Skateboarding towards inclusivity

Making an impact is all about taking a step forward – with each achievement, each move toward bettering the world of sport, there is always another step to take, so that all can reap the benefits and enjoy the uniquely enriching experiences it provides. The path to betterment is continuous, a constant work in progress. And, while there are many positives to celebrate, there are still many communities in our world who are underserved by sports, who are failed by institutions associated with these sports that limit their activism and desire for change to a performative, absolute minimum.

Skateboarding is a sport that has been embraced by people all around the world, of all genders, sexualities, and cultures. Promisingly, the promotion of those in the sport has shifted from the overwhelmingly white, straight, cis-male focus it had in the 80s. From the world stage at the Summer Olympics, to the many skateboarding groups that can be found on Instagram and Facebook — which have flourished due to the ease of communication via social media — both the population and the audience around skateboarding is expanding to reflect the many voices that are a part of it.

Perhaps most elucidating in regards to this cultural shift was a study conducted in 2020 by Pullias Center for Higher Education at USC’s Rossier School of Education and USC’s Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism, which overturned many commonly-held misconceptions about the culture of skateboarding and shone light on the changes that youth — who form unique connections via the sport — are serving as catalysts for, ultimately reshaping the culture of the sport in order to better serve them and their communities. These findings illuminated the unique way in which skateboarding facilitates the cultivation of relationships, improves mental health by providing youth with an outlet for stress relief and enjoyment, and encourages skaters to develop a sense of resilience and autonomy.

However, the study acknowledges issues of representation, a lack of diversity, and the xenophobia, misogyny, racism, and homophobia that still plague the sport. For female skateboarders who still face exclusion and ostracization within circles of the sport, their experiences are stark reminders that even within a skateboarding community that is moving toward acceptance, there is still a long way to go before everybody feels welcome and safe when participating in the sport.

For skaters within these marginalized communities, whether women, LGBTQ+, or people of colour, the best way to draw attention to the issues that they face on a daily basis is to form groups centered around shared facets of identity – in essence, taking things into their own hands. Neftalie Williams, co-author of the study, said it best: “You don’t have to leave it to someone else.” For these groups, the best change they can create comes straight from the support networks they have played a role in founding. For organizations who seek to better the world of skateboarding or utilize it as a method to encourage community-building and increase diversity, it is of utmost importance to acknowledge grassroots movements through uplifting the voices of those who are most disenfranchised by the sport, ensuring that those within marginalized and disadvantaged communities are served in ways that best benefit them.

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Alex Sychuk is currently completing a bachelor’s degree in visual communicative design. They are interning with Skateboards for Hope, a non-profit organization based in Montreal that distributes skateboards and equipment to kids in disadvantaged communities.