William F.’s Post

Many thanks to the UK's Huck Magazine for a chance to write about skateboarding and the Olympics, anti-trans idiocy, and the rare type of secret whose power doesn't rely on its keeping. I believe there's a clear path around the same tired arguments about about art vs. sport, one that needn't take us back to that old familiar watering hole of authenticity. For years, brands and marketers have relied on skateboarding's coultercultural history to shape campaigns that insist upon heritage as the culture's only real currency. Stop thinking about about skateboarding as a counterculture, or even former counterculture. Start thinking about it as a medium. https://lnkd.in/gBdBMS_E

a story about skateboarding, and a lesson in not giving a f*** last summer I was in Venice Beach: one of the best skateboarding communities in the world. picture a bunch of Tony Hawk’s doing crazy shit, and 100s of people watching in amazement. “I’m going to rip the half-pipe” I said, so I went up and stood on the edge. for context: I'm not a skateboarder. I think skateboarding is fun, I skateboard to get from A → B, but I cannot do the skateboard tricks. but being in Venice, I felt inspired to try, so I went up and stood on the edge of the half-pipe. I got to the edge… and something happened: I looked up. I looked at other skaters ripping up the park, I looked at 100s of eyes watching and critiquing, and I chickened out. I’ve thought about this moment for a while: I let the hypothetical thoughts of other people stop me from doing something I really wanted to do. I wanted a chance to redeem myself. then yesterday… we pulled up to a coffee shop, I looked to the right, and there it was: a half-pipe. it wasn’t as big as Venice... but there were skaters skating, and people watching. so I grabbed a skateboard and went to the drop-in, but this time I did something different: I did not focus on other people, I only focussed on “experience.” 🏎️ experiencing the speed of the skateboard; 🔥 the adrenaline of risk; 😡 the frustration of f**ing up; 🏔️ the triumph of getting better. this teleported me into a room by myself; it was almost like I couldn’t see the other people. all of my attention was inward, feeling every single feeling that came up. it was one of the best experiences of my life. I think I experienced unfiltered life for the first time; the thoughts of other people never crossed my mind. so here is my action step moving forward: people say "picture the audience in their underwear." I say forget about the audience entirely. focus internally; on maximizing YOUR experience, and don’t let the thoughts of other people get in the way. #unfiltered

I Love Skateboarding, It Makes Me Successful! Success, much like skateboarding and other sports or hobbies, is a journey that requires dedication, resilience, and a willingness to embrace challenges. As a skateboarder I must learn to land tricks, navigate obstacles, and grind rails, those striving for success must overcome hurdles, confront setbacks, and continuously tune their skills. In skateboarding, the path to mastery is paved with hard falls, bruises, and moments of frustration. However, it is precisely these challenges that forge determination and a relentless pursuit of improvement. Similarly, the road to success is riddled with obstacles and failures. Yet, a skateboarder will get back up and learn that style and flow in their tricks! A true skateboarder (or your passion) doesn't just skate for the sake of becoming the best; they do it because they love the thrill, the creativity, and the sense of freedom it provides. Similarly, those who find genuine fulfillment in their endeavors are more likely to get back up from a hard slam and try again, as their passion fuels their determination. I Love Skateboarding Jason Patrick

Skateboarding, a dynamic blend of sport and art, captures the essence of freedom and creativity. It begins with a simple wooden deck mounted on wheels, but the true excitement lies in the way riders transform everyday environments into playgrounds for tricks and stunts. From the exhilarating rush of carving through streets to the precision of landing complex tricks, skateboarding challenges both the body and mind. Its culture, rooted in rebellion and self-expression, continues to evolve, influencing fashion, music, and even urban design. As riders push the boundaries of what’s possible, skateboarding remains a testament to innovation and individualism, continually shaping its own legacy. Skateboarding is a multifaceted activity that combines athleticism, artistry, and individual expression. At its core, it involves riding a specially designed board with four wheels, which is propelled by the rider’s movements and balance. The board's construction—typically featuring layers of wood and a grip tape surface—provides the necessary traction and flexibility for performing various tricks. These tricks range from basic maneuvers like ollies and kickflips to advanced techniques such as grinds and slides on rails or ledges. The sport demands a high level of physical coordination, strength, and agility, as skaters must master the timing and precision required to execute complex movements. Beyond the technical aspects, skateboarding fosters a vibrant subculture that values creativity and personal style. Skaters often customize their gear and develop unique tricks, contributing to a continually evolving landscape of innovation. The sport's influence extends into fashion, music, and street art, reflecting its deep connection with urban culture and its role as a canvas for self-expression. #Skateboarding #SkateLife #Skateboard #SkatePark #SkateEverywhere #SkateCulture #SkateboardTricks #SkateboardingIsFun #Skateboarders #SkateboardingLife

🛹 A Skateboarder's Journey 🙏 As a skateboarder, I've learned that every bump, scrape, and fall is not just a physical challenge, but also a profound lesson in resilience and faith. The skateboarder's journey is not just about perfecting tricks or conquering obstacles; it's about navigating the highs and lows with unwavering trust in something greater than ourselves. In the skatepark of life, we encounter moments of triumph and moments of struggle. Whether it's landing a new trick after countless attempts or facing the frustration of repeated failure, each experience shapes us and teaches us valuable lessons. It's in these moments of suffering that we truly discover our strength and resilience. But beyond our own abilities, I believe there's a higher power at play. Trusting in God has been my anchor through the ups and downs of skateboarding and life. It's a reminder that even when things seem impossible, there's a greater plan unfolding, and our struggles are not in vain. Just like perfecting a new trick, faith requires practice and dedication. It's about continually pushing forward, even when the road ahead seems uncertain. And when we fall, as we inevitably do, it's about picking ourselves up with the knowledge that we are not alone. So, to my fellow skateboarders and friends, let's embrace the journey with open hearts and unwavering trust. Let's see each challenge as an opportunity for growth and every setback as a chance to strengthen our faith. Together, let's skate on with courage, resilience, and a steadfast belief in something greater than ourselves. 🛹🙏 #Skateboarding #Faith #TrustInGod #Resilience #Journey

As a passionate skateboarder, I've spent countless hours on the pavement, mastering tricks, and pushing my limits. But beyond the thrill of landing a new trick, skateboarding has taught me invaluable lessons that extend far beyond the skatepark. And while I don't do as many flip tricks as I used to (being 40 and tearing my hamstring last Summer didn't help) Here are a few ways skateboarding has influenced my perspective on life: 🔹 Persistence Pays Off: Skateboarding is all about persistence. Whether it's trying to nail a kickflip or conquer a daunting rail, success often requires countless attempts, failures, and a willingness to get back up and try again. This resilience has taught me the importance of perseverance in the face of adversity, both on and off the board. 🔹 Embracing Failure: In skateboarding, falling is inevitable. Every skater knows the sting of a hard slam or a missed landing. But rather than dwelling on failure, skateboarders learn to embrace it as a natural part of the learning process. Each fall is an opportunity to learn, grow, and come back stronger than before. 🔹 Creativity and Innovation: Skateboarding encourages creativity and innovation. From inventing new tricks to finding unique lines in the skatepark, skaters are constantly pushing the boundaries of what's possible. This mindset of experimentation and exploration has inspired me to think outside the box, take risks, and approach challenges with a fresh perspective. 🔹 Community and Camaraderie: Skateboarding is more than just a sport; it's a tight-knit community of like-minded individuals who share a passion for shredding. Whether it's cheering on fellow skaters, sharing tips and tricks, or collaborating on projects, the skateboarding community fosters a sense of camaraderie and support that extends far beyond the skatepark. 🔹 Living in the Moment: Perhaps most importantly, skateboarding has taught me the value of living in the moment. When I'm rolling on my board, nothing else matters except the here and now. Skateboarding forces me to focus on the present, to block out distractions, and to fully immerse myself in the experience. In many ways, skateboarding has been my greatest teacher, imparting lessons that have shaped my approach to life both professionally and personally. I'm grateful for the countless hours spent on my board, and the wisdom it has imparted along the way. 🙌🏼✨ What hobbies or activities inspire you in your life? #skateboarding #videography #lifelessons #keepmovingforward

I've been actively throwing my body onto concrete for close to 30 years now. Skateboarding my entire life has taught me more than any other thing. It's how I got sober. It's the reason I know that nothing good in life comes easy, and you have to fight through blood, sweat, and tears if you want to grow. To me, street skateboarding is the ultimate form of creativity. Once you get the thrill, you'll never see the world around you the same. Every handrail, every stair set, every ledge becomes an obstacle of opportunity. A challenge. Your entire environment becomes a playground for your imagination - a trophy of self expression. In street skateboarding, you have a crazy vision and you do whatever it takes to make it a reality. That often means hundreds of tries and slams. Cops constantly harassing you and writing you tickets (unless you manage to outrun them). Broken boards. Broken bones. Multiple trips back to try again when you push your body to its limit, and have to come back another day. And when you finally land the trick, you're left with a 3 second clip to add to your video part. Those 3 second moments are the most powerful moments I've experienced in life (besides my son being born). Proof that even what is thought to be impossible (sometimes even by yourself), if you full commit to something and push yourself far beyond your comfort zone, the reward can be profound. A video part consists of dozens of those little 3 second battles you came out from victorious. Thousands of slams over 2+ years to produce a 3 minute video part. Some of my most proud moments, although the majority of people would call it utter insanity. I apply 3 decades of street skateboarding to everything I do in life. If I'm going to do something, I go all in. Failure is inevitable, but you pick your bloody self up off the concrete and you try again. And again. And again. Being an entrepreneur is just like skateboarding. The ones that survive are the ones that can repeatedly get beat down and never give up. With all the issues in the world, I wish society could see the life-changing impacts of skateboarding. It's the best thing that ever happened to me. It saved my life from the pits of addiction. - Frontside Wallride in 2017 Photo: Dean Barnes - #branddesign #brandidentity #skateboarding #entrepreneurship #nevergiveup #branding

What does skateboarding have to do with my legal content business? Maybe more than you think. Skateboarding has everything to do with my health (mental and physical), happiness, and creativity. I skateboard to uplift my spirit, and that’s how I keep showing up every day, ready to do my best work. Training, getting a good night’s sleep, and eating a clean diet are essential to my well-being and my ability to consistently give my best effort every day. So, what does skateboarding have to do with my business? Actually, quite a bit. (There’s a crash at the end of the video. Because we all love wipeouts.) https://lnkd.in/gCHKnDdM -- For more musings and meditations about business and life, visit my blog at www.eddiesignaigo.com.

There have been almost as many pronouncements about the death of skateboarding as there have about advertising or TV. And yet here we are. It's fascinating to delve into a genuinely nuanced debate about skateboarding's fluctuation in popularity and whether it's ultimately a good thing when it's on the rise. Skate's continued commercialization (there was an awful low point when it seemed to feature in every other runway show), and acceptance via corporate global events like The Olympic Games, has definitely made it feel utterly mainstream and sanded off some of the edges of a subculture built on a mix of ingenuity, rebellion and outsider status. Yet in truth, that hardcore punk element in skate started dissipating long ago now. Far from being insular, kids today skate one day and play football the next, maybe even do theater after that. They even wear football shirts to skate in. If a rise in skateboarding's popularity means less gatekeeping and a more inclusive culture that's inviting to more communities I'm all for its continued popularization. The only thing I think all skaters can agree on is making sure the funding trickles down to the grassroots level and endemic scene. Now who is excited to watch the women skate the Olympic Park and Street courses this week? https://lnkd.in/e5Y2_p8F