New York City has always seemed like the perfect venue for skateboarding. A ton of parks, plenty of concrete, and enough ledges, benches, and rails to go around. However, skateboarding has always been somewhat of an underground sport in New York City that until recently was lacking a true community.
OfficialNewYork.com has helped create that needed community. Founded by Bryan Chin in 1993 as an outlet to promote and spotlight New York skateboarding, OfficialNewYork.com has become the home of New York City’s growing skating culture. With lists of the city’s best skating spots and shops, links to upcoming events, a forum for skaters to communicate, and ridiculous Youtube clips, OfficialNewYork.com has in Chin’s words, “Nudged skateboarding in the right direction.”
According to Chin, skateboarding in New York City “Has been snowballing in size over the last few years.” A major reason has been OfficialNewYork.com’s success in encouraging more people to get into skating as well as their ability to increase the public’s tolerance for skateboarding by promoting the sport through its website.
Chin got into skateboarding as a kid who, as he says, “Never really got the hang of organized sports.” He loves skateboarding because he feels that the skating community gives kids a place to go where they can be accepted no matter who they are or what they look like.
Twelve-year-olds Thibault Bouisset and Leo Parma of Manhattan are perfect examples of how skateboarding’s online community is promoting the sport.
Both Leo and Thibault recently picked up skateboarding after being in awe of some clips they had seen on Youtube. Since finishing school in June, Leo and Thibault have gone skating at Riverside Skate Park everyday for two hours, and even plan on taking their skateboards with them this summer when they travel to France.“It’s the most fun thing to do” Thibault says. “The pride I feel after I am able to complete a trick that I have been working hard on is a great feeling” Leo adds.
So how do you become part of this up-and coming skating culture? According to Chin, if you want to watch pros skateboard, then you can catch them at the big contests with large cash prizes (all listed on OfficialNewYork.com).
If you just want to skate, then smaller events and contests are what to look for. These events are usually thrown by local skate shops and are the perfect venue for a young skater.
But what does Chin say is the best way for kids to get involved?
“Just skate more,” he says. “And worry less about all the other stuff surrounding skateboarding.”
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For more info go to:
www.OfficialNewYork.com
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