Skateboarders; More Than Vandals

Skateboarding is as much a skill as it is a sport.

(Darkroom)

Skateboarding is as much a skill as it is a sport.

Kyle Parker, Writer

Skateboarders are inspired athletes. They work with the equipment available to them, by just going on regular walks or by just staring at a ledge or rail, they see inspiration and opportunities. They rarely have fields and assemblies dedicated for them so they must make do.

Granted, there are obstacles that impact the use of those ledges or rails around town, but I like to think of those obstacles as a way of encouragement … of saying ‘you can’t do that’ or ‘you will never overcome that rail.’ And then, finding success where nature and gravity suggested failure.

We sometimes look at these people as stereotypical punks and judge them because of how others like to label what they aren’t familiar with or is different.

I spoke to Officer Seig, CHS’s SRO, to discuss this topic of stereotypes of skateboarders and she replied, “I think that [this stereotype] depends on when they are skating at the park. It’s enjoyable to watch them as they are so skilled. But then there comes a point when they’re downtown, and that’s when business owners become frustrated over destruction. When enough skateboards are seen committing acts of vandalism it’s no longer a stereotype for these businesses.”

We got a bit further in our conversation and she added, “Skateboarders can make bad choices, such as skating where they shouldn’t be and possibly causing harm or intimidation for others who want to use those stairs or that rail.” She explained how these kinds of laws keep everyone safe and protect the cost of repair for business owners.

I understood her point and saw a potential solution. In a regular, authorized school sport, there are rules and an enforcement of those rules. There is also a team mentality where teammates support one another and create cohesion. This is where the sport of skateboarding separates from other sports. There are skateboarders who do no wrong and vandals who use skateboards. It can be hard to tell them apart.

I find this unfortunate. While I respect the nature, the philosophy behind the typical stereotype of the skateboarder, I also cringe when I think of a small business person’s dream getting vandalized. I want skateboarders to come together and form a team at CHS because, after all, it is no more or less dangerous than football. Broken bones? Yes. Concussions? Yes.

I propose that the school should authorize a skateboarding team and support those of us who don’t play the big flashy sports but can compete and perfect our skills in a way that is meaningful to us. It is, after all, an official Olympic sport. How expensive could this co-ed team be for the school?

It may help turn the negative perception many have about skateboarders if all they do is equate the sport to vandalism. This sport is more than vandalism, this is a sport that needs to be separated from those who want to break the law. Many people think skateboarders are bad people. I find this disappointing and cause for conflict among others. Just because some sports receive thousands of dollars a year from the school and the community to perform, doesn’t mean those sports that don’t aren’t worth it. Skateboarding is just as valid as football.

Skaters’ intentions aren’t bad, but it hurts when adults say, ‘This isn’t a career. You’re not going to go anywhere with this.’ That’s not the point of sport; as if everyone in football, basketball and soccer is going pro.