Beach skimmers

Summer hasn't even started but already the blogger at DadTalk has been painfully whacked on the leg by a skim board at the beach—for the second time in a year. The first encounter left deep muscle and bone bruises for months. It's his son Seth he's worried about, which makes him ask local skim board shops to make the boards less injurious or lifeguards to keep the riders (he prefers "morons") off beaches favored by toddlers.

On Sunday, a wood and metal board slammed into my ankle. I thought I was okay, but by bed time, I could barely walk. I am now limping around the house and can’t sleep because my foot will not stop throbbing.

As far as I’m concerned, skim boards may be the worst thing to ever hit the coastline. Most I’ve seen are made of hardwood with a metal edge to help it cut through water faster. Unlike surfboards, skimmers ride waves close to shore where couples stroll or children play.

Photo: Zapskimboards.com