To some, skateboarding may seem like it’s just about doing cool tricks and flying through the air. However, skateboarding is a whole culture. For some, it’s even a way of life.

Skateboarding originally stemmed from the surf culture of California leading all the way to its global presence today. Skateboard culture incorporates art, fashion, music, and community. According to CSDT skateboarding was first created in the 1950s by surfers who wanted to surf on flat ground. They called it sidewalk surfing. Since then, the community has grown significantly.

“I feel [the] skateboarding community is one of the biggest parts of skateboarding,” junior Kalin Petrin said. “It brings everyone from anywhere together; it doesn’t matter if you’re black, white, 14, or 25. You can skate with anyone and have fun.”

Skateboarding is a common sport all around the world. A common term in the skateboarding community is “Steez”. Steez is a word used among skaters to describe a person’s unique style, especially if it is fashionable and cool.

“Creativity and individualism play a big role in skating,” junior Owen Steils said. “Everyone has their own style of skating which makes us stand out from others.”

Skateboarding is growing every day. More and more people have started up this hobby and become deeply involved with it. According to Bonafide Research, around 85 million people skateboard around the world. But how do you start skateboarding?

“My dad was really into skateboarding,” sophomore Max Cortez said. “When I was younger, he was a big role model in my life so following something he was passionate about really inspired me to continue to do it.”

Skateboarding has changed a lot over the years, from the materials used to create the parts of a skateboard all the way to the fashion trends that make skateboarding more comfortable and enjoyable.

“Skate culture plays a huge part today because you see everyone wearing Trasher or Vans or Nike Sbs [and] sometimes without [them] knowing it’s a skateboarding thing,” Petrin said.

Although skateboarding might seem like a small hobby or sport, to some people it means the world, a sort of therapy and/or comfort. 

“Skateboarding to me means like everything,” Petrin said. “If I can’t skate for one day I get really uneasy or worried that I’ll lose tricks.”

Through this hobby, people can express themselves and make friends along the way. Many students expressed how skate culture positively influenced their lives.

“Skateboarding changed my life,” Petrin said “I don’t know what I would do without skating.”