Skateboard classes are bad for the culture.

[S.]

I am a father and I work. Skate sessions can only happen in short windows. Last Sunday I had two hours. It was raining so I went to the only dry spot in town: A small public skatepark under a bridge. The park was packed with about 50 kids and parents taking skate classes. It was pretty much impossible to skate. This got me pissed off and also thinking about skate classes.

For about ten years we have had an increase of skate classes. They offer anything from one-on-one-coachings to holiday day care to kids. I know to people who have turned their skate schools into full time jobs.

The hundreds of kids taking skate classes every week haven’t done anything for the skate scene. It seems like they don’t stick with skateboarding and they don’t even seem to skate much outside of these classes. I also hate that these classes turn skateboarding into a commodity. I also think they shouldn’t be allowed to use public skateparks for their private lessons.

Fuck skate classes! They are bad for the culture.

[thanksgiving]

on one hand I totally agree but also, its another way for skaters to get paid. especially with the industry in a downturn its tough to hate on it.

assuming its pals giving lessons

[HDeniz]

I'm not a native english speaker, but i try to share my pov on this topic:


I think a lot of these skate classes aren't really about growing the skate scene. They're often a profitable form of childcare.

As someone who manages a kindergarten and elementary school aftercare program in Germany, I can see why. These days, both parents usually have to work to cover living expenses, while schools often finish around midday. As a result, kids get enrolled in various activities to extend supervision until their parents are done working.

When parents attend the classes, it's often because we've developed the idea that children need professional guidance for everything. Hobbies are increasingly treated as something that should lead to achievement, success, or even money..we see that on Instagram... But a hobby can simply be fun. It doesn't always need a structured learning goal.

What's often missing is the value of learning through exploration, making mistakes, and figuring things out on your own. Free play (rolling around at the parking Lot by yourself and figure it out by yourself..)and spending time with neighborhood friends used to be much more common. Today, many parents are uncomfortable letting kids roam around independently, (that is also largely understandable). so organized activities fill that gap.

[Bupstop]

My nephew took one of these skate classes and he never stuck with skating. I mean if he really wanted to skate he could just do it like how we all did. Get a skateboard and try it out. Pavement is everywhere.
Skate classes are kind of trying to make skating like a sport. That part of my family is huge into sports so I was kind of shocked they were enrolling him in skate classes but I guess it makes sense now that skating is in the Olympics and people are dumb enough to think they could get rich skateboarding.

[Benicio El Toro]

Every right to be pissed op

All for skaters making money skating tho

Time and place time and place

[Jacintos Praying Mantis]

Sammy Baptista runs a skate class/program in Santa Barbara and its dope. Kids get to learn from a former pro and he makes good money. I support it 100%

[ChuckRamone]

I've wanted to make a thread bitching about skate classes taking up the whole skatepark before but had second thoughts, so thanks for bringing this up.

I understand skaters need to make money, but it seems shitty to use a tax-funded, public space for private enterprise. I feel like they should have to rent or own a private space for that. It's like they're having their cake and eating it too, hogging the whole park for their own private gain. Or they should limit themselves to one part of the park at a time, like do quarterpipe one day and ledge another instead of monopolizing limited public resources.

Also the skate coaching, training, and Olympics thing just goes against the ethos of individuality and DIY that created skateboarding imo. Like would these kids even start skating without someone to guide them through the scary part of just getting out there and doing it, despite all the societal and psychological barriers that people traditionally have had to overcome to start? Seems like a lot of them would never touch a skateboard without that safety net protecting them through the toughest initial baptism by fire we all went through. But yeah I know that's probably just crazy rambling from an unc.

[TheLurper]

I'm mixed on this.

I don't agree with classes, and I feel they take away from what makes skateboarding marketable. Skateboarding was cool because it was something we did on our own. We had our own space away from adults and people telling us what to do. The appeal was hanging out behind the grocery store, jumping off the loading dock, and smoking cigarettes.

I feel places like Kids That Rip (owned by the Eaton family, where they trained Jagger and the other kid) are dumb and support my least favorite version of skateboarding. Like, Woodward, they turn skateboarding into just another version of gymnastics camp and standardize us in some soccer mom Olympic event.

People doing lessons outside of the private parks is also insanely annoying. Many cities have laws against this or require permits for a reason. I don't mind the commons being used for individual profit, but it needs to be done in a way that doesn't monopolize space or privatize public space. Same goes for people who are good at skateboarding. Just cause you're good doesn't mean you deserve to snake everyone. (It's funny, I think of the Courts in Vancouver; it is "welcoming" as long as you are fine being snaked by the 4 dudes who are super good.)


On the flip side, the most money I ever made before I was 30 came from teaching lessons. Getting paid to teach someone the basics of skateboarding was unreal. I felt like a millionaire every time I gave a lesson. And summer skate camps were fun, even though I wasn't really qualified to teach anyone other than beginners.

But I don't agree with the notion that "a skater is getting paid, so it's good." Just cause a handful of people make money doesn't mean it is good for the community overall. Like, it's like celebrating Musk, Bezos, Gates, etc., being trillionaires, for the average American who gives a shit? Like, one person getting money doesn't do shit for the rest of the country/community. 

I don't know.

[HDeniz]

At this point, I have to say that I really appreciate us exchanging views on this topic here. It really seems to be the same problem for many skate Communitys in different countries.

[GaryDahLegend]

kechaud would give little kids lessons at parks, but it was really just skating with superman on his day of. never seen anyone else do it acceptably. i am immensely envious of kids that get to learn to skate with ryan lay. i love the guys who took the time to show and explain the hobby and culture to me but they were basically all violent criminal drug addicts.

[Tear Up a Trick]

Is this how former pros are paying bills?

[gringo_viejo]

My buddy will give a lesson sometimes, but it’s just him and one or two kids. Usually he’s kinda standing off to the side and interjecting advice once in awhile. Other than that, the kids are just skating the park like anyone.

I can’t imagine a long layup line of kids all waiting to hit the ledge. A coach with a whistle. Ollie drills. Not only would it kinda suck for the kids, none of the other skaters would stand for it. I know at least three people who would immediately skate right through the middle of that class just to make a point.

[botefdunn]

I think it really depends on who is giving the lesson/class/workshop, and what they are sharing. Programs like Bryggeriet Skate School in Malmo seem pretty dope.and definitely there are some killer alumni from tht place. I think what it comes down to is the motivation of the people offering the class. in my mind, if you understand and appreciate skateboarding, you don't take a group to a public park and get in the way. I can't relly imgine anyone who is an active part of a  skate scene doing that.
I ran summer skate camps for some years and i got to design the program. We would have groups of 10 kids with two instructors per group, and every day we would hit the streets, pushing around the neighbourhood. A lot of the kids had never been out like that, and really got to know their own environments. We would skate school yards and other safe street spots, and hit up smaller parks in the middle of the day, but not have lessons there, just to skate. I would make the kids pad up and take them to mellow downhills, they hate some shit, but loved it. We would spend after lunch looking at mags and drawing graphics, and every group had to make a video with at least one trick they had worked on and learned, didn't matter what level of difficulty.
In the end, the problem is not the classes, its the mentality that a class has to conform to the same old boring idea of sports and school that is familiar to parents and therefore easier to sell. To me, anybody who gives skate lessons in this way is taking the lazy way out and not really teaching skateboarding.

Really long post, but in summation, skate classes are bad for the culture if they don't teach the culture. Pretending to teach skateboarding but you're actually not is wack as hell.

[tuesday]

Is this how former pros are paying bills?

Ask Andy Roy. Wondering if he is still offering skate classes.

My last experience with a skate class at a skatepark: the dude who taught the class (mostly 5 - 8 years old kids) ended playing catch with the kiddos in the skatepark. They sure were having fun running around in the skatepark. Only after being asked politely to please move to the park that surrounds the skatepark did it dawn on him that it probably was not such a good idea. Dude was in his mid to late twenties. Totally clueless and incompetent as an educator.

[Garfiled L. Asagna LLC]

I understand skaters need to make money, but it seems shitty to use a tax-funded, public space for private enterprise

The parents with children in the community pay those taxes, probably a heftier burden than a sole skateboarder. Youre gonna have to learn to live with this, the alternative is taking it to some local board meeting where no one will care. Unlesssss you frame at as an issue of an insurance/liability, even than though most places no ones gonna care. It opens up a can of worms for other systems within the park district or local council or whatever where it becomes to much. If you gotta rent the skatepark for skate lessons you gotta rent the tennis court, or baseball feilds, chess boards etc to have lessons there as well.

[S.]

I think it really depends on who is giving the lesson/class/workshop, and what they are sharing. Programs like Bryggeriet Skate School in Malmo seem pretty dope.and definitely there are some killer alumni from tht place. I think what it comes down to is the motivation of the people offering the class. in my mind, if you understand and appreciate skateboarding, you don't take a group to a public park and get in the way. I can't relly imgine anyone who is an active part of a  skate scene doing that.
I ran summer skate camps for some years and i got to design the program. We would have groups of 10 kids with two instructors per group, and every day we would hit the streets, pushing around the neighbourhood. A lot of the kids had never been out like that, and really got to know their own environments. We would skate school yards and other safe street spots, and hit up smaller parks in the middle of the day, but not have lessons there, just to skate. I would make the kids pad up and take them to mellow downhills, they hate some shit, but loved it. We would spend after lunch looking at mags and drawing graphics, and every group had to make a video with at least one trick they had worked on and learned, didn't matter what level of difficulty.
In the end, the problem is not the classes, its the mentality that a class has to conform to the same old boring idea of sports and school that is familiar to parents and therefore easier to sell. To me, anybody who gives skate lessons in this way is taking the lazy way out and not really teaching skateboarding.

Really long post, but in summation, skate classes are bad for the culture if they don't teach the culture. Pretending to teach skateboarding but you're actually not is wack as hell.

I agree with everything, but I don’t consider what Bryggerit does to be skate classes. It is basically an elite program for skandinavian skateboarders. They select the best skateboarders or people who have already been filming or documenting skateboarding. At the school they get to work on their skating while completing their education. This will qualify them to go to university for something like art or design or improve their chances of getting a job in the skateboard industry or becoming a professional skateboarder. They are already great skateboarders when they start school there. It is not like their parents sign them up to some class so their kid learns how to skate and they get a few hours of free time. Most Bryggerit students would probably skate a lot anyways.

Do you know anyone from your local scenes who started skating by taking classes and kept doing it on his or her own after?

[Unkle Fleak]

It’s only bad for the culture if you’re not getting paid.
I wish people would pay me to do it. I would have everyone meet up at the top of a long steady hill with a bunch of manholes driveways and curbs and shit. Be like follow me yo. And then just pretend I’m Tommy Guerrero for all to see. Board walkers. We’ll meet you at the curb. Don’t forget to pick up water and cups at 711.
The morning routine.

No parks unless it’s 60/40 bowl.
DIY day for “advanced” students. Advanced students are just people who don’t walk the skate and don’t blow a curb session with questions and shit. They definitely don’t ask me if I’m ok when I’m on the ground writhing in pain going shhhh shhhh I just need a minute to control the pain. Shhh.

Shut up and skate academy. Are motto is Yes I am ok
I’ll turn your 18- 47 year old kid into the next Donny Barley.
Students can earn different coloured belts .  Goes from white lace to studded belt. Stick around and win the hammer and sickle buckle.
Sliding scale pricing.
Free lessons for people on EBT. Like when you go to the museum. No board focusing cry babies allowed. Harsh the mellow elsewhere maaaaaan. I like it

[Eh]

I presume the parents with children in the community pay those taxes,the collective’s burden should have to be shared by a sole skateboarder. Youre gonna have to learn to live with this, full stop

The only alternative is REGULATING.

[S.]

Expand Quote

I understand skaters need to make money, but it seems shitty to use a tax-funded, public space for private enterprise

[close]

The parents with children in the community pay those taxes, probably a heftier burden than a sole skateboarder. Youre gonna have to learn to live with this, the alternative is taking it to some local board meeting where no one will care. Unlesssss you frame at as an issue of an insurance/liability, even than though most places no ones gonna care. It opens up a can of worms for other systems within the park district or local council or whatever where it becomes to much. If you gotta rent the skatepark for skate lessons you gotta rent the tennis court, or baseball feilds, chess boards etc to have lessons there as well.

Are you allowed to go to a public park and sell shit without a license? Can you go to a public swimming pool and block most of the pool for private swimming lessons?

[ChuckRamone]

Expand Quote

Expand Quote

I understand skaters need to make money, but it seems shitty to use a tax-funded, public space for private enterprise

[close]

The parents with children in the community pay those taxes, probably a heftier burden than a sole skateboarder. Youre gonna have to learn to live with this, the alternative is taking it to some local board meeting where no one will care. Unlesssss you frame at as an issue of an insurance/liability, even than though most places no ones gonna care. It opens up a can of worms for other systems within the park district or local council or whatever where it becomes to much. If you gotta rent the skatepark for skate lessons you gotta rent the tennis court, or baseball feilds, chess boards etc to have lessons there as well.

[close]

Are you allowed to go to a public park and sell shit without a license? Can you go to a public swimming pool and block most of the pool for private swimming lessons?

Yeah, I was gonna say the big difference is the average user of the skatepark is not profiting off using it. We're also not filling up the whole space with newbies that get in the way of people who have limited time to skate.

[botefdunn]

I agree with everything, but I don’t consider what Bryggerit does to be skate classes. It is basically an elite program for skandinavian skateboarders. They select the best skateboarders or people who have already been filming or documenting skateboarding. At the school they get to work on their skating while completing their education. This will qualify them to go to university for something like art or design or improve their chances of getting a job in the skateboard industry or becoming a professional skateboarder. They are already great skateboarders when they start school there. It is not like their parents sign them up to some class so their kid learns how to skate and they get a few hours of free time. Most Bryggerit students would probably skate a lot anyways.

Do you know anyone from your local scenes who started skating by taking classes and kept doing it on his or her own after?

I think asking some level of.commitment from a potential student should be part of the deal. With the camps.I ran, kids had to show up.and skate our park at least a couple before they could get signed up for a camp. They also had to read and sign a part of the application themselves that says that they want to be in the camp. We had zero tolerance for parents dropping off kids who had no real interestt, so that we xould babysit them. Again, to me this is real skateboarding: nobody is making you do anything, you do it if you want to or not at all. I think classes/lessons should be given in this spirit.
We had and still have lots of kids who continue to skate. Some of them are older now. and i see them out in the streets killing it and being good people, its pretty rewarding when that happens. But i dont consider i taught them how to skate, they put in the time, they just came up through the options available.to them, same as anybody else did.