Skateboarding is a culture within a sport. As a form of exercise, skateboarding tones the lower body and can be a cardiovascular workout when done in a concentrated manner in a skateboard park. Missouri offers several skateboarding parks throughout the state. Most parks allow for all types of skateboarding. The health and wellness aspect of skateboarding is often both physical and mental, since skateboarders seem to develop a strong bond of friendship while skating together.
Team Sport
Even though it can be an individual sport, when it comes to skateboarding parks, the art of skateboarding turns into a group or team sport. As Linda Moore points out in her Sport Journal article titled "An Ethnographic Study of the Skateboarding Culture," many skateboarders are seen by society as outsiders or rebels, when studies have shown the opposite to be true for many. Her article details studies in which skateboarders of all backgrounds, races and ages showed encouragement and friendship toward one another, even during skateboard competitions.
Street Skateboarding
The original form of skateboarding was developed in the 1950s, and it was basically used as a mode of transportation until young men began gathering for competitions and to encourage each other to further develop their skills. Many skateboarding parks in Missouri offer concrete spaces and ramps for street skateboarders.
Vert
Vert skateboarding, which is short for vertical, was developed in the '70s. According to Moore, the skateboarding culture can be defined as such because it is evolving, changing and encouraging its members to grow. Vert skaters usually exert a little more energy than street boarders because they skate on a half pipe made of wood or concrete.
Big Air
"Big Air" skateboarding is a newer type of boarding in Missouri and around the world. Only the most advanced boarders choose to do Big Air. An extreme sport, and an excellent cardiovascular workout and body toner, Big Air boarders use a mega-ramp, often seven stories high according to Moore, and they drop into the top curve, gaining momentum to make it to the bottom of the ramp. Only select skateboarding parks in Missouri have mega-ramps.
Locations
Throughout the state of Missouri, there are more than 60 skate parks. From St. Louis to Joplin, and everywhere in between, all of Missouri's cities, and several small towns have skateboarding parks. Most are outdoor, and several are indoor facilities. Many charge a fee to skate, while others are free. Helmets are required at most parks. Pads are a good accessory to have in case a skateboard park requires them as well.
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