Is Skateboarding an Extreme Sport?

Whether it be paragliding or skydiving, there are many types of extreme sports. The world of extreme sports can be fairly picky, and many people disagree over what defines a sport as extreme. So, is skateboarding an extreme sport?

Skateboarding is an extreme sport and competitive vert and street skating are quite popular. Since 2020, skateboarding has become an Olympic sport and it continues to grow and become more popular. The discipline that it requires and how dangerous it is makes skateboarding extreme. Competitions like The X Games and Street League are bigger than ever.

There is little to no difference between skating as a hobby and skating for sport. It ultimately comes down to your skating style and how much time you put into it. Follow along as we explore whether skateboarding is an extreme sport.

What Makes Skateboarding Extreme?

Skateboarding is extreme because of its physically demanding nature and dangers. Sure, casually cruising down a sidewalk may not be that extreme, but pushing fast and kickflipping over the curb certainly is. Hardcore street skating and grinding rails, jumping banks, and flying down a set of stairs is extreme.

Transition and vert skating are extreme because they involve catching lots of air. Vert skating is what most non-skaters recognize as the extreme sport aspect of the community. That is because it has had more mainstream exposure via the X Games, Olympics, and Tony Hawk video games.

What are the Most Extreme Types of Skateboarding?

Vert skating is the most extreme type of skateboarding. There is nothing easy about skating vert ramps, even if Tony Hawk makes it look that way. Vert skating involves dropping in on ramps and grinding the coping or catching air.

Street skating is also quite extreme because of how uncontrolled it is. You must navigate pedestrians, traffic, and unknown obstacles. Skating rails and stairs can be quite extreme and unsafe even if is common and popular.

Is Skateboarding an Olympic Sport?

Skateboarding is now an Olympic sport. It first appeared in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. The skateboarding community is seemingly torn over whether it’s a good idea to involve skating in the Olympics. Some skaters were initially upset because skateboarding already has great competitions like Street League.

However, the Olympics is a massive platform that can only draw more attention to skateboarding and generate interest in younger, future skaters.

Is Skateboarding a Difficult Sport?

While it can be done casually, skateboarding for sport can be quite difficult. It takes countless hours to learn and master flip tricks, grinds, and how to skate bowls and ramps. This often involves falling and getting back up to try the same tricks over and over.

Skateboarding is often mistaken for a frivolous hobby when in reality it requires great discipline. Falling off of a skateboard onto concrete never feels good, but that’s not enough to discourage determined skaters. Once you learn how to ollie and carve bowls, skateboarding becomes much easier.

Is Skateboarding Dangerous?

Skateboarding can be quite dangerous, and that’s why it’s important to wear protective gear. There are over 200,000 skateboarding injuries in the United States each year, and that’s even more than skydiving. Street and vert skaters alike are vulnerable to broken bones and head trauma.

Vert skating in particular is quite dangerous because it involves catching as much air as possible. However, street skating is known for having serious injuries, especially for those that grind rails over steep stairs. You can reduce the risk of injury if you wear a helmet and pads and pace yourself.

Rails and staircases are a cause for many broken bones as they are super challenging to learn.

How is Skateboarding as a Hobby Different than Skateboarding as a Sport?

Skateboarding as a hobby and skateboarding as a sport aren’t too different. Some skaters simply cruise around for fun or transportation. Other skaters spend hours learning tricks, finding the ideal board setup, and perfecting the craft.

Luckily, the world of skateboarding has never been snobby, and there is plenty of room for everybody. Casual skaters may be less likely to hit the skate park or vert ramp, but that doesn’t make them any less of a skater.

Do You Have to Be in Shape to Ride a Skateboard?

You can get much more control over your board if you are in shape. However, you don’t have to be in shape to ride a skateboard. With that said, certain types of skateboarding, such as vert and transition, are much easier if you are physically fit.

How Does Skateboarding Compare to Other Extreme Sports?

Skateboarding is similar to other extreme sports like BMX. While skating is less extreme than skydiving or paragliding, it is still quite extreme. In many ways, skateboarding has more risk factors than something as controlled as skydiving.

Skateboarding has been recognized as an extreme sport for years, even by people outside of the skating community. Street League, The X Games, and even the Olympics are major mainstream skateboarding outlets.

How Has the Skateboarding Industry Grown Over the Years?

The skateboarding industry has grown exponentially over the years. Skateboarding was wildly popular in the 1970s through the mid-to-late 1980s. Sadly, the world of skateboarding took a serious dip in the late ‘80s and the industry generated much less revenue.

Skateboarding eventually made a comeback in the 1990s and has continued to grow since. The rise in popularity of street skating is partially to blame for its ‘90s comeback. However, skateboarding grew to greater heights than ever before when Tony Hawk Pro Skater came out in 1999.

The video game introduced the gaming audience to skateboarding and influenced countless people to pick up a board. Since then, skateboarding has become mainstream and continues to be so.

Read some history in our skateboarding teams article here.

What Is the Future of Skateboarding as A Sport and Cultural Phenomenon?

Since its Olympics appearance, it seems that skateboarding will only continue to grow as a sport and cultural phenomenon. Skateboarding was doing great long before the Olympics, but it’s always a good sign when you can get a fresh set of eyes on the sport. There are more new skateboard companies than ever, and it’s become a cultural phenomenon.

The skateboarding culture has even seeped over into the mainstream. Countless non-skaters wear Thrasher and Obey hats and shirts. The world of streetwear is directly influenced by skateboarding, and it has only grown more popular.

Final Thoughts

Vert, transition, and street skating are extreme. Skateboarding is an extreme sport because it puts you in danger and requires countless hours of practice. Street League, the X Games, and the Olympics are among the biggest mainstream extreme sports platforms that skateboarding is a part of.