2025 unpopular opinion thread

[A Not At All Naughty Chemist]

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I think maybe kids are just using skating as a hobby and not making it their whole personality like people used to

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Finally

This is sadly true. The culture has been removed from the act.

[SmashtheState]

What’s all this about Mikey Taylor being beaten?

Ooohhhhhhhh madone...

On some serious but not seriousness. If there's only a handful of kid's skating in random town going to same highschool in nowhereville, good at least the world is healing it's self.

I grew up with 2 older dude's showing me the way, they were in their 20s when I was 13 or so. Point being is the small town of random town USA you'll have some raw talent. I believe Chattanooga is finally being recognized for having some awesome dude's behind their shops. Although it was long time coming and should've had it's shine long beforehand there's mad talent in rural cities or small town usa.

I think and this will probably get me kooked to death, the industry should just worry about putting more in to shops instead of direct online platforms. We've seen this beforehand where skating and only a few big companies held it down. During that 91-93 time we got some awesome talent. Just saying the bigger companies can fall but shops and smaller team's need to be recognized too.

[I-am-12]

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I'm pretty sure "older" dudes get the cover bcuz oldheads are the ones with the money. Follow the money...

Also do kids say this stuff? Like have u ever heard a kid say any of that? I always see kids sucking at skateparks but just having fun trying with their friends. The issue here is that our viewpoints are anecdotal. I really do think kids still care to try tho. It's not like SLS cancels out the existence of Frog / Jacuzzi / whatever else.

Man y u always down on the kids?

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You're right, it's definitely anecdotal. It's anecdotal based on my 3rd - 5th grade nephews, who I noticed see skating the same way I saw snowboarding growing up (you need to take lessons and if you miss your window to start when you're 4 years old, don't bother). So I just assume other kids have this mentality.

To clarify, I'm saying it's more difficult to "stumble" upon good street skating with good filming and music if you're not already in that algorithm or know what to look for. Because people are only exposed to the "sport" side of skating, it creates a barrier to entry mentally for kids. It becomes no different than going to a expensive Violin camp or gymnastics classes, and (based on my nephews), they don't even bother trying skating because to them they believe they need special coaches and yada yada.


I don't think it's the end of the world and the world won't be deprived of good skate content because of it, this is just a niche internet forum topic I felt like typing out to pass the time since it was on my mind.

I'm not even forcing my nephews to skate or anything, I just noticed they see it different than how me and my friends saw it growing up (THPS, CKY, etc).

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U should let em know that u don't have to be good at skateboarding to be good at skateboarding if u know what I mean. Unless they're very career conscious 3rd and 5th graders hahaha.

No points though, I think ur onto something. Like how Japan, the Netherlands, Woodward (still a thing? not sure) have those skate programs, and the best of those are the ones we see become pro 10 years down the line which is why we see so many pros from these areas. Like Lazer Crawford; he's a lil Grom glow up guy, he's fkn amazing. Or Heitor. Ginwoo as an extreme example.

I definitely think Skate 4 will impact popularity. Maybe not immediately but the seed is sown. I played Skate 3 religiously as a kid, but I didn't start skatin until many years later, but I still kinda "got it" as a result of the game addiction. Don''t see why history won't repeat itself.

The thing about trick tips is they can be a little personal. What works for one MIGHT work for somebody else, but from experience like 60% of the time they're doing the trick in a different enough way that it actually just throws them further off the scent. Or, if they're a beginner-ish, it just gives them too much to think about and it all falls down like a stack of cards. I think an individuals personal journey in skateboarding is quite sacred like that. The occasional tip is OK I guess, but I would always just say "keep this in mind" or something like that, not present it like it is the "correct answer". Depends on the person as well I guess. This actually kinda ties into the "you must be taught" thing your nephews are going through. There isn't really a right way to do most hobbies, theres just a way that is industry accepted. Like you could play the Piano all crazy like and make ur own style, same with skating. External objectivity really brings a downer on these things that are actually quite personal.

I actually modified my original post about trick tips after I was thinking about it lol, I did it before seeing you addressed it. I came to the same conclusion. My point was more on the act of even asking being rude. I meant more among friends or something like "I got the secret if you want it, you have to film this clip of me tho" to a kid lol.

[Lurknopost]

95% of small town shops are wack

[Scarecrow Radio]

Adidas should buy Vans

[SmashtheState]

95% of small town shops are wack

Fair enough, but do you support them?  If not then there's your problem...

[Lou Strux]

95% of small town shops are wack

shoplurker.com’s got you handled.
95% of those shops are pretty rad locals, even if they’re not YOUR local.
Who knew it could be this easy to support small skate shops?!?

[SwitchBenihana]

I'll go out of my way to support a "wack" small town shop. They're barely struggling and probably just trying to provide kids something to do that isn't drugs. Shit I've bought multiple decks at shops that sold scooters too even though I hate scooters at parks, but it might be the only option in rural Utah.

My local at my grandparent's house growing up sold skateboards, records, fish equipment, and paintball supplies. I'd get Zorlac blanks and one time the dude gave me several Bad Brains records to play on my grandparents old setup. If it wasn't for that dude I would have definitely not been exposed to hardcore for maybe 4-6 more years and woulda been jamming Mambo #5 or whatever was trending.

[DeanMaple]

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I think maybe kids are just using skating as a hobby and not making it their whole personality like people used to

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Finally

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This is sadly true. The culture has been removed from the act.

These two things are unrelated.
Making one thing your whole personality will always be wack. Thats why dudes like Ellington and Heath are so cool and, i dont know, Hosoi sucks. Lol.

Go out and explore the world.

[EDMUND]

I think maybe kids are just using skating as a hobby and not making it their whole personality like people used to

I think this just happened naturally back then… if skating was for you then the obsession is inevitable. I cannot remember being nine years old and consciously deciding “this is my personality.”

Now there are endless distractions and interruptions so it is rarer to see the same kind of immersion that was common twenty to thirty years ago. 

[jums]

When I first started at 11 skateboarding was all I cared about. Barely any internet... you would be lucky to see a QuickTime or gif clip online. I used to stay in the school library reading transworld and tearing out pics to put on my wall. Not like that anymore.

[dapurge]

Adidas should buy Vans

and start making a 12 1/2

[Kielwasser]

Never again will skate photography be as iconic and artful as Daniel Harold Sturt's run in the 90s.

[j....soy.....]

ya think?  given we all just stare at our phones......

[botefdunn]

the slump in profits for the bigger players in the skateboard industry will be good for mid sized entities. Less overall money being made, but more of it going to skateshops, small companies, skaters, and even fans in the form of demos and small events and local contests, rather than marketing budgets being poured into larger media events that are less accessible to the average skater.

[Sedition]

Never again will skate photography be as iconic and artful as Daniel Harold Sturt's run in the 90s Grant B. in the ‘80s.

Fixed.

[wiggitywiggity]

I'd like to believe there's genuine concerns for those with mental illness as well suicide ideations, I do follow John Rattray as well as the Ben Raemers foundation/feeling scene.

What gives me pause and reluctance towards asking for help or reaching out (friends or skate buddies) is the same as tagging along with at different spots.  You know a friend of a friend and are invited but feel less included whenever it's your time to shine.

Maybe it's my tism that's showing,  I'm awkward as shit whenever I just lurk about with the gang. The solidarity that used to be for me feels lost, and rightfully so maybe the same things don't make me feel stoked anymore and I'd rather skate alone then pissing about.

This post kinda got lost in the sauce but thank you for voicing this my man!!

I have a solid group of friends that I love dearly but have this same feeling with. Friend of a few friends so I don’t feel super supported if I want to try a trick or check a certain spot in the context of a larger crew. And yeah agreed, it’s not as fun or sacred. Just could never place the feeling because it feels a little main character-y but my time is limited these days.

It’s always kind of irked me and has led to me skating alone more often or with more one or two like minded skaters, which is always way more fun and inclusive. You’re not alone fellow ~tism brother haha! Shred on.

[roba]

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Never again will skate photography be as iconic and artful as Daniel Harold Sturt's run in the 90s Grant B. in the ‘80s.

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Fixed.

nah, you broke it

[Boomerforums]

If I was Andy Anderson I would start my own company and sell AA branded everything, that shit would sell

[Mallie]

Powell x Andy Anderson x Duracell

AA - skate longer.

[apbarbs]

AA x stree overlord

[twistingtheknife666]

If I was Andy Anderson I would start my own company and sell AA branded everything, that shit would sell

There can be only one AA - and that's Andrew Allen.

[j....soy.....]

My guess is && was the one guy who could never get boards fast enough on his own, his cut from Powell is probably quite healthy and they have always worked really well with him in making product….just giving him mini logo would have been fair though….

[lamfordie]

I always feel disappointed when a pro who skates in cupsoles switch to vulc

[greencurbs]

I think people should be more welcome to trick tips among strangers. It provides the opportunity to meet more people and make friends, and trick tips are always good.

Just want to say, I fucken hate trick tips. Please let me suck in peace

[TwisT]

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I think people should be more welcome to trick tips among strangers. It provides the opportunity to meet more people and make friends, and trick tips are always good.

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Just want to say, I fucken hate trick tips. Please let me suck in peace

More often than not, it's a tip for a trick I've done before, by someone who's never done it. I would rather just some words of encouragement. It does the same job of opening the door to conversation and connections, without making me hate your guts.

ON THE SUBJECT OF TRICKTIPS! And I've said the same thing about Ben Degros, I get it, you watch youtube, you watch reels. We both skate, We get the same shit pushed in our algorithm. Don't come up to me with some shit you just saw michie brusco say 2 days.

[ferguu]

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I think people should be more welcome to trick tips among strangers. It provides the opportunity to meet more people and make friends, and trick tips are always good.

[close]

Just want to say, I fucken hate trick tips. Please let me suck in peace

[close]

More often than not, it's a tip for a trick I've done before, by someone who's never done it. I would rather just some words of encouragement. It does the same job of opening the door to conversation and connections, without making me hate your guts.

ON THE SUBJECT OF TRICKTIPS! And I've said the same thing about Ben Degros, I get it, you watch youtube, you watch reels. We both skate, We get the same shit pushed in our algorithm. Don't come up to me with some shit you just saw michie brusco say 2 days.

+1 Skating is too small to be parroting. Too often I hear a Corrigan-ism and I physically shudder. He has invaded our Personal Private Place.

[TheCrimsonShroud]

Trick tips are context sensitive. I had a little grom in fucking airwalks smile and whisper to bend my knees a little more. I was obviously uncomfortable on this weird little drop in at the park. It was sweet, and kinda reminded me that we need older guys to stop being so antisocial at the park.

Same park there were a bunch of 30+ guys just cliquing up, meanwhile that kid was absolutely ripping ... And everyone ignored him. We all think technology is gonna ruin everything but these Zoomie and Alpha kids are gonna be fine. It's the older gens with their shit out of wack.

Sorry, no clouds for me to yell at today.

[Southernmost]

I like what Alexis said in her Epicly Laterd about people giving her trick tips but she doesn’t have that type of relationship with the person. Don’t just start telling me what to do or not do when we don’t interact much. There’s also better ways to go about it rather than just blurting out “you should do this and not that!” Some people come across as know it alls or demanding even if they’re not trying to.

[SmashtheState]

I like what Alexis said in her Epicly Laterd about people giving her trick tips but she doesn’t have that type of relationship with the person. Don’t just start telling me what to do or not do when we don’t interact much. There’s also better ways to go about it rather than just blurting out “you should do this and not that!” Some people come across as know it alls or demanding even if they’re not trying to.

Omg this... Idk you nor do I want to be bothered unless we're tight friends or you show through example and ask if it's ok.

Had a kooky kid come up to me after wife and I were discussing about where to eat. Which was Dickies bbq btw. Their spicy BBQ sauce is top tier. Anyways dude comes out of his smoke filled car taller than me and I'm 6'2" he's on a 7.5" baker board asks if I can get a kickflip? You mean can I do a kickflip? Sure I ask to see his version stance and feet etc, he's got it about right but  does the back foot step off I just say jump up flick and move with rotation.

It sounds weird in text format but the idea is there. After a few tries he gets it and is excited, so am I.  I add a few things like be easy give some grace nothing is a race he thanks me and we go get bbq.

The point I'm saying is I'd rather give advice if ever asked, but not tell others as they've been known to be a bit dickish without trying. Maybe it's repressed feelings of inadequacy but that's a whole other can of worms I'd rather not get in to.