Skateboarding is a hobby and sport that many people enjoy, but the question remains: is skateboarding worth it?
The answer is yes, skateboarding is absolutely worth it. Especially when you factor in many of the benefits that come along with skateboarding.
I will also say that skateboarding isn’t all sunshine and rainbows, as there is definitely risk to it. Be sure to keep reading on as I cover all of the important topics.
Why Should I Start Skateboarding? 3 Reasons Why
I think that for a lot of people, skateboarding is one of the best decisions that they’ve ever made.
Skateboarding also comes quite a few hidden benefits such as:
- Teaching you patience and responsibility.
- As well as giving you a mental workout (without even realizing it).
I know that’s not much, but if you are reading this then the chances are you are thinking about getting into skateboarding.
So here are three of the biggest reasons why you might want to start skateboarding.
1) Skateboarding Is Fun, Exciting, And Even Relaxing
Have you ever envisioned yourself skateboarding at the perfect location, perhaps with a fading sunset in the background, and listening to your favorite music through AirPods or headphones?
Most skateboarders are great at visualizing how and where they’d like to skate.
Most times, many of these visualizations can certainly be turned into reality when it comes to skateboarding and simply riding around.
You don’t even need to be a professional skateboarder in order to skate around some of your favorite destinations and locations. Granted, being able to ollie over obstacles and kickflip your way around a city will certainly add to the fun.
Overall, skateboarding can be such a fun, exciting, and even relaxing sport. It’s great to take your mind off of things and enjoy momentarily enjoy yourself.
2) Skateboarding Constantly Challenges You (In A Good Way)
Skateboarding can be a difficult sport to get into. You have to start off really slow and it’s easy to feel discouraged about the whole thing. when you’re first getting started. Aside from that, this discouragement can last for days, weeks, and sometimes months or even years.
However, when you’re finally able to land your first kickflip, there’s no better feeling in the world. I can personally still remember where I was and who I was with when I did it.
Skateboarders are also always up for a challenge because they know what they’re capable of accomplishing when they put their mind to it.
Related Reading: The Difficulty of Skateboarding.
Once you start learning new tricks, it becomes quite a fun challenge. Don’t forget about the friendly competition that also comes along with skateboarding. Speaking of competition, here’s the next big reason why skateboarding is worth it.
3) You’ll Make A Lot Of New Skateboarding Friends
We all know that skateboarding is a fun and amazing way to spend your time. But did you know that it also has the power to make friends too?
When you’re skating, there’s always someone else around who loves to do the same thing as you. It’s a great feeling to know that you have others around you with similar goals and aspirations.
Skaters are also some of the most accepting people out there because they’ve been through a lot of challenges themselves.
So if you ever feel lonely or like nobody understands, just go to your local skate park and I bet that somebody will want to chat with you (there’s nothing childish about that).
Also, don’t worry if you’re not the best skateboarder around yet, as everybody has to start somewhere. It’s a great reason why skateboarding is for everyone, given that there’s always a diverse amount of age groups, talent, and skills.
Can You Get In Shape By Skateboarding?
You’re certainly going to like this answer, as obvious as it might be.
So yes, you can certainly get in shape by skateboarding. However, it’s going to take a good amount of skateboarding in order to burn off those excess calories.
I see skateboarding as similar to golf, in a way that it’s not going to be the most strenuous exercise ever. However, if you do it often enough, you’ll most certainly burn off a lot of calories, compared to doing nothing at all.
Lastly, if your main goal is to get in shape, there are certainly going to be better sports and activities that you can partake in. Getting in shape is just one of the many side benefits that can come along with skateboarding.
How Dangerous Is Skateboarding?
There’s no denying the fact that skateboarding can be seen as an extreme sport, and it can definitely be dangerous.
Given the fact that you’re riding on a board with wheels and moving fast on concrete, there are certainly a lot of things that can go wrong. An example of injuries can include:
- Sprains.
- Cuts, bruises, and scrapes.
- As well as fractures and breaks.
Similar to the problems that bikers have to face, there is always the danger of getting hit by a car, which could be fatal. However, that’s a little easier to avoid by skating where cars aren’t allowed.
Please always use caution if you’re skateboarding around other cars or people.
It’s always recommended that you wear protective gear, especially when you’re first getting started. A helmet, knee pads, and even elbow pads if needed. Knowing how to properly fall is going to be another great way to help minimize injury when falling.
So this can definitely be a reason why many people don’t want to get into skateboarding in the first place, which is totally understandable. You’ll have to personally take a look at the pros and cons and see what works best for you.
I do also want to say that just about every skateboarder is going to injure themselves in some way, shape, or form. It’s just a natural part of the sport. Similar to how you’re eventually going to get hit hard when boxing… unless you’re Floyd Mayweather 🙂
Closing Words About If Skateboarding Is Worth It
I’ve skateboarded for many years total and I can tell you that it’s not just about skating. There’s much more to skateboarding:
- It’s about the places you go.
- It’s about the stories that are made along the way.
- It’s also about the people you meet and the friends that you make.
Skateboarders are always up to something new. Whether they’re inventing a new trick or exploring an abandoned warehouse in Atlanta with their friends.
The question is not whether skateboarding is worth it. The question is, are you willing to work hard enough for it?
Skateboarders have a lot of obstacles to overcome in order to achieve their goals. They face the constant risk of injury and the constant pressure of challenging themselves.
Sometimes it takes determination and perseverance, just to stay on the board. However, skateboarding can be one of the most rewarding things in life if you’re willing to put in the effort.
