Skateboarders. Good or Evil?

Hixxy · 16-04-2003, 18:48

As skateboarding becomes an ever increasingly popular past-time, Sheffield appears to be split over the intentions of those who choose it as a Hobby. The skateboarders themselves claim it not to be just a hobby, but more of a lifestyle, and that they are nothing more than just groups of friends with a common interest, hanging out and doing no harm. However, certain sections of the community claim that they are a menace to society. Nothing more than trouble causers who take drugs, graffiti on public property and are a general nuisance.
What's your view?

Moon Maiden · 16-04-2003, 19:08

There is most definately a skateboard community growing in Hillsborough - it may be larger than it appears but I have only noticed a few.

I don't get the impression they are trouble causers. Just seems like people are looking for a scapegoat 'cos most would think the skaters look scruffy.

My personal opinion is the masses look in the wrong direction. Ever seen a scruffy gangster? Me thinks not.

Moon Maiden

Chris · 16-04-2003, 19:14

So long as skateboarders don't physically get in my way I have nothing against them - it's just a sport / pastime and I've nothing against people enjoying themselves. I think the link between skateboarders and drugs / graffiti etc. is largely coincidental - it's a link that's commonly perceived, though, because the public 'image' of the sport is very urban. I do mind skateboarders damaging public property, though that's no different to me minding football hooligans damaging public property and the link between their actions and football is just coincidental. Likewise, I'd be just as concerned at skateboarders taking drugs as I would be at anyone taking drugs.

nb., if by graffiti you mean the graffiti adorning skateboarding parks / ramps (dunno the correct name for these), I don't have a problem with this, though there should be care taken to make sure these places aren't mixed up with places for young kids - it doesn't send out clear messages about when it's acceptable to 'customise' property and when that customisation becomes vandalism.

RPG · 16-04-2003, 21:35

annoying near the city hall, but if they want to skate in skate parks i dont mind

Lickszz · 16-04-2003, 22:36

I don't like to see it on the streets. Providing they go to a proper place then I don't have a problem with it.

Mike · 17-04-2003, 07:07

I love watching skaters and have a lot of respect for what they can do - it's one of the hardest "sports" out there to become any good at, and lots of really nasty injuries can happen.

Accusations of drug use/graffit/etc are no different than accusations levelled at any gatherings of young people who some will always see as a threat or as an easy scapegoat.

mikey · 17-04-2003, 09:10

I used to be a Sk8terBoi in th 70's, first it was a Beano annual on an old roller skate, then the plastic boards and then a cool skateboard shop opened on Chesterfield Rd, they were selling all the gear from America (kryptonics wheels, and tracker trucks etc)

At first there was no where to go, we used to go to all the usual places parks town etc
Well then the owners of the shop, branched out and took over the Old Heeley Picture Palace (an old cinema on Chesterfield Rd, where the new Ponsford's building is now) They built this huge skate park inside the old cinema. There was a huge bowl with half pipes, smaller bowls and a flat area for tricks all made out of wood. This was some place and it was packed to the rafters, it was officially opened by Tony Alva (I think that was his name), he gave a demo and I have never seen anybody get so high on those ramps.

Well the place stayed open for a while, visitor numbers dropped and guess what, one night it burnt to the ground. Never did get to the bottom of what happened some say it was an insurance job. But it was a sad day for Sheffield Skaters. By this time the craze was dying out and the rest is history. Still had my board up until recently, but like an idiot I chucked it out!!.

Hixxy · 17-04-2003, 11:35

I agree with the general feeling that Skateboarders are just as likely as anyone else to take drugs. I think that it is due to a lack of proper facilities that they have found themselves using public places to skateboard. It is annoying that they skate around these public places, seemingly without a care for others, but I feel that if more skate parks were open, then we would see less skaters on the streets.

Mike · 17-04-2003, 11:43

If they're crashing into people, etc then that's bad, but I don't care if they're out there grinding a bench or two - doesn't hurt anyone, does it?

I did a bit of skating when I started snowboarding but soon realised how hard it was and that I was too old and creaky to take the falls....then someone robbed my board - ah well.

There was also a really good indoor place ("The House" I think) down near the bottom of the ski slopes with loads of ramps, etc - was nice and only £1 entry fee.

mikey · 17-04-2003, 12:20

The House is still there, no where near as good as the old one at Heeley

sentofuno · 17-04-2003, 23:31

i see skateboarding as both a subculture and a mode of transport. i have a lot of time for skateboarders and i wish i had the patience to learn myself.

as for assigning certain areas to skateboarding and banning from others, would bmx'ers get the same treatment? or rollerbladers? in some cases yes but i think there's a huge bias against skateboarders.

Chris · 18-04-2003, 17:40

Quote:

Originally posted by "Mike"

...if they're out there grinding a bench or two - doesn't hurt anyone, does it?

Makes a right mess of the bench after a while, though

mikey · 23-04-2003, 18:42

Just found this on BBC site

http://www.bbc.co.uk/southyorkshire/i_love_sy/skateboarding/index.shtml

halevan · 24-04-2003, 10:04

There's nothing wrong with skatebooarding as such, but they should only be allowed to practice in specified areas away from where people walk such as in tudor square or pedestrian walkway's. I have seen elderly people been run into due to the young lad losing control and when there is a lot practicing, the noise is awfull and does give one a headache.

It is not funny, when the workers are sat outside in the city centre on their lunch break in summer and gangs of twenty or more are clanging and banging all around, you cant read , relax or sit quiet and enjoy the sunshine.

Far be it from me to spoil anybody's fun, but these youth's must realise that there are other people in this world and need to be considered as well as themselves. The council has started to provide places already to try and solve the problem and as time goes by, I am sure it will be resolved.

Classic Rock · 25-04-2003, 10:55

I'm not going to criticise something I can't do myself. Tried it once, fell off, tried again, couldn't get it to move properly. Gave up. If I could do it, I'd probably be riding around on it all the time showing people like me what they're missing! LOL.

Kymbillie · 17-06-2003, 20:07

Skateboarding is a fantastic sport which is far better than sitting at home. Indeed I see the issues with skating on the street during busy periods of the day though it should be aloud during quietier periods. ie between 7 and 10 pm . I personly skate along with many of my friends. We dont graffitti nor do we do drugs. Yes some skaters do do drugs but some Doctors do to!!! are we going to boycot the doctors and shout in uproar about that NO. so why complain about skaters. If they are not causing harm to anyone whats wrong with it?

The other day I was skating just out side the dove and rainbow about midday. there were no people around. yet still some1 from the office near by called the police. I think the term to discribe that is waisting police time. firstly myself and others were causing no harm. and if he had problems with our non obstructive presence he should of come to us and we would of left instead of waisting police time. Personly its all about common sence... dont skate in busy areas and respect each other. drugs and graffitti are part of the youth culture not a skating cluture

t020 · 17-06-2003, 20:27

Skaters are damn right annoying. They clutter up the pavements and pose a danger to passers by. With all the tricks they do such as flipping on the boards, they also run the risk of losing control and causing damage to cars and other property. What would they do if a board went flying into someones car and scratched it all? Probably run off, resulting in expense to the cars owner and an all round inconvenience. Skating is fine, just keep it away from busy and residential areas, and stick to skate parks.

kittykat · 17-06-2003, 20:57

Too right theyre bloody annoying. A skate park/cafe opened about 1/2 a mile away from me a few weeks a go and i thought id got rid of them for good off my street but theyre back tonight.

I had to shut all the windows cos i was trying to revise and theyre making a right noise banging and shouting. When theyre out there i darent go out cos when theyre in a group they can be cocky and sometimes rude.

I live on a nice little street and they lower the tone hanging around in their baggy clothes and their long scruffy hair. I dont mean to tar them all with the same brush or anything but the group round here are more annoying than anything. (and they arent even that good at skating)
Also, they make ramps out of all sorts of rubbish and leave it there when theyve done messing the street up.

alchresearch · 18-06-2003, 17:41

Architects are partly to blame for the rise of skateboarders in cities. It's their designs of piazzas and walkways with a combination of steel and concrete that provides the smooth areas with 'obstacles' to jump around, under and over.

Skate parks are usually made too 'safe' by the councils scared of being sued in case someone comes off, and are therefore no challenge to the serious skateboarder.

alicefaye123 · 13-03-2009, 12:07

My boyfriend is a skateboarder has been for about 7 years, ive grown up with them and have always known them to be good people. you get your odd Kn*b head but that's just normal but i don't know how you could say they are evil, all they want to do is have a bit of fun, shoot some pictures or video's no harm in that is there?
i don't see why people have a bad view on them you could say bad things about the people who Bmx or rollerblade.