For a lot of people, skateboarding is merely a sport. This is especially the case to those who never really were into skateboarding, or merely watched competitions on TV. Meanwhile, gearheads, which is a slang term for skateboarding enthusiasts, take skateboarding as a way to strut their stuff, from skateboarding decks, skateboarding wheels and practically every customizable part of a skateboard. However, to those who really understand what skateboarding is, they consider it to be a lifestyle.
So, how does one take in the skateboarding lifestyle? There are lots of ways you can do that, but it's actually a combination of several things. Let us list some of them for you now. Ready? Let's begin.
1. The Clothes. Skateboarding and skateboard fashion always go hand in hand. In fact, you can easily tell a skateboarder from the clothes that he wears. It's partly a fashion statement, but there are also practical considerations that have to be made. One major practical consideration is the pair of shoes that a skateboarder wears. Shoes that are designed for skateboarding provide better grip to keep boarders on the deck, or for emergency braking purposes. These shoes also provide more shock protection, especially for those skateboarders who like doing tricks on their boards.
2. The Attitude. Skateboarders have gained quite a bad reputation among many people. Those who don't understand skateboarders consider them rude and unruly. However, this is an unfair depiction of skateboarders. While many skateboarders can be quite edgy, most of them are friendly. They are willing to share their skills and talents to budding boarders, while, at the same time, they can give pretty straightforward criticism of how a particular skateboarder performs. The fact that the skateboarding community is a tightly-knit one only goes to show that skateboarders are more than just a rude and rowdy bunch.
3. The Creativity. Skateboarders are also a creative bunch. This creativity covers everything from the clothes that they wear to the tricks that they perform. In the case of tricks, skateboarders should always be extra creative to gain an edge over their peers. Tricks can get old pretty fast, so skateboarders are always looking for ways to make their tricks more complicated, beautiful, and of course, difficult to copy.
4. The Individuality. Just like in creativity, skateboarders also enjoy expressing themselves as individuals. It is even more apparent in their choice of tricks. Skateboarders strive to create new tricks not only to be creative, but also to set them apart from their peers. This expression of individuality is also apparent in the clothes that they wear. Still wondering how you can easily spot a skater from a distance? Just look at their sense of style as it is different and it stands out from the rest of the pack.
5. The Language. Skateboarders also belong to a niche group. That said, they have a set of terms that only they understand. For one, that sort of language keeps them apart from the others. Aside from that, it also serves a practical purpose. Just like in other groups, having terms that are particular to their group makes talking about skateboarding-related topics easier to discuss.
So you see, skateboarding is more than just a sport, and is not only about the gear. It's also a lifestyle that's lived by every true blue skateboarder out there. And the skateboarding lifestyle is a combination of various things that range from the attitude, clothing, creativity, individuality, and the language - skate speak.