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Skate to capitalism
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Skateboarding has always been a self-supported sport. Now a
multi-billion dollar business, it’s hard to convince someone that
it’s still an underground activity. If you were skateboarding in
Boise back in 1992 – and chances are you weren’t – you
were part of a rare breed. Forced to hit the local strip mall or
your buddy’s backyard mini ramp, there were few places a
skateboarder could go for salvation. Boise didn’t have a skate park
nor did southern Idaho. It was a romantic sub-culture lifestyle of
little glory, glamour or future. For whatever reason, the trend has
passed phenomenon and become the ‘in style’ thing to do. What was
perceived as a rebellious accessory to an alleged wasted youth has
been replaced with mass marketing, exhibitionism, Tony Hawk and mom
picking the boys up from the area skate park.
It isn’t a pastime but a way of life for some. The only difference
is the primary purpose. What used to be "hard-core" is
now the norm and the professional world continually pushes the
envelope to new extremes. In its wake are huge endorsements,
neo-roll models and everlasting attempts at becoming the next big
thing.
A person’s idea of which skate company is ideal for them is often
based more on the fashion than the activity that started it. Even
those who lack balance can use their hand-eye coordination to play
the latest skateboarding video game.
Skateboarding has exploded over the past decade and is considered
mainstream by most. "Even if you don’t know how to skate board
you know what it is because everyone does it," said Boise
State sophomore Justin Pickford. "It’s definately
mainstream."
Pickford, who is sponsored by and works for local skate shop, The
Board Room, admits that if it weren’t for skateboarding’s
popularity he wouldn’t have a job. "There is a huge market for
it. Wal-Mart even sells skateboards, they have Barbie
skateboards…It’s about money now."
true skateboarder, he has a genuine love for it. "It’s an
individual sport. If you really want to excel you don’t do it to
hang out with friends. It’s all you and it’s good to strive for a
goal. There are these kids who have only been skating for like six
months and they want to know when they’re getting sponsored by a
major company. Everything has to be mainstream now."
What is a major company? As communications major and avid skater
Colin Clark puts it, "Es, Etnies, DC…anything that’s a sub
company of Nike."
To get picked by a major company, kids fight for footage time in
what the industry calls "Sponsor-Me-Videos." What used to
be home movies of parking lot skating has taken on a whole new
dimension. In growing numbers, skateboarders are using the highest
end technology to produce their own films, even going to school for
an upper hand in the competitive business of skater voyeurism.
Boise State’s Colin Clark does just that. Making local films, he
also rides for The Board Room. One of the best in the state, Clark
produces videos in hopes of getting a bigger sponsor or a job
making skate films. Clark agrees that skateboarding isn’t what it
used to be. "It’s very marketable now but the talent can still
be underground."
Clark started out skateboarding with friends in a garage and later
adapted to the growth. Naming fashion as the wrong reason to skate,
Clark said, "It’s too bad clothes and brand names are more
important but some people are just getting crazy these days
regardless of what they wear. Then again, Some people just skate to
get girls."
and the on East Coast. Originally from Virginia, he was dismayed at
the fashion of Boise high school students. "I came here in
high school and I thought everyone skated because they were all
dressed like skateboarders. It turned out only a few people
skated."
Regardless of how big skateboarding is, most aficionados skate just
for the fun of it.
Citing one of the perks of the "skateboarding sell out,"
Pickford said, "The parks these days are getting better."
12 years ago Ada County was developing their first skate park. Now
with 7 skate parks in the Boise area and plans for two more, one
isn’t far from where you live. The acceptance of skateboarding as a
sport has prompted city officials and Parks and Recreation to
support its success and cater to the needs of skaters. No
skateboarder will argue with more parks.
Here’s a rating of local skate parks as
compiled by Boise State skateboarders:
Rhodes
Under the freeway
Metal/asphalt/concrete
Mini ramp: 4 of 5
Pyramid: 4.5 of 5
Quarter ramps: 5 of 5
Ledges: 4.5 of 5
Fun box: 5 of 5
Rails: 4 of 5
Overall terrain: 4.5 of 5
Fort Boise
Reserve and Fort streets
Concrete
Transitions: 4 of 5
Lips: 4.5 of 5
Pyramid: 4 of 5
Bowl: 3 of 5
Overall terrain: 4.5 of 5
Eagle
Highway 55
Concrete
Transitions: 4 of 5
Snake run: 3.5 of 5
Rails: 3 of 5
Pyramid: 3 of 5
Inverted fun box: 3 of 5
Overall terrain: 4 of 5
Tully
McMillian and Linder roads
Concrete
Half pipe: 4 of 5
Transitions: 4.5 of 5
Lips: 3.5 of 5
Ledges: 3.5 of 5
Stairs: 3.5 of 5
Rails: 2.5 of 5
Overall terrain: 5 of 5
McDevitt
AKA: Tony Hawk Park. McMillian and Eagle road
Wood
Quarter pipes: 3.5 of 5
Pyramid/Fun box: 3.5 of 5
Transitions: 4 of 5
Overall terrain: 3.5 of 5
Kuna
Concrete
Bowl: 5 of 5
Transitions: 4.5 of 5
Snake run: 4 of 5
Mini ramp: 2.5 of 5
Overall terrain: 4 of 5
Nampa
Concrete
Transitions: 4 of 5
Ledges: 4.5 of 5
Pyramid/Fun box: 3 of 5
Overall terrain: 3.5 of 5
Dan McNeese
Culture Writer
