It is no secret skateboarders have flourished as one of the most tight-knit and authentic communities in the world. With skateboarding’s ability to accept all walks of life and transcend barriers of race, class, gender, social status, and any ism you’d like to insert here, it is estimated about 85-million people skateboard on a regular basis worldwide, making it the 6th largest global sport and one of the fastest growing sports in history.
That being said, it’s been a while since someone took the time to reflect on skateboarding as a catalyst for social and community engagement.
That is, until now.
As an activity, lifestyle and art form, Skateboarding has evolved from a fringe activity into a mainstream sport that fosters social interaction and community engagement. This dynamic shift not only highlights skateboarding’s versatility but also underscores its potential to unite diverse groups of people.
In this blog post, we will explore how skateboarding acts as a powerful catalyst for social cohesion, community development, and personal growth with comprehensive statistical data and visual aids.
Formally, we’ll be covering statistics and data on the following study areas:
- The Rise of Skateboarding Culture
- Spaces of Inclusivity in Skateboarding
- Building Social Skills
- Community Development in Skateboarding
- Uniting the International Community
- Revitalizing Urban Spaces
- Promoting Health and Well Being
In essence, we’ll discuss how skateboarding impacts so many people and why people love to skateboard.
The Rise of Skateboarding Culture
Skateboarding culture has undergone significant transformation over the past few decades. What began as an underground movement in the 1960s has blossomed into a global phenomenon with deep cultural roots. Skateparks have become communal hubs where individuals from various backgrounds converge to share their passion for the sport.
The rise of skateboarding culture in many ways began just as gnarly and elevated as the skaters themselves launching off ramps and climbing over fences to skate pools. It is estimated from available information that manufacturers sold an estimated 50-millions skateboards from the years 1963 to 1965 alone.
According to the Skateboarding Census provided by the Public Skatepark Development Guide, in 2010, out of the 74,101,945 youth in America, 6,300,000 were skateboarders. That means, roughly 8.5% of American youth are skateboarders. That is pretty incredible.
One of the very first skateboard companies was “Makaha” which saw the largest sales during this period. That being said, skate folklore and the general skate public agree that Bill Richard was the first to manufacture skateboards at his Los Angeles, California surf shop after he made a deal with Chicago Roller Skate Company to produce a set of skate wheels, which he attached to square wooden boards.
One of the raddest aspects about skateboarding’s rise to popular culture, was its natural incorporation of women and skaters of diverse backgrounds.
A Space for Inclusivity
One of the most remarkable aspects of skateboarding is its inclusivity. Unlike traditional team sports, skateboarding does not require formal training or expensive equipment. This accessibility allows individuals from different socio-economic backgrounds to participate equally. Skateparks serve as melting pots where gender, race, and age barriers dissolve, fostering an environment of mutual respect and camaraderie.
That being said, it wasn’t always so easy and there are still significant barriers and friction among communities. Skateboarding is still arguably a white-male sport but it has a great capacity to lead the change and global trends in a positive direction. Take the LGTBQ+ community and pro skater Brian Anderson.
Brian Anderson won Thrasher’s Skater of the Year Award in 1999 but it wasn’t’ until 2016 that he officially came out as gay and challenged the toxic masculinity associated with the sport. It might have taken almost two decades before Brian felt safe to do so but thanks to Brian Anderson’s fearless engagement with the community, the skate world created a space for inclusivity.
While there are 85-million people who participate in skateboarding, the skateboarding community or people who describe themselves as members of the skateboarding community are around 9 million.
In this group of 9-million skaters, skateboarding may be the only sport containing every kind of personal identity within it. Here is a list of some of the social movements skateboarding has been a member of.
- Skateboarding, BLM, and Black Skaters Matter saw skateboarding leading protests and providing a voice for skaters and their concerns of police brutality in the USA.
- Skate Like A Girl, a non profit encouraging, highlighting and supporting women’s role in the skateboarding community and industry.
- Queer Skate Alliance, allying skateboarders with the LGTBQ+ providing access, representation and entry points from skaters of all sexual and gender orientations.
- Skateboarding for People of Color and representing people of color with an intersectionality of art, music, fashion and skateboarding.
- Skateboarding for Native American Communities is one of the most significant and palpable examples of how skateboarding is a catalyst for social and community engagement.
These are just a handful of the inclusive spaces skateboarders operate in to work as a catalyst for social and community engagement.
Building Social Skills
Skateboarding naturally encourages social interaction. Whether it’s teaching a beginner how to land their first ollie or collaborating on complex tricks, skaters develop crucial social skills such as communication, empathy, and teamwork. These interactions extend beyond the confines of the skatepark, cultivating lasting friendships and networks that enrich community life.
What is particularly unique about skateboarding is the conception point is almost always tied to young people. The average median age of a skateboarder is 14 years old, with 75% of skateboarders being under the age of 18.
There is a running joke in skateboarding, “Where can you go where 13-year old and 30-year olds hang out together? Well, the skatepark!”
In 2024, it is estimated 65% of skaters under the age of 18 have a skater in their life over the age of 21, whom they consider a friend or mentor.
There was an article published by the Washington Post that states 70% of kids will quit organized sports by the age of 13, citing the experience at some point was not fun anymore. Thanks to a study done by USC which interviewed skaters from across 7 US States, found that comparatively 76% of skaters skate because it is fun.
Community Development Through Skateboarding
The impact of skateboarding extends far beyond individual benefits; it plays a pivotal role in community development. Cities around the world are recognizing this potential by investing in skateparks and related infrastructure.
The first skatepark ever constructed was built in Tucson, Arizona, “Surf City” in 1965. By 1976, skateparks began opening up in California, most famously Carlsbad in 1976, and Kona Skatepark in 1977 opened in Jacksonville Florida.
Today, there are over 3,100 skateparks in the USA alone. It is believed there are about 5,000 skateparks worldwide, most of which are located in North America.
That being said, there are still a ton of communities that do not have access to skateparks and many of the local skaters have taken it upon themselves to revitalize urban spaces with DIY skateparks and skateboarding street spots.
Uniting the International Community
One of the most discussed topics of the last half decade has been skateboarding and the Olympics and after two Olympic circuits completed, it is evident skateboarding has a great international community. 20 countries had at least one skateboarder being represented in the 2024 Paris Olympic Games, with Brazil (BRA) and the USA leading the pool with 12 skaters each.
Revitalizing Urban Spaces
Skateparks can transform underutilized urban spaces into vibrant community centers. These parks often become focal points for local activities, attracting not only skaters but also spectators and tourists. This influx can stimulate local economies through increased foot traffic to nearby businesses.
Skateboarding dreates social hubs in urban spaces, self-police areas that need an improvement of cultural capacity, and exist as a symbol of youth in urban spaces. Additionally, skateboarding events can invigorate spaces and integrate them as cultural hubs, even if just for the day.
Every year on June 21st, millions of skaters celebrate GO SKATE DAY, with thousands of skateboarding events taking place every year across the globe.
According to a professor at the University of Oregon, Ocean Howell, incorporating skaters into public spaces can be a community reactivation tactic, improving at-risk areas. MIT graduate and professional skateboarder for Team USA’s Olympic skate team, Alexis Sablone was commissioned to create skateable urban structures in Malmo, Sweden. Cities like Malmo and Copenhagen have seen an influx in tourism after their exposure in the skate world for their Vans Park Series World Championship. The same with cities like London and Barcelona.
Promoting Health and Well-being
Physical activity is essential for overall health, and skateboarding offers an engaging way to stay active. Regular participation in skateboarding can improve cardiovascular health, balance, coordination, and mental well-being. Communities with accessible skate facilities tend to see higher levels of youth engagement in physical activities, which can lead to reduced rates of obesity and other health issues.
While Bryggeriet Gymnasium High School in Scandinavia are not the first to integrate skateboarding into their curriculum as a part of their physical education, they might be the first to integrate a skateboarding-focussed classroom curriculum surrounding architecture and media creation. This is direct evidence of skateboarding being used as a catalyst through education for social and community engagement.
Skateboarding has always been a catalysis for getting kids and people of all ages outdoors and into forward momentum. What hasn’t always been clear is how much of that impact is mental and spriritual. The skateboarder body is one of an athlete but a skateboarder’s mind and spirit is what makes us truly remarkable.
Skateboarding has impacted millions of people around the globe for this reason and points to how skateboarding’s impact, unlike other sports, is measured beyond the physical accomplishments.
Personal Growth Through Skateboarding
Beyond its social and communal benefits, skateboarding also serves as a powerful tool for personal development.
Fostering Resilience
Learning to skateboard involves overcoming numerous challenges—both physical and mental. Skaters must practice perseverance as they repeatedly attempt new tricks until they succeed. This process builds resilience and teaches valuable life lessons about determination and handling failure constructively.
Encouraging Creativity
Skateboarders view their environment differently; every ledge or stairway becomes an opportunity for creative expression. This mindset fosters innovation as skaters continuously seek new ways to interact with their surroundings creatively solving problems posed by architectural landscapes.
It is estimated over 75% of skateboarders engage in video recording, photography and documenting their skateboarding. It is also estimated that 60% of skateboarders engage in creative activities outside of skateboarding, whether music, painting, or another form of artwork.
Skateboarding is much more than just a sport; it is a vehicle for social change that bridges gaps between diverse communities while promoting personal growth among its participants. By providing inclusive spaces where people can connect through shared experiences, cities worldwide stand poised to harness the full potential offered by a thriving skateboard culture, ultimately leading to healthier and happier societies united with common purposes and enjoyment of freedom found from the four wheels beneath our feet.
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