Is Skateboarding Dying?

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[@shawnbarry8998]

We need more local skateparks

[@pANDA_0020]

That's true

[@ЮраЮра-ф2у2т]

соглы.

[@pocheisfake3701]

frrre

[@Amdmfkk18]

Literally, my closest skatepark is thirty minutes away from my home 🥲

[@soda9121]

Exactly! I live in the UK and there's none I'm my area, the closest one is half an hour away by bus

[@samsondugger45]

I turned 31 this year and just picked up skateboarding for the first time. I live in a relatively rural area but somehow we managed to end up with a skatepark in town. It seems like any time I go there I’m literally the only person that doesn’t know how to skate proficiently and it is one of the most intimidating feelings I’ve ever experienced in my life. I don’t know about anyone else but just working up the courage to even practice when other people are there is the hardest part for me.

[@ryemoh]

I experience the same thing at my local. I'm only a year into this humbling journey myself. Even when I'm the only one there, I see more cars pull up then turn around. I'm assuming out of fear/intimidation. I make sure to praise any beginner that has the courage to even get out of the car. Failing and falling in front of others isn't easy for most, but learning how to handle it is a must. In skating and life.

[@AliveP00l]

Same! But 32

[@Aranur]

I had the same thing. When I started skating the skateparks were intimidating for me, cause I was older, and a girl skater and felt like I didn’t belong there cause I didn’t have the”permission” to be there. One of the local guys saw me practicing rolling off to the side and literally was like yo come in here, we don’t bite your welcome here. I went to that park every day up until covid hit. Then I went to roller skating and then roller blading cause it was something I could still do to keep active.

[@lurkwave]

go when nobodies there. i would practice late at night, and then i would go during the day to watch the park flow. If you observe others at the park, they usually have a flow at the park. You can learn lines and park flow like this.

[@RangeMaster1050]

Skaters love to help newbies out. We can recognize someone just starting out and are often considerate of that fact. Someone just may not know what to do or how to do something and that's o.k. We are all learning and we are all human. Remember, everyone there started out exactly where you are and they know what you're feeling.

[@ThijsTrials]

Here in the Netherlands I see the local governments take a ton of steps towards hiring skatepark companies to build amazing new local parks! They're popping up like crazy and it makes me so happy to see the community getting a lot of love here

[@thedutchest]

In my city they put up a vote. We have 3 skateparks in need of replacement and the city could vote which one of these 3 locations gets a new skatepark, the other 2 will become regular parks and the one park will be bigger and supposedly better then the old one

[@frankyang8279]

[@ThijsTrials]

@@thedutchest That's great actually! Rather have one really awesome park than a bunch of broken down parks or 3 mediocre parks!!

[@thedutchest]

@@ThijsTrials Yeah very true. Also we are lucky that the Netherlands isn't big. I'm from Brabant and here in Breda we have pier13 indoor but if I wat to go to skateland or westblaak Rotterdam it's only a 30 minute drive.

[@GTAmaniac1]

over here in croatia the pretty much only reason tourists come visit my home town is the skate park. Other than that we have food and mosquitoes (also a symbol of the skate park and events connected to it)

[@jacks7449]

I feel like a lot of people got into it since the Olympics and then realized how difficult it actually is

[@don2nd650]

😂😂 bro I’ve been skating for 2 years and I’ve been getting better but it’s only getting harder

[@dotot341]

@@richrollin4867 maybe the effect would have been greater in the states, but I live in Asia and skateboarding is exploding out here

[@dillonu.4975]

@@iLoveJackingOn Yup, as Steve-o says skateboarding weeds out quitters

[@drywater3559]

ehh Aaron only kept going because he made money with it. if he didnt, he wouldnt be skating. the injuries wouldve caught up and made him think twice about gettting hurt just skating. most stop physical sports after a certain age because they dont want to get injured, because they have jobs and cant afford getting hurt.

[@Adam-M-]

As a rollerblader and a skateboarder, inline skating is much more immediately rewarding. You can learn to skate, jump, and do some basic ramp riding in a short period of time. Skateboarding, in my experience, takes much more practice just to do simple things like an ollie. That initial difficulty curve is not helpful in this era of instant gratification.

[@southerncalifornia8597]

Its more rewarding because it takes more effort but all the lazy people get weeded out.

[@jaidenquattlebaum5918]

I an 21, I was born in 2002, I feel as though some people don’t care for being outside as much and just doing things for fun (people around my age tend to want to watch social media vs being outside) Although I would feel as though life has become quick, people need to make more money (inflation, we are in a recession) and people have lost their love for being outside and interacting with the world since the pandemic. Idk I wish more people were outgoing, skateboarding has changed my life.

Aaron thank you for everything you do. I got back to skateboarding at 40 thanks to your channel. Not the best at it but at least made a ton of new teenager friends and spend quality time outside in the skatepark instead of watching the display of my smartphone. Staying active is a bonus.

[@lizespick9060]

I forgot how chill skateboarders are. Some of the nicest people I’ve ever met.

[@sightfire]

One of the biggest successes skateboarding has had is the spread of public concrete skateparks. With proper maintenance a well-built park easily lasts 20+ years and provides new skaters a place to learn and see what experienced skaters can do. Advocating for new parks and helping to keep existing parks clean and welcoming is the single best thing an individual skater can do to help shelter the sport from the usual fads and crashes.

[@cbrvench2483]

Ironically last year when I started skateboarding at the local park (Concrete) I noticed a lot of gaps. It's a City maintained park, not a local club (Kiwanis, Lyons, etc) But a city worker who was cutting the grass was chit chatting with me, made some comments, and a couple weeks later, they came and sealed (looks like bondo?) all the cracks in the park! Definitely speaking up to someone who may be able to do something helps!

[@toaster_bath3498]

I myself started skating this week and this channel is a goldmine of fun, helping and insparational content! Thanks and much love from the Netherlands!!

[@brailleskateboarding]

Glad to hear it!

[@tophfb]

I’m 28 and getting back into it after a 10 year break, even if your fresh, just keep it up and mainly have fun, homie.

[@pandabike3826]

Grew up skating, I always keep decks at the ready, but as I get older its getting harder to find time to get to the park, but when I do, its bliss.

[@51sicboy]

Oh yeah, for me it's a mandatory part of my routine. I too am old and I'm not hitting 12+ steps anymore but I still shred as much as possible.

[@megs780]

I actually dropped $500 on the weekend to buy skateboards for me (31m) my wife (33f) and our son (6m) and have been going through your videos. I used to skate when I was a teenager so its been wild getting back on the board and my son is already doing ollies and riding off curbs like a champ. We're watching from Canada and love the how-to videos!

[@Daveeeeeeyhowyoudoing]

Please teach your kid how to properly fall out of a bad fall. Aka rolling out of a fall or folding the body, feet first

[@GalloVerdesFarms]

Nice bro keep on skating just got back into it as well

[@ethansk8245]

I swear everyone has been skating less and less 😢

[@memecreator7064]

Omg so sad 😭 like bro stop complaining

[@GalloVerdesFarms]

Not true I just started after a 3 year break and met or seen at least 15 people this month who also just started

[@nickhernandez4264]

In my opinion skateboard will never die out. Now as far as ups and downs no telling only time well tell. I definitely don’t Skate but have always been a fan, fascinated, and supported skateboarding. This channel puts a smile to my face thank you braille

[@brailleskateboarding]

Much love

[@tenguard7524]

Skating is a beautiful art / activity. I rarely skate now but everyday I still love seeing skate videos and content of it. I don't wanna see that stuff go away or less and less show up. :(

[@51sicboy]

The irony in your statement is so thick...why do you rarely sk8 anymore? If there's nothing holding you back you love it then go do it. 👍

[@8bar.s]

​@@51sicboythey might have an injury or something

[@paddymills2144]

people need to be able to have more free time, and able to support themselves easier.

[@tenguard7524]

@@8bar.s Spot on! I still try my best to skate when I can. Though I have a really bad knee, and sadly not much free time when I'm working long hours in my days. 💔

[@51sicboy]

@@8bar.s Right, that's why I said if there's nothing hold them back.

[@adamphillips6208]

Ive just started learning to skate and I’m 33 and I’ve literally never done it before and it’s incredible my mind is always racing and something really relaxing about having nothing to think about other than staying on the board. In starting I have already had two friends deciding to learn with me and one of them has out his bmx down to do so. It’s been sweet to get out in the evening and all try and practice just landing an Ollie while rolling, so I’m hooked 👊

[@jameskazd9951]

I'm 31 and i skated a tiny bit in highschool but could never do any tricks, not even an ollie. I picked a board up about a month and half ago and have been out practicing almost every day and am already better than i ever was 15 years ago. no kickflips or anything like that yet, but i can do shuv-its and recently have been practicing gapping with ollies.

[@adamphillips6208]

@@jameskazd9951 Yo! That’s sick, I’m really digging how many people I’m meeting who are starting up skating again, I got ahead of my self rolling down some small ramps and have fallen 3 times which hurts alot in your 30’s 😂

[@jameskazd9951]

@@adamphillips6208 yeah i have had a few falls, luckily so far i have only had one that was bad. hurt my shoulder pretty bad and was hurting for about a week, but luckily i don't think it broke anything and it feels more or less fine now

[@michaelkrauer1286]

@@jameskazd9951stay safe. Just a question, because you said you think your shoulder is ok: does USA not have health insurance? I always go to a doctor when I am not sure about the health of my body. I just take an x-ray and then I know it

[@jameskazd9951]

@@michaelkrauer1286 we do not have nationalized healthcare like that no. there are many options for health insurance, some are government subsidized, a lot of jobs come with insurance, or you could pay for your own. however even if you have no insurance and need medical work but have trouble affording it there are lots of ways to get help. just to be clear even if it was 100% free i still wouldn't have gone for that, it hurt an awful lot but i never actually though it was broken. still had full range of movement and everything

[@copred]

I'm an older guy trying to get into skateboarding. The list you described for every trick sounds excellent. I think like a KZbin Short for each trick and a slow motion video of the trick would help immensely.

[@dasuno1796]

Already exists

[@ejtaylor73]

@@dasuno1796 Saying it exists doesn't do much, maybe going the extra mile and posting a link to where it exists would actually be helpful. OP says they are just getting into it and doesn't know where all these resources are. If beginners aren't going to get ACTUAL help, they'll lose interest quick.

[@FuegoOscarJuan]

I'm going to support this. As a 13yr skateboarder, i will promote and try to show it to the people around my school in Denmark and help the skate cummunity grow. Even my teacher said that at some point we would build a ramp for the school after this summer.

[@Scruffy-Janitor]

Rock on man. USA was dominating skateboarding for years, now Spain, and Japan, are destroying. Put Denmark on the map.

[@EnzedDev]

bro gonna help the cumminity 💦

[@ArnoudBS]

W school

[@Shinigamix666]

Copenhagen open is very nice

[@SagginAround]

I'm from Maine and I've been skating for almost 8 years now and from what I've experienced from the skate parks in my area is a lot a people who wanna start skating are shut down by older skaters who think the new skaters don't deserve to be at the park due to their lack of experience and that's really unincourageing for new skaters who wanna learn.

[@nate-hl9sq]

Never seen that in my 11 years on a board, even after hopping on a scooter recently I've never heard of that happening

[@stoneisland1006]

Wow that sounds really sad

[@smurxxx0910]

The older crowd at parks recently are more encouraging than when I was a kid. There used to be a lot more gatekeeping at parks but a lot of that crowd is fading. Not saying it doesn't happen still but I have noticed a big difference over the years.

[@JimmyTwoToe]

Try the new concrete skatepark in South Portland across from the high school! It’s nice

[@SagginAround]

I will admit that the older crowds at parks are becoming a lot more welcoming which is wonderful to see but I think this might be due to my Generation becoming the oder crowd at parks

[@lmclrain]

To me is not more about changing a whole community but rather becoming one. I got into skateboarding because of the old videos when Lance was at the park, showing how cool skateboarding was with random people over there. I think maybe a cool series would be just you guys at the park helping someone to actually learn from Skateboarding Made Simple 0 guiding him/her best possible, and showing the viewers the skater learning experience, that way people might watch him having fun and decide to try it themselves too. It could be difficult since, I'd say it would take several videos, and it would not be one only one video. And it could probably be better if it is only Aaron or someone willing to teach from the crew to guide the new skater, that way it would be like just a couple of friends enjoying skateboarding, not everybody wants to watch the video in which someone ollies a 10 stair and that stuff. The more people get to enjoy by learning actually how to skateboard the better. I can only ollie for now, but eventually I will learn more tricks.

[@LevelUpDaily434]

We need more videos on all types of tricks and even just basic riding. Once ppl get their balance they'll get hooked. Everything braille is doing is in the right direction. I wish I knew how to skate like you guys, I'd happily come donate all my time to teaching people to skate. Happily

[@connerscorner7034]

I just started to skate again after 35 Years. I’m having so much fun. Also being a bit more responsible this time around😅. Thanks for all these phenomenal tutorials!

[@neaituppi7306]

The thing that turns me off from getting into a community, is when they are against other forms. Like skateboarders against rollerblader/inline skaters and scooter riders. Or they try to get a park that will only allow one of them. If there are recessions, having animosity and people against you, because you are against them, doesn't help.

[@excitebox]

It’s the gate keeping for me. I’m in my 40’s and have had a few false starts getting into street skateboarding because shops can spot non skaters a mile away and make you feel like you are bothering them. I got into longboarding instead and even shared parts like bearings and hardware get you dirty looks if you mention it’s for a “wrongboard”. Longboarding gets you dirtier looks than not skating at all. Channels like this one that encourage people to go out and learn, and welcome new skaters are the best thing. I just picked up the 7 ply Andy Anderson freestyle deck, nano cubic wheels, and have learned to not care what others think. Skateboarding is fun and I intend to have an absolute blast learning more tricks.

[@roodyripper]

aaron idk if youll see this but after a year of skating i have finally got kickflips down, and your tutorial was the first one i watched so ill give you all the credit. you didnt fail man

[@brailleskateboarding]

Well I am glad to hear it! Nice work on those kick flips

[@ChristianJiang]

13:26 Regarding "gatekeeping"... I showed up at the skatepark as a relatively old beginner (had only skated for 3 months prior to that)... And everybody has been so nice to me - they took me to places to learn stuff, and a guy even gave me his board!!

[@ethanleclair8627]

In my personal opinion I love that skateboarding is included in the Olympics. I think it creates a lot of representation for skating, and in a sense creates validation for the community by having skateboarding included in a globally acknowledged event amongst other very seriously taken sports. almost like to say to people who don't know much about skateboarding "yeah skateboarding is a genuine sport and is worth putting hours and hours of your time into".

[@alex23wolf]

ultimately I think every time skate dies, its like a phoenix and just rises stronger. Its crazy to see the overall progression you have endured, being really important to skateboarding you and the guys are clearly making an impact ! Its such a hard sport / hobby to do it takes a long time for that next person to come and push it forward ! Also seeing JD's progress has incredible !

[@pretengineer]

13:18 Definitely making the sport more accessible by simplifying the learning curve would help a lot! Honestly, THPS 2 was the thing that did that for my generation (am 35...as of today actually!). And I think Skate 3 may have done that to a smaller effect for the current generation, but this may be a bit of a long shot, but read me out...getting skateboarding in as an extra curricular activity in schools would be the thing to solidify the sport for the long term! It would also enter the world of structured learning (which is why Braille has been so successful imo). Now that it's an Olympic sport, now would be the time to start making those arguments, and what better state to make that push than California?! As someone who played baseball, basketball, football, etc...I found more value in running track than in any of the other sports. Competing with yourself has a huge draw and so many students don't want to participate in those more antiquated team sports....especially since the time investment very very rarely leads to a career in that sport or of anything post high school/college. Skateboarding is unique in that its something everyone can continue to do throughout their lives without having to go through schools, universities, etc... which would make it a pretty easy sell in my opinion.

[@IBF_MC]

Thank you Aaron for your channel and dedication to the sport! I tried skateboarding when i was 14 but couldn't get into it. Thanks to your videos, I'm 22 and learning how to skateboard

[@33scottyp]

I absolutely love skateboarding. I started when I was about 13-14 years old but when I turned 19 I stopped due to starting a career in the army. I started back up when I was about 31 years old but stopped again shortly after. I think skateboarding has these incline and declines because it’s such amazing sport but due to being difficult and so risky with injuries, I think people stop to avoid them. As people get older or have careers they can’t risk injuries as much and unfortunately stop. Although I don’t skate anymore, I still love collecting and displaying decks as a appreciation for the sport.

[@Klust413]

Yeah, I rely on my body for work right now, so what I'm willing to risk is pretty low right now

[@treykeez]

First off, Aaron, this was incredible. A much needed, honest look at where skating is as a whole. I’ve had an idea of a mass database for all things skating, videos, tutorials, pro rider bios, past contest results and all kinds of stuff to provide a one stop shop for anyone new or old to skating. It’s all about how many eyes are on it no matter what it takes. I’m ready to do whatever it takes to keep the trend of skating going higher and higher.

[@Zero.0ne.]

I love Braille's dedication to this topic.

[@brailleskateboarding]

Thank you ❤️

[@Faecaloma]

thank you braille for doing what you do. i haven't skated in 20 years and your channel gave me the itch again. i got my daughter to skate with me now. i hope to see skateboarding be as big as it was when i was a kid.

[@brailleskateboarding]

That is awesome

[@jesseturner8693]

I watched this yesterday but had to come back to let you know I'm heading to a skate shop today to finally grab a new board. I haven't skated in about 15 years but you've convinced me that I need it back in my life and I can't let my irrational fear of being "that old guy that can't skate" stop me.

[@salariasking3980]

We also need to widen the concept of skateboarding, which is not only street style. I teach the concept as riding a piece of wood with trucks and wheels, then I break it into: street skateboarding, longboarding and surfskating and then into every style variants which are great to know and skate. For example in Mexico Ive been skating since 2011, there was a longboard boom from 2010 to 2015 and from there many friends have gone out of scene, many got bored others turned to other activities and a few have remained from their starts and continue skating. So people should embrace the whole concept and get to know every style of skateboarding there is because its a heck ton o fun.

[@musclecarfan74]

I have been following the sport since 1986.I left the sport in 1993 to roller blade after high school. My 13 year old neighbor got me to skate again in 2002 at age 27.I last skated in 2015.

[@mountainsmedia9529]

Hey Aaron, speaking from the U.K. and from a mountainboard perspective, we appear to follow the same trend as skateboarding in popularity but on a much smaller scale. I agree with everything you’ve said but especially the thought that the onus is on the community to spread the Stoke to others as everything else follows trends be it fashion or financial etc. Getting the sport into schools is a brilliant way to expose to the youth more as well as community events based around beginners but with the more skilled in the community playing the role of mentors. This is a absolutely fantastic video I can’t thank you enough for the insight from a skateboarder’s perspective it gives us off roaders some food for thought as well 🤜🤛

[@chrstphrth1714]

Skating is booming in germany right now tbh, lots of citys get new skateparks, you see more and more younger people hop on the skatetrain, skating gets a lot of references in music videos etc etc etc.

[@floater1063]

They all glued to their tablets in America

[@matthewtaylor1124]

Started skating last year aged 51, to help my daughter, niece and nephew. I now do it more than them! Its a great community. In ty part of the Uk (south London), we definately suffer from a lack of parks. Plenty of scooter ramps and a few BMX pump tracks but few parks. We need to grow the community. I have written to my local politician to try and get a new park built. If we all do the same, who knows we may get more parks.

[@jamesortega2340]

I started watching Braille Skateboarding in 2016, that's when I started skateboarding. Thrasher had nothing to do with it, that's to serious. I like the fun aspect of skateboarding that Braille introduced to everyone.

[@bomberooski]

It's funny you mention the tricks and not know them. As someone trying to learn to skateboard and trying to get into and understand the community I spend a LOT of time google searching skateboarding tricks and what they are. Would love to see a breakdown of tricks and how they work.

[@bakerboysdist420]

we live in the digital age. I believe when skate 4 comes out theres gonna be a boom of new skaters coming in. I hate to admit it but skate 1 is what taught me how tricks work and helped me grasp the concept.

[@boozanaya5284]

Greetings Braille Team from Reading Pennsylvania, thanks for all the high value work you do for everyone especially new skaters like me

[@Rammy721]

If i look back on what first brought my attention to skateboarding I immediately think of video games. I grew up playing Tony Hawk and the Skate games which led to my love of skating. Unfortunately a new great skateboarding game hasnt come out for quite some time. Maybe once the new EA skate game comes out younger people might grow interested and try out skating themselves.

[@brailleskateboarding]

I hope so!

[@don2nd650]

Honestly the first time I ever knew about skate boarding was playing tony hawk pro skater 4

[@joes.4149]

We are in an era where skate games won’t get people to skate irl. It’s done lol.

[@jetjaguar72]

Session and Skater XL are pretty fun, but ironically have a steep learning curve just like skateboarding😂

[@thegheymerz6353]

I stopped once i got into college. i didnt have time to get injured while working and studying. Then i transitioned to working full time and again if i got injured it would really mess with trying to build my career. Essentially i stopped because it was too much of a risk. I would always be interested in it but it was just like "nah thats not me right now." Now im more settled down and ive started skating again.

[@nathanielkoeberl740]

Still going after 17 yrs. Found ways to keep me safer on the board, like FpFootware and discreet pads.

[@AMPProf]

Dam how old r u sir?

[@mclarge90]

Coming back to the channel after a few years away, i saw the podcast dropped and remembered how fun you guys are. I stopped skating a couple years back when I got a new job as a nurse so my free time is basically now non existing. Feeling inspired from this though. Definitely going to try and get back on the board this weekend

[@adam_satchell]

I think that more people in skateboarding communities need to push or and even organize events within the communities. Weather its skate schools, jams, competitions, working with local councils and or sponsors to build skateparks. This is what our community did and we are always seeing new people come into the sport because of the community actively working to keep it moving and growing. On the other hand I also see tons of people drop away from skateboarding due to injuries or the need to work and support themselves and their families without dealing with said injuries. So I also think there needs to be more attention brought to skateboarding health namely physical/mental wellbeing.

[@GodOfLovers1111]

We got a skateboard community here called phat pile, and they throw comps, events, giveaways. Definitely builds the hype.

[@graalcloud]

It's people like this that make skateboarding look lame

[@adam_satchell]

@@graalcloud That's the cool thing about perspective. We all have our own unique version of it. In my experience inclusivity and community is way more enjoyable than pointing fingers and accusing people of making skateboarding look lame.

[@adam_satchell]

@@GodOfLovers1111 That's rad! Keep killin it 🔥🔥🔥

[@graalcloud]

@@adam_satchell The whole thing that makes skateboarding great is exclusivity. The exclusivity of nailing a difficult trick for example. The entire purpose of a challenge is the exclusivity gained by conquering it.

[@joshrivest4350]

dude u are literally the reason why i am better at this then when i was 16 and its been a month if that , please dont stop doing what u do you are legit keeping this sport alive by my opinion

[@yassver]

I feel the same way about skateboarding and basketball. It can be quite intimidating especially if you’re a new older person.

[@zorkblat3858]

The app is awesome! Seriously Aaron, you've humbled me for MANY years with how much you genuinely care. Keep that up. All of you.

[@Yimperss]

I think there is also an aspect of injury. I've skated for a big part of my life for about 11 years and suffered a meniscus tear 2 years ago. I still haven't got back into skating because of that and now I'm older and have a job so I feel like it can get to a point where due to life circumstances, it's difficult to return to skating when you stop compared to other sports or activities

[@Daveeeeeeyhowyoudoing]

Sounds like you gave up your childhood

[@collin9085]

People often tare their ACL playing basketball and other sports.

[@santacruisin]

There's not enough focus on the essentials of skateboarding: pushing and cruising. People see wild skate clips and feel discouraged by how skilled the prosare . But there is a lot of fun to be had in just learning basic skating.

[@robertlee8400]

I think it’s burnout because they’re needs to be new tricks invented , new style of ramps or skateparks , new tech for skateboards , new clothing , new styles of skating . It’s a combination of all of this in the sport , once developers can’t put a new product out fast enough the sport slows down , it all comes down to hyping people up about your sport or a new tech or part or board coming out , back when I rode bmx freestyle late 80s early 90s company’s use to advertise a new tech , part , bike , etc in bmx magazines a put a date on when the part , bike or tech would drop , then people would get hyped about it & couldn’t wait till stuff dropped to actually buy it & test it out for the selfs . It’s all about the hype of the sport .

[@squishyxout]

How do you explain bowling or football? This kind of makes sense, until it doesn't.

[@Dario__]

Im so glad to have this kind of workteam behind a movement like this, this kind of talk about the ups and downs on growth clearly shows how professional and passionate they are. Big ups to you Aaron! Im personally dont practice skate tricks or longboard crazy downhills, but i love the movement as a whole i really respect the time the artists put to develop his skillsets from vert to street tricks, combos, overcoming mental barriers, aesthetic & content(recently i came across to a video of one guy "landing every flat ground trick" ) that was a journey!

[@JeremyFruechting]

Hey, I have been watching you videos for a while now, and at the start of this summer I have been trying to get my city to build us a park, we now have 400,000 dollars in our budget to build a park and we are trying to get a grant for 400,000 more!!! We are currently in the designing faze that a local pro skater is helping with. Thanks for inspiring me to do this!

[@brailleskateboarding]

That is awesome!

[@JeremyFruechting]

@@brailleskateboarding ikr!!

[@squishyxout]

This isn't COD, it's spelled Phase.

[@JeremyFruechting]

@@squishyxout im confused?

[@ZoomyCat]

@@JeremyFruechting Faze is a clan in COD. Phase is an English word. Where in building things are done in phases, Planning and design being one of those phases. ;) Surely just a typo but it seemed like an attempt at education without a proper explanation.

[@Samuraishi]

For me, I started skateboarding after playing games like thps1 and top skater got me into skating when I was younger and the release of thps 1+2 and the need for an enjoyable exercise brought me back to skateboarding in 2020

[@glenmorrison8080]

I used to hate the idea of skating being included in the Olympics, but when I saw it it really changed my mind. I saw the potential for it to spread the sport. I think it can lead to new surges of interest in places that have never really had a skate culture.

[@johanneskrv]

The olympics indeed spread skateboarding as a sport but at the same it distorts skateboarding away from its essence which is an artform. Those people that get into skateboarding because of the olympics will not stay in skateboarding, they don't understand the soul of skateboarding. But those people who fall in love with skateboarding as an artform stay with it and nurture it.

[@jaidenquattlebaum5918]

I love skateboarding, I try to push myself as much as I can but life can definitely effect how much I skate. Where I live however, Fort Collins however, the skate scene is very alive, the DIY park I rip at has consistent rippers and most of them have been very accepting and supportive. You have done everything you can brotha, I still feel the energy of OGs pushing the sport so don’t worry man

[@brailleskateboarding]

Hell ya lets go! I can do more and will ❤️

[@finleyjennings3678]

For me personally I used to skate with my friends as much as we could access to skateparks was hard and after about a year of skating most weekends all my mates started dropping off I kept going by myself for a few years then did it on and off before uni it's still something I like and still something I do around work and study but not as much as when I was younger. I thinks this is defo down to lack of accessible parks and lack of a local community.

[@Daveeeeeeyhowyoudoing]

Local community is the best right now. Sounds like you haven't been skating recently, I have been skating for 23 years now, and every year the community gets better

[@xanix6862]

Hey! I am a beginner in skateboarding. I was out for every day the past week in my local skatepark and meet 2 other skater´s in their 30-40´s. It´s amazing getting hyped for your first dropin and people celebrating it! I hope more people can get in the taste of this fantastic feeling´s you have on your first tiny victorys! Stay hyped! : )

[@manueltovar6543]

It for sure blew up like crazy around COVID. People got bored and took up skating. Tony hawk, braille, and other famous skaters were offering lessons online. I remember pulling up to my local here in Utah and you'd have to park far because the park was full! But once the stay at home order lifted everyone went back to their normal routines. Those were the times... Thank you guys for everything! I hope to meet you guys some day!!

[@51sicboy]

If you go sk8 because you are bored then you don't really sk8. Sad but true.

[@TheSubliminalCriminal]

i think the best gateway to skating is skateboard games like sxl or skate 3, you find out if youre actually into it and get a grasp for trick names and terminology

[@emmanuelmedina7488]

Two words: BALL PITS! I really want to learn ramps and rail tricks but I’m still scared. Lots of love for Braille! Keep doing it everyone!

[@ArnoudBS]

Yes my local only has street

[@chrism8234]

Start small like a curb or something be careful though you can get smoked learning how to grind lol

[@liambrown8074]

This video was posted on my birthday, which happened to be the day I went out and bought the first skateboard I've owned since 2012. Thank you Braille for asking these questions; we need more of all things skate.

[@RealTonyTVR]

Skateboarding never finna die 😢

[@seansean0528]

it will never

[@51sicboy]

Not totally but it's definitely in a slump. I sk8 6-8 hrs a week, my son is 17 and might sk8 2 hrs a week, just too many online distractions.

[@erikgrubbs7050]

Skateboarding is hard and painful. It takes a long time to progress. If you’re looking at it as something outside of enjoying the moment, you will get incredibly discouraged

[@rejectedautobiography]

Skateboarding isn't dying, this channel is though! 🤣🤣🤣

[@ClassWarVeteran]

Awesome video. I’m 29 and I’ve been skating since the pandemic. The introduction to different styles of skating via KZbin is what made me revisit a board. Now I commute daily on my drop cat 33 or my ⚡️ board. I’ve stuck with it despite a busted ankle, road rash from bombing a hill, dislocated shoulder, and many swollen palms. Thankfully, I gained more confidence and don’t eat asphalt on a daily basis. Skateboarding has been a huge positive in my life for many, many reasons.

[@HL44-un3qx]

I think if schools introduced skating as a school sport it would become way more popular. Because honestly I had no idea what skateboarding was because all I knew were school sports like basketball and soccer

[@brailleskateboarding]

Yes I agree. So we gotta make this happen

[@hollowayJunior]

schools would probably think skateboarding is too dangerous

[@Daveeeeeeyhowyoudoing]

​​@@hollowayJuniorike football? 23:05 He even said football is more dangerous

[@hollowayJunior]

@@Daveeeeeeyhowyoudoing I was never taught football in school

[@TheC0mmentSection]

I’m not sure if this will make sense, but in my opinion It’s the media and the current state of the culture. Skateboarding is a byproduct of a culture with specific attributes. E.G. The 2000s was a time of certain music culture and style which was complimentary to skateboarding. Skateboarding is about freedom, sometimes rebellion, living life the way you want, and having fun. We go through cultural shifts where these values become more prevalent, thus skateboarding goes on the rise.

[@brailleskateboarding]

Nice.

[@MichaelRelevant]

Skateboarding is hard. People are getting weaker. People desire instant satisfaction. Testosterone levels are decreasing. People are worried about the economy.

[@SoapworthyProductions]

Thrasher magazine got me into skating in the mid 90’s. Retired at 25 in 2010 with a really bad rolled ankle folded on a 180. Quit for 10 years than your videos inspired me to get _BACK AT IT AGAIN_ and I bought a Braille beginner for tricks, a Powell cruiser and a mini board. Just bought another cruiser (One I had years ago, a Duster) was gifted a longboard and had one already and an old cruiser. Now I have 7 boards haha

[@NinjaTuna9]

This channel died after Lance left

[@smack_dab]

Truth hurts. That's when you know it's true

[@Markcurb]

Skateboarding just needs more exposure and not more parks. True skaters can skate where ever without having a skatepark. I drive to the skatepark to skate the lot and love having strangers watch me in those lots. That’s how you get new eyes instead of vlogging have people come to you, in person. I blame the technology age we live in now.

[@tcsworld8664]

I think we need more people like you guys and a place people can go to and have some pros teaching folks how to

[@tritagiftw]

In my country Pakistan, skateboarding is not known by the locals and there is a small community of skater who got made a skatepark for the public with the help of some youtubers. Its the first skatepark in the whole country. Right now skateboarding is getting very popular but there is no skate shop, we get our boards from a sports shop that sells completes

[@chrisfrizzell1050]

I started skating when I was a kid around 2005, and remember stopping when I was in high school and got a car. After school sport practice/games, chasing girls, going to parties, going to football games, other friends not skating anymore, etc. all contributed to me stopping around 2015. Just recently in 2023 I've started up again, with my reason being that I also got back into surfing with these hurricane waves that recently blew through -and now that the waves are flat in FL I went to street surfing like how skating got started lol.

[@jetjaguar72]

Couple things on why people fall off from skating. It's hard AF, injuries, and once you get a certain age, it's just tough to keep up.

[@brailleskateboarding]

Right that is true.

[@tf9111]

Well done on getting the skateboarding experience to so many others around the world. I wish you all the best & the future looks bright with braille being a leader in bringing the skateboarding Talent to all in a simple way & easy to follow. Stay Safe. TF

[@Sam_Younger]

Dude yes please make that trick video. That'd help me understand you guys more fully and give me a road map to follow my progression

[@dogfoxx]

I remeber the town I grew up in had no more skateparks when I got into skating. A group of us would go skate at the only mall we had, in the parking lot like waaay out of the way. Later we were told to stop, guards would threaten to call police, etc. Its bad to hear when parks get bulldozed!

[@moranclan6100]

I love what you are doing here Aaron. It’s tough to watch the interest in skateboarding decline. I think one of the biggest reasons it is so hard to get new people into skateboarding is because the world seeks instant gratification. You mentioned how hard skating is especially as a beginner. It can take weeks to land your first ollie and months to land your first kickflip. Once you do land a trick for the first time it is one of the best feelings ever but the time and effort it takes is difficult; and that is to just learn the basics of skateboarding. How do we solve that? I have more thoughts on the decline of skateboarding and would love to chat if you want.

[@jetjaguar72]

WEEKS to learn how to Ollie?! 😂 That's amazing! I skated in the late 80s and that was some serious business. Took me months to figure it out. Never got great, but just cruising down the sidewalk and riding half pipes with friends? Awesome...

[@002undrcvr6]

I would love an interview to talk about skating. You really need a DGK to explain skating

[@Suhhlami]

Best thing to keep skateboarding alive without collapses is having parks available in many citys. My neighborhood finally just built one, still in construction, but since my dad was a kid they always said they was gonna build one. Ive been skating for 15 years as im 25 now and the amount of people talking about the skatepark being build and skating in general is higher than ever in my area at least.

[@TheBiggestRedneck]

We definitely Need More Skate Parks & I Used To Skateboard Alot When I Was Younger But I Also Been Watchin The Braille Channel Since The Very First Glass Skateboard

[@danielkennedy5210]

For me i skated both boards and blades from 1994 till 2000 because after i graduated from high school " the world started" got my first job and apartment then when i was 39 i took up skateboarding again in 2020 so my theory is life gets in the way for fun

[@BK-qc8rr]

I can say that after watching your videos I just bought a new board yesterday and starting skating again I am 43 lol, thanks for all the inspiration keep up the great work!

[@ActorsReal2Reel]

It’s probably because of the pain that goes along with it and not everybody is gifted in growing fast. When you break bones or have to miss work because of an injury it can begin to affect your life. Also some people just don’t have the ability to learn tricks and get better. You either have it or you don’t. It can take a long time just to learn the basics like an Ollie where on roller blades you can learn how to jump as soon as you get on. Also the Olympics platform I feel will help but you need more lil Wayne’s and popular stars who embrace it. Tony Hawk has been a huge influence with the games, 900 recognition etc but we need more Nyjahs, Tyshawns and Rayssa’s who are relatable to normal people And want to be like.

[@brainrotplague]

I was more a snowboarder back in the day, and what inspired me the most was Mack Dawg's snowboard movies. they had the sickest tricks, great filming, fresh editing, RAAAD soundtracks, and some fun personalities in the mix. Some of my favorite bands were discovered on the video "Technical Difficulties", and did actually change my life. That was on VHS and we watched the sheeet out of them. I might not have seeked it out in present day, but I haven't at least stumbled upon anything like that in the KZbin era.

[@makwaskateboarding4327]

The braille channel has been one of the strongest skate channels from the start, I find personally watching the skate support helps me with my confidence in tricks(which in the long run lead me to continue skating)

[@mattfletcher1956]

Also I don’t know if people and beginners realize. Most of the time if you go to your local skatepark or any skatepark at all. Most people will be willing to help. You don’t need to be afraid to ask just try going up to someone and asking for help.

[@mullboll33]

I would argue most people experience is the opposite

[@Onechanzetolive]

Honestly I’ve been skating for 1 months I’ll never stop but the problem is there is no “beginner friendly” mode we live in a world where everyone wants to feel included the person how can only push will look at the person that Ollie’s and says “I want to do that” but if they can’t!? Or can’t push through the fear they’ll eventually drop it. Roller skating has a beginner friendly mode you can be average or below average and go to a skating rink and NOT feel uncomfortable if you can’t skate really. We have to stop calling people “posers” or judging people who just skate a long board for commutes. Everyone doesn’t have it in them to pop an Ollie and we need to be ok with that. Even that thrasher comment is in line with what I’m saying. Skateboarding is seen as an “extreme sport” not a “casual activity” 90% of people won’t push past learning how to push because they compare themselves to Nyjah Huston.

[@GedeonMusic]

Yes skateboarding is hard. People like easy. I'll try to think about it man. We need to manifest a new future for skateboarding.

[@LukeEdwards-x8c]

My little nephew is into scootering and is making me pick up a skateboard again at 46 years old. Loving your tutorial videos to refresh my mind.

[@televiper11]

Skateboarding arose as an outsider culture, which is why gatekeeping is so prevalent, especially among older skaters, who see the mainstreaming of skateboarding as a threat to their hobby, in that corporate interest leads to commodification, homogenization, and exploitation of skateboarding until its outsider edge has been eroded away. At the same time, this gatekeeping fear can quickly turn toxic when it bullies new skaters out of the hobby.

[@BrokenThumbStick]

I don't think it's skateboarding dying. The reason I stopped skating was because of work. I can't afford to get injured. Even the bumps and bruises take a toll.

[@TheDoubleDip]

Just got into skating thanks to my bro. It's been intimidating but also very rewarding! Would love to see some content focused on the progression I could realistically expect to see as I skate more. Great content as always :)

[@iSwiffer]

2002-2004 ish would be when high-speed internet really became accessible. Games, videos, social media and other content keep people inside. Id bet a dollar that's a reason too.

[@wavypeso]

I just got back into skateboarding this summer I been out the game too long but I forgot how much I love it and the culture behind it

[@mattfletcher1956]

More skateparks. I think another thing that you guys could do to help specifically is maybe go to schools and talk about it and maybe give some boards away. If your reach out to the next generation of skaters early it could really help. You could explain it as as somewhat if an outlet or way to relax and be happy.