WTF! I am so sick of this.

Lately, there has been a slurry of uninsured athletes getting hurt.  It is such an issue that it has lead to the formation of the Athlete Recovery Fund, and every week there are new twitter posts, and facebook pages requesting money to pay the medical bills for these people.  Now don’t get me wrong, I wanna support the well being of these people, and the industry probably more than the next guy.  What I don’t understand is, if so and so who got injured skating was such an important and respected member of your business’s “family”, then why don’t you provide him/her with insurance.

Sponsors, you invest thousands of dollars in kids that are too old to be on their families insurance, and too young to know any better.  Brands and Team Managers, why don’t you make it your responsibility to see that your investment pays off, educate your riders about insurance, make them an appointment and get them insured.  That should be part of the sponsorship deal.

Resorts, we know your quarterly earnings, it’s public information.  Step up, and insure your seasonal employees, full time and part time.  I lived with one of your employees last year.  He got injured, and couldn’t work.  He ended up, stealing from me and the other housemates, and getting kicked out by the landlord after 2 months of not being able to pay the rent.

Parents, you gave birth to talented individuals that are trying to follow their dream in action sports.  If your kids can’t afford insurance, then insure them.

And lastly, kids, I know what I was spending money on when I was riding year round.  I spent a substantial amount of money on beer and other vices.  Definitely enough to pay monthly for insurance.  Stop spending your money on frilly pirate shirts at the thrift stores and frequent nights out at Charlies, or gambling in Vegas during SIA, and do yourself a favor get insured.

For at least some insurance XSInow.com provides affordable supplemental insurance for less than 20 a month.

I think the Athlete Recovery Fund should actually provide grants or scholarships to insure kids.  That’s a lot cheaper than paying for their injuries after the fact.