I’ve been skating for around five years. I first started it in sixth grade when I went to summer camp and that’s where I first picked up the hobby. There was a point where I stopped skating, and I only recently picked it up again. While I can’t do tricks, I use it to get around and go to school. 

I also skate around with my friends sometimes, and we go to skate parks and the river bank most of the week, which is also why I have so much practice with skateboarding. 

I really enjoy how freeing the hobby is. It’s super easy to get around and it’s more manageable than dragging a bike around. Even then, I don’t do tricks, just use it as transportation because I’m scared I’ll break bones trying to. 

Sometimes skating is kind of difficult because you might fall or struggle to commit to it, but you really need to get back up again. Sure, it’s embarrassing, but you need to get up whenever you fall and keep going. It’s the most difficult thing about it but skating has taught me a lot and remains a hobby that I really like.

There’s a lot to skating, like types of wheels and boards which complicates it further and makes people want to jump right into the hobby, but to anyone that wants to skate, it’s best to start simple and then learn more about it.

You don’t have to do tricks, sometimes you can start simple. Sometimes being able to go places and stay on the skateboard the entire time is already cool enough, and the community is a nice bonus. They are  really sweet and supportive, and often help you out a lot. I skateboard with my friends, and it’s been really fun just getting around and meeting new people. 

Overall, skateboarding has taught me a lot about patience and commitment.