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Local Skating Scene
Skater at local skate park
Local guide to skateboarding, inline skating and more...
By Todd Lynch
Today skateboarding is as popular as ever, and even though its reputation of recklessness and rebellion remains, San Diegans have come to accept skateboarding as an irrepressible rite of youth.
In deference to the old “if you can’t beat ‘em, join ‘em” adage, civil governments and civic organizations like the YMCA have taken the step of building and maintaining skateboard parks around town, so there’s less conflict on busy streets and sidewalks.
The ESPN X-Games, NBC Gravity Games and a whole line of commercial products and video games have brought skateboarding into the legitimate mainstream. Skateboarders as a whole seem to be more respectful of the public and much of their hardened attitude and hard-core appearance these days is just part of the persona.
Talent Pool
San Diego’s superstar talent pool includes: the legendary Tony Hawk, Andy MacDonald, Danny Way, Bob Burnquist, Bucky Lasek, Cara-Beth Burnside and numerous up and coming kids. A number of pro snowboarders spend the off-season here skating and surfing, 2006 Olympic Gold Medalist Shaun White among them. San Diego is the headquarters of skate industry manufacturers, skateboard magazines and the annual ASR surf and skate trade convention.
STREET
There are three distinctive disciplines of skateboarding you can find around San Diego. Street skaters make the most of whatever terrain is at hand, expressing themselves on the urban landscape of stairwells and retaining walls, park benches and planters. It goes without saying that not all property owners and public officials appreciate this unique style of art, and you’ll see deterrent speed bumps plastered to hand rails and other high-impact obstacles throughout the metropolitan areas. If you intend to leave your own mark on the San Diego skate scene, make sure it’s because you rip, not because you wrecked the place.
PARK
There are great skate parks around town, with really good talent to boot. Whether you’re ready to ride or just like to watch, take a visit to the Ecke YMCA skate park in Encinitas where pro caliber skaters can be found on any day of the year. San Diego’s skate parks are outdoor, open-air affairs with cement terrain parks. In addition to bowls and snake runs, most have some type of interesting transitions and rail slide features. There are private half-pipes and wood ramps around town, but you have to know the right people to access them.
FREESKATING
Sometimes all you want to do is get from A to B, and when it comes down to it, skateboards are a fun and easy way to get around. Non-driving gromms use ‘em to visit their friends, students use ‘em to go to and from class, and adults use ‘em to grab a gallon of milk at the corner store. Soul skaters carve hills on longboards, or skate down to the beach when the parking lots are full. You'll see people all over San Diego using skateboards simply as a mode of transportation.
INLINE
Although hardcore athletes have taken inline skating to levels on a par with board skating, it’s still primarily the province of jogging paths and beachside boardwalks. If you’re sure on your feet and looking for a fun way to step out on the town, give blading a try.
INSANE
Street-luging is a high-speed hybridization of skateboarding, made famous by local San Diegan, Biker Sherlock and his pioneering pals. Unless you’ve got a sled and a road to call your own, you won’t have any opportunity to go luging in San Diego, but there are some sanctioned competitions held here in town from time to time.
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Skating in San Diego
