Elevate Your Perspective on Life Through the Power of Skateboarding

Emerging Academic Interest in Skateboarding Culture

At a recent economics conference in San Francisco, an unconventional paper caught the attention of attendees. Titled "The Skateboarding Ethic and the Spirit of Anti-Capitalism," it was presented by Thomas Kemp, an economist from the University of Wisconsin–Eau Claire. Despite the pouring rain, Kemp’s presentation room buzzed with anticipation. Dressed in a tweed blazer with elbow patches and Vans skate shoes, Kemp embodied both academic rigor and skateboarding passion. With 40 years of skating experience, Kemp has shifted his research focus to explore the economic and cultural significance of skateboarding.

Initially, Kemp's work revolved around traditional economic topics such as water clarity's impact on home prices. However, after discovering burgeoning academic literature on skateboarding, he decided to pivot his career. This change allowed him to combine his lifelong passion for skateboarding with his expertise in economics. His transformation underscores the growing recognition of skateboarding as a subject worthy of serious academic inquiry.

The Economic Value of Skateparks

Kemp’s research extends beyond the cultural aspects of skateboarding to its economic implications. In one of his studies, Kemp examined the Lauridsen Skatepark in Des Moines, Iowa, the largest skatepark in the United States at 88,000 square feet. Determining the value of public goods like skateparks is challenging due to their free access. Kemp employed a novel approach, using the distance skaters travel as an indicator of the park's worth. By surveying skateboarders, Kemp found that they are willing to travel considerable distances, indicating high perceived value.

This method revealed that the user benefits of Lauridsen Skatepark amount to approximately $61 per user per day, totaling about $488,000 annually. These findings suggest a significant shortage of high-quality skateparks nationwide and highlight the need for more investment in these facilities. Communities should prioritize building more skateparks to meet the demand and foster healthier, more engaged youth populations.

Skateboarding Ethics and Anti-Capitalism

Inspired by Max Weber’s seminal work, Kemp draws parallels between the Protestant work ethic and the skateboarding ethic. While Weber argued that Protestant Christianity nurtured capitalism through values like thrift and hard work, Kemp posits that skateboarding promotes a different set of ethics. Skateboarders often skate on private property and in front of businesses, seeking out unique, skateable features. This behavior can disrupt commercial activities, leading communities to build sanctioned skateparks.

Kemp likens this dynamic to the historical shift from street stickball to organized baseball. Just as kids playing stickball disrupted traffic and commerce, skateboarders face similar challenges today. Despite efforts to institutionalize skateboarding, the sport remains largely unconfined to designated areas. This resistance reflects a deeper anti-capitalist ethos within skateboarding culture, emphasizing individual freedom and creativity over structured competition.

Building Resilience and Community Through Skateboarding

Kemp emphasizes that skateboarding fosters resilience and self-betterment. The sport teaches skaters to fall, get up, and try again—an ethic that promotes perseverance and personal growth. Unlike many competitive sports, skateboarding encourages individuals to compare themselves to their past selves rather than others. This non-zero-sum mindset creates a supportive community where everyone can succeed on their own terms.

Beyond personal development, skateboarding offers numerous benefits for mental and physical health. It provides an escape from the daily grind, alleviates stress, and builds camaraderie among participants. In cities like San Francisco, known for its vibrant skateboarding scene, the sport has become an integral part of urban culture. From bombing hills to participating in museum exhibits, skateboarding continues to evolve, offering new ways to engage with life and each other.