Skateboarding emerged in the early 1940s when Californian surfers wanted something to preoccupy themselves with when the oceans are calm. And as simple as that, “sidewalk surfing,” now known as skateboarding, was born.
As years passed, skateboarding gained a lot of traction in the media in terms of its recklessness, thirst for adrenaline, and a high number of accidents. Despite all that, the sport still received a lot of popularity and the acceptance of the masses.
There are almost 11.08 million active skateboarders across the world, but with all the popularity, it also gained a lot of controversies. Skateboarders longed for something that will showcase their skills and love for the sport.
Despite continuously being banned from multiple public places, many people loved skateboarding and embraced its culture. The sport then gave birth to Thrasher.
Spawning a new culture, Thrasher touched and influenced other urban aspects such as fashion, music, and the street culture in general. Eventually, skateboarding became one of the fastest-growing sports and even earned its place in the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo.
Skate Culture
Rock and hip-hop music tremendously influenced skateboarding and its culture. Various punk and heavy metal bands, rappers, and downtown-street cultures all embraced the sport. Unsurprisingly, not everyone likes skateboarding due to its association with drugs, property damage, disorder, and criminal stereotypes.
That is why skaters have been widely banished from public parks, especially in Suburban America. Not only that, they are commonly misjudged as dangerous and rebellious offenders who will likely respond with violent behaviors.
Today, the juvenile persona and stereotypes associated with skateboarding have been burned with the past. Wearing Thrasher apparel no longer means you despise authority. Many people have seen and continue to appreciate what this sport is all about. Examples of skaters who broke much of the old stereotypes were Tony Hawk, Rodney Mullen, and Steve Caballero.
Parks and Safety in Skateboarding
Meanwhile, skateboarding has become a mainstay of urban sports. However, the creation of skate parks did not eliminate the risks of this activity, according to the SPS (Skaters for Public Skateparks). Still, parks solely designed for skaters will significantly encourage skateboarders away from streets, highways, and public or private spaces.
In 2017, 98,000 patients were treated in emergency rooms because of accidents involving skateboarding. Most of the patients were teens aged 15 to 24. In preventing injuries such as broken nose and concussions, the best way is to follow the skateboard safety recommendations and minimize the possible risks.
Skate parks may provide a safer venue for skateboarding, but injuries will always be plausible due to the extreme nature of the sport. Skaters will often slip, fall off the board, and collide with obstacles or other skaters. What is good about it is that there is no chance of being hit by a vehicle–that is, unless a skater goes back into the streets.
Good Benefits of Skateboarding
Skateboarding, when taken with necessary precautions, is an excellent way to train your body’s physical endurance, flexibility, and overall fitness. It can also be gratifying when you have learned a new trick through hard work, determination, and falling countless times.
Landing tricks can give a skater a sense of accomplishment, and that is one of the reasons why they always pick themselves up when they fall down or get injured.
Skateboarding is a routine activity that, through extensive practice and perseverance, can improve your coordination skills. If you ride often, your body will begin to adjust to the right balance. Being good at skateboarding is about progression, and always remember to do it at your own pace, the right time, and at the right place.
