About

Skateboarding is a sport that has gained much popularity and influence since its emergence back in the 1940’s. It is a self-explanatory sport that requires the skater to ride on a piece of wooden board attached with wheels, and often performing tricks and stunts in-between. This sport has different sets of definition as some see it as a form of recreational activity, others as an art form and even some use it as a means of transportation. Modern skateboarders are now going faster, flying higher off the ramps and landing with newer and increasingly more spectacular tricks than before. Some of such examples include the flip trick, kick flip, aerials, grabs, grinds, slides, lip tracks and freestyle.

Origins

The sport first emerged in the late 1940’s when beach surfers were faced with flat waves. Unable to surf on the beach, they thought of recreating the experience on land, which gave them the idea of attaching wheels under wooden boxes. These boxes soon turned into wooden planks and later, the production of skateboards as seen today. Due to its similarity to surfing, many referred to it as “sidewalk surfing". Presently, skateboarding is well commercialised and also a popular event at the ‘X-Games’. People flock to this event to witness professional skateboarders performing skillful manoeuvres to compete against one another.

What attracts them

Many professional skateboarders end up having their own fan base, and in the case of celebrity skateboarder Tony Hawk, his fame has landed him projects from commercials to films and even video games. Many cartoon characters like Bart Simpson and Ben 10 have all integrated skateboards as part of their accessories. This, in turn, have inspired and attracted many to the sport and therefore boosted its popularity. Skateboarding has not only become a popular sport, but to many, it has also become a lifestyle.

Implications

Skateboarding can be a dangerous sport and when an accident happens, it is most likely due to the skater losing control of his/her own balance. But with correct equipments and safety procedures, injury can be avoided. Learn to use proper safety gears such as helmets, wrist guards, knee guards and elbow guards. It is also important to maintain the board in good condition, and try to avoid irregular terrains while performing.