Communities For Skaters

A Sk8 Dad Speaks

The following was submitted to Communities 4 Sk8rs by a random skate dad:

It is past time we took a closer look at skateboarding and the hearts and minds of the young people who are engaged in this exciting and challenging sport. Too often they have been misunderstood and treated with disrespect. Sure, some act out, some may do some damage, but there is so much that is positive about the sport.

Sunday morning I went in to wake up my son for church. He was lying in bed reading one of his skateboarding magazines. He reads a wide variety of publications on skateboarding and snowboarding. The magazines are filled with pictures and articles on technique along with biographies and opinion pieces. He said, “Dad, you should read this editorial, it really helps explain what skating is all about.” I read the editorial and was impressed by the analysis.

The key elements noted in the editorial are very similar to the elements discussed by Chris Krywulak of iQMetrix in his theme address “Black Belt Business Strategy” at the Chamber of Commerce Paragon Awards last year.

Skateboarding is a sport, a passion, and a culture and as with any sports there are many good people involved. Sure, there are some who have problems and some who create problems, but most simply love the sport and want to develop their skills. At its best, at the core of skateboarding, is the opportunity to develop tremendous skills for life.

Since before he was in school, our son has been and continues to be passionate about skateboarding. We watched his determination as he worked alone and with friends to develop and perfect technique and new moves and skills. There are no coaches, no organizations, no skateboarding programs as such. The kids depend on each other and their magazines and video’s to develop as skaters. We’ve seen the cuts, bruises, broken bones, broken equipment, frustrations and fears. We’ve seen the struggle to overcome all the obstacles. We’ve watched his endless hours of studying the sport in order to get better. We’ve listened as he and his friends talk about how to push beyond barriers of difficulty and fear.

Skateboarding like most good sports can help young people develop skills that will serve them well throughout their lives. Not only does it demand excellent physical fitness, it demands coordination, balance and courage. As the editorial in Concrete Powder notes, and I will quote and paraphrase, “you can’t be a great skater without determination; without harnessing the power of positive thought, visualization and the mind in general… .” You have to be able to think outside the box. “To be a great skater you have to look at your life and the world differently and creatively, you have to develop vision for new tricks… . We learn the value and payoffs of dedication and drive; and the value of friendship as friends help us out with tips and advise… .”

In the drive for excellence skaters learn to push past mental and personal boundaries, they develop mental strength and learn to push through self-limiting fear. They learn the basics and then they learn to channel their creativity, energy, speed and flow so that their skating appears effortless. I have watched skaters for many hours over the years. Some of them are truly awesome in their mastery of the sport. Some have developed talents that will enable them to be amazing citizens and leaders in our province.

These are some of our children, they are the future! Instead of blocking them and treating them with disrespect, let's see what we can do to support them as they push to develop themselves through the challenging sport of skateboarding.

posted by Communities 4 Sk8ers @ 4:40 AM