Some injuries are painful, some are scary, others are just downright annoying. After slipping out on a tailslide recently, I copped one from the latter category: my shin scraped down the edge of the ledge, splitting open like one of those rubber Spitfire coin pouches. A sock full of blood and a handful of stitches later, and I’m now sitting around, waiting for the gash to heal enough so I can skate again.

Words by Harvey Ferle. Illustration by Sam Arnold.

The problem with this kind of injury is that it’s in one of those spots that is likely to be hit again, and again, and again. Any minor shinner now has the potential to rip that sucker open, send me back to the stitcher, and relegate my arse to the couch while I wait for it to heal all over again. That has got me thinking. What are the best ways to kill time during recovery? Are there any ways to speed up the process? And how do we avoid going crazy in the meantime?

Here are a few things I’ve been doing. Maybe they’ll give you some ideas the next time you’re banged up. It is important to remember, I’m not just talking about chopping up and playing THPS, Skater XL, or GTA – because we all know how to do that already.

Shredding The Canvas
One of the best things about skateboarding is the art that goes hand in hand with it – from the Santa Cruz Screaming Hand, to the Muska Rising Sun, all the way to whatever Pass~Port is working on right now. Art, illustration, graphic design – and creativity more generally – all hold a special place in our hearts.

Almost every skater I’ve ever spoken with has wanted to make their own board brand or apparel company at some point in their life. There’s an affinity for DIY that runs through a lot of what we do as skateboarders – from the spots we skate, right through to the music we listen to – and in a lot of us, there’s a storm of creative energy just waiting to be unleashed.

So, while you’re sitting around injured, why not doodle some of your own designs? Or learn some of the basic digital skills you need to start bringing your ideas to life. One of the upsides of COVID-19 is that TAFEs and other educators across the country are offering some courses for free – some of them on graphic design, photography, and even video editing. With all these newfound skills, you can stop feeling sorry for yourself and get productive while you’re healing.

Grinding In The Kitchen
Whether you’re a guy, a girl, or somewhere in between, learning how to cook is something you should most definitely invest a bit of your time in. I’m not necessarily talking about becoming a Michelin star chef, but having a few dishes in your back pocket will pay off in ways you may never have considered.

Going on a skate trip where you’re crashing on people’s couches? A homecooked meal for your hosts will always go down well. Forgotten a mate’s birthday or special event? No, you didn’t. You’ve just offered to have them over for dinner. Started dating someone you’re keen on? Invite them over and whip out your famous butter chicken. Play your cards right and maybe something else will get whipped out later.

Learning to chef it up is also a great way to preserve your cash. If you stopped and counted the money you’re sinking into Uber Eats, you’d probably delete the app. One big portion of chilli con carne or spaghetti bolognese will cover dinner for days and can cost less than 10 bucks.

Get Crafty
If you’ve got to get someone a present, why not spend this time crafting a present or a card for them. You might think this sounds lame but hear me out. Gifts you’ve spent time on are always well-loved, they let you express your creativity, and they save you money you can put toward a new deck once you’re ready to skate again.

Unsure where to start? There’s a YouTube video for absolutely everything that’s ever existed, so you’ll be building clay sculptures and making origami greeting cards in no time. In my case, I made a diorama (remember those?) of the Solar System that I gave my girlfriend and scored a galaxy worth of brownie points.

Rolling Into Rehab
While these ideas can help ensure injured time isn’t wasted time, the obvious priority is to try to get the injury to heal as quickly as possible. There’s nothing worse than being stuck on crutches while the group chat is going off with all your mates planning the next session.

So, to get you back on board and out with the crew, follow the doctor’s orders. If they tell you to ice your ankle, ice it. If they tell you to wash your wound, wash it. And if they give you exercises to do, do them – because I guarantee you the doctor knows more about what’ll help you heal than me, or that aunty on Facebook recommending crystals and essential oils.