UAE is well-known for its amazing attractions, top water parks in Abu Dhabi and Dubai, and karting experience. Karting is an excellent form of exercise for children.
It provides much-needed physical activity and engagement, especially for kids stuck at home playing video games, watching television, or using gadgets all day.
On top of that, karting offers various health benefits, including:
- Improved concentration
- Boosted strength and stamina
- Enhanced reflexes
- Increased oxygen flow
Despite these advantages, some parents still hesitate to allow their kids to participate in the sport.
If you’re one of them, you can rest assured that karting is a safe activity that children as young as six can undertake.
But since being a parent means you’ll always worry about your child’s welfare, you can find ways to ensure that they stay safe while having fun when they go karting in Abu Dhabi.
In this article, you’ll find eight essential things you must include in your checklist to keep your kids safe while driving a go-kart.
Karting Gear
Like other sports, karting calls for proper gear to ensure safety during the activity. There are many types you can choose from, but the following are the most important ones your child must have:
1. Tight-fitting clothes (racing suit)
All kart racers must wear snug-fitting clothing, regardless of age and skill level. Wearing the designated racing suit is highly recommended since it boosts the driver’s safety on the track.
Karting is a race, which means participants can go up to very high speeds, even in the lower or entry-level categories.
And when they do, loose clothing may flap in the breeze, causing drag and discomfort to the go-kart driver.
Furthermore, baggy outfits are more likely to get caught on the wheels and other mechanisms in the go-kart than body-hugging pieces, leading to potentially dangerous scenarios.
Besides the fit, you must also consider the length of your child’s racing suit pants and sleeves.
They should be long enough to cover their ankles and wrists to ensure better protection for the legs and arms in case of a fall.
Of course, don’t forget to check the racing suit’s quality, condition, and ability to withstand fire, contact, and damage.
2. Safety harness
Car seat belts help boost driver safety on the road. They can even save lives in case of accidents. The same is true for safety harnesses in go-karts.
When visiting a track, always check whether this safety gear is available. If it is, check whether it fits snugly into the open-wheel vehicle and can keep your child secure while driving.
Otherwise, you should turn around and find a safe activity for your child.
Do the same thing when buying kids their go-kart. The bottom line: is never allow your children to drive without a good-quality safety harness.
3. Helmet
Accidents can happen at any time. Whether your little racers are on a closed track, in your backyard, or on the road, make sure they wear proper protective gear like helmets.
Helmets protect the head, which makes them crucial to safety when driving a go-kart.
4. Safety goggles
Safety goggles, active eyewear, or snug-fitting sunglasses are also essential in kart racing.
Without them, your child may have difficulty seeing the track clearly because of the wind, sun, and other environmental factors while driving a go-kart.
5. Gloves
Gloves help reduce the strain on the hands of a go-kart driver and provide additional padding in case of an unexpected fall.
Besides keeping your child’s hands safe, this pair of protective gear can also offer comfort and support a firm grip on the steering wheel.
This can prove helpful for young drivers since karts don’t have power steering, which can be tough on bare hands.
As a bonus, they also introduce a splash of color to your child’s racing suit. This can help them get in the zone or emulate their favorite Formula One drivers.
6. Balaclava
Although not a common topic in karting gear, balaclavas are considered as crucial in racing safety as gloves.
This snug-fitting garment covers the entire head and neck, except for some parts of the face (mainly the eyes).
A karting balaclava also adds a fire-resistant element to the helmet and keeps sweat away from the eyes. Plus, it prevents the helmet from moving around because of the moisture.
This racing apparel also keeps the headgear free of dirt and ready to use on the next race and tucks long hair away from the eyes to prevent them from hindering the driver’s sight during a race.
7. Rib protector
Though not necessarily essential in go-kart racing, many experts recommend using a rib protector for safety and comfort.
Some models of this miniature open-wheel vehicle lack comfortable seating.
This can be a pain for go-kart drivers (especially in fast corners), which could leave them with bruised or sore ribs even without getting into accidents.
With rib protectors, you can ensure that your child is not only free of bruises but also stays comfortable while enjoying each thrilling ride.
8. Racing shoes
Not all kart racers wear racing shoes, even in regional leagues. Still, this type of footwear can do wonders for your child’s comfort and safety on the track.
Karting shoes can help them control the brake and throttle better because they have very thin soles, allowing the wearer to feel both pedals to the fullest.
Other Helpful Things to Pack
Aside from wearing the right gear, your child must also be well-fed and hydrated before, during, and after kart racing.
Before a drive, make sure they eat carbohydrate-rich foods like rice or pasta. This will fill them with energy without causing a bloated feeling in their stomach.
Water is also essential to help their bodies cope with the intense sweating from the activity. This can prevent dehydration, especially if your child is driving on an outdoor track.
Besides that, they also need foods containing sugar to keep their energy up in between sessions.
To ensure they eat healthily, pack some bite-sized fruits they can munch on during their breaks, as these have natural sugars, nutrients, and water.
Let Kids Enjoy Karting Safely
Karting is a safe and healthy activity for both children and adults.
To help your kids enjoy this activity to the fullest, ensure they have the proper gear that can help keep them safe and comfortable throughout each race.
Awesome one; I hope this article answers your question.
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