Ever wondered about the truth behind those skateboard myths you’ve heard? If you’re anything like me when I first started shredding the streets, you’re probably curious about separating realities from tall tales in the skateboarding world. In this post, I’m going to take you on a ride down the path of common skateboarding myths and the truth behind them. From the weird quips about session styles and their reflections on your personality, trust me, we have a lot to cover. Ready to separate the downright sketchy from the solid truths? Let’s dive in.
- Wax isn’t always necessary to grind.
- Owning a skateboard does not automatically qualify you as a skater.
- Your clothing choice can impact your skateboarding experience.
- Not all skaters can perform intimidating tricks.
- Skateboarding is more than just a recreational hobby; it’s a lifestyle.
- Skateboarding is not restricted to the young crowd.
- Respect and understanding of skateboarding are crucial to debunking stereotypes and broad societal misconceptions.
- Skateboarding is not limited to any age or gender.
- There are numerous forms of skateboarding apart from trick riding.
- One doesn’t need to be an athlete to skateboard, and there’s no hard and fast rule about falling.
- Skateboarding patterns vary worldwide, and certainly, it’s not as “easy” as it seems!
What are the most widely believed skateboarding myths?
Before we jump into the meat and potatoes of this list, let’s take a moment to remember why we’re here. We all love skateboarding, but it can be tough to sift through the myths and the truths, especially when they’re coming from those we trust or look up to in the skateboarding community. Grab your boards, and let’s debunk some myths!
1. You can’t skate after you’re 30
Now, this is a fun one. The myth that you can’t skate after you’re the grand old age of 30 is simply not true. I’ve seen skateboarders older than 50 doing insane vert tricks that would leave any young gun open-mouthed. Skateboarding, like any form of exercise, depends more on your overall health and well-being than the number on your ID.
The truth is, while our bodies change and may have a slower recovery time as we age, it doesn’t mean you have to quit something you love doing. Pro Skateboarder Steve-O is a living example, skating well into his 40s and still shredding it up like there’s no tomorrow. Check Steve-O’s story to get a burst of motivation.
2. Trick riding is the “only” way to skate
Skateboarding, like any other sport, encompasses a wide variety of styles and techniques. The belief that trick riding on ramps and rails is the “only” way to skate is both narrow-minded and woefully incorrect. Street skating, longboarding, and downhill riding are all bona fide forms of skateboarding.
Remember, there is no “one way” to enjoy a passion. Many skaters prefer to cruise down city streets or carve around a bowl, and they’re as real skateboarders as any Olympic athlete can be. Need more proof? Look no further than the Brooklyn Banks – a skateboarding haven that is surprisingly low on the tricks.
3. Only athletes can skateboard
Ah, the old “you need to be an athlete to skateboard” nugget. It’s a myth, pure and simple. While skateboarding undoubtedly requires physical exertion and coordination, it does not mean that it’s completely off-limits to those of us who never made it to the football team in high school.
“Just like learning to ride a bike, skateboarding can be taken up by anyone willing to put in the effort, athletes or not.”
Just like learning to ride a bike, skateboarding can be taken up by anyone willing to put in the effort, athletes or not. Plus, it’s a fantastic way to stay healthy and build strength. It doesn’t require a particular physique, just passion and dedication.
4. Falling is always bad
This is one of the more pervasive myths in the skateboarding community. Yes, taking a tumble isn’t exactly enjoyable, and you definitely don’t want to get injured. However, this does not mean that every time you bail, it’s a bad thing. In fact, learning how to fall correctly is a fundamental part of skateboarding that can help you avoid serious injuries.
Pro skater Jaws has famously tackled insanely high jumps (and the subsequent falls), proving that a bad fall isn’t always as bad as it seems. Read about some of Jaws’ insane adventures to see falling in a new light.
5. Skateboarding is not a real sport
The myth that skateboarding is not a real sport often gets thrown around by those unfamiliar with the skill and athleticism required to pull off a kickflip or grind down a rail. Skateboarding requires balance, strength, timing, and a fair amount of risk-taking – all elements found in what we commonly refer to as “traditional” sports.
Moreover, skateboarding has been recognized by the International Olympic Committee, and it was included in the game for the first time in 2021. If that doesn’t solidify its standing as a legitimate sporting endeavor, I don’t know what would. Check out the greatest skateboarding moments to see some of the amazing feats achieved in this not-a-real sport. Can your prejudice do a flip and stick the landing?
6. Girls can’t skate
This myth drives me up the wall. Skateboarding is not gender-specific, and it’s a myth that only boys can skate. Girls can skate, and they can do it damn well, if I may add. Check out the women’s skateboarding scene; it’s thriving with killer female skaters who all show that girls can shred just as hard as boys. So whether you’re a guy, a girl, or anywhere in between or beyond – if you want to skate, just get on that board and make it happen!
7. Getting sponsored is easy
I hate to burst your bubble, but getting sponsored isn’t as easy as pulling off a few tricks in your local park and waiting for the big bucks to roll in. It takes years of practice, a unique style, some serious networking, and a hefty dose of luck to catch the eye of a sponsor. But hey, anything’s possible.
8. All skaters are rebels
This one is pretty much straight out of an 80s movie. Not every skater is a rebel, nor is skateboarding inherently rebellious. This stereotype is one major myth that contributes to the overall negative opinion some people hold about skateboarding. In reality, most skateboarders are everyday people who simply enjoy the sport.
9. Skateboarding patterns are the same worldwide
Believe it or not, there’s a cultural aspect to skating. The style, tricks and even the skate spots change from country to country. American skaters may not skate like Brazilian skaters, and that’s the beauty of it. Skateboarding is a global sport influenced by local culture and taste.
10. Skateboarding is easy
Any sport takes time and practice to master, and skateboarding is no different. One cannot simply step onto a board and immediately start busting out pro-level tricks. It requires balance, coordination, perseverance, and a bit of a thick skin for the inevitable falls initially.
11. Skateboarding stance reflects personality
“Left-foot forward means you’re more artistic, and right-foot means you’re more athletic.” You’ve probably heard this one in your local skate parks and street spots. Let’s make this clear, folks: your skateboard stance has nothing to do with your personality traits or creative prowess.
It’s all about what feels comfortable for you. So whether you ride goofy or regular, remember, the sick tricks come from practice, not your stance. Check out this post on Skater vs Session to see some insane stories about stance and style.
12. Skate decks are made up of a special type of wood
Ever heard the one about skate decks being made up of some special holy-grail type of wood that’s only grown in a secret corner of California? Yes, that’s a total bust. Most skate decks are made from Canadian maple, a solid choice for its strength and flexibility. No magical woodland creature or secret tree involved, I promise.
1. Wax is mandatory for grinding
Is wax helpful? Absolutely! It makes grinds easier, and tackling rough surfaces becomes a whole lot more manageable. But do we always need it? Definitely not! You see, grinding isn’t just related to the presence or absence of wax. Your speed, weight distribution, and balance over your board have significant roles to play.
Here’s the thing: if you approach a grind with enough zest and your weight properly distributed, you can pretty much grind or board slide just about anything. But remember, the material you’re grinding on matters. Metal and marble are your friends, whereas rough concrete can be a bit of a party pooper.
2. Owning a skateboard makes you a skater
This myth is as absurd as saying owning a grammar book makes you a language expert. Sorry to burst your bubble, but like any activity worth its salt, skateboarding demands more than mere ownership of gear. Being a skater is not about possessing a shiny skateboard; it’s a lifestyle.
Being a skater implies you’ve invested ample time into learning the ropes, failing, and pulling yourself back up for more. It’s the passion, commitment, the ruthless pursuit of improvement, and, above all, genuine enjoyment of the sport that defines a true skater.
3. Your clothing doesn’t impact your experience
Contrary to popular belief, your skateboarding game is influenced, to a certain extent, by what you wear while shredding. This might seem subjective, but truth be told, just as non-skateboarding shoes can cause havoc, so can certain types of clothes.
Think you’re slipping and falling a lot? Maybe those slim, designer jeans aren’t really apt for nailing a killer heelflip. After all, comfort and flexibility always trump flashiness on the ramp. By the end of the day, tight skinny jeans or uncomfortable clothes tend to restrict your movements, making it harder to skate (and we all know how vital body movement is while conceptualizing a trick).
4. Skateboarding is just for criminals or bad people
It’s beyond disappointing when skateboarding and skaters are stereotyped as miscreants. This harmful myth is a pure result of unnecessary vilification and doesn’t help build a healthy perception of the sport. Skateboarding is loved and practiced by individuals from all walks of life. Remember, a skateboarder is just a person who loves the thrill and joy the sport brings, not a law-breaking hooligan!
5. All skaters can pull off insane tricks
Just because someone skates doesn’t mean they can effortlessly pull off mind-boggling tricks. Skateboarding involves a steep learning curve, and proficiency in tricks comes with time, practice, and a lot of falls. It’s quite alright for a skater to have a set of tricks they are comfortable with or are still learning. What matters is the individual journey and passion for the sport rather than an endless repertoire of tricks!
6. Skateboarding is not a real sport
Some people dismiss skateboarding as a pastime activity rather than recognizing it as a legitimate sport. However, skateboarding demands physical prowess, mental readiness, stern focus, and strong determination, which are the hallmarks of any sport. And with its inclusion in the 2020 Summer Olympics, it’s high time this myth gets kicked to the curb.
“Achieving balance, learning to steer, and practicing ollies—skateboarding, like any other sport, is hard and requires dedication and lots of practice.”
7. Skateboarding is easy
Anyone who’s ever set foot on a skateboard will tell you it’s absolutely not a piece of cake. Achieving balance, learning to steer, and practicing ollies—skateboarding, like any other sport, is hard and requires dedication and lots of practice. So, next time you see someone effortlessly cruising on their board, remember the countless hours they’ve spent mastering it.
8. Skateboarding should be learned while young
While it’s often believed that skateboarding is a young person’s game, age shouldn’t limit your skateboarding ambitions. It’s never too late to pick up the board and start learning. Yes, you might need to proceed with a little more caution, but your passion for the sport and the determination to learn is what really matters!
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The necessity of injuries: mandatory rite of passage or illusion?
Every skateboarder respects the pain that comes with the game. But does this mean you have to get injured to be truly initiated into the club? Nah, that’s just a morbid myth. While injuries might happen, your goal shouldn’t be the gnarliest slam for initiation. Instead, it should always be more about skills and passion. Here’s a list of common skateboarding injuries you may want to watch out for, just to stay safe.
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The skateboarding community can do better
I might not be a long-time skateboarder, but my brief journey in this world has taught me that misconceptions run wild. I’ve heard enough “You can’t do a tre flip because you’re too new to this” to last a lifetime. We need to rise above these myths.
“Skateboarding is more than just a sport, and it’s more than some rebellious teenage phase. It’s a lifestyle and a community. It’s a creative way to express oneself and freedom on four small wheels and a plank of wood.”
The skateboarding community is full of diverse, incredible individuals who break these stereotypes every day. And to the beginners out there powering through these myths, remember what happened during some of the worst pro skateboarding bails. Even pros fall, but they always get back up. Keep pushing, keep learning and keep debunking!
If you are a visual learner, check out the video below from YouTube.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Got more burning questions about those outlandish skateboard myths? Fear not. I’ve got a few more answers tucked in my sleeve to help silence those whispers. Enough talking, let’s dive into some frequently asked skateboarding questions.
Is skateboarding illegal?
Not at all! Skateboarding is perfectly legal. However, there are certain locations, such as private property or specific city streets, where skateboarding might be prohibited. It’s always best to check local laws and regulations or visit your local skate parks. Just don’t be the person who treats all spots like a free-for-all skate park, as mentioned in this post about people that ruin skateboarding.
Do all skaters listen to punk rock music?
Music preferences vary by individual, not their sport of choice. While punk rock has historical ties to skate culture, not every skater has a playlist filled to the brim with The Ramones or Black Flag. Many skaters enjoy hip hop, electronic music, indie rock, and a whole variety of other genres.
Do I need a specific type of board to learn to skate?
While certain types of skateboards can enhance specific styles or tricks, you absolutely don’t need a particular board to start learning. The best board for a beginner is something comfortable, stable, and well-suited to your size.
Should I invest in high-end gear as a beginner?
High-quality gear can potentially make the learning curve smoother. That being said, as a beginner, you likely won’t notice much difference between an entry-level and high-end setup. It’s more important to focus on learning the basics and gradually upgrading your gear as you develop your skills and preferences.
Is skateboarding an expensive sport?
The cost of skateboarding can vary greatly. It largely depends on the type and quality of gear you opt for. A beginner’s skateboard can be quite budget-friendly, while professional-level boards and high-quality safety gear come with their price tags. However, consider it an investment towards your passion and safety! Be sure to check out some essential skateboarding items before making your purchase decisions.
Can I learn skateboarding on my own?
Absolutely! The beauty of skateboarding is that it’s a personal journey. You can learn at your own pace and in your own style. There are ample resources and tutorials available online to help you start. However, joining a local skateboarding community or enrolling in a class can provide guidance and accelerate your learning process.
Is skateboarding dangerous?
Like any sport, skateboarding carries a risk of injuries, especially if you’re trying to execute stunts or tricks without proper training or safety gear. But, with a safety-first mindset, appropriate gear, and recognition of one’s abilities, you can drastically reduce the risk factor.
Final thoughts
Whew! That was quite the ride. We’ve shredded through some of the most common skateboarding myths out there and painted a clearer image of the truth on our skateboarding canvas. From debunking stereotypes to understanding cultural variations, we’ve not only broken down barriers but also fostered a more diverse and inclusive narrative around skateboarding.
Are you now more prepared to bust some myths the next time you hit the skate park? And did I cover everything you wanted to know? Let me know in the comments section below. I read and reply to every comment. If you found this article helpful, share it with a friend, and check out my full blog for more tips and tricks on shredding the stereotypes around skateboarding. Thanks for reading, and keep rolling!
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