Skateboard Clothing Styles vs Talent

Now before anyone thinks I’m ripping on kids who sport the latest fashions and styles like they’re a model instead of a skater let me say that I’ve done it too. I’ve worn huge shorts, huge pants, beanies, caps, big laces, and all that stuff. I’m not going to lie, I’ve dressed that way and if I had taken more photos of myself back then I’d probably make more fun of myself.

What I’ve noticed that I think is curious is that it seems that for the most part, the kids who are really good don’t dress the part.

You know what I’m talking about. Some kid shows up at the local skate spot with a pair of normal jeans on and a white t-shirt. If you saw him walking down the street you might not even know he was a skater except that his shoes are torn up in the telltale places.

This kid walks in an calmly, but authoritavely takes over the skate spot throwing down difficult tricks with style and confidence. He skates for 10-20 minutes and then rides off, and once again, he doesn’t look like a skater, he just looks like some kid.

My theory is that kids who aren’t that good at skating boost their confidence by wearing certain clothes, piercing their body parts, getting tattoos, smoking, talking loud, swearing, having fantastical hair, etc. You see, anyone can do that stuff. But having real talent takes work and guts.

The kids who are willing to pay the price to become good skateboarders don’t care about all that stuff, or if they do they don’t care very much or they’re doing it because they like it, not because it’s a boost for their self-confidence.

This isn’t to say that people who dress nice can’t skate. I’ve seen kids sporting the latest fashions who have the skills to match. And I’ve seen kids plainly dressed who can’t skate much either. But I’d say these groups represent less than 10% of skaters, from what I’ve seen. Just one man’s opinion.

So next time you look in the mirror, ask yourself, do I look the way I do and act the way I do because that’s the way I want to be, or because I’m putting on a show for other people? Just do what you feel is right, and you’ll be happier, trust me.