How to Be Skateboarder Athlete - Job Description, Skills, and Interview Questions

Aug 12, 2022 / 5 Minutes Read / By Albert

How to Become

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FAQ

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Skateboarding has become a renowned extreme sport, with professional athletes excelling in the sport. Professional skateboarding requires athletes to have quick reflexes and an intuitive sense of balance and board control. Skateboarders risk serious injury each time they perform a trick, as the sport involves performing stunts and tricks on the board.

The benefits that come from skateboarding are numerous, including the development of physical and mental strength, balance, and coordination. Skateboarding also provides an outlet for self-expression and creativity, with skateboarders able to design their own unique boards and improve their techniques. With the increased popularity of skateboarding, more and more skateboarders are becoming professional athletes, which has led to greater exposure of the sport and increased sponsorship opportunities.

Steps How to Become

Start Skating. The first step to becoming a skateboarder athlete is to start skating. You can start by purchasing a skateboard and practicing at your local skatepark or in your driveway. You may also want to take some lessons from a professional skateboarder.
Get the right equipment. Make sure you have the right protective gear, such as a helmet, pads, and gloves. You should also get a good quality skateboard and a complete set of tools, such as wax, bearings, screws, and risers.
Learn tricks and techniques. As with any sport, practice makes perfect. Learn new tricks and techniques from professional skateboarders or online tutorials.
Join a team. Joining a skateboarding team is a great way to learn from other skaters and hone your skills. Its also a great way to make new friends who share your passion for skateboarding.
Participate in competitions. To become a professional skateboarder athlete, you need to participate in competitions. Start with local competitions and then move up to larger competitions like the X Games or Street League Skateboarding.
Get Sponsored. Once youve become an experienced skateboarder, you can start looking for sponsorships. You can reach out to local businesses or larger companies who may be interested in sponsoring you.
Stay healthy. As with any athlete, its important to take care of your body and stay healthy. Make sure you eat nutritious meals, get enough rest, stay hydrated, and exercise regularly.

As a skateboarder, it is important to stay up to date on the latest trends and developments in the sport. Staying informed and knowledgeable leads to improved confidence and abilities as an athlete. One way to accomplish this is to follow skateboarding magazines, websites, and social media accounts.

This will help to keep a skater aware of new tricks, industry developments, competitions, and other topics related to skateboarding. by attending skateboarding events such as demos, competitions, and workshops, skateboarders can learn from more experienced riders and gain valuable insight into the sport. Practicing regularly is also essential for keeping skills sharp and maintaining a steady level of competence.

By investing time and energy into staying informed and active in the skateboarding community, skateboarders can continue to improve their skills and stay ahead of the curve.

You may want to check College Athlete, Fitness Athlete, and Motocross Racer Athlete for alternative.

Job Description

Skateboard Instructor: Responsible for teaching skateboarding techniques, safety, and skill-building to students of all ages.
Skate Park Manager: Responsible for the overall management and maintenance of a skate park, including safety rules and regulations, park operations and maintenance, customer service, and skate park events.
Skateboard Designer: Responsible for creating innovative and aesthetically pleasing skateboard designs.
Skateboard Photographer: Responsible for capturing photos and videos of skateboarders in action to promote the sport.
Skateboard Promoter: Responsible for generating interest in skateboarding events and competitions by creating promotional materials and engaging with the local skateboarding community.
Skateboard Shop Retailer: Responsible for providing customer service in a skateboard shop, including product knowledge, sales, and repairs.
Skateboard Event Planner: Responsible for managing the logistics of skateboard events, including coordinating venues, sponsors, vendors, and volunteers.
Skateboard Videographer: Responsible for creating videos of skateboarders to showcase their skills and promote the sport.

Skills and Competencies to Have

Balance
Coordination
Agility
Strength
Endurance
Flexibility
Core Stability
Reaction Time
Mental Toughness
Technical Ability
Creativity
Analytical Thinking
Risk Assessment & Management

Skateboarding is a physically demanding sport that requires a combination of strength, balance, agility and coordination. To be a successful skateboarder, athletes must not only have an excellent technical understanding of the sport, but they must also possess the physical attributes necessary to perform at the highest level. Strength is essential to skateboarding as it allows skaters to grind and ollie with ease and to land more difficult tricks.

Balance is key for performing tricks, as it allows skaters to maintain control and center themselves on the board. Agility helps skaters to quickly react and adjust to their surroundings while riding and can be improved through practice and drills. Coordination is also important, as it allows skaters to link together complex tricks with ease.

Having a well-rounded skillset, with strength, agility, balance, and coordination, is essential for any skateboarder who wants to reach their full potential in the sport.

High Jumper Athlete, Jockey Athlete, and Team Athlete are related jobs you may like.

Frequent Interview Questions

What inspired you to become a skateboarder?
What is the most difficult trick you have attempted on a skateboard?
How have you contributed to the skateboard culture?
What do you consider to be your biggest achievement as a skateboarder?
How do you stay motivated to keep pushing yourself?
What safety measures do you take to ensure your safety when skateboarding?
How do you maintain your board and equipment?
How do you handle pressure when performing tricks in competitions?
What strategies do you use to stay focused while skateboarding?
How have you used your platform as a skateboarder to give back to the community?

Common Tools in Industry

Skateboard. A short board with four wheels that is used for performing tricks and riding around. (Eg: Ollie)
Protective Gear. Items like helmets, pads, and elbow and knee guards to protect skateboarders from injury. (Eg: Knee Pads)
Skateboard Shoes. Shoes designed specifically for skateboarding, with features like sticky soles for better grip and durability. (Eg: Vans Old Skool)
Rails and Ledges. Rails and ledges are metal or wooden objects used for performing tricks. (Eg: Handrail)
Ramp. An elevated platform used for performing flips and other tricks. (Eg: Quarterpipe)
Skateboard Magazine. Magazine featuring articles, interviews, and photos of professional skateboarders. (Eg: Thrasher Magazine)
Video Camera. Portable video cameras used to document skateboarding sessions and tricks. (Eg: GoPro Hero 7 Black)

Professional Organizations to Know

International Association of Skateboard Companies (IASC)
World Skateboarding Federation (WSF)
International Skateboarding Federation (ISF)
Skateboarding United Nations (SUN)
Skaters for Public Skateparks (SPS)
International Olympic Committee (IOC)
Skateboarding Industry Association (SIA)
X Games
Street League Skateboarding (SLS)
National Skateboard Coaches Association (NSCA)

We also have Golf Athlete, Triathlete Athlete, and Endurance Athlete jobs reports.

Common Important Terms

Ollie. A skateboarding trick involving the rider jumping into the air and popping the tail of the skateboard off the ground, while also reaching down to grab the nose of the board.
Grinding. A skateboarding technique where the skater slides or grinds along an edge or lip of an obstacle such as a rail, ledge, or curb.
Kickflip. A skateboarding trick where the rider kicks the board in the air, flips it around, and catches it on their feet.
Stance. The position a skateboarder takes on their board when riding, standing with either their left or right foot forward.
Halfpipe. A ramp that is shaped like a U, with two curved walls and two flat ends. Skateboarders use halfpipes to perform tricks and stunts.
Vert Ramp. A skateboard ramp with a wall that is very steep, allowing riders to gain a lot of speed and height while performing tricks and stunts.
Street Skating. A style of skateboarding performed on streets and in urban areas, focusing on tricks and stunts on obstacles such as stairs, rails, ledges, and curbs.
Park Skating. A style of skateboarding performed in skate parks, focusing on tricks and stunts on obstacles such as halfpipes, quarter pipes, and vert ramps.
Freestyle Skating. A style of skateboarding that focuses on performing tricks and stunts on flat surfaces such as sidewalks and parking lots.