpe3370]

@@mezo72271 but it’s cool to be gay

[@mezo72271]

@@stevesharpe3370 no it isn't

[@stevesharpe3370]

@@mezo72271 it is actually? My Hungarian friend Maybe not in your country but in my country United States it is. Sometimes people even try to be gay when there not to be cool , it’s called “queerbating” Recently Billie Elish got reprimanded for this.

[@prodweerdo7630]

when i first watched a video of andy skating, I honestly didnt even realize he was wearing a helmet until about halfway through, i was too busy enjoying how fucking rad and talented he is!

[@zkipa]

love the story at the end, " i dont remember exactly who it was". andy kept it G, no snitching. that dude knows whats up wherever he is, big flex from mr anderson.

[@Carmelo.olemraC]

Severely underrated comment💯💯💯

[@joonasgreis2781]

I really hope Andy shows the world who he is next Wednesday. There are no words to say how much respect this man deserves. Doing the things he loves without caring anyone else's opinions and combining freestyle and bowls. I wear my helmet with a great proud! Let's go Andy!

[@ayobmedz]

I got emotional watching this, in the best possible way. Andy Anderson is a Fucking Hero (shout out to City of Caterpillar 🐛). This man is literally saving lives. I'm a lifelong fan of skateboarding, American football, and professional wrestling. A super strange combo under any circumstances, admittedly. But through that I've seen countless examples of lives being absolutely decimated by CTE, and head trauma in general. Any measures that can be taken to help future generations avoid that (frankly 100% completely preventable) darkness, needs to be put high up on a pedestal and celebrated. ......Not to mention the fact he completely fucking rips. With such a lovely style. Andy fills me with the same fascination I had for Mullen as a middle school kid back in the day. I'm an American, but I'll be rooting for Canada in the Olympics park comp solely because of this dude 🍁🤘 I'd invest in that helmet company if I could too, if anyone could ever make them "mainstream" it's Andy

[@KAGENfilms]

American football the band or sport?

[@ayobmedz]

Yes :D

[@haunt0logist]

wtf this was the most random place to encounter a city of caterpillar shoutout

[@martskione]

⁠@@haunt0logisthaha I was thinking the same thing

[@BurnsyRuns]

As someone who wishes they had never *not* worn a helmet and took a injury to my skeletal cranium... I am afraid to skate again despite loving it and that is something that I wish upon no one. Protect. Your. Head.

[@robs5121]

Lol Andy IS THAT MAN!! True humility. Too smooth he can even feel the hate.

[@zakkziegler111]

He's such a loveable dude, seems so polite and kind. I love that about him. Total Mullen vibes.

[@OldmanSk8ing]

Andy Anderson looks pretty cool wearing the helmet. It kinda looks weird when he doesn’t wear it. And it’s the industries loss if they didn’t jump on the opportunity to sell helmets that Andy wears. I went on his website and couldn’t find any of his helmets for sale. Either they are all sold out or he can’t manufacture them due to covid at the moment. The design of his helmet is kinda cool with a little visor. Cool Mind Control helmets though.

[@kennybraverman9719]

As a skater that started skating in my 40's I wear a helmet and pads. I have noticed that older skaters do this. We do not heal as fast and getting hurt, hurts more. Just the physics of it seem to demand it. We can't afford time from work either. Helmet and pads are a necessity, not a luxury. I have never been teased for wearing PPE and find the skate community supporting.

[@retroonlinemultiplayer9196]

well you missed out on so much awesome stuff like 25 years ago it was so awesome. who would wanna skate with a bunch of cancel culture trans people now?

[@breezylifestyle]

Andy is the reason I’m comfortable wearing a helmet. Used to be really self conscious about it.

[@zapruderr]

Good for you homie that’s what’s up!

[@sebp400]

and Vallely too

[@greatvaluecorndog]

Some idiot at the skatepark I grew up skating at put a picture of me wearing a helmet in the local skate mag and called me a kook. He ended up colliding with a bmx in the snake run and had to be rushed to the hospital with severe head trauma a couple months after that. Totally avoidable if he'd been wearing a helmet.

[@StreetWarrior24]

@@greatvaluecorndog Karma on two wheels got him.

[@stevesharpe3370]

You look gay and your wife isn’t hot.

[@ImSoGonzo]

Mad respect because I remember when I was skating in late-90s as a kid you wouldnt want to be caught dead wearing a helmet. It's interesting how toxic that really is when you think about it but anyways, its really cool to see someone stick to their principles at such an early age.

[@mrpzpdx]

It’s a big responsibility to be a hero. Mad props Andy Anderson your carrying a bright torch respect G!!

[@icecursor]

I'll say this, the fact that this man decided to keep it on shows integrity... what you do when nobody's watching... I REALLY respect that.

[@Unlockingparadoxes]

If i skate a vert park I'm definitely going to wear a helmet and my first helmet will definitely be one of Andy's mind control helmets.

[@tanginicholls207]

My Grandsons 6 & 8 yrs old love you Andy... Because of you they always wear their helmets, you have a beautiful soul. Love you like my own. Thank you Champ!

[@catachiloafter3160]

Fav skateboarder right now aswell just cause he’s him , everyone loves the helmet too , interviewers not bad themselves🔥🔥🔥

[@carterstanley561]

I almost died when I hit my head skating in the 80's, skating a little parking block. One screw up and it's over. I wore a helmet every time I skated after that. Glad to see it, it's a great example to the kids. And honestly, no one gave a shit. As for Andy, man, if you can skate like that, do what you want, it works...

[@BBouffard3D]

I wish the industry would embrace the helmet! I have seen way to many peps get seriously hurt. Its going to take guys like Andy to change that! Thank you Andy for staying true to yourself!

[@retroonlinemultiplayer9196]

yeah dude lgbtq rocks!!!!!

[@allegorx58]

Concussions in my teens have had a massive impact on my life as a middle aged adult. Please wear your helmets.

[@ze2004]

pirate team youpikayey

[@GhandusMusic]

Seriously, guys. THIS COMMENT!! Just wear it, dude. If you don't want to just look up a video on CTE or side effects of concussions. ITS NOT COOL TO HAVE BRAIN DAMAGE.

[@Jordan__Sloan]

You have to have like 20 concussions for it to give you cte

[@P4PKing]

Tf you on about there's no set amount of concussions you need to have in order to develop CTE.@@Jordan__Sloan

[@allegorx58]

@@Jordan__Sloanyeah this isn’t even remotely true….not that i ever even mentioned cte or anything…but carry on

[@BasedGodGotenks]

Been skating my whole life. 12 years ago I was skating downhill , looking behind me for cars, and hit a crack while looking back, body rag dolled and landed on nothing but my head. It was like a flash bang went off, everything went white and all I heard was a loud ringing. My vision came back, but I’m 28 now and i still have the ringing in my ear and it drives me Fuckin nuts. That injury also led me to years of an opiate addiction. Just wear a Fuckin helmet homies!

[@morrisalanisette9067]

exactly. i just made a comment that even if you dont get brain damage you can get minor ailment like permanent tinitis or neurological shit like vertigo and headaches that will really lower your quality of life. i've gone through smth similar with a minor neck injury and it was awful. The head is really fragile I've come to find out. If just one small thing is out of place you will have problems

[@iamupinacloud]

Man, Andy is such a nice dude. Always great to see him shred. Gotta give him props for doing the helmet thing as well.

[@tylersmith9868]

Andy - wearing a helmet is no big deal Everyone else - tell me about your helmet shits weird

[@fortheloveofcake93]

When I was 18 yrs old I flipped over the handlebars and was knocked out for minutes. What was a concussion could've been a skull fracture without a helmet. The pros and cons are pretty obvious when it comes to helmets.

[@TheBushRanger.]

How long was your recovery?

[@fortheloveofcake93]

​@@TheBushRanger. I was fine the same day.

[@k7l3rworkman97]

I’m 27, skateboarding since I was 11 (so 16years) and I almost always wear a helmet ✌🏻 the one time I got on a Bicycle, no helmet, I got hit by a car 🤣 Don’t Hate, Just Skate ✌🏻🛹🙏🛹

[@vanbias4234]

I hate you, but I will skate.

[@UNANTASTBarrr]

started wearing helmet half a year ago. i actually dont even know why, but i guess getting into downhill boarding and racing wearing a helmet turned out to be kinda normal. nowadays i even do groceries with a helmet and so far it has saved my head twice from severe injuries. took me 20+ years to figure that out :D

[@danielguaracha7531]

As a skater of a few years I wear a full set of pads. That includes helmet, knee pads, elbow pads, and wrist guards. One day on my way to work I spilled and cut up my hands, knees, shoulder, and injured my wrist badly before I spent the next 8 hours using my hands at work. Falling is a huge part of skating. Unless you feel super comfortable on your board, by all means fugg it up but if not... I highly recommend using safety gear!!

[@max_coast]

this is a fun conversation and I dig the simplicity of it all... wear it or not, but there's nothing wrong with wearing it and let's be real, it makes sense. simple enough, I love it

[@brandoloudly9457]

this dude is a gem. skating needs more like him.

[@flipskaterdave]

skating was made what is is now by people like him, people that did what THEY wanted and how THEY wanted to do it.

[@patrickbyrne5070]

A joy fr

[@skaneverdies]

This is the hardest shit ever. LOVE to see it. I also love to see all of the support in the comments. Even a small fall that involves your head is all it takes to change your life forever.

[@slimer1984]

Growing up skateboarding I never wore a helmet and my dad always let me know it worried him. Now I'm a dad and my son recently wanted to try out skateboarding, I now know the worries my father had. Sorry for not listening, love you pops. Buckle up the ol brain bucket and stay safe

[@rustysmith540]

55 yrs old. @11 yrs old rocked a surfboard shaped short Logan earth ski with trackers and orange OJ wheels. He is in the 99 percentile personality old school skater, (helmet not withstanding) in the .01 percentile modern talent. What a nice down to earth kid.

[@Si74l0rd]

Even Rodney wore a helmet back in the day. I suspect peer pressure is why he stopped wearing it...well that and his next level consistency!

[@mikekeating]

I'm 46 years old next month. Been skating for 35 years. I never wore a helmet till the first time I took my kids to a skate park. Unless I was just bombing around , worn one every time since.

[@Si74l0rd]

Yeah I'm same age and after a few years off I got myself a new board recently, now I'm considering getting a helmet. I can still skate fine, my balance and muscle memory are intact, but I've been lucky as goes headshots, and luck runs out eventually. Better to be safe than sorry, and I love the peak on Andy's helmet, more my style than anything else I've seen.

[@jevinday]

I always remember Bucky Lasek's white helmet. And Bob Burnquist always had a black one. Gotta wear a helmet if you're skating bowls and half pipes. Like the time at the x games Jake Brown had that gnarly, gnarly accident. My brother and I were watching it on ESPN. I still remember his shoes flying off like it was yesterday. Imagine if he didn't have a helmet on

[@Unlockingparadoxes]

I'm glad we finally have a pro like you. You are a legend.

[@retroonlinemultiplayer9196]

your disney membership is gonna expire soon hurry up and renew! :^)

[@furleyforever]

If you rip, you can wear anything you want. Skills trump everything else.

[@lhbally]

Even better, wear whatever you want even if you don't rip.

[@furleyforever]

​@@lhbally For sure. I'm just touching on the point that people give passes to people with skills. Shouldn't be that way but you'll always have the critics.

[@treschlet]

Pads are a little restrictive but I also like the freedom of not having to worry about injury as much. It helps me push myself a little harder and thus learn faster

[@jennbennett9390]

I started skating and never wore a helmet, never wore pads, anything. But one day, a couple small kids started playing on the half pipe while I was skating it, and I tried to avoid hitting them, bodied hard as shit, hit my head and broke my glasses. I was so glad I wasn't concussed, but I started wearing a helmet every time I skate now, and throw on knee or even elbow pads when I start to try something new

[@nickweber9749]

As long as he keeps skating, he can wear whatever he wants. Keep killin' it Andy!!

[@SenpaiTheExplorer]

it's pretty much become his trademark at this point which is amazing. it's such a great thing for skating for someone like him to openly speak up about wearing helmets. honestly i think his helmets are sick too which makes it even better. if i was still young and getting into skating andy would definitely inspire me to wear a helmet.

[@nickdaveNDM]

One of the brighter stars in bmx had a career ending injury, and he was wearing it when it happened, brutal. I carry one, I wear it whenever I do anything that I'm not confident in.

[@socks2441]

im guessing you are talking about scotty? that shit was bad. very unfair, the dude was an ambassador for helmets, and an incredible rider. very unlucky. astronomically. but without that helmet he probably wouldnt be here today at all.

[@kanecoggins2127]

@@socks2441 Stephen Murray

[@moosetom1588]

happy too see Andy has gone pro .. this kid was a super chill nice guy and still is.. im happy hes still himself.. (dude with the bmx)

[@mattimaranda9638]

Andy Anderson and Jamie Foy should fight to the death to see who can remove the opponent's magical head garment.

[@SkorDie-id9qf]

Not fair. Andy's got a chin strap lmao.... then again jamie wrestled lol

[@Skater6453]

Hey ive always said good on him for wearing one. Im too old school and stuck in my ways to ever be able to use one on street and not be bothered. But as someone who has had multiple concussions and multiple times bleeding from the back of my head and busted shins and bruised knees and swellbows. Can say that those were never the highlights of my day. And he literally doesnt have to deal with any of that or atleast no where near the amount that myself and others do. So all the power in the world to him and he will have a long career guaranteed.

[@andrewut7ya511]

I always go back to what my dad said about helmets. It doesnt matter if you are just messing around in the driveway, the pavement is hard everywhere and it just takes 1 slip to split your noggin like a watermelon. The best rider in the world can slip on a kickflip landing primo and whip back fast as fuck. Andy is cool for not giving a shit what anyone might say, because only a goon would talk shit about someone wearing a helmet, imagine making fun of someone for not wanting to split their head, which is fairly soft and very splittable.

[@DJ-kg6zq]

The skin yeah but skulls are really strong… I like the way your dad said that.

[@DJ-kg6zq]

@Chance Bauer I was saying it’s easy to split the skin open and it sounds dramatic. Your brain gets rattled even if you have a helmet on.

[@DJ-kg6zq]

@Chance Bauer if you have a helmet you don’t protect your brain as much because you think you’re fine. Just like football players with brain injuries and rugby players with less brand injuries

[@DJ-kg6zq]

@Chance Bauer also you mess your neck up way more with that extra weight on your head. The neck is way weaker than the skull

[@colliemon]

@@DJ-kg6zq dude helmets help protect from brain damage/CTE, but obviously not 100%. If they did not help, they would not be used in nearly every extreme sport outside of skating. Also you can skate cautiously with a helmet on the same as being without one; skating is typically far more casual and relaxed than football/rugby and the objective is not to smash your head into dudes to complete a tackle/truck a defender.

[@LucidDream]

Can't believe this is something people need to discuss.

[@gummywormjim]

Andy Anderson is the coolest hippie ever

[@davidtsai6375]

The thing is, he makes it really look good

[@ddbeats632]

I’m about to turn 45 and I’m unafraid to call Andy my hero. I wish we had this guy around when I was a kid skating like it was the last day of my life

[@retroonlinemultiplayer9196]

yeah we get it dude. you got shoved into a locker every day and your board jacked by all the good skaters at the park

[@ddbeats632]

@@retroonlinemultiplayer9196 bot

[@SANDYFRECKLE]

Seriously one of the nicest guys alive. It’s not hard to be nice, though few people are

[@ryang4685]

He’s already a skate legend

[@mustafaalnsour1676]

Not only does he wear a helmet, but he makes it looks stylish and cool too.

[@Atx512fool]

Can’t deny what he can do on a skateboard. Helmet or not

[@anthonybernero9720]

But then you say that like the helmet makes some kind of difference. 🤨

[@BooksAndShitButNotLiterally]

@pervert I guess your name speaks for itself

[@gigasipke]

I started in the snowboarding infancy and helmets just weren't a thing, but after about 10 years I picked up a slalom skiers helmet of all things and decided I wanted to wear it. Literally the very next session I caught a front edge just getting onto the run, it happened so fast that I didn't even get my hands down. I slammed my head into the ice so hard that I literally saw stars for a minute. I finished the day with a bruised and scrapped up cheek but finished the day. I know for a fact that if I didn't have that helmet on that I would have been knocked unconscious or worse. I won't snowboard without a helmet even though it is pretty common these days anyway. Back when I skated no one wore a helmet on the street, but if I took up skating again a helmet would be a must.

[@technodrone313]

The helmet says hes smarter than everyone else. Cuz he is.

[@stevesharpe3370]

And gayer lol.

[@mamadinks7924]

Cuz you ain’t know.

[@BooksAndShitButNotLiterally]

@@stevesharpe3370 Let me guess what your insecurities involve, lmao.

[@TheGingerBeef]

I love Andy. I wear a helmet sometimes, and other times I'll wear knee pads when I'm skating and it's totally unnecessary - But it makes me feel comfortable enough to land the trick!

[@bravobullz7475]

No shame in protecting the melon 💀 He is this generations Rodney Mullen Solid dude one of my favorites

[@greengonzonz]

Love this ❤. Been skating since 79 and only started wearing a helmet in my teens. Been wearing one since. It has saved whats left of my brain countless times

[@SabiaCDO]

Helmet 🪖 saved my life twice. Transfer skateboarding is dangerous AF.

[@tjlewis9690]

I grew up skating bowls, and always wore my helmet. i saw too many people hit their heads and that freaked me out so bad. Always thought, "i love skating so much i want to do it forever, i dont want 1 shot to the head end it all."

[@redonk1740]

I never noticed Andy wore a helmet until everyone started making a big deal about it. I was busy being amazed by the crazy shit he can do on a board.

[@austinfisher6342]

Personal safety is the most important thing; you inspire all the young guns out there who hesitate to wear a helmet. So much respect and push from the supporters. Keep doing you. TBI community in full support!

[@TheMorganMonroeShow]

I started skateboarding in 1963. No helmet, no pads. Just down Hilling and freestyle. When I moved to Clearwater Florida I started skateboarding in parks. That was 1977. You couldn’t go into the skate park without wearing pads and a helmet. The helmet weren’t that great I believe they were Cooper helmets. And the pads were something that you would use in volleyball lol. Shortly after raptor come out with decent pads and protec had a worthy helmet. After the park closed we began building backyard ramps. I still continue to wear pads. Years later new skateboard parks were built and we began to tour him. I still wore my pads. They were still mandatory at that time. Now that I’m older, I couldn’t imagine not wearing pads that entire time. It would have been absolutely horrific. Every morning when I get up it takes me about 30 minutes to get my legs to work right. My ankles, knees and hips are totally shot. My wrists and elbows are totally shot. I couldn’t imagine The effects of all the falls if I was not wearing pads. When it comes to traumatic brain injury, you have one shot to get it right. If you hit your head and get Trumatic brain injury it’s not like you broke your arm for leg. Your brain tissue cannot heal itself. Therefore the results of your injury will last till your final days. I lost a friend who is skateboarding too traumatic brain injury. 10 days in ICU before he passed. It left his family devastated. His friends as well. At that point in time I looked at my kids and thought to myself, would it be child neglect if I didn’t put a helmet on my child before she dropped into an empty swimming pool? After all, at the time she was only 12. What about the repercussions of a skateboard team of a major manufacturer? With the result revert back to their negligence if they refused to authorize a helmet for the child skateboarding on their team? When I was younger I would have never thought like that. But now that I’m older, it’s kind of common sense. If I am this crippled, what I want my child to be this crippled? I still skateboard. If I’m in a skate park I still wear pads and a helmet. On the street, I do not. But the fact is, I am in this condition end it is self-inflicted. I believe we all have a choice and I chose mine as well as you will choose yours. The bottom line here is, if it’s a result of your decision on yourself, that’s self-inflicted pain. But when you cast that onto others, shame on you. Indeed hahahahaha! I hope everyone is having an awesome day and let’s go skate lol

[@mrjehupitchfork]

Infinite respect to Andy for always being true to himself AND being an amazing sister. RESPECT!

[@ThePubliusValerius]

I love Andy. More than any other skater today he truly represents the individuality that skateboarding has always stood for. This sport has been overrun with prisses and prima donnas that have lost the true spirit of freedom that skating represents. Back in the old school days, if somebody wanted to wear a pair of tighty whiteys on their head, nobody cared - because everyone had their own expressive style, and no one was too cool to give a shit about what the next guy did. We just wanted to get better, learn from each other, and have fun.

[@retroonlinemultiplayer9196]

YEAH DUDE CANCEL CULTURE ROCKS!!! DID OU RENEW YOUR DISNEY PLUS MEMBERSHIP? HURRY UP BEFORE ITS TOO LATE. THE ANTIFA RALLY IS TOMORROW! DONT FORGET!

[@bflippsytrance]

"surprising lack of hate" - who can hate a talented, committed and nice personality like Andy. I just had to show my kid Andy's videos and any reluctance wearing one for esthetics vanished and he didn't think about it twice after.. There's so much that can happen and falls or collisions can involve other people's actions, something that doesn't have to do anything with your skill on the board. Andy and his style and ideas remind me so much of what we got with Mullen and it's insane to see someone upping the game from that even now.