Moving Boarders: Skateboarding and the Changing Landscape of Urban Youth Sports

Skateboarding is becoming an approved way for American children to pass the after-school hours, with family skateboarding in the San Francisco Bay Area as its focus. Moving Boarders explores this switch in stance, integrating first-person interviews and direct observations to provide a rich portrait of youth skateboarders, their parents, and the social and market forces that drive them toward the skate park. It also highlights how private corporations, community leaders, parks and recreation departments, and nonprofits have united to energize skate parks as platforms for community engagement and the creation of social and economic capital.

\n Format: Paperback / softback
\n Length: 315 pages
\n Publication date: 30 December 2018
\n Publisher: University of Arkansas Press
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Skateboarding, once viewed as a delinquent activity, is poised to join soccer, baseball, and basketball as an officially recognized way for American children to spend their after-school hours. Moving Boarders, with its focus on family skateboarding in the San Francisco Bay Area, delves into this shift in mindset, incorporating first-person interviews and direct observations to create a comprehensive portrait of youth skateboarders, their parents, and the social and market forces that drive them towards the skate park.

This insightful examination of the contemporary youth sports landscape explores how modern families embrace skateboarding and the significant role commerce plays in this unexpected new parent culture. It also highlights how private corporations, community leaders, parks and recreation departments, and nonprofits like the Tony Hawk Foundation have come together to transform skate parks, much like soccer fields before them, into vibrant platforms for community engagement and the generation of social and economic capital.

Skateboarding, once considered a fringe activity, has undergone a remarkable transformation, evolving into a mainstream sport embraced by families across the United States. The San Francisco Bay Area serves as a focal point for this shift, with Moving Boarders shedding light on the experiences of youth skateboarders, their parents, and the various social and market forces that shape their involvement in the sport.

Through firsthand interviews and direct observations, the film provides a rich and nuanced portrayal of the youth skateboarder community. It explores the motivations and aspirations of these young individuals, as well as the challenges and barriers they face in pursuing their passion for skateboarding. The film also delves into the role of parents in supporting their children's skateboarding endeavors, highlighting the importance of communication, understanding, and safety in this dynamic sport.

Furthermore, Moving Boarders examines the impact of commerce on skateboarding culture. It explores how private corporations, brands, and event organizers have contributed to the growth and promotion of skateboarding, shaping the sport's identity and creating new opportunities for athletes and enthusiasts alike. The film also sheds light on the challenges faced by skateboarders in navigating the commercial landscape, such as copyright infringement, sponsorship disputes, and the pressure to conform to certain stereotypes or aesthetics.

In addition to its exploration of skateboarding culture, Moving Boarders also highlights the role of community leaders, parks and recreation departments, and nonprofits in fostering skateboarding as a positive and inclusive activity. It showcases how these organizations have worked to create skate parks that are accessible, safe, and inclusive for all skateboarders, regardless of their background or skill level. The film also emphasizes the importance of these organizations in providing education, training, and support to skateboarders, helping them develop their skills and pursue their dreams.

Moving Boarders is a powerful testament to the resilience, creativity, and community spirit of youth skateboarders and their families. It offers a unique perspective on the sport's evolution and its impact on modern society, providing valuable insights into the social and market forces that drive this exciting and rapidly growing sport. Whether you are a skateboarder, a parent, or simply interested in the world of youth sports, this film is a must-watch for anyone seeking to understand the contemporary youth sports scene.

\n Weight: 538g\n
Dimension: 228 x 167 x 22 (mm)\n
ISBN-13: 9781682260791\n \n