Skateboarding across cultures

I've been skateboarding since I was a child, and for me, it's much more than just a hobby — it's an integral part of who I am, connecting me with a vibrant community of like-minded individuals. Skateboarding isn't confined to skate parks for me, either — it's my way of exploring a city and forming a unique connection wherever I go.

Arriving in Beijing as a 20-year-old from Germany, I found skateboarding to be my compass in navigating this vast and unfamiliar city.

My first impression of Beijing was its blend of ancient buildings and modern, futuristic architecture, which provided an eclectic mix of skate spots. From the smooth marble grounds of historic landmarks to the sleek urban plazas in commercial districts, each location offered its own set of challenges and opportunities for creative expression.

This contrasted with the skate parks back home in Europe, which, while well-designed and functional, lacked the historical depth and aesthetic diversity found in Beijing.

The city's infrastructure, with its neatly built streets and smooth surfaces, is also more "skate-able" than the rough asphalt roads and old cobblestone streets of Europe.

The skateboarding community in Beijing has also taken me by surprise. I remember the first time going out on a street skating session with my Canadian friend, who introduced me to the local scene. I had some concerns initially, fearing that people might be a bit reserved around me — a foreigner.

Yet, my worries turned out to be unnecessary. The first thing that caught my eye was a beautiful backside flip done by Seven, a Beijing skater and bass player who had started his own skating brand, "Interesting".He and his crew were just as welcoming and free-spirited as any skaters I'd met in Europe. It's this shared passion for skateboarding that binds this community together tightly across the globe.

Even those outside the skateboarding community show curiosity and enthusiasm for the sport, which fascinated me. Passersby, especially elders and young children, often stop to watch us skate, with some even daring to try it out for themselves. This openness and eagerness for exploration were refreshing for me, and it provided a wonderful opportunity for cultural exchanges and mutual learning.

While China's skateboarding scene is still developing, it's expanding rapidly. Local skaters, many of whom have drawn inspiration from Western skate culture, are eager to carve out their own identities and make meaningful contributions to the global skateboarding scene.

Social media and the internet have played a pivotal role, enabling Chinese skaters to connect with their international counterparts, share experiences, and learn valuable insights from one another.

Reflecting on the history of skateboarding in China, it's evident that the sport has come a long way since its introduction in the late 20th century. Initially viewed as an obscure and somewhat rebellious activity, skateboarding has gradually gained acceptance and popularity, mirroring global trends and the shifting cultural landscape of China.

Now, with its inclusion in the Olympics, there is a growing recognition of skateboarding as a legitimate sport and a vibrant part of youth culture. I was both astonished and impressed to see toddlers effortlessly dropping into 3-meter-tall bowls in various skate clubs across Beijing and Chengdu, the capital of Southwest China's Sichuan province.

My skateboarding journey in China has truly been enlightening, one that bridges the gap between Eastern and Western cultures.

As I continue to navigate the streets and skate parks of Beijing, I do so with a deeper appreciation for the unique fusion of cultures here and the unifying power of skateboarding, which transcends borders and brings people together in the spirit of joy, freedom, and mutual respect.

Written by Stefanie Perner, a 20-year-old German girl who completed her elementary school education in China. Having grown up with a diverse cultural background, she is passionate and open-minded about all cultures. Now back in China, she is pursuing her bachelor's degree at Tsinghua University in Beijing.