Why Skateboarding is So Popular - Brandon Novak (2024)

Skateboarding is a sport that has grown in popularity since its introduction in the 1940s. Since then, skateboarders across the globe travel to compete in some of the biggest skateboarding competitions in the world. This sport has allowed people from all around the world to meet, compete, and interact while doing something they love.

Professional skateboarders like Brandon Novak know all about the joys of skateboarding. Before he struggled with addiction, Brandon was a skateboard prodigy. After being sought out by pro-skater Tony Hawk, Brandon was able to travel the world as a young skater with the famous skating team Powell-Peralta. Addiction turned his life upside down and prevented him from progressing in his skating career. Fortunately, after many visits to rehab, Brandon was able to quit and enjoy skating without the drugs.

Why Do People Like Skateboarding?

Skateboarding growth has led to the sport becoming its own world, allowing skaters to turn what was once considered a hobby into a legitimate career. Internationally there are over 20 million skateboards, with 16 million of them being from the United States.1 So why is skateboarding so popular?

Community

The skating community is made up of different people, all with different likes and dislikes. Regardless of these differences, they can all consider themselves part of the skating community. This sense of community is one of the reasons why skateboarding is so popular because skaters feel a sense of belonging and included. Skating is a sport that brings people from all over the world together to do something they love. Skating competitions also create a sense of community among people who would otherwise be complete strangers.

Self-Expression

Because skateboarding is such an inclusive sport, it also allows its followers freedom of self-expression. From the designs on their boards to the tricks they pull off in competitions, skaters are free to express their style, beliefs, and personalities within their skating community. As a worldwide sport, this creates a large band of support from fellow skaters all around the globe.

Adrenaline Rush

Aside from its inclusive nature, skateboarding is most commonly known for its thrills. Like many sports, it doesn’t come without its dangers. Injuries are a typical part of skateboarding, but that’s just half the fun. The risk of injury, the determination to pull off a difficult trick, and the physical demands of the sport all come together to produce an intense adrenaline rush. Pulling off a difficult trick you’ve been working on for months is exciting, and that excitement is part of the reason why skateboarding is so popular.

Skateboarding is a fun and challenging sport that has brought strangers from all over the world together to build one big community. The risks and difficulties of skateboarding are what makes the sport so exciting. To many, it’s more than just a sport, but a way of life.


After Brandon Novak received addiction treatment, he was able to enjoy skating again. If you or a loved one are struggling with addiction, call Brandon at 610-314-6747 to get more information about treatments that can work for you.

Sources:

  1. SBT- Market and industry information
Why Skateboarding is So Popular - Brandon Novak (2024)

FAQs

Why Skateboarding is So Popular - Brandon Novak? ›

This sense of community is one of the reasons why skateboarding is so popular because skaters feel a sense of belonging and included. Skating is a sport that brings people from all over the world together to do something they love.

Why was Tony Hawk Pro Skater so popular? ›

Tony Hawk (born May 12, 1968, San Diego, California, U.S.) American professional skateboarder who—through his technical innovations, successful equipment and apparel companies, and tireless promotional work—helped the sport of skateboarding enter the mainstream at the end of the 20th century.

Is Ryan Sheckler good at skateboarding? ›

Sheckler was listed in Fox Weekly's "15 Most Influential Skateboarders of All-Time" article. San Clemente, California, U.S.

What was skateboarding first known as? ›

Skateboarding, as it exists today, was probably born sometime in the late 1940s, or early 1950s, when surfers in California wanted something to do when the waves were flat. This was called "sidewalk surfing" – a new wave of surfing on the sidewalk as the sport of surfing became highly popular.

Is skateboarding a sport or a hobby? ›

Considered one of the so-called extreme sports, skateboarding as a professional sport boasts a range of competitions, including vertical and street-style events.

Is Tony Hawk the greatest skateboarder ever? ›

From a vert skaterboarding point of view, Tony Hawk is the best skateboarder ever. Hawk pioneered vert tricks like the Airwalk, Madonna, Heelflip Varial Lien, and was the first to land a 900. Not only his pile of trohpies make him the G.O.A.T., his contributions to the community makes him stand out from the others.

What trick did Tony Hawk invent? ›

Just take a glance at Tony's list of invented tricks. His glossary of vert staples includes the Madonna, the rodeo flip, the airwalk, the kickflip mctwist, the 720 and, of course, the door-opening, internationally televised 900, amongst others.

What major injury did Ryan Sheckler suffer? ›

Arguably your gnarliest slam was during a live session with ETN's "Face Melters." You fractured your L1 vertebrae and broke both ankles. Walk us through that day. I suffered that injury because I wasn't properly prepared.

How many bones did Ryan Sheckler break? ›

"I've had 12 broken bones, six major surgeries, a few concussions and more torn ligaments than I can remember - pain of all kinds. I've spent about five years of my life in rehab," Ryan said of the physical wear and tear he puts on on the skateboard over the years.

How much is Tommy Hawk worth? ›

Tony Hawk, the legendary skateboarder and entrepreneur from California, has amassed a staggering net worth of $140 million.

Who invented the kick tail? ›

Image of Who invented the kick tail?
Richard Lawrence "Larry" Stevenson was the inventor of the kicktail, the bent-upwards end of a skateboard, which made most of today's skateboarding tricks possible and essentially revolutionized the sport.
Wikipedia

What do skateboarders call skateboards? ›

Skaters generally refer to their skateboards simply as their boards. No point in getting fancy. Sometimes you hear the word "deck," but that refers specifically to the wood plank part of the skateboard. Calling a skateboard "wood" or "ride" pegs someone as a novice trying too hard to sound like a skater.

Why is skateboarding an extreme sport? ›

Extreme: Skateboarding

Skateboarding is a freestyle sport where the limits are only imposed by the imagination and athletic ability of the athlete.

Is skateboarding for boys or girls? ›

When skateboarding was born in the late 1950s, it was considered to be a very male-dominated scene, with very little room for the inclusivity of others. But with increasing take-up of the sport and pioneers paving the way, there are now more women than ever grabbing their boards to show what they can do.

What is skating on ice called? ›

Figure skating is a sport in which individuals, pairs, or groups perform on figure skates on ice.

How did Tony Hawk changed the world? ›

Tony Hawk Pro Skater video game series: The Tony Hawk's Pro Skater video game series played a significant role in introducing skateboarding to a wider audience. The games were highly popular and helped increase skateboarding's mainstream appeal, leading to a surge in interest and participation in the sport.

How good was Tony Hawk at skateboarding? ›

During his 17-year career, he won more than 70 competitions including the X-Games on the vert ramp in 1995 and 1997.

How much is Tony Hawk's pro skater worth? ›

Tony Hawk, the legendary skateboarder and entrepreneur from California, has amassed a staggering net worth of $140 million.

How much did Tony Hawk Pro Skater game make? ›

Hawk remembered that the whopping $4 million amount was something akin to an 'annual royalty' (meaning there was plenty more where that came from over the years) from the sales of the Pro Skater games and he hadn't been expecting so much.

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