In 2026, besides and exacerbated "damn," everyone seems to spew when watching any news program, the word sitting on the lips of most folks is the word "space."

How to occupy, use, or remove it. And for skateboarding, it's no different.

The spot, shop, and park are all locations drawing the community together.

And through channels like Ted Barrow's "This Old Ledge" and the Dern Brothers' YouTube, skaters are now more aware of a setting's history and importance.

A cornerstone, of course, is the skate shop, where skaters of all ages can learn and grow safely within their community.

But currently in 2026, there are far more doors boarded than open.

Sidewalks remain vacant as businesses call it quits, done struggling to keep bodies coming through the doors.

Neighborhood hangouts crumble beneath the weight of mounting bills, even with regulars still taking up stools.

Theaters, shops, groceries, nothing is safe from the financial s**t-show that is the current state of things.

And this goes double, triple, even for skate shops.

Whether it's the cost of goods or the ever-looming presence of rising rent, operating a skate shop is still seen as a dice roll in a world where inflation and unemployment are running rampant.

Places like Crushed Skate Shop in Washington, D.C., Tri-Star Skateboarding in Cleveland, Ohio, and Conservation Skate Shop of Missouri all suffered the fate of permanently closing over the last few years.

Even across the pond in Bristol, longtime skate haven Fifty Fifty had to cease operations in November 2025 after 28 years serving its community.

Frog Skateboards' shop in Los Angeles: going out with a bang

So when Frog Skateboards announced their physical space, sitting fittingly at the edge of the Los Angeles neighborhood of Frogtown, was closing after a little over two years, it struck the community hard.

But to soften the sharp hit to their many fans and friends, they decided to go out with a bang on April 26, 2026.

Beneath the million-dollar hilltop houses, smashed between the local theaters, crowds packed the Frog shop and sidewalk to the point where it was damn near impossible to maneuver.

Six-packs sat along the curbs as folks drank and chatted, placing down their beers to either reach for another or pick up a fingerboard and hit the setup situated outside the shop's doors.

"What do I do if I have to pee?" One woman asked a friend outside the crowded store. He took a sip of his drink, shrugged his shoulder, and smiled before answering simply, "Dude, I don't know."

Ramps and rails could be found off to the side, practically impeding on those theater attendees, who were both annoyed and relieved this crowd wasn't in line for their show.

One producer from next door's show even came outside, filmer in tow, hoping to redirect the crowd's desire to attend their performance.

But she was met with justified judgmental stares and subtle giggles, with no one wanting to feed the woman's self-promotional social media clip.

Inside wasn't dissimilar, with people shoulder to shoulder to take in the space one last time.

In one corner, a tattoo artist was set up, ready to provide more permanent souvenirs, via flash sheet, compared to those grabbing merchandise at the back counter, lightening the load for the moving crew.

"There's such an aroma of smells in here," one person muttered as they pushed through the dense crowd.

For as crammed as it was, when the bands began, people continued to shove their way inside.

Talks began of climbing up onto lighting fixtures and furniture to get a good view or start a proper ruckus.

Some sought out a safe space, others a bathroom and beer.

Faces pressed against the windows, feet tipped forward onto toes, all to be one with the bands Faint, Kan Kan, and Creakbed from beneath the bass-rattled exterior of the building.

"We should just burn the place down," a sickly-looking mustached young man mentioned between drags of a bummed cig, offering an alternative to watching his favorite space become another victim of the times.

But there were also plenty of discussions of good times.

Voices meshed together to create a collage of events and happenings that took place in and outside the storefront.

An audio yearbook parting gift for all those who attended that evening.

Pop-ups for the digital age?

So, with a community clearly present, what was the last splinter to split?

Frog Skateboards clearly had gained a good group of supporters with their physical store, based on the crowds that gathered there that night, proving that the need for physical space isn't obsolete, but entirely necessary in this increasingly hollow digital age.

This begs the question about rising costs of goods across the skateboarding landscape as well.

Struggling to sell hard goods alongside the circling conversation about there being too many board brands for any one company to get a good slice of the pie.

With Frog unable to comment directly on this article, we can only speculate that it must be the rising Los Angeles rent costs.

They did, however, mention on Instagram that though they have no plans to reopen anytime soon, they hope to do pop-ups and other events in the future for those looking for camaraderie outside the digital realm.

And the community, I'm sure, will hop to building new memories in whatever space they can.

Words by Chuck Harp | Writer

They look like a blend between a skateboard and a pair of inline skates. They are called freeskates, and the sport of freeskating is evolving fast.

When you look at them, it's basically two small metal plates carrying two inline wheels mounted underneath at an angle.

There are no straps. No bindings. No axle connecting the feet.

A rider stands sideways, one foot on each plate, and somehow begins moving forward in smooth S-shaped curves without ever pushing off the ground.

For years, videos of freeline skating spread online, but the sport never became mainstream. It never found a place beside skateboarding in the X Games era.

Yet more than 20 years after its invention, freeskating remains one of the strangest and most addictive forms of street riding ever created.

And it's growing. SurferToday.com dug more and found an evolving niche with loads of potential.

A downhill experiment in San Francisco

The story starts in San Francisco in 2002.

Ryan Farrelly, a local inventor and downhill rider, was experimenting with ways to improve downhill skating. His early prototype placed four wheels underneath a narrow wooden platform.

During testing, he realized something unexpected.

The board itself was almost unnecessary, as he could stand directly over each wheel assembly instead. 

That realization became the foundation of Freeline skates.

Farrelly filed a patent with Jason Galoob in 2003 and later launched the company Freeline Sports. Commercial sales began around 2005. 

The idea was radical for its time.

Skateboarding already had street skating, downhill, longboarding, and carving. Inline skating had speed and aggressive skating.

Freeline skates occupied a strange space between all of them.

Riders generated movement not by pushing, but by carving their hips and legs in rhythm. The motion resembled slalom skiing or pumping a surfboard down the line of a wave.

The company described the experience as a mix of skateboarding, surfing, and snowboarding.

Riders agreed with that description, though many admitted the learning curve felt closer to learning how to walk again.

The anatomy of a pair of freeskates

A modern pair of freeskates is deceptively simple.

The top section is the deck, usually made from aluminum or wood and covered in grip tape. Beneath the deck sits a steel truck assembly that holds two inline-style polyurethane wheels.

The wheels are mounted in a straight line, one behind the other, but angled slightly to allow carving and self-propulsion.

Bearings inside the wheels reduce friction and help maintain speed. Some models include shock pads between the truck and deck to soften road vibration.

The original Freeline models became known for their heavy metal construction. Customers noted they were designed to survive extreme abuse, even the weight of a car driving over them. 

How about that?

But the truth is, most riders today still prefer solid metal skates because rigidity improves precision during carving and tricks.

How freeskates actually move

The first thing beginners notice is that freeskates do not tolerate stillness. 

What do we mean? Well, on a skateboard, you can stand in place and coast - freeskates demand constant movement.

The rider generates speed through a motion called pumping, just like in skateboarding or surfing.

The feet carve in alternating curves while the hips rotate slightly from side to side. The angled wheel setup converts that side motion into forward momentum. 

Once the rhythm clicks, the skates begin to feel less like separate objects and more like extensions of the rider's balance.

Experienced riders can maintain speed on flat ground indefinitely. Skilled riders can even climb mild hills using a strong pumping technique.

That uphill capability became one of the most surprising features of the sport.

Early riders realized the skates could generate enough forward force to move uphill without touching the ground with their feet.

Watching someone climb a hill on two loose metal plates still looks slightly impossible.

Why the learning curve is so demanding

Freeline skating developed a reputation for humiliating beginners.

The problem is not balance alone. The skates move independently under each foot, which forces the brain to coordinate two separate rolling platforms at once.

New riders often experience the same sequence of failures: the skates split apart, the rider rotates unexpectedly, one foot outruns the other, or both skates shoot away in opposite directions.

Unlike skateboarding, there is no beginner mode where a rider simply rolls in a straight line and slowly improves later. Freeskating requires active control from the first second.

Most riders learn by practicing mounting first.

They place one skate on the ground, step onto it, then carefully place the second foot while already moving. Beginners usually practice on smooth pavement next to a railing or wall.

After mounting, the first real skill is learning the pumping rhythm.

New riders tend to oversteer; experienced riders keep their knees bent and movements compact.

Small, controlled S curves create far more speed than exaggerated twisting.

In the end, you'll certainly need over 10 hours of committed practice to start moving. But it is worth it.

The best places to ride

Freeskates are highly sensitive to terrain. So, the best riding surfaces are smooth, flat, hard, and clean.

Riders consistently prefer polished concrete, smooth asphalt, basketball courts, parking garages, and open plazas with long uninterrupted lines. 

Rough asphalt creates heavy vibration and slows momentum dramatically. Gravel and cracks can stop the wheels instantly.

Riders online often compare rough pavement to riding over sandpaper.

Japan became famous inside the freeskating world partly because of its smooth urban pavement and open public plazas.

Videos from Tokyo helped define the modern style of the sport. Riders there emphasized flowing movement, tight carving, and dance-like transitions.

It's beautiful - and relaxing - to just watch.

The rise of the freeskating culture

Freeskating grew through the internet rather than traditional sports media. YouTube became the sport's natural habitat.

Short clips of riders carving uphill or spinning through crowded plazas spread rapidly in the late 2000s.

The sport developed strongest in Japan, China, and parts of Europe. Japanese riders in particular pushed the technical side of freeskating into new territory. 

Their style emphasized smoothness over aggression.

Spins, transitions, backward riding, and one-foot carving became central to modern freeskating culture.

The community stayed small but deeply committed. Riders traded tutorials online, filmed street sessions, and organized local meetups. 

Many came from skateboarding or snowboarding backgrounds, though the sport also attracted people who had never touched a skateboard before.

The collapse of Freeline Sports

Despite its cult popularity, Freeline Sports struggled financially.

By the mid-2010s, the original company had effectively collapsed after legal and investor problems. But riders were also mentioning the decline of product quality towards the end.

For a while, the sport appeared close to disappearing.

Then, former members of the original Freeline community launched a new company called JMKRIDE in 2015. The goal was not only to improve the equipment, but also to revive the culture around the sport.

JMKRIDE redesigned several aspects of the skates, including wheel geometry and deck construction.

The company also pushed the broader term "freeskating" instead of "Freeline skating," partly because Freeline had originally been a brand name rather than the name of the sport itself.

How to start freeskating

The easiest way to begin is on smooth, empty pavement with gentle space to roll.

Basketball courts and quiet parking garages are popular learning spots because they combine smooth concrete with predictable terrain.

Most beginners place the dominant foot on the rear skate first.

The second foot steps onto the front skate while the rider immediately begins carving lightly from side to side.

Looking forward helps maintain balance better than staring down at the feet.

Short practice sessions work better than marathon attempts. Freeskating demands intense coordination at first, and fatigue causes sloppy movement quickly.

Protective gear matters.

Wrist guards are especially important because most beginners instinctively catch themselves with their hands during falls.

A skate helmet and knee pads are common among new riders.

Learning self-propulsion

Self-propulsion begins with timing rather than force.

The rider shifts weight between the skates while tracing narrow S-shaped lines across the pavement.

The rear skate often drives the motion while the front skate stabilizes direction. As the hips rotate gently, the skates convert that side motion into forward acceleration.

Beginners often try to muscle the movement. Skilled riders stay loose and relaxed. Efficient pumping feels smooth rather than powerful.

The sensation resembles carving on a snowboard at low speed.

Momentum builds gradually until the rider realizes they are accelerating without pushing.

Riding uphill

Going uphill is one of freeskating's signature skills. It only works on mild inclines, though.

The rider increases pumping frequency while keeping the carving lines tight.

Remember that wider turns waste energy. Strong uphill riders generate momentum through rapid rhythm and careful weight transfer.

Steeper hills demand more precision because any loss of timing kills forward speed instantly.

Most beginners spend months learning flat ground before attempting uphill riding consistently.

Simple tricks that define the sport

The basic trick vocabulary of freeskating revolves around rotation and flow.

The 180 is usually the first real trick riders learn. The rider rotates both skates and continues riding backward. The 360 extends that movement into a full spin.

One foot riding removes one skate entirely and forces the rider to balance on a single platform while carving.

Crossovers involve weaving one skate around the other during the pumping motion. Advanced riders combine crossovers with spins and backward riding in long, flowing sequences.

Drift slides emerged later as downhill riders experimented with higher speed carving.

Unlike skateboarding, freeskating tricks are often connected continuously rather than separated into isolated movements.

Choosing the right gear

Most modern riders choose metal deck skates because they provide a stronger response and durability.

Wooden decks exist, and some riders prefer them because they soften vibration on rough pavement.

Wheel choice changes the ride dramatically.

Softer wheels absorb cracks and rough asphalt better, while harder wheels roll faster on smooth surfaces. Larger wheels maintain momentum more easily over imperfect pavement. 

Good bearings matter less than surface quality. Even premium setups struggle on rough pavement.

The most important equipment decision is usually the riding surface itself. Smooth ground turns freeskating into flowing motion. Bad pavement turns it into survival training.

Words by Luís MP | Founder of SurferToday.com

In 1987, an unusual skateboard movie permanently altered skate culture without fully realizing what it was doing.

It was called "The Search for Animal Chin," and on paper the premise sounded ridiculous: the Bones Brigade - Tony Hawk, Steve Caballero, Mike McGill, Tommy Guerrero, Lance Mountain, and others - travel around searching for the mythical "first skateboarder," a mysterious old master named Won Ton "Animal" Chin.

But somewhere between the awkward acting, the surreal jokes, the impossible ramps, the synchronized airs, and the endlessly quotable dialogue, the film became something much bigger than a skate video.

Decades later, skaters still talk about it.

The movie that changed skate videos forever

Before "...Animal Chin," skate videos were mostly simple compilations: contest footage, demo clips, and montages of tricks set to music.

Then, skater and filmmaker Stacy Peralta decided to turn a skate tape into a bizarre, mythological road movie.

Instead of just showing tricks, the film had characters, recurring jokes, fake philosophy, cinematic editing, narrative structure, mysterious clues, emotional arcs, and an actual quest.

In other words, anything you'd imagine in a surrealist flick.

At the time, many skaters didn't even know how to process it. Former Powell rider Eric Ricks later said he thought it was "an actual Hollywood production with skateboarders in it."

The movie effectively created the DNA for the modern skate video.

Nearly every later skate film that mixed skating with comedy, storytelling, skits, weird interludes, or personality-driven editing owes something to "The Search for Animal Chin."

Years later, mainstream media publications even argued that the movie "changed skateboarding three times": by reinventing the skate video itself, by changing how skate teams marketed themselves, and eventually by reminding skateboarding how to have fun again.

The accidental creation of "...Animal Chin"

Even the title sounds half mythical, half absurd.

According to one famous story, an earlier draft of the script used the name "Animal Chang."

But ranch dressing somehow got spilled on the page, Stacy Peralta misread "Chang" as "Chin," and decided it sounded better.

That accidental typo became one of the most famous names in skateboarding history.

The movie's central mystery - "Have you seen him?" - turned into a cultural obsession among skaters. Kids out on the streets repeated the line endlessly.

And the film slowly developed its own strange language:

"Wake up and smell the concrete."
"Yapple dapple."
"Maps to the skaters, Holmes."
"Bunson over the Junson."

All these sayings and shoutouts, none of them really made sense. And that was precisely part of the magic.

The dialogue was also awkward, surreal, sincere, goofy, and completely unselfconscious.

Tommy Guerrero later admitted the skaters never really wanted to act and even suspected the scripted scenes might be "a bad idea."

Instead, the awkwardness became the charm.

The Brigade members essentially played exaggerated versions of themselves:

Lance Mountain as the class clown, Tommy Guerrero as the young kid, Steve Caballero as the quiet cool one, Mike McGill as the approachable everyman, Tony Hawk as the prodigy, and Rodney Mullen as the technical genius.

That was that.

The film never fully resolves the mystery of "...Animal Chin." In the end, the Brigade realizes the search itself - and the joy of skating together - was the real point all along.

That sounds cheesy written down, but in the movie, somehow, it works.

The Chin Ramp: one of the most legendary ramps ever built

And then came the famous Chin Ramp.

The final ramp in the movie looked less like a normal skate obstacle and more like a hallucination built out of plywood.

It featured opposing vert ramps, a vert spine, tunnels, elevated sections, a mini-ramp built directly on top of the deck, strange transitions, and impossible-looking lines.

How about that, hum?

Steve Caballero later said nobody had even imagined a vert spine before that; Stacy Peralta described the entire design philosophy as "ramp on ramp."

Today, that sounds normal, but in 1987, it looked insane.

The structure became so influential that people later compared it to Danny Way's Mega Ramp decades afterward.

But the craziest part was this: the entire thing was built illegally.

The production had no permission to build the ramp on the land in Oceanside, California.

Stacy Peralta later admitted that the lumber company delivered all the wood without ever checking whether they were authorized to do so.

They weren't.

Ramp builder Tim Payne later said the crew basically lied to everyone while constructing it.

The ramp existed for only about three weeks before being demolished.

The filmmakers had roughly four days to shoot the entire climactic sequence. That temporary existence became part of the mythology.

Sadly, almost nobody outside the Bones Brigade ever got to skate it.

The hidden engineering lies

The Chin Ramp also carried one of skateboarding's great technical secrets.

For years, people assumed the ramp used ordinary vert transitions. It didn't.

Tim Payne later revealed that the production intentionally concealed the real dimensions. The transitions were elliptical, making the ramp smoother and easier to skate than standard vert ramps.

Payne eventually described the "Animal Chin Ramp" itself as partly a myth because nobody knew its real geometry.

The original ramp also used PVC coping instead of steel coping because production moved too fast to install proper metal.

And the famous tunnel section - one of the movie's most iconic visual elements - barely functioned as a practical obstacle at all. It mostly existed because it looked completely absurd on camera.

Chaos, collisions, and progression

The skateboarding itself became legendary partly because so much of it evolved spontaneously. Many of the doubles tricks and synchronized airs weren't planned in advance.

One skater would suggest something ridiculous, somebody else would try to top it, and suddenly the entire session escalated into a progression battle.

Backside airs became synchronized, inverts became synchronized, transfers started happening over the spine, and everything kept mutating in real time.

The famous four-person invert photo by J. Grant Brittain eventually became one of skateboarding's defining images and the promo shot for the iconic film.

Not everything went smoothly, though.

During filming, Steve Caballero accidentally collided with Tony Hawk in midair, hitting Hawk's legs while Hawk was airborne and violently flipping him.

People thought Hawk might be done filming entirely. But he rested for a day and came back.

That sort of reckless improvisation became central to the movie's feeling. The skating looked less like an organized performance and more like a group of friends continuously discovering what was possible.

Rodney Mullen, Mike Vallely, and the collision of skate eras

The film also accidentally captured a major transition point in skateboarding history.

Rodney Mullen appears during the movie's famous "Rad Party" scene, bringing freestyle skating into the same universe as vert skating.

A very young Mike Vallely also appears before becoming one of skateboarding's defining personalities.

Looking back, the movie documented multiple skate eras colliding at once: freestyle, vert, the beginnings of street skating, technical skating, theatrical skating, and personality-driven skating.

The truth is that, at the time, nobody fully realized they were filming a historical crossroads.

Johnny Rad and the weird soundtrack energy

The soundtrack added another layer to the movie's strange identity.

At a time when most skate videos simply borrowed songs, "The Search for Animal Chin" included music created specifically for the film.

The fictional band Johnny Rad - especially the "Blue Tile Lounge" performance - became permanently burned into skate culture memory.

The soundtrack helped establish what skateboarding could feel like audiovisually: part punk show, part cartoon, part dream sequence.

The movie became uncool - and then became immortal

What makes "...Animal Chin" even stranger is that skateboarding eventually turned against it.

By the early 1990s, many skaters viewed Powell Peralta and the Bones Brigade as too polished, too commercial, too cartoonish, too corporate.

That backlash helped fuel the rise of anti-corporate street-skating brands like Blind and Plan B.

For a while, "...Animal Chin" became the thing rebellious skaters rejected. And then something unexpected happened.

A later generation rediscovered it and realized the movie contained something skateboarding had lost - joy, creativity, friendship, weirdness, imagination, and pure fun.

A cocktail of skateboarding pleasure for the new kids on the block, right?

Suddenly, the movie no longer looked corny. Instead, it looked visionary.

Its influence started appearing everywhere, especially in later skate videos that mixed humor, narrative, and skating - particularly the Spike Jonze-era Girl Skateboards videos.

The emotional effect on isolated kids

Part of the movie's power came from timing.

In the 1980s, many skaters lived in isolated towns with terrible weather, rough pavement, no skateparks, and almost no local skate scene.

For those kids, Bones Brigade videos felt like transmissions from another universe.

People have described watching "The Search for Animal Chin" in snow-covered places like New Hampshire and feeling completely transported somewhere magical.

The movie made skateboarding feel less like a sport and more like a secret mythology.

It suggested skateboarding wasn't simply about tricks or contests, but also about searching for something impossible with your friends.

And that fits in the whole skateboarding universe of coolness.

The resurrection of the Chin Ramp

In 2016, nearly 30 years after the original film, the Chin Ramp was rebuilt at Woodward West.

The reconstruction instantly became sacred ground for skateboarders.

Tony Hawk jokingly described it as a new benchmark: "Oh, you did that trick? But did you do it on the Chin Ramp?"

The rebuilt version modernized parts of the design: a wider spine, steel coping, and slightly updated dimensions.

But it remained remarkably faithful to the original.

Unlike the 1987 version, the rebuilt ramp became permanent, meaning ordinary skaters could finally ride something that previously existed almost like a rumor.

The Bones Brigade also recreated the legendary four-person invert photograph.

What surprised many of them was realizing they were still inventing tricks and progressing decades later.

The mythology hadn't frozen in time. It was still very well alive.

Why the movie still feels impossible to categorize

Part of the reason "The Search for Animal Chin" remains so memorable is that nobody can fully explain what it is.

It's simultaneously a sports film, a comedy, a fantasy quest, a youth-culture manifesto, an art project, an advertisement, and a surreal documentary about friendship.

The movie eventually inspired T-shirts, catchphrases, band names, songs, and references across skateboard culture.

People still wear "Have You Seen Him?" shirts decades later. Some fans can still recite the movie almost entirely from memory.

And maybe that's because Animal Chin captured something larger than skateboarding itself. A bit like "Skaterdater" did two decades earlier.

It captured the feeling that youth culture occasionally produces something completely accidental - a weird little project nobody expected to matter that somehow becomes myth forever.

Words by Luís MP | Founder of SurferToday.com

Skateboard wax is one of the most undervalued pieces of skateboarding equipment.

Nevertheless, if you walk past a skate spot on a warm afternoon, you might notice the edge of a concrete ledge looking darker, shinier, almost polished by hand.

That, dear reader, is skateboard wax at work.

Skateboard wax, often called curb wax or grind wax, is actually a very simple material, but with a very specific job.

It is applied to obstacles and surfaces like ledges, rails, and curbs to make them easier to slide on.

What usually happens - without it - is that when a skater locks into a trick such as a boardslide or a 50-50 grind, the board or trucks meet resistance.

Wax reduces that resistance, allowing the board to glide instead of sticking. Simple, right?

Without wax, many everyday street objects are almost impossible to skate. With it, those same objects become usable terrain.

In other words, a rough curb can turn into a smooth practice spot in a matter of minutes.

What skateboard wax is made of

At its core, skateboard wax is not complicated chemistry.

Most commercial waxes that you'll find in skate shops are built on a base of paraffin, sometimes blended with other materials like beeswax or additives that change hardness and durability. And sometimes smell, too.

Paraffin itself is a petroleum-derived substance made of long-chain hydrocarbons. It is solid at room temperature, melts at relatively low heat, and has a naturally slippery feel.

The combination in question makes it ideal for skating. It is easy to carry, easy to apply, and effective at reducing friction.

Some brands tweak the formula by adding harder or softer waxes, which changes how it behaves on different surfaces.

A bit like surfboard wax, you know.

Why skaters really feel the need to use wax

Skateboarding rides on a delicate balance between grip and slip.

On one hand, wheels need traction to roll and land; on the other hand, the deck and trucks need to slide when performing tricks.

Wax helps control that balance.

When applied to a surface, wax fills in tiny cracks and imperfections. It creates a smoother layer that the board can move across more easily.

The consequences and effects are quite easy to comprehend.

It makes tricks more consistent, reduces the effort needed to grind, and helps maintain speed through a slide. In practical terms, it can turn a failed attempt into a clean one.

You obviously need to be good enough to get your deck grinding the desired surface, but we're counting on that.

There is also a quieter benefit. By reducing friction, wax can lower wear on both the skateboard and the surface being used.

That said, you may be extending the lifetime of your dear board.

How skateboard wax works

The science behind skate wax is simple.

Friction happens when two surfaces catch on each other at a microscopic level. Concrete is rough. Metal rails can have scratches. Even painted ledges are not perfectly smooth.

Wax acts as a thin layer between those surfaces.

Instead of board against concrete, it becomes board against wax. Wax against wax slides much more easily than raw materials grinding together.

As skaters repeatedly use a waxed spot, the wax spreads and settles into the surface. Over time, the ledge or rail becomes smoother and faster, sometimes requiring less wax with continued use.

Yes, the obstacle doesn't look pretty in the eyes of a non-skater pedestrian, but it's for a good cause.

So, when that happens, skaters often say a spot is "broken in," with a layer of wax and wear that has built up over time.

Where the wax goes

Here's a fundamental lesson for the beginner or the sidewalk surfer who has never used skateboard wax: Hey, it does not go on the board, OK? It goes on the obstacle.

The most common places where it is needed are concrete ledges, metal rails, curbs, and sometimes the coping on ramps.

Basically, the points where trucks or the deck make contact during a grind or slide. That is where friction builds up, and that is where wax does its job.

A skater usually targets the exact line they plan to use.

If the trick involves sliding along the edge of a ledge, the wax is applied along that edge. If it is a rail, the top and sometimes the sides are coated lightly.

How to apply it

Using wax is straightforward, but here's a pro tip: there is a difference between doing it well and overdoing it.

Here's how.

Take a block of wax and rub it directly onto the surface. The motion is firm and repeated, almost like coloring with a crayon.

The goal is not to leave chunks behind but to create a thin, even layer.

On rough concrete, it may take a bit more effort. The wax needs to settle into the tiny pits and cracks. On smoother materials like painted ledges or metal rails, only a small amount is needed.

Temperature matters.

In colder weather, wax is harder and may not transfer as easily. In warmer conditions, it softens and spreads faster, sometimes too fast.

Now, you automatically also learned the reason different wax formulas exist. Got it?

How much wax is enough

Now, for the experienced veteran tip.

Too little wax and the surface still feels sticky. Too much wax and the surface becomes dangerously slick. Over-waxing can cause a board to shoot out unexpectedly, which is a common cause of falls and broken bones.

Most skaters start with a light layer, test the surface with a slow hit, and add more if needed. It is a gradual process rather than a one-time application.

You can often see when a spot has the right amount. It has a slight sheen, not thick buildup. If you can scrape visible clumps with your fingernail, there is probably too much.

Test it out because it matters.

What happens when you skate a waxed surface

Once wax is applied, the change is immediate. The first few attempts may still feel slightly rough as the wax spreads under pressure.

After a handful of grinds or slides, the surface begins to "break in." The wax distributes more evenly, and the motion becomes smoother.

At that point, tricks require less force, and a skater can approach with more control instead of brute speed.

You should not underestimate how important this is for technical tricks where balance and timing matter more than momentum.

It really makes a difference.

Over time, repeated use can polish the surface itself. Concrete edges become rounded. Painted ledges wear down.

Wax plays a role in this process, but it is really the combination of wax and repeated contact that changes the spot.

A note on skate etiquette

Wax is useful and cool to use, but it can also cause problems.

Applying wax to public or private property can lead to complaints. Property owners often dislike the marks and residue it leaves behind.

Fair enough, don't you think?

Actually, in many places, excessive waxing has led to skate spots being blocked or removed by public authorities or property owners.

There is also a shared responsibility among skaters.

Why? Because over-waxing a popular ledge can make it unsafe for others. Many experienced skaters will scrape off excess wax or avoid adding more if a spot is already fast enough.

Used carefully, wax improves a session. Used carelessly, it can ruin a spot for everyone. And we can easily make it fun for everyone.

Store-bought skateboard wax

As we've learned above, most commercial skate wax is built around paraffin, but brands adjust the formula to change performance.

Some make harder wax that lasts longer on rough concrete; others make softer blends that go on easily and feel fast right away.

Companies like Sex Wax, Girl Skateboards, and Diamond Supply Co. all sell skate wax, often with slightly different textures and melting points. 

The differences are not always dramatic, but experienced skaters can feel them. Harder wax tends to stay in place longer, especially in warm weather; softer wax spreads faster but may wear off quicker.

Some brands also add scents or dyes, though those do not affect performance much.

Natural and blended waxes

Some wax blends include beeswax or other natural components.

Beeswax is slightly tackier than paraffin, which can give a different feel when applied lightly. In practice, these blends aim to strike a balance between durability and smoothness.

The idea is not new, though.

Wax mixtures have been experimented with for decades, especially by skaters who prefer a specific feel under their trucks. Still, paraffin remains the dominant base because it is cheap, consistent, and effective.

How to make your own skate wax

A lot of skaters eventually try making their own wax. Why? Because it's fun, easy, and maybe slightly cheaper.

The process is simple and widely documented.

Most DIY recipes start with paraffin, often sourced from household candles. Some people mix in small amounts of beeswax or even add oil to soften the final product.

So, the wax is melted slowly, often using a double-boiler setup to avoid burning it. Direct heat can overheat paraffin and create fumes, so a controlled melt is safer and more consistent.

Once melted, some people mix in beeswax to make the final block slightly firmer. Others add a small amount of oil to soften it.

The mixture is then poured into a mold - muffin trays, silicone molds, or even empty containers work fine.

After cooling, the wax hardens into a usable block. The final texture depends on the ratio of ingredients and the cooling process.

The results can work well, but consistency varies. Homemade wax may be softer, crumble more easily, or melt faster in the sun, depending on the mix.

There is no single "correct" recipe, but the underlying principle stays the same. You are creating a material that spreads easily and reduces friction.

Homemade skate wax has been part of skate culture for years. For many skaters, the appeal is cost and control over the formula.

Specialty waxes

There are also niche versions designed for specific conditions.

Some are made for cold climates, where standard wax becomes too hard to apply. Others are designed to be extra sticky so they stay on vertical surfaces longer before being broken in.

These are less common, but they show how small changes in composition can affect performance.

Why don't you try them out?

How the types really differ in use

In everyday skating, the differences between wax types come down to three things: how easily the wax applies, how long it lasts, and how fast it feels.

It's as simple as that.

A soft wax is easy to rub on but may need reapplying. A hard wax takes more effort to apply but holds up over longer sessions. Blended waxes try to sit somewhere in between.

For most skaters, the choice becomes personal rather than technical.

After enough sessions, you start to notice what feels right under your board and stick with it. No need to complicate what's simple.

How to remove skateboard wax

Wax does not last forever, and sometimes it needs to be removed. On skate spots, excess wax can build up into thick layers.

It is usually removed by scraping. A metal tool or even the edge of a skateboard can peel away the buildup. Once the bulk is gone, the remaining residue can be worn down through use.

For a more thorough clean, especially on smooth surfaces, heat can help. Warm water or mild heat softens the wax, making it easier to wipe away.

In some cases, cleaning products are used, but simple mechanical removal is often enough.

On clothing or shoes, wax can be removed by letting it harden and then scraping it off, followed by washing. The process is similar to removing candle wax.

No worries.

Does skateboard wax damage surfaces?

Time for a bit of a controversial topic with an answer that depends on what you mean by damage.

Let us put it this way.

Wax itself is not chemically aggressive. Paraffin and beeswax are relatively inert substances. They do not corrode concrete or metal.

In that sense, wax alone does not "damage" a surface. The real issue is how wax interacts with use.

By reducing friction, wax allows repeated grinding in the same spot. Over time, that repeated contact wears down edges, chips concrete, and removes paint.

The wax makes that wear possible, but it is the physical action of skating that changes the surface.

There is also a visual impact. Wax leaves marks and buildup that can look messy or neglected. Property owners often object to this, even if the structural damage is minimal.

So, to be honest, wax is part of the process, but not the sole cause of wear.

Words by Luís MP | Founder of SurferToday.com

Skateboarding is back for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games, and the road to get there follows a familiar structure.

The system used for Tokyo 2020 and Paris 2024 returns with a few refinements, keeping things competitive while opening the door to global talent.

Both Park and Street disciplines follow the same qualification path, split into two stages.

Each stage plays a specific role in narrowing down the world's best skateboarders.

Athletes must perform across multiple events, handle pressure in a smaller field, and stay within strict national limits.

One strong result is not enough. The system favors those who can deliver again and again.

It's still unclear whether Tony Hawk's lobbying to have Vert as an exhibition discipline will be successful.

But it would make all sense and would benefit the sport of skateboarding and the Olympic movement.

Let's see how skateboarders can qualify for the LA 2028 Olympics.

Phase 1: World Skateboarding Tour

Everything begins with the World Skateboarding Tour (WST). It's the main global competition circuit and the only way into the next phase.

The WST qualification window starts in June 2026 and runs until March 31, 2028.

Athletes collect results during this period, and rankings are based on their best performances over the previous 18 months.

Each event has a structured entry system:

• Every country can enter up to 3 athletes per event;
• Up to 6 additional athletes per country may qualify if they rank in the top 30 of the World Skateboarding Ranking (WSR);

The ranking acts as the backbone of the system. It determines who advances and who stays behind.

At the end of Phase 1, the top athletes move forward. But not everyone makes the cut.

Phase 2: The Olympic Qualification Series

Phase 2 raises the stakes.

Only the top 44 athletes per discipline and gender advance into this stage. These spots are decided using rankings, national quotas, and Olympic rules that ensure global representation.

At this point, the field becomes more controlled:

• Maximum of 6 athletes per country;
• A total of 176 athletes across all events;

Each skater begins Phase 2 with a set number of base points. They depend on their ranking position among the 44 athletes.

The idea is to keep competition fair and avoid large gaps before contests even begin.

Phase 2 runs from April 1 to June 11, 2028, with a separate contest series designed to decide the final Olympic lineup.

How the final Olympic spots are decided

Once Phase 2 ends, the field is cut in half.

Each discipline and gender will have 22 Olympic athletes. The selections are based on Phase 2 results and a set of Olympic rules that shape the final list.

The main selection criteria include:

• Maximum of 3 athletes per country;
• At least 1 athlete from each continent;
• Guaranteed host nation representation if not already qualified;
• One universality place for underrepresented countries;

All these rules ensure the competition includes both top-ranked athletes and a broad international mix.

Special qualification pathways and rules

Beyond rankings and contest results, a few additional pathways help shape the final Olympic field.

Universality places

A small number of spots are reserved for athletes from countries with limited Olympic representation.

To be eligible, athletes must meet performance standards:

• Ranked within the top 50 percent of the world rankings;
  or
• Ranked within the top 50 overall, depending on which is stricter;

Only one male and one female universality spot are available per event.

Host nation places

The United States, as host of LA 2028, is guaranteed representation if it does not qualify athletes through normal ranking.

To be eligible, host athletes must:

• Rank within the top 75 percent of the world rankings;
  or
• Rank within the top 75 positions;

The stricter of the two applies.

Points reset after qualification

An important detail: results from Phase 2 do not carry forward.

Once the Olympic field is finalized, all Phase 2 points are removed from the ranking system. They have no impact beyond qualification.

Words by Luís MP | Founder of SurferToday.com

Traditionally, sports events change little. Most of the successful formulas are already locked in and rarely evolve.

However, the KASSO Fest Skate & Sound is daring to reshape what a skateboarding event can look like.

It does not follow the usual contest format. There are no judges scoring tricks or long debates about style.

Instead, it borrows from game shows and builds something new around speed, obstacles, and real-time pressure.

KASSO began in Japan in 2024 as a television program created by Tokyo Broadcasting System Television.

The company is known for producing physical challenge shows like "Ninja Warrior" and "Takeshi's Castle." That background is easy to recognize in KASSO's design.

The concept is simple but different.

Skateboarders are placed inside a timed obstacle course. Each run is about getting through the course, not impressing judges. Miss an obstacle or take too long, and the run is over.

The format mixes racing, elimination rounds, and survival-style pressure.

It turns skateboarding into something closer to a live-action game show than a traditional contest. And it's super fun to watch.

It actually also reminds us a bit of Europe's "Jeux Sans Frontières."

The Long Beach debut

KASSO reached a wider audience with its United States debut on March 21, 2026, in Long Beach, California.

The event was built as a two-day festival, not just a competition. It included a full KASSO challenge course, live music performances, a live DJ set, and community-focused skate activities.

The event also featured a global livestream on YouTube on March 22, reflecting how the format is designed for both live crowds and online viewers.

A course instead of a contest

At the center of KASSO is its four-stage course system. Each stage increases in difficulty and demands a different type of skating.

The courses in Long Beach were:

• Mount Fuji: A downhill opening stage focused on speed and control;
• RailCoaster Big Boy Foy Rail: A rail-heavy section designed by Jamie Foy;
• The Grasshopper: A new course testing adaptability and creative lines;
• Million Jump: A final stage built with large jumps and complex features;

Twenty-eight skaters from around the world competed, including Jamie Foy, Cordano Russell, Jiro Platt, CJ Collins, Torey Pudwill, and Gavin Bottger.

Each skater ran the course individually.

The goal was to complete each section cleanly and quickly. The slowest time or a failed obstacle meant elimination. Only those who survived all stages reached the final round.

The structure shifts the focus. Instead of building a perfect trick, skaters must think on the move, adjust instantly, and stay consistent under pressure.

"You're just competing against the course"

For many skaters, KASSO feels unfamiliar at first. Jamie Foy explained how the format changes the mindset.

"My first impression when I heard about and saw KASSO was just like, 'Damn, this is sick.' It's something that I think skating is really good for, because it's not about the tricks. It's more like successfully completing a course on your skateboard," underlined Foy.

"So it's about board control and a full different aspect of skating that people don't really think about, rather than just like technical tricks. And I think that's what just makes it really fun, because it's pretty much anyone's game."

"It's like, how long have you ridden on your skateboard? Or how comfortable are you riding on your skateboard? That's really what it comes down to. And it kind of just reminds me of an American Ninja Warrior-style competition, which people love, and even Wipe Out, because then you get people falling in the water."

That comparison captures the shift. The challenge is about survival, control, and timing, and not exactly style points.

Thrasher's 2017 and 2024 Skater of the Year also pointed to the cultural mix behind the format.

"KASSO is super cool. I think it falls in par with the Japanese culture, like, they have a really big game show culture. And then it comes to skating with us, how we love to skate, and skate anything we can. So this is a perfect mesh of two great cultures that like skating, which obviously is growing crazy in Japan. So I think it's a beautiful blend."

And perhaps the clearest summary of the format comes from how he describes the competition itself.

"KASSO is super different because it's not like your average contest. You're not competing against the person next to you. You're just competing against the course and yourself because there could be multiple winners."

"It's whoever finishes all the courses together. So it doesn't really matter who does it the best or the fastest or anything. It's just something that is different, and something that people are really excited to see."

A new direction for sports entertainment

KASSO fits into a larger shift happening in entertainment. Traditional game shows built around quizzes and prizes are being replaced by physical challenges and real-world performance.

Obstacle-based shows like Wipeout and Ultimate Beastmaster have already shown that audiences enjoy watching people face unpredictable, high-risk environments.

KASSO applies that same idea to skateboarding. The sport is a natural match for this format.

Skateboarding already includes risk, creativity, and improvisation. By placing it inside a structured course, KASSO turns those elements into a clear narrative that viewers can follow.

Each run tells a story.

A skater drops in, faces obstacles, reacts in real time, and either advances or gets eliminated. There is no need for judging explanations. The outcome is immediate and easy to understand.

Collaboration inside competition

Even with elimination rounds, the atmosphere among skaters stays different from most contests.

Riders are not focused on beating each other with better tricks. They are focused on making it through the course.

That shared challenge creates a more collaborative feeling. Skaters push each other, react together to obstacles, and often treat the course as a group test rather than a rivalry.

It's an approach that aligns with how many skateboarders already see the sport. Sessions are often about trying things together, not competing for scores.

KASSO brings that mindset into a structured event.

A format that can grow

KASSO shows how skateboarding can move beyond its traditional contest model. It keeps the core of the sport but changes how it is presented.

The mix of obstacle racing, elimination rounds, and live entertainment creates a format that works both in person and on screen.

It is easy to follow, visually engaging, and built around real performance instead of scripted drama.

It does not replace traditional skate contests, but it offers a different lane. One where the course becomes the opponent, and every run feels like a live game show.

In a time when more sports look for new ways to connect with audiences, KASSO is a clear example of how competition can evolve.

Dropping in on a skate ramp or bowl requires more confidence and commitment than any advanced technique. We'll help you get it done.

Ramps and bowls can be a bit intimidating, right?

The steepness and the abyss prevent any human being from naturally throwing themselves off the ledge of any structure.

But as with many things, it's only a matter of training the brain to do it the right way and with no harmful consequences.

Dropping in is mostly a commitment attitude.

The trick is try the move on a small bank or mellow quarter pipe first to build confidence and tell yourself you'll be OK and safe.

Let's do it, shall we?

Gear and safety first

In theory, helmets are mandatory. So, especially if you're learning, wear a helmet that fits well. Add knee pads and elbow pads, too, when you are in the first stages. Wrist guards also help a lot when you fall forward.

The idea is to have safety gear lower the chance of a bad crash and let you focus on technique.

Then, pick a skateboard that feels stable, making sure the trucks are not too loose. Test your board on flat ground. If it feels wobbly, tighten the trucks a little.

Learn the motion on flat ground

Now that the initial preparations are set, it's time to take care of your body movements.

So, before the coping, try this on flat ground:

1. Put your back foot on the tail;
2. Put your front foot over the front bolts:
3. Shift your weight from the tail to the front foot in one quick motion:
4. Practice until the push of the weight forward feels natural. The motion is the same as the drop in, but without the height;

Positioning at the top of the ramp

After practicing the previous step until you're comfortable, it's time to move to level two.

1. Stand so the tail sits on the coping;
2. Put your back foot firmly on the tail with toes near the edge;
3. Keep your front foot parallel to the back and rest it over the front bolts;
4. Bend your knees and hold your arms out so you can balance. This position keeps the board ready to roll and gives control when the front wheels hit the ramp;

The essential move: commit and lean forward

Now, the third and last stage. Remember that a drop in is mostly about one clean motion.

1. Shift your weight forward and lean toward the ramp;
2. Press down on your front foot. The front wheels must reach the transition smoothly;

If you hesitate and lean back, you will likely fall backward. If you lean too far forward, you will nose-dive.

Aim to move forward aggressively, but keep your body centered over the board once the wheels touch.

If you're still not confident, practice small ramps first to feel this balance.

Practice progressions

Sometimes, practicing on smaller and less steep ledges helps build confidence. Here's what we suggest.

Start on a bank or a small mini ramp. Banks are flatter and give less speed.

Repeat the flat drill, then try the bank from the lower middle of the ramp, then move to the coping as you gain confidence.

Gradually step up to a steeper transition. We suggest practicing on smaller pieces of transition before moving to big bowls.

If you feel scared, try a supported practice. Squat on the board while holding the coping and drop your hands along the ramp as you lean in.

It will lower the risk and train the motion. A coach or a friend can also hold your hands and guide your shoulders as you commit.

How to drop in step by step

Shall we recap to create muscle memory?

1. Get into drop position. Tail on coping. Back foot on tail. Front foot on bolts. Knees bent. Arms ready:
2. Take a breath and pick a count. Think one fluid motion;
3. Push down with the front foot and lean forward. Keep the front foot planted until the last moment, then straighten the front leg to let the wheels touch the ramp;
4. When the front wheels hit, shift the weight a bit back to control speed.
5. Keep knees bent and eyes looking down the transition;
   Roll away.

Perfectly doable, right?

Common problems and fixes

Are you struggling with your skateboard drop-in? That's part of the game. No worries. Here are a few common issues and how to get over them.

Problem: You fall backward.
Fix: Put more weight on the front foot and lean forward earlier. Do the flat drill more.

Problem: You nosedive and trip over the front.
Fix: After the wheels touch, keep weight slightly toward the back to roll out smoothly. Keep your knees bent to absorb the motion.

Problem: The skateboard slides out.
Fix: Check wheel grip and truck tightness. Practice on a smaller bank until your stance is steady.

How to bail when things go wrong

Bailing is also a very common thing when learning to drop in on a bowl or half-pipe. If that happens, know that there's a way to fall safely.

So, if you feel off balance and you cannot recover, step off with your back foot toward the inside of the ramp.

Aim to land on your feet and roll to absorb energy. Wrist guards and pads will reduce injuries if you hit the ramp.

Practicing falling on flat ground helps you learn to absorb impacts. It's actually easier than you think.

Mental tricks that help

The mind controls the body.

So, if you feel uneasy, picture the motion before you start. Then, count to three and go. Small, repeated successes make fear shrink fast.

Many instructors say commitment plus repetition is the key to making the move feel normal.

Try it for yourself. We know you can do it.

Words by Luís MP | Founder of SurferToday.com

The Professional Skateboarding League (PS) is a new team-based skateboarding competition created by veteran skateboarder Mike Mo Capaldi.

The league brings together some of the world's best street skateboarders to compete in weekly matches using a fresh format that relies on no traditional judges.

The idea is to make contests easier to understand and more exciting for both skate fans and newcomers alike.

PSL emphasizes team competition and head-to-head matchups through a simple scoring system.

That differs from most other pro skate contests that use panels of judges and subjective scoring systems.

PSL matches are structured around team battles. Skaters are divided into teams, and those teams face off directly against each other.

There are no judges comparing trick difficulty in the traditional sense. Instead, teams score points based on their ability to match tricks.

Trick-for-trick format

Matches are played in a trick-for-trick style.

One team starts by setting a trick - that means a skater attempts a trick on a chosen obstacle (often stairs or rails).

The opposing team then has the opportunity to match that trick. If neither skater on the defending team can land it, the offensive team earns a point.

Each offensive turn continues until the team fails three times, then the roles switch. Matches are typically played in multiple rounds to determine a winner.

By now, you've probably noticed that the format is similar to the game of S.K.A.T.E., but adapted for teams and with clear point scoring for each attempt.

Teams and skaters

In the 2026 PSL season, six teams are competing. Each team has a roster of high-profile pros. These are the skaters, organized by team:

Lithium

• Alex Midler
• Maurio McCoy
• Braden Hoban
• Dashawn Jordan
• Robert Neal
• Zach Saraceno

Los Santos

• Ryan Decenzo
• Ginwoo Onodera
• Kyle Walker
• Miles Silvas
• Vincent Milou
• Felipe Gustavo

SHS

• Angelo Caro
• Jonny Hernandez
• Julian Christianson
• Julian Jeang-Agliardi
• Manny Santiago
• Paul Rodriguez

Soldiers

• Art Cordova
• Evon Martinez
• Micky Papa
• Sinner
• Gustavo Ribeiro
• Nyjah Huston

Tropics

• Christian Dufrene
• John Dilorenzo
• Alec Majerus
• Ishod Wair
• Jamie Foy
• Trevor Colden

Wolverines

• Chris Colbourn
• Kristion Jordan
• Roman Hager
• Taylor McClung
• Chris Joslin
• Tj Rogers

These teams were assembled through a draft process led by captains, including Nyjah Huston, Paul Rodriguez, and others.

Schedule and format for 2026

The 2026 PSL season officially begins on February 7 and spans into March. Matches take place every Saturday throughout the season.

These weekly contests are set in a custom-built arena located inside the Girl Skateboards warehouse.

Over the duration of the season, teams face off in a schedule that builds toward more important matchups and ultimately determines league standings.

The exact playoff or championship structure may vary, but the fundamental idea is a series of head-to-head competitions.

Rules and scoring

Here's how PSL rules guide the action.

There are no traditional judges. Instead of panels awarding style or difficulty points, trick success is binary: either the defending team lands the trick, or they don't.

Teams also rotate offense and defense. A team stays on offense until their skaters bail a set number of tricks. Then the other team gets a turn on offense.

The points system is clear. Each time a team fails to match a trick that was set, the offensive team earns a point.

The team with the highest score after scheduled match rounds wins.

The goal is to simplify skateboarding contests and make them easy to follow for casual viewers while retaining the high level of skateboarding.

Watching PSL

Matches are streamed live and later published on the PSL YouTube channel. The league also offers tickets for in-person attendance at select events inside the Girl Skateboards warehouse.

The PSL YouTube channel hosts past matches, highlights, and statistics, helping fans follow their favorite skaters and teams.

Words by Luís MP | Founder of SurferToday.com

Nyjah Huston began 2026 in a hospital bed.

The 31-year-old American star revealed on January 5 that he suffered a fractured skull and a fractured eye socket after a hard slam while skating in Arizona.

Sharing the update with his 5.2 million Instagram followers, Huston did not sugarcoat the moment.

"A harsh reminder of how death-defying skating on massive rails can be," he wrote.

"Fractured skull, fractured eye socket."

Photos posted alongside the message showed medics checking on him on a sidewalk in Tempe, lying on the ground as people helped him, and later resting in a hospital bed.

Other images showed him wrapped in a blanket, wearing bright yellow hospital socks, and riding in a wheelchair outside a medical facility.

A mirror selfie revealed heavy bruising and swelling around his left eye, with blood visible on the ground in some of the earlier shots.

"Taking it one day at a time," Huston added.

"I hope y'all had a better New Year's than me. We live to fight another day."

Support Messages from the Skateboarding World

Support poured in quickly from across the skateboarding community.

Tony Hawk, the most famous skater of all time, kept it short and real. "Heavy. Stay strong; we know you'll be back," he wrote.

Brazilian Olympic skater Leticia Bufoni added, "Get well soon, buddy." Ryan Sheckler commented, "Man.. prayers for healing brother!"

One comment calling for more safety also gained attention online, with thousands liking the line, "Time to make helmets cool."

No timeline has been set for Huston's return to competition. He had been expected to appear in contests throughout 2026.

One of the Most Decorated Skaters Ever

Huston's injury hit hard because of who he is in the sport.

He is a two-time Olympian who represented the United States at the Tokyo 2020 Games and again at the Paris 2024 Games.

In Paris, he won the bronze medal in men's street skateboarding. After that final, he admitted the result was tough to swallow.

He wrote on Instagram that it was "tough" having "a good shot at the win and not pulling through."

Even so, his resume is stacked.

Huston is a seven-time world champion and has won 15 X Games gold medals. Few skaters in history have landed more tricks under pressure.

He most recently finished 30th at the World Skateboarding Tour World Cup stop in Kitakyushu in November 2025.

Falling is Part of the Job

Huston has always been open about the risks that come with street skating.

In a 2024 interview on CBS Mornings, he talked about the tough path that shaped him, including family struggles and being pushed hard to train as a kid.

"I think the fact that I was able to get through all those rough moments as a kid and still come out with that much love for it is the perfect example of, like, how fun skateboarding is," he said.

"It's really just an addiction. There's just, there's nothin' else like it."

He also explained the reality behind highlight clips and contest runs.

"When we put out these video parts that people watch on YouTube or whatever, or they see us skate these contests and land most of our tricks first try, they don't realize that skateboarding is really 90% falling," Huston added.

"I hope you guys show some of the falls in this, because I have taken quite a beating throughout my lifetime."

This is not the first time fans have worried about him. In March last year, Huston shared another hospital visit after slamming into a rail.

Looking Ahead to Los Angeles

Despite the latest scare, Huston has not backed away from future goals. He has said he plans to try for the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles.

"I'm stoked for the L.A. Olympics. I'm definitely going to try my best to be there. I plan to be there," Huston told Reuters in August 2025.

"It helps having the extra motivation that it's in Southern California, where I've lived for so long and where skateboarding really thrives. It's SoCal living."

For now, the focus stays on healing, patience, and getting through each day, just as Huston said himself.

S.K.A.T.E. is a simple skateboard game, often also played with BMX or inline skating, where players challenge each other with tricks.

The Game of S.K.A.T.E. was inspired by the basketball game H.O.R.S.E., where players match shots and earn letters for missed ones.

Sidewalk surfers adapted this idea to tricks on a skateboard.

The earliest versions started being played in the 1970s by vertical (ramp) skateboarders like Lance Mountain, Neil Blender, and John Lucero.

The development into a formal game took place in the early 1980s.

Skate City Skatepark in Whittier, California - a hub for vert skating - became a place where these players refined the trick-matching game.

Over time, it transformed from informal trick sequencing games (like one called "Add On") into the structured S.K.A.T.E. with rules about earning letters for missed tricks.

It became popular because no setup is needed, it scales to any skill level, encourages creativity and progression, and it is highly social and competitive without being overly serious.

Basic Game Rules

1. Players

The Game of S.K.A.T.E. usually involves two or more players. The playing order can be decided by rock-paper-scissors.

2. Set a Trick

To kick things off, the first player - the setter - performs any trick they want.

The tricks must be landed cleanly with both feet on, before rolling away. They can be flatground or on obstacles, whatever everyone agrees is allowed.

3. Match the Trick

Once the first trick has been performed, the next player must try the exact same trick.

If they land it, they're safe; if they miss, they get a letter: S.

4. Letters

So, as we've seen in the previous step, each miss adds one letter in order:

S > K > A > T > E

Once a player spells S.K.A.T.E., they're out.

5. Keep Going

If everyone lands the trick, the same setter goes again with a new trick. If someone misses, the setter stays the same.

When the setter misses their own trick, the next player becomes the setter.

Don't S.K.A.T.E. and Win

The last player who hasn't spelled S.K.A.T.E. wins.

Common House Rules (Optional)

The following rules vary a lot, so players usually agree beforehand:

• No Repeats: you can't set the same trick twice;
• No Crazy Tricks: everyone must be reasonably doable for everyone;
• Defense Allowed: slight variation in style counts;
• Redo: if a rock or crack messes up the attempt, you can retry it;
• Style: must catch flip tricks, no toe drag, etc.;

Evolution Over Time

As skateboarding culture shifted in the 1980s toward street skating, for instance, using curbs, rails, and urban environments, S.K.A.T.E. also transitioned from vertical ramps to flat ground and street surfaces. 

In 2003, professional skateboarder Eric Koston helped bring S.K.A.T.E. into organized competition with the original éS Game of SKATE at an Action Sports Retailer trade show.

The event formalized competition and helped boost the game's profile, eventually expanding into national and international amateur events.

The challenge became especially popular in skateboarding media.

For example, The Berrics - founded in 2008 - made S.K.A.T.E. a central part of its Battle at the Berrics series, with match videos drawing huge online audiences.

Consequently, interest spread well beyond local skateparks. 

Unlike judged skate contests or video game competitions, S.K.A.T.E. focuses on creativity and technical skill with minimal equipment - just the skater and the board.

It's widely played informally in parks and streets globally, fostering community and progression among skaters of all levels.

Keep the legacy alive. Invite your skater friends and challenge yourselves.

Words by Luís MP | Founder of SurferToday.com