By immersing themselves in the skateboarding community, skaters are able to grow as people, athletes and artists and are able to express themselves through their skateboarding.
Over the years, people have often debated if skateboarding should be considered a sport or an art form.
Although there is no black or white answer, sophomore Tommy Mackey said that it is a combination.
“I think it’s a mix of both because when you land tricks, they look very good and artists create things that can look very good,” Mackey said.
Although there is an athletic component, there is also an artistic one.
“I think it’s more of an art form,” senior Sean Brown said.
“There’s definitely a sport aspect with the X Games and The Olympics, but the skateboarding that I like is more like street parts and videos which I would say is more of an art form.”
There are many aspects on both sides that add sustenance to the true depth of what skateboarding means to so many people in the skateboarding culture.
“It’s a way to express yourself,” Brown said.
Skateboarders have the ability to make whatever they want out of skateboarding.
What tricks they do, what style they have and what clothes they wear all contribute to the uniqueness of skateboarding. Doing skateboarding tricks is a key component of the activity, and progression is an aspect that keeps skateboarding interesting.
“I like the feeling that I get when I land new tricks, it gives you a sense of pride,” sophomore Jaimie Aviera said.
Others feel similarly.
“After trying something new a thousand times and finally landing a trick, the satisfaction is pure bliss, and my worries flutter away, making it all worth it,” Ambler resident Mike Lawrence said.
“I like the challenge of it,” Ambler resident Jake Lambert said.
Skateboarding also sparks creativity amongst the community.
“Since picking up the board as a kid, I’ll look at the world around me differently, imagining how I would skate some curb or ledge, that otherwise I would have never looked twice at,” Lawrence said.
Lambert said that he enjoys learning new tricks, although infrequently, he likes to try new tricks when he is feeling “especially confident.”
Skateboarding not only occupies time, but requires focus.
“You’re able to forget about everything else and get so focused on what you’re doing,” Lambert said. Not only does landing new tricks give some a sense of accomplishment, Mackey said that doing tricks while skateboarding makes him feel free.
The culture surrounding skateboarding also has a huge impact on the people in it .
“If there’s good people surrounding you then you will be able to grow,” Aviara said. “If you’re surrounded by all negative vibes and people hating you then you won’t enjoy skateboarding.”
Skateboarding alone can be enjoyed as well.
“It’s fun to come skate by myself or with friends,” Lambert said.
According to Lambert, he finds himself at the skatepark around five to six times each week and says that it’s a great way to get exercise.
Brown spends time filming skateboarding.
For Brown, filming plays a significant role in the skateboarding culture, and the different careers have brought many “avenues” for skaters to pursue.
Brown says watching a skateboarding video “makes you want to skate.”