Beyond the Board: Findings from the Field

Prepared for the Tony Hawk Foundation in 2019

Augenblick, Palaich and Associates (APA), in partnership with the Pullias Center for Higher Education at the University of Southern California and the Tony Hawk Foundation (now The Skatepark Project), conducted the first large-scale study of everyday skateboarders in the United States. The project combined a national survey of more than 5,000 youth ages 13-25 with case studies in seven regions across the country, ensuring that the voices of diverse skaters were included.

The study found that skateboarding provides wide-ranging benefits for young people. It promotes mental health and stress relief, helps youth build resilience and communication skills, and fosters a strong sense of community. At the same time, the research highlighted ongoing challenges: female skaters and skaters of color face additional barriers and stereotypes, and young people disconnected from school or work often struggle to connect their passion for skateboarding with future career opportunities.

The following recommendations were made to support skateboarding youth:

• Broker partnerships with key stakeholders.

• Embrace fun and creativity.

• Address diversity, equity, and inclusion using a critical lens.

• Broker education and career opportunities.

• Center skateboarders in decision making.