Skate Scout

“Big question mark” by benjaminreay is licensed under CC BY-NC 2.0.

Skateboarding, in the grand scheme of sports and hobbies, has not been around for a very long time. Because of this, even despite its growing popularity, it lacks an understanding from the perspective of outsiders. Individuals that do not skateboard themselves may immediately look at it in a poor light instead of digging deeper to seek out the reason people skate in the first place. While there are few instances where stereotypes of skateboarding hold some truth, they do not hold true for all skaters.

Non-skaters often assume that skaters are vandals. There are multiple factors that would influence people to have this assumption. One of them being that skaters are portrayed as troublemakers in movies and TV shows. This representation of skateboarders depicts skaters as rebellious and destructive, which further perpetuates the stereotype of vandalism.

Another reason for this assumption is the street skateboarding scene being active in places where some sort of vandalism like graffiti may already exist. Additionally, Skateboarders often use public amenities such as benches, handrails, ledges, and curbs. From the perspective of skaters, the use of features that are not created specifically for skateboarding are seen as an opportunity to be creative and express themselves. However, from the viewpoint of others, it is misunderstood as negative and destructive.

Skateboarding’s reputation as rebellious and rule breaking further contributes to the assumption that skaters are vandals. The rebellious nature of skateboarding does exist, but not in the way that stereotypes draw conclusions from it. The rebellion that actually exists in skateboarding is focused on pushing your own individual boundaries and embracing uniqueness instead of conforming to social norms.

Skateboarding is about positivity, self improvement, perseverance, and creativity. Even though street skaters are technically damaging public property, they do not see it as destructive or do it with malicious intent. Skaters are solely focused on the aspect of skating unique street features and being creative.

An additional stereotype that often plagues the skateboarding community is the association with drug use. This misconception fails to represent the widespread diversity of individuals in the skateboarding community. While it is true that some skateboarders may engage in substance use, it is preposterous to let a minority number of occurrences define the entire skateboarding community.

Skateboarding requires precision, focus, and balance in order to avoid injury and progress. Learning new tricks, jumping down large gaps and stair sets, doing manuals, and grinding rails all require a clear mind and immense concentration. Many skaters are dedicated athletes who prioritize their health in order to excel in the sport.

Skateboarding also has significant mental health benefits. The focus required when performing tricks can allow you to forget about events in your life that may be stressful or worrisome. Some people think of skateboarding as a form of meditation and a way to relax even despite the fact that it is physically demanding. For me personally, skateboarding is a way to escape the busy nature of my life at university. I use it as a way to clear my mind and forget about my assignments for a few hours.

Furthermore, skateboarding is extremely creative. Skaters can often be seen making DIY spots using concrete mix, rails they may have welded themselves, plywood, pool tiles, and traffic cones. This level of creativity and innovation is seen even beyond the DIY skate scene. The influence of creativity in skateboarding has made its way into digital media, art, fashion, music, and more. Skateboarding has played a significant role in shaping these sectors, introducing new trends and styles.

Tony Hawk is a skateboarding icon that has contributed an immense amount to the sport both from a reputation standpoint and a cultural standpoint. Tony Hawk is a name that is instantly recognizable to a large number of people. From his achievements in renowned contests to his video game series, to his foundation giving back to the community, Tony has made a name not only for himself, but for the positive impact that skateboarding has on people. Tony Hawk is a role model for many, myself included, that emphasizes optimism, perseverance, and a hard work ethic.

The introduction of skateboarding to the Olympic Games in 2020 has shed light on the skill and athleticism of its participants. This gives the skateboarding community an opportunity to show its true colors. The recognition of skateboarding from a worldwide audience is extremely helpful in the journey to disprove these stereotypes.

In conclusion, skateboarding is a very unique and decentralized sport that sparks the interest of all walks of life. It cannot simply be defined by the stereotypes it is given by individuals ignorant of its beneficial aspects. Skateboarding’s purpose is to give people the freedom to do whatever they can imagine. I look forward to seeing the future of skateboarding with more recognition and respect from individuals not involved in the sport. The world would be a better place with more skateparks to keep kids and adults from resorting to bad habits like substance abuse to escape their hardships.