The Olympics Shows No Lifestyle, No Culture For Skateboarding

[@bubbler9583]

The Nine Club was SHOCKED someone had something negative to say hahahah

[@Westcoastnn]

They water shit down all day

[@mouthgina3213]

@@Westcoastnn indeed theyre always so scared to speak truth they dont wanna offend or hurt anyones feelings

[@raulramirez8885]

It's so funny too, Geoff did it in the most polite way possible and their eyes still went wide lol. I love em all tho, they're chill. (Sometimes too chill)

[@GettingHyphy]

They didn't even know how to react lol why can't these guys have the balls to speak their own minds

[@nuisance_grounds]

​@@GettingHyphy Roger is the only one with balls. Thats probably why hes in the background now. The show was better with him in the seat.

[@konne3st]

Olympics are not there to show culture or lifestyle of any given sport. Even SLS or XGames don't show culture of skateboarding (during the event). I think it is great for the sport to be promoted to a broad audience and the athletes have the chance to perform in front of the world. How could this ever be bad for skateboarding.

[@richrollin4867]

The Olympics has led to huge investment in skateparks across the world - people who live in the US may be unaware is this. Not to mention international recognition of skateboarding among non-skaters.

[@cakebabyman5090]

Skateboarding is not a sport, like any activity that is judged to make it a sport, they are not sports but activities. That's why it doesn't 'fit'.

[@brendangreen6197]

I think I will take Rowley's word for it. He's the essence of skating. Something you clearly don't value.

[@konne3st]

@brendangreen6197 Rowley had an interview about the staples center hubba with berrics or thrasher in which he basically says that everyone who is not willing to put his life on the line should quit skateboarding. I see the same approach in this interview on nine club. Skating is for everyone, like any other sport or activity. I love the culture of skateboarding but not everyone who skates has to love it.

[@Edelce]

This is the same discussion that happened with hip hop and their rap subset back in the late 80’

[@ss8512]

As a former skater that started in 96-06 skateboarding had a different vibe that was amazing and will never be repeated. It was like a secret society and when you went out to skate to spots you felt that vibe. Even watching skate videos like transworld, 411vm, felt like something special. Its so mainstream now those vibes are long gone. Back then we didnt have skate parks, tampa pro was the top contest back then. I skated in los angeles where everything was going down. Are skate spots was limited but iconic. Wilshire 10 and 15, Beverly hills high 9, hollywood high, la high blue ledges and long 4 stair, Hamilton ledges, santa Monica high and beach and courthouse, venice beach, coliseum, USC ledges, Normandie rail, lacc many more im forgetting but those are the ones of the top of my head.

[@dylanherron3963]

My brother, proud owner of " Rodney Mullen vs Daewon Song" (the 1997 VHS tape) that had fucking Lib Technologies and DECA ads. 411 Video Mag Vol 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 11, 12, 16, 18, 19, 20, 24... Still remember the Owen Wilson skit from "Yeah Right," still watch my DVD of "The DC Video" once a year, still watch Blind's "What If..." still rocking DVD copies of "Sorry! REALLY Sorry! and Really, REALLY Sorry!" Osiris' Subject to Change, with Louis Barletta and Jerry Hsu, two dudes that fundamentally changed the way I skated. Plan B's B-Sides to remind me of my roots, Skate More DVS (before Jeremy Rogers became the cringiest dweeb known to man) Yellow by Emerica in 98, followed by their "This is Skateboarding" in 03... Fuck man. I'm about to be 33 and instead of being sad at the time passed, I'm stoked we were alive for what was quintessentially the best time in history of modern skate culture. (and video games/consoles, but that's a whole ass other rabbit hole.)

[@fernandomaron87]

Depends on where you live, in my town there's not many skaters, and generally i session alone, when i see another skater is still like that "yo, wanna go skate?" kind of vibe

[@A.D.D.O.C.D.T]

Rodney vs Daewon is the best video made !😊

[@DTylereRod]

This is what the world is now. You have to find the underground, the same way that you did back then. There are still punk rock out there. They just don't want you to know about them. They never did.

[@strangebreed3832]

I just found the yeah right! DVD that I bought 20 years ago and watched it couple nights ago! 😢

[@AriaZoner]

Skateboarding in the Olympics should be highest ollie, longest gap, most stairs dropped, etc. Then, you could undeniably claim to be the best at something. it would also open room for new athletes and would in no way disrupt or be seen as ripping off traditional skate contests.

[@fernandomaron87]

I can't understand why they don't have at least a downhill race like the guys did in the 70s, and a mega ramp big air contest. It's the most obvious way to see a winner, like when Hosoi won the Vision high air contest in 1987, it had the measures on the wall and you could see clearly who was busting higher.

[@scienz0220]

@@fernandomaron87 must be money causing the problem somewhere, because athletic competition and money are not friends

[@bubbler9583]

@@fernandomaron87 ya bro, a downhill skateboard race would be sooo sick

[@rustysarkela7754]

Olympic skating is just the street league super super crown

[@richrollin4867]

None of those events would have resulted in the huge investment in skateparks that we’ve seen since skateboarding became an Olympic sport.

[@SolidTryThough]

Rowley was on a war path when I was a young man. Watching him skate was 100x more exciting than anything the olympics or any modern contest has to offer.

[@brendangreen6197]

Exactly right. You hit the nail on the head.

[@darinmcconnell305]

Contest riders consistently land NBD’s with the pressure of one more try on the line. What the hell is your cooked butt talking about

[@ck891]

Rowley back in the day was an absolute force to be reckoned with. Powerhouse in every sense of the word!

[@Arlibibi]

Yes but he doesn't mind to get a big check for commenting SLS. SLS shows lifestyle? No... SLS shows culture? No... Oh and btw, nice advert for his vans pro model, a shoe made by underpaid asian workers... What a great "culture".

[@robbgnarly]

I honestly thought the entire olympics was a joke this year, but Breakdancing took the cake

[@Seaneskatejitsu]

Don’t disrespect wrestling like that.

[@scottsetzke7967]

The person who signed off on that aussy woman breakdancing is a funny person. Because that was some of the best tv ever.

[@miguelfaro514]

What I respect about breakdancing is that that culture looked at the Olympics and said: naaaa this is not for our culture. If only the skateboarding community would do the same!

[@adamax08]

"Im stoked that somebody like THAT won it" Geoff throwing passive shades at the other riders :D

[@davidsmith_1]

he's a legend 😁

[@FATFORKS]

At Ginwoo specifically!

[@1992AJL]

He’s right though, todays contest skaters are completely unrecognisable to those prime Flip/Geoff days. Contest skaters are an aberration in the history of skateboarding culture.

[@InyoReacts]

one of the greatest to ever do it gives his opinion and nobody's in the comments are mad at him 😭

[@_depRaven]

I wonder if he thinks that sls shows the lifestyle… the most important and best thing about skateboarding being at the olympics is that it gets a certain legitimacy. countries are going to spend more money on skate parks and that means more kids can get into skating more easily.

[@Spartan-301st]

Agreed. More kids will buy a board for a very first time because of the Olympics (and Skate or Tony Hawk Pro Skater) than any Thrasher video or brand promotion ever could. And this is how it has always been. Back To The Future didn’t showcase the culture of skateboarding fully. It just showed Marty ripping it on a 2x4. And these things are good for the future of this whole thing!

@box3y Kids don’t watch the Olympics only bored old people do. Tony hawk video games got more kids into skating than corporate clowns in the Olympics would ever.

[@_depRaven]

if you read my comment again, you will see that I didn’t say anything about kids watching the olympics. I said that skateboarding is being recognised more by the countries which brings more money for skateparks etc. If cities and skateclubs etc get more money that will bring more people to skating

[@RexDaRaindog]

I feel literally the same as Geoff on this topic.

[@memorysometimers3067]

👌🙏

[@windtwist]

@@RexDaRaindog why? I’m just curious because the Olympics are just competition to see who’s best worldwide.

So does all non kooks

[@windtwist]

@@RexDaRaindog then would you agree that riding for Red Bull is kind of counterintuitive to skateboarding? As it is really not good for you?

[@johnny_eason_iii]

💯💯💯💯💯

[@the43rdparallelthrift34]

Geoff has never minced words or has shied away from speaking his mind. He doesn't care about the hoopla, he loves skateboarding. The Olympic don't matter for the future of skateboarding, it's the youth that will carry it and hold it up and it's up to the industry to be a welcoming place for skateboarders. When I stop caring about skateboarding is when the focus is only on money, only about board and shoe sales, yes, that is what keeps the industry a float but it is not, what drives an industry (except to drive it into the ground). Something has to be done to push skateboarding as an activity and method of creativity and self-expression and not to use it like another trend. In some regards, the big skate companies don't even celebrate and appreciate the history of skateboarding or the roots of skateboarding - It's gotten to the point where all you see is 5-star skateboarding and there's no exposure for the other 95% of skaters. The expectations will kill the potential. Skateboarding needs to do more to build community and to have representation for everyone at all levels of skateboarding. The endless pursuit for being the best is not why, I skateboard! It's not why a lot of people skate, a lot of people are not nor will ever be "pros" and they are happy and content. They also, get no representation in skateboard media. You guys are part of the problem, as you don't do anything to advocate for those that aren't "pros" or legends or your personal friends. I know your channel is for talking to pro skaters but the solution to the problem can't exist in a vacuum. There's more to skateboarding then endless video parts and nollie 360 bluntsides down the hollywood high 16...that's cool stuff but it's a fantasy for us, normal people. Yet, we still love skating and we put food on your tables, so maybe, appreciate the little guy a little more, if you want this activity to continue into the future.

[@bubbler9583]

@@the43rdparallelthrift34 I’m not reading all that

[@blokschaaf8941]

Maybe you should, you would learn something

[@lecronev]

@@bubbler9583you’ve never read anything in your life

[@bubbler9583]

@@lecronev dude tossing your stock film burn overlay on to random clips of anime school girls is such a sick hobby

[@lecronev]

@@bubbler9583 thanks for watching

[@1alone951]

Skateboarding needs to return to its roots. Skaters need to stop posting all their clips before videos or parts come out. Geoff was right! But it's not only the Olympics. The art of skateboarding isn't presented the same way it was in the 90s and early 2000s. You don't get to see the lifestyle or culture anymore. Not even gunna lie, When Koston went to Nike I knew skateboarding was changing for the worst. If you weren't there you wouldn't understand. Nike, the number one shoe brand in the WORLD came into Skateboarding and basically bought the best Skaters from every shoe team at the time. That was really the beginning of the end for The skate game.

[@WhatisReal11]

it doesnt need to do anything

[@emerobo]

smooth brain take

[@johnk-pc2zx]

Only teenagers GAF about brands.

[@blokschaaf8941]

Completely fucking agree with you, I had that too when Koston went to Nike, I watched with pain in my heart how they came in and bought so many pros. I was also fucking disappointed how so many of them instantly sold out, definitely blinded by money and "security" after their careers. Pretty square actually when you think about it. That attitude caused the demise, skaters should've stayed punk and collectively rejected Nike(+the other corporates)

[@BraidyBrown]

That Tony Alva quote says it all, truly. 💯

[@paullucci]

Hell yeah fartbrother

[@Macnetism1297]

I live in a rural area in austria. For a decade of my skateboarding life i had not one half decent skatepark anywhere near me. Even tho we tried as hard as we could to get some through the local villages and cities.. Now that skateboarding is in the Olympics really good skateparks have been popping up around this area as if they were flowers in spring. I'm so thankful for it. Thank you Olympics.

[@Labergemusic]

Most older professional skateboarders have no interest in growing the industry. This take is representative of the "it's not the way it once was so I don't want you to have it anymore" viewpoint.

[@Chocofur]

@@Labergemusic the funny thing is that skateborarding is way older than these guys. when they were in their prime, the actual old guys from the 70's and 80's were probably complaining about the same stuff idk the boards now having BOTH nose and tail etc.

[@taylorkeller363]

Met a guy from Austria last weekend ay a pendulum show. He taught me this... OYDA!

[@markguardiani1389]

dude.. dont give the olympics credit for skateparks. its your local governtment finally being filled with officials young enough to have skated / have kids who skate that see skateparks are a good thing for local communities. credit where credit is due. fuck the olympics.

[@Macnetism1297]

@@markguardiani1389 no its not, i know the people who were in power. They didnt change, the perception around skateboarding changed. The local governments were now willing to spend the money on the skateparks thanks to the olympics. I know this because i was involved in the planning and setup process of two of those skateparks.

[@trevor_mcdonald]

I don't think Geoff's opinion is all that controversial, but I also don't think it can speak for everyone. While i agree with him in that, yeah i didn't watch the olympics either becuase, like Geoff, it does nothing for me. However, i can only speak to myself i that regard. I do feel like it skateboarding in the olympics can be very inspirational to other. For example, Japan has been really embracing skateboarding in the more recent years and I think Yuto is a very good role model for the youth in Japan to be inspired to pick up skateboarding.

This is the standard opinion of every skater I’ve met. It’s just podcast bootlickers that are desperate for sponsor money and toxic positivity.

[@powerboon2k]

Geoff has that true scouser "everything is crap" mentality. I actually agree with him on this one.

[@PhrankJWhite]

Rowley still hard as nails. Thats my boi. Mans legendary

[@NM-ir6wd]

Love Rowley and agree with his points for the most part...but as a counter point, look what just simply having the Dream Team in Barcelona in 1992 did for basketball in Spain, and in Europe in general. I wish they had shown more of the culture but I loved seeing skateboarding represented on that level. The only thing is that competitions in general are weird for skateboarding, how do you judge a massive kickflip down a huge stairset vs a switch 360 flip-noseslide. What's worth more points?

[@johnnyraven8178]

The sad thing about contest skating is that bigger and riskier will always be scored better for a couple reasons. 1) you want to encourage people to do dangerous tricks if you score tech tricks vs handrails comparatively nobody will ever hit they big obstacles because why would you risk being hurt when you could have not. 2)marketability to non skaters: anyone could watch someone do something down a big hand rail and go “oh that was impressive” but if a non skater sees a switch tre nose slide on a ledge that looks the same as a regular tre flip nose slide so when if it gets scored the same as someone jumping down the stairs youre gonna get boos from casual fans. 3) Trends: right now yuto is that guy at contest and he hits big rails and such, if somone who skated way differently than him gets scored comparatively its gonna seem crazy youre always gonna judge people by who was the best. For an example of this look at how Rodney mullens dominance change freestyle contest, before Rodney most of the best freestyle we’re doing like handstands and acrobatics just on skateboard but then Mullen came around and it became flip in and out of rail combos with fast work in between. You could say the same about how Tony Hawk changed vert skating. For tech skating to ever be viable in contest someone would have to come around who was insanely consistent and pushing it to extreme levels of like flip in flip out.

[@powertrip6426]

I agree it's truly subjective and I'd rather watch a crew session a handrail for two hrs pushing each other until they each land their tricks. To me that's what skating is. I still think comps are cool as shit don't get me wrong. But skating will never be encapsulated by a tournament or competition. Are they still a part of skate culture tho? I think so. I don't see the need to make it a big deal personally.

[@windtwist]

The Olympics is just a show the top people hopefully from every country and who is the best worldwide. That’s it it’s not about the lifestyle. When was the last time anybody saw the Olympics and they showed the lifestyle of a volleyball player or a tennis player or a wrestler? That’s not what the Olympics is about. The Olympics is about competition. End of story.

[@nicolasbaker9601]

Hunting big cats out in the desert definitely represents the skate lifestyle much better🤣 Love Geoff, man

[@cjmy2701]

Geoff, I've had many of your boards. But skateboarding needed this. Every kid in the world can puck up a skateboard and become world renowned athlete. Just like Soccer, all you need is a board and dedication. The core industry will always be there if thats the type of skate career you chose to follow. Now we have a legitimate athlete sport career where money can be made. Current skate "culture" has nothing to offer but culture. It's fun I love it. But these skaters have dedicated to be the only people in the world who can do these tricks at an Olympic level. That should not be wasted on culture or saying their not athletes with extraordinary capabilities. Its amazing to watch and see what this will become for skateboarding and skaters the world over.

[@PaintGuy]

It’s refreshing to hear someone speak candidly and not worry about what people might think. It’s something that’s needed on this podcast from time to time.

[@jnrbonezio]

I know what you mean but skating in the olympics is the one thing they've talked sh*t on since it was a thing though to the point where it's predictable and a bit cliché, just glad of the time stamp so I can skip the olympics chat every time 😂 like ooh core skater doesn't like the olympics 🙀 and next a message from granscaped.

[@EmanuelSabinoLordofEmotion]

No need to take his stuff personally. He is who he is but shout-out to his legacy 👏🏾

[@Sabbathbloodysabbath666]

You prolly like yuto 😂

[@putzytart]

The olympics aren't there to add to the culture or grassroots of any particular sport, but it will help bring funding and awareness. In the 90s when I skated, getting a skatepark created by a local council was next to impossible, we were all seen as criminals wrecking office blocks or carparks, we even had to rally against the reputation with 'skateboarding is not a crime'. Skate shops were tiny little alternative shops and unless you were in the know, it was not an accessible sport. Some of us loved it that way - being different and outcast, but no one can argue that skateboarding is not now much easier for kids to get into. Skateparks are everywhere, full of skaters of different genders, ages and backgrounds and as a result the skating is of a much higher standard and far more accepted by non-skaters. Yeah ok going mainstream for anything will always take away from the alternative romance, but as a 46 year old with two daughters who want me to take them to skateboard camp - I love that skating is in the olympics. In the 90s I wanted it to make it to the olympics so bad and be recognised as a sports person, not a rebel kid. Watching the best of the best compete in skateboarding at the olympics, along side all those big names from other sports, for me, is AWESOME. It's a real sport, that requires as much - if not more - dedication and persistence compared to other sports, and it absolutely deserves the right to be in the olympics. I like it - so I watch it. You don't have to.

[@Spartan-301st]

This is the best take, and I share it. We get parks built by “soccer moms and dads” realizing that skating can be demonstrably good. That kids can enjoy an activity outside, even with their parents, and potentially earn money someday. Parks are built not so that only alternative teens can smoke after dark, but so that 7 year olds and 45 year olds can learn together for the very first time. Alternative “core” skating will always exist. You can hop fences and run away from security for the rest of time. But the Olympics are a great platform to introduce more people to this amazing thing.

[@fortunatejeremy]

This is a great take on it. I have a very similar experience.

No it won’t

[@rjmann8255]

I asked Jeff for the time when he was in St.Louis once. He was nice enough to tell me and give me his autograph. One of my favorite skaters. MADD Style

[@richrollin4867]

The Olympics has triggered huge investment in skateparks - that’s the legacy. Looking beyond the US the impact of the Olympics has been huge - many countries which previously had few skateparks and low participation now have far better facilities and bigger skate scenes.

[@marvj8255]

“Thank you for speaking you’re truth” 🙃 it’s crazy some people actually speak their mind

[@matthewmiranda8340]

well it’s true some mfs are scared to speak their mind cuz of the repercussions that come along with their words 🤷🏼‍♂️

[@Makabert.Abylon]

@@matthewmiranda8340you mean Dubbs, Chris and Kelly?

[@matthewmiranda8340]

@@Makabert.Abylon i just mean people in general, and yes i feel like dubs falls under that category cuz he’s always tryna watch what he says along with kelly and chris, if u feel some type of way about something speak ur fucken mind, who gives a fuck what others think tbh

[@marvj8255]

@@matthewmiranda8340 Chris, dubs and Kelly would never do that. They’re much too pussy

[@mouthgina3213]

I love how all three of them instantly agree with Geoff but none of them have had the pants before to speak negatively about it.

[@steveb9713]

I was so glad to see Andy Anderson represent Canada in the last Olympics, he didn’t get a huge score but his style was on display for the world

[@Jojo-u6c]

You think the olympics shows the lifestyle of track, swimming and diving, field events, wrestling, boxing and others?? No. Just the events. Just like they do with the skateboarding. Nobody watching cares for the lifestyle of skateboarding and let alone any Olympic event. They just want to see the event in question.

[@berran3459]

Nothing wrong with liking the olympics and enjoying sports but most skateboarders personally dont enjoy sports. The olympics come with a lot of positives but its still important to speak your mind about it.

[@Makabert.Abylon]

@@berran3459yep that is important, but Geoff is clearly wrong.

[@nicolasbaker9601]

WHO doesn't care about the lifestyle, you?

[@raulramirez8885]

That's kinda the reason most skaters dislike this or are indifferent about it. It's why most skaters don't fw sports in general.

[@michaelgrier6365]

Thanks for breaking down exactly why the Olympics sucks lol. Skateboarding is a lifestyle, not some bullshit competition.

[@MB-vk8cv]

The Olympics arent for lifestyle or the culture. It's just a competition.

[@ryanrowe1975]

Geoff Rowley is speaking facts

[@mateodavid84]

Skateboarding will never die. Deep down it will always be about flow. Flow with the environment, flow with the mind. As long as there are people realising that one's medicine for a happy life is to learn to live in flow, Skateboarding will always exist. Fk I love Skateboarding for this fact.

[@tactical1981]

Watch him change his tune instantly if he ever got offered the commentary gig, lol

[@Ccfatfat8427]

Nah Rowley is a real one

[@tactical1981]

@@Ccfatfat8427 I’ve got a screen print he made that says ‘Ride Flip until death’

[@matt97342]

I think regardless of what the older generation in skateboarding thinks... skating in the Olympics is here to stay. I hate to say it but the younger generation doesn't really care what we the older generation thinks.. the dudes like Nyjah , Jagger, Yuto, Tom Schaar are the ones making a name for themselves and those are who they are looking up to.

[@atKR1S]

They need to bring the Mega Ramp and Vert to the next one

[@albertio411]

Wrong the stats show besides normies watching the olympics most skateboarders are watching thrasher street parts compared to street league or the olympics contests most skateboarders that spend their money in the skate industry not the normies just watching whats on TV changing channels are the ones watching skateboarding contest there's really not that many actual skaters buying product like boards or wheels or trucks just because you skate contest that shit dont sell thats why yuto and nyjah gotta put out street parts to mantain their legitimecy as actual street skateboarders just cause my mom knows who yuto or nyjah is because of tv don't mean they get respect from street skateboarders who are their main target audience

[@AMMAZZARE]

lol Nyjah? Young? Nyjah is almost Animal Chin at this point.

[@astronautist4716]

Good to know you prefer the sanitised corporate version of skating lol

[@matt97342]

@@albertio411 Ok ... why dont you post the stats and we can compare

[@Ie420juggalo]

I want to hear options on bring aggressive inline back to xgames and how skaters feel about them now. I do both and Blading has been underground forever and is still around despite all the hate. Skateboarding is so mainstream it's like being a jock nowadays

[@davidmcdonald7506]

Geoff is a real one

[@Grover3364]

Skateboarding was also counter-cultural, I can get what he means, some things don’t feel right in the Olympics like skateboarding and breakdancing, they have an underground flavour

[@tiagobordin6580]

Geoff is a legend. And for some reason, I've abandoned watching Olympics since I started skating in 2003.

[@thiagogeff]

I totally agree with you Geoff!

[@sunnyrampsFB]

I agree as well but without Skateboarding in the Olympics there would be less skaters.

[@sunnyrampsFB]

@@Not_My_Handle the only reason cities are making a push to build Skateparks is because of the Olympics you can agree or not it's the truth.

[@apprentice0ne]

@@sunnyrampsFB my city build an indoor skatepark, but unfortunately it's only for Olympic training. So only a select few may skate there and its honestly a big f^k u to the other skaters.

[@sunnyrampsFB]

@@Not_My_Handle I know what you mean about "the phase" I just hope that skateboarding stays alive this time!

[@witturd1331]

​@@sunnyrampsFBbs

[@alexbaum2204]

I’ve read a lot of comments on here. A lot are saying pretty much the same thing - that it’s missing something. You know what that is? It’s COUNTERCULTURE! That’s what it all was. Kids who didn’t have much often gravitated towards skating. We got into trouble. We had a thing for art and music. Didn’t care too much about what others thought. And all this translated into the actual act of skating. That was missing entirely from the Olympics. It’s missing a lot these days period.

[@onikrux]

The only thing by and large I can see- is that Skateboarding has become far less "fringe" than it was when I was growing up. Exposure, and acceptance. Otherwise, yeah I agree- there should be so much more for the skaters who participate, and so much more opportunity to give back and give out when it's happening or has just ended. I don't dislike that it exists- but it's not doing alot in terms of making skateboarding better or more accessible.

[@GuitarJiuJitsuSkateboarding]

Culture and lifestyle is personal… it doesn’t matter. Olympics simply presents a type of competitive skateboarding. Nothing to cry about.

[@Owen4368]

Seems like the kind of guy who would similarly comment on Mullen off doing his own thing in the early 80's. Skateboarding is big enough for everyone. If industry is struggling, it's not the fault of high performing kids.

[@naturesbest7977]

Skateboarding is dying where I live. The skateparks are empty / only filled with parents brining their children to slide on the ramps. Been like this for at least 10 years now.

[@mastervader218]

Finally somebody says it out loud and he's a 1000% correct! leave it up to Geoff.

[@skatiemustard11]

The older I get the more I wonder, y anyone cares about the Olympics at all. All u get is a medal when u win? Ya not worth training ur whole life for

[@vredneckv]

A medal, money, career and sponsor opportunities, media exposure to name a few. Maybe it's not for you and that's fine, but also don't downplay those people who participate in this and don't gatekeep like Geoff Rowley does.

[@berran3459]

@@vredneckv This is skateboarding. We need money directly in the pocket after a win because skateboarding is too small to finance actual careers unless you end up riding for companies that are big outside of skateboarding so the olympics should definitely pay the winner.

[@Splozy]

It's about money and geopolitics

[@SeeSawMassacre]

It's a competition. Of course there is no real point to any competition. But if you can jump higher than anyone else in the world, when the spotlight is on you, that's pretty remarkable and it's fun to witness. Competition also reveals things about a person's character, and there is always an element of the unexpected. Sure, it's not listening to people chat for hours on youtube, but it's something.

[@oscarr1762]

If someone said they loved the Olympics they would be agreeing with them

[@pinkmountains]

being critical doesn't equal being negative lol it's a perfectly objective truth, bros are just too comfortable. community based and without permission is the heart of skateboarding.

[@DRocRSS2012]

As a guy their age, they need to recognize that Skateboarding, like anything else evolves. Growing up in the 80's was very different than the world we live in today. What we valued then is not as valuable now. It is no longer a niche activity. It is an embraced global phenomenon and has since adapted to that. And that is how life goes really. It's all good. Same same, but different.

[@RCharlyDylan]

Yeah but we are simply saying It was better before and maybe It should have stayed that way If you will.

[@ImBlackIvy]

Social media made people not appreciate anything anymore. All you have to do is just watch other people on your phone instead of going out and becoming someone

[@2Swift4u]

no disrespect to Geoff but a lot of what he says here is not true imo. Winning an olympic medal has made lots of people rich before and gave them long lasting careers in and around the sport. Also the olympics are not here to show the lifestyle behind a sport. Other sports have lifestyles behind them too that we don't see at the olympics. And they don't complain. Skateboarding doesn't need the Olympics that's right but I tell you something, my dad told me he watched it, so did my brother and lots of other people who usually don't follow skateboarding and it left a good impression on them. I'm sure it will help skateboarding grow and get more accepted in the future, get more skateparks built etc. because now it's officially a sport.. When I started skating we were treated like troublemakers

[@berran3459]

Yes but living a sustainable life from skate sponsors isnt really a possibility unless the companies makes most of their money outside of skateboarding. The olympics should absolutely contribute financially to the winners.

[@2Swift4u]

@@berran3459 there are historic reasons why the olympics don't contribute financially to the winners. However indirectly they do. I can guarantee you that every medal winner earns more after the Olympics than before. Be it because their sponsorship contracts get adjusted at the next negotiation, because they receive paid TV appearances, speaking gigs or new sponsorships, you name it. You just need to play your cards right.

[@Imparte]

adding to this, the olympics is mainly about the accomplishment, i think the competition part doesnt fit skateboarding either way may it be olympics or other contests, where is the culture in street league..., but these games are probably the most international and historicly significant sport events for all of the world! heard people say skateboarders showed good sportsmanship and a lot of peoples eyes where opened to it

[@quackapatth]

i agree 99 percent, except winning olympic does NOT make people rich, most of the skaters female and male were already sponsored by large co's like redbull, and they made them selves rich way before this point, a poor skater would never be there, and hasnt as far as i know; maybe female side you may be right, but saying the games made skaters rich is far from accurate on a wide scale

[@southbanktrousers2]

@@quackapatth if the industry is already in a place to make the people that are good enough to win an olympic gold rich, then what's the problem?

[@RobG.rollerblading]

I am genuinely interested if anyone in skateboarding has mapped out all of the upward and downward dips and your history and if there is a link to that somewhere. Possibility? Im ignorant to most things skateboarding so this information is super interesting to me and any response would be apreciated

[@AshTeate]

I'm 63 and my passion for skateboarding is as strong as when I was 12, when I bought my first board, clay wheels and all. Is skateboarding in a decline, NO! The World is experiencing hyper inflation, everything is more expensive and with that in mind everything is on a decline. Why skateboarding became so popular is because it is inexpensive, little investment for the amount of joy is why. When skateboarding gets in your blood you are a skater for life, Soul Skater. 😊

[@chriswould]

Nah. The Olympics is the catalyst for funding many, many new parks all around the world. Not to mention funding for skaters to get to the World Skate qualifying contests by way of national support. If you say something is 'Olympic related', that has weight behind it which can mean funding from outside of the usual skate companies. Having the skateboarding in Olympics helps fund many skaters careers. Especially outside the US. Plus, speaking from a park perspective, Paris was the raddest park comp ever. The level was incredible.

[@justburnerratically]

Sure sure, nothing shows skateboarding lifestyle and culture like advertising betting at every SLS event. Hypocrisy of these dudes is craaaaaazy.

It’s sad you actually thought you made a point.

[@McFlurryMachineIsDown]

Thus is why i respect Geoff.Doesnt sugarcoat it.

[@chrishartleyjr.5523]

Don't know why it is in the Olympics, its a sport about being yourself and doing things your way. The Olympics is About doing things one way and that's it....

[@miguelfaro514]

It’s really simple. To be in the Olympics it means it has to fit the Olympic ideals. And skateboarding has its own ideals which are not compatible with the Olympics ones. And to give those up in order to fit the Olympics just because it will bring “growth” is a reflection of how poorer skateboarding culture gets with that obecession. But Rowley nailed it when he says fix the industry. Because the olympics is bad because it brings more bad things than good ones but Skateboarding in the olympics is also a symptom and in order to fix the root of the problem one has to dive into it and fix that. Ans that is in the industry!

[@LJ7000]

"Rating" tricks has never worked. Like how can you rate say a 360flip down 5 stairs as better than a perfect kickflip down 10? Just rating on difficulty is very problematic.

[@mjnomy]

I aree with Geoff, and look how he still had positive things to say about his fellow skater.

[@Brock0117]

Been skateboarding for 22 years and this needed saying skateboarding is not about Olympic sporting it's just not

[@michaelkeane8254]

The olympics is a nice step in a direction.. Little kids can look to competitions now rather than dope

[@namewitheld4428]

there is more skateboarding in geoff's sorry intro than there will ever be in the fucking olympics

[@Alexketchem]

Geoff says, "I was happy to see someone like THAT won it." Referring to Yuto. I think what he's also saying is there were skateboarders participating that he def doesn't fuck with... I wonder who.

[@officegossip]

You reachin

[@FATFORKS]

Ginwoo!

[@Michael_Wehrley]

Skateboarding is definitely on the decline, but it's not just skating. The other night I drove by a skatepark that used to be jam packed even on week nights full of skaters, bikers, scooter kids, parents, etc.... There were two little kids on scooters and their parents.

[@t99709]

Yet he commentated SLS for years lol 😂

Yeah, kind of have no choice because of looks like you who won’t buy videos or decks anymore.

[@t99709]

Damn I got a brain aneurysm reading that

[@Flared.]

SLS pays the winners

[@t99709]

@@Flared. so it’s all about the money right

[@ThrashinHD]

Think it’s good for getting more money for athletes but the skateboarding community needs to really be careful to not support any big organizations or federations that would try to monopolize the competition part of skateboarding. Unfortunately USA skateboarding is on that list. What I’m worried about is that one of the federations would try and sell “USAskateboarding” certified equipment ( decks, wheels,trucks, etc) and almost force companies to comply to some bs regulations. I don’t think it would happen but it has happened to other sports that joined the Olympics.

[@skater3333ful]

Everyone is tripping. I have yet to see a high school kid (Which is the demographic that represents current trends in skateboarding) wearing an olympic skateboarding shirt. Or even be fans of some of the contest skaters. Every kid is skating Fa Hockey boards some Violet sprinkled with some other fashion brands. The Olympics dont have much affect on the skate world and the kids I see at the skatepark/skatespots are definitely influenced by street skating lifestyle and not professional athletes at the olympics.

[@danielsummerour]

I back Geoff 100%, skaters and many (not all) of the athletes deserve to be paid way more for the shit that they’re doing. Who else in the world does what skaters do? The Olympics has an insane amount of money and it ends up going to people who probably can’t even do 10 push-ups

[@Justlivin00]

"That felt fuckin tasty I'd like to try it again"

[@PilgrimShred]

So sick seeing that Donut Duty video in the background. That was one of my main videos I watched growing up

[@skatearmyy]

Terje Haakonsen Said it best, The Olympics do not have the best athletes overall some good ones but the event should be called an international gathering. Screw the Olympics!

[@Ketacah]

I am so glad I got to experience skateboarding from 2003 to 2013

[@D00M3R-SK8]

Hopefully EA Delivers on Skate 4. I really do feel that a game like that, could get more kids into skateboarding. It's been so long since the last one. I felt those games captured the essence of Skateboarding, and could appeal to a new audience. They also had just the right amount of realism, as far as the trick system was concerned. I enjoy Skater XL, but it's a bare bones experience (even if the trick system is really nice, IMO at least) without modding the game, there isn't a ton there. On the other hand you have THPS, but this mostly has it's old school fans. I don't think THPS is going to inspire any new skaters. Skate though, if they get it right. This could be the window into skating that brings in a new generation.

[@svinsky1]

Geoff is a legend, I share the same opinion

[@pizdukanals]

Also no need to decline. Its like every other skateboarding competition only skaters dreses worse. To most skaters winning olympics is most valuable title they can get in they skateboarding careers. Every top contest skater wants it - to be olympics gold medalist.

[@mulekezicanorole]

fun fact, here in Brazil the government tax athletes who wins medals.

[@cf5914]

The number one thing that keeps holding skateboarding back is that it wants to be a lifestyle and not an activity. Is tennis a lifestyle?

[@croulantroulant3082]

if you are comparing skateboarding to tennis, then you really don't understand skateboarding.....

[@cf5914]

@@croulantroulant3082 I've been skating since 1991. Do you think I don't understand? You are EXACTLY proving my point. Skateboarding is so obsessed with being a "lifestyle" and having an "image" when its an activity, maybe a sport. I also play tennis. Its HUGE. But is there a look to tennis players? Do they all listen to the same kind of music? Have the same cliche attitude? No.

[@croulantroulant3082]

@@cf5914 @cf5914 OK. I started skating in 86, precisely to get away from organized sports....cause tennis players can not "have a look". There are rules to what they can wear on the court. plus skaters absolutely do not listen to one kind of music, very strange claim. you can hear all kinds of styles in skate vids....from hardcore to hip hop to reggae to jazz to country.

[@Splozy]

@@cf5914 you're confusing marketing with real life

[@SeeSawMassacre]

Of course it is. Nothing is holding skateboarding back either. It's doing fine- insofar as it exists.

[@Red1676]

Blame world skate, the ioc gave skateboarding to a rollerblade federation. They did something similar with snowboarding too. The fact more skaters havent been vocal about it is concerning too. Lol terje haakonsen was right in the first olympics to host snowboarding, im sure his opinion is the same about skating. Look up his olympic interview he did.

[@adventureswitheddie6444]

I have a retail location with room for decks who do I contact for wholesale skateboard gear?

[@holdmusic_]

You've got to be pragmatic about it. The skate industry needs to pay skateboarders, and without general interest and investment, that won't happen. The olympics gives the whole thing a boost Rowley isn't exactly in touch with grass roots skater kids either. The guy is a gun nut and a hunter - when was the last time you went to the park and chatted to a kid who talked about guns while they did kick flips? Never. The dude has destructive hobbies, he made bank during skate boomtime. His experience is wildly different. All that said, obviously nothing can take away the fact he absolutely decimated the scene when he was active.

[@Sure2Skate]

So what, i think it's great to have diversity in skateboarding. Street, vert, X games, Olympics. People forget it's most about sport today, not just vibe.

[@aaronchamberlain4698]

Disagree. It was freaking awesome to see the oldest person in Women’s street was 19. And two of the competitors said they picked it up specifically because of the first Olympics. Is it going to change everything? No. I think I see it as a Kickstarter of the culture in places where it hasn’t landed yet. Some normy kid who doesn’t have anyone else in their school that skates. They’ll see it and go “That’s cool” and then other kids will see them and go “They’re right, that is cool.” Then they’ll figure out the culture themselves or from the internet.

[@theoutside93]

The Olympic skate needs one rule: if the competitor walks or runs gets penalized for each step he does. Maybe it will get more interesting...

[@JakePhillips-yr2hq]

Thanks for speaking facts on this legend

[@WeaponXwastaken]

I totally respect the opinion, but I think getting to represent your country competing in the sport you love is pretty cool. There is more to skateboarding than just the sport aspect, but it is a sporting competition after all.

[@wout754]

People need to speak out! Legend Geoff!!

[@nitemirror1]

he’s right i feel the same way. skating is about culture.

[@asbjrnmaus7666]

Dude, the olympics doesn't show the culture of swimming or running either, it's just a competition...

[@Aiguy872]

I remember when bob ross won the flat ground ollie contest over jeremy wray, "legend"

[@BCreative12]

Hello. Culture is found in music that inspires us to skate. Culture is art an expression of life mostly associated with music. Music plays a big role but thats not talked about much. Look at any native culture like from Americas Africa or Australia all had dancing and music as a significant part of their "culture" and lifestyle.

[@torsion2]

hello

[@Ccfatfat8427]

Ok

[@fernandoreyes680]

ironic coming from someone who's been a commentator for contest skating for a long time. i guess it's only cool when you're getting paid right?

[@ScottJones-od4no]

There was literally no highlights or anything from the Olympics.

[@5hanesBoard]

The good news is; we're all individuals and can make skateboarding whatever we want it to be.

[@djrealmerda]

Skaters with balls aren’t afraid giving shit to the olympics

[@chino06013]

Speaking of Rowley not liking arrogant people, 15 years ago I saw him get in a fist fight with Koston at Zumiez 100k.

[@RonikOner]

Who won?

[@mikemata623]

Over?

[@ogvelociraptor205]

Really? What started it? Skaters aren't this whole happy bunch, it's a bunch of personalities that some time clash with one another

[@the6ig6adwolf]

​@@RonikOnerRowley 100%

[@w4lknde4d25]

.........need some details on that one bud........u sure?

[@OrganicGreens]

To me skateboarding has always been more of an art than a sport. But its a fine line.

[@Cpt.Phenom]

okay but I don't know shit about the culture/lifestyle of any of the other sports. That's not the Olympics' job. It's strict competition. And that's cool too.

[@tucko11]

Olympics is running , jumping , gymnastics . That is all it should be is decathlon . Marathon . Swimming . Etc . Xgames don't belong

[@mysteryjudgejuryexecutione3443]

We came up in a different time I get it.

[@esoteridactyl]

He has some good points, but I'm 100% sure it helps with acceptance by other people. My parents were locked in watching the finals.

[@HTRism]

Not that i don’t like to watch someone fireback on thenineclub and watch them stumble. But does it really? Love rowley but the Olympics don’t show any life Style whatsoever from other sports. Except maybe non-consensual sex. Also “thank you for speaking you truth bro” trying to shut geoff lol. What a guy.