Spring Break
Skateboarding to a better you
Lewis Carroll
Issue date: 10/7/08 Section: Opinion
It is no secret that skateboarding has been under the scrutiny of mainstream society since its beginning. But that is simply because most people do not fully understand it. Skateboarding is more than just a pastime; it is a form of art and freedom of expression.
I have been skateboarding since I was a little sixth grade squirt, and few things have brought me as much exhilaration and excitement. For some reason it is most people's belief that skateboarders go out with the sole purpose of destroying property and causing mischief, but they couldn't be more wrong.
Many people today have become dependent on television, computers and video games to pass the time and entertain themselves with little to no physical activity. According to the latest statistics on America's obesity epidemic by America Sports Data, Inc., 63 percent of Americans are overweight with a body mass index in excess of 25. Another 31 percent are obese, with a BMI in excess of 30.
This inactivity is leading to a nation of unhealthy people without ambition. Skateboarding is an excellent source of cardiovascular activity ?the type of activity that is suggested for everyone for a minimum of 20 minutes daily as part of a healthy lifestyle. Skateboarding also increases your balance, flexibility and reflexes.
In addition to considering the benefits of skateboarding for your physical health, it is a mentally healthy activity as well. The adventurous nature of skateboarding propels people into new environments that are exciting and different. You are able to see a city in a way that a normal passerby does not. Creative elements of the landscape that would be fun to skate, which you would never have noticed before, begin to come out of the woodwork.
Undoubtedly, the best thing about skateboarding is the independence of competing only against yourself and learning the tricks on your own. A great place to learn the basics is a skate park. Locally, the one I enjoy the most is the Backdoor Skate Shop, which has been in town for three years. It is located at 108 River Block Road.
This park offers everything you need for a board, including wheels, bearings, trucks and decks. Areas of the park include a handrail, pyramid and excellent transitions, as well as a four-foot tall mini ramp (half pipe) with a five-foot concrete coping extension. Skateboarding lessons start out at $10 an hour, with prices per session if you need some assistance. I can only begin to describe the benefits of skateboarding in this article. If you really want to understand, get out and skate!
This writer can be contacted at opinion@theeastcarolinian.com.
I have been skateboarding since I was a little sixth grade squirt, and few things have brought me as much exhilaration and excitement. For some reason it is most people's belief that skateboarders go out with the sole purpose of destroying property and causing mischief, but they couldn't be more wrong.
Many people today have become dependent on television, computers and video games to pass the time and entertain themselves with little to no physical activity. According to the latest statistics on America's obesity epidemic by America Sports Data, Inc., 63 percent of Americans are overweight with a body mass index in excess of 25. Another 31 percent are obese, with a BMI in excess of 30.
This inactivity is leading to a nation of unhealthy people without ambition. Skateboarding is an excellent source of cardiovascular activity ?the type of activity that is suggested for everyone for a minimum of 20 minutes daily as part of a healthy lifestyle. Skateboarding also increases your balance, flexibility and reflexes.
In addition to considering the benefits of skateboarding for your physical health, it is a mentally healthy activity as well. The adventurous nature of skateboarding propels people into new environments that are exciting and different. You are able to see a city in a way that a normal passerby does not. Creative elements of the landscape that would be fun to skate, which you would never have noticed before, begin to come out of the woodwork.
Undoubtedly, the best thing about skateboarding is the independence of competing only against yourself and learning the tricks on your own. A great place to learn the basics is a skate park. Locally, the one I enjoy the most is the Backdoor Skate Shop, which has been in town for three years. It is located at 108 River Block Road.
This park offers everything you need for a board, including wheels, bearings, trucks and decks. Areas of the park include a handrail, pyramid and excellent transitions, as well as a four-foot tall mini ramp (half pipe) with a five-foot concrete coping extension. Skateboarding lessons start out at $10 an hour, with prices per session if you need some assistance. I can only begin to describe the benefits of skateboarding in this article. If you really want to understand, get out and skate!
This writer can be contacted at opinion@theeastcarolinian.com.
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