All board riding sports and activities are a derivative of surfing. The ancient Polynesians started shredding water tubes and oceanic molehills about 3,500 years ago as an exercise, as well as a spiritual endeavor. I have even read somewhere that our ancient Filipino descendants were probably part of these first humans to ever ride waves.
In Polynesia, they had priests called Kahunas who pray for good surf. They do some chanting and ritualistic dances for the sea to provide them with good surfing conditions. They treated surfing like a mirror of the human persona and emotion and “mirror” their real selves in the surf.
Today, surfing is now a multi-million dollar commercial industry and has become popular around the world. Our country is actually blessed with very good surfing spots around the country for all levels depending on the place and season.
Unfortunately, the Philippine surfing community is receiving very little support from the local and national sectors.
Here in Dumaguete, boarding is quickly gaining popularity. I even think that it’s the biggest skate town in the Philippines. So many people from young elementary school kids to working professionals skate around town.
I was in awe seeing everyone push their skateboard, longboards and even roller blades and skates around town. What’s surprising is that there is not even one skate shop in town and not even one Skate Park.
For the most part, skateboarding is still seen as a renegade activity. I don’t blame people who believe it is. The media has shaped board riders to be misfits, hippies, and beach bums who just want to create havoc, and are up to no good. These stereotypes had, to a certain degree, some truth to it before, but it has since gained so much popularity, and has transcended into a different status.
It’s a beautiful activity to look at. Balance and grace, awkwardice or elegance, combined with aggression or tranquility, depending on whoever steps on these unsophisticated planks of wood with wheels.
I actually find it unfair for skaters not being able to freely skate inside the Silliman campus. I skate to school sometimes, and the guards would hassle me and try to stop me as if I was doing something really bad.
What difference does it make when one rides a bike anyway? I use it for transportation and convenience. It’s definitely more portable than a bike, but still fast and maneuverable. It’s a perfect tool for man that represents something futuristic, and at the same time primitive, a board with wheels. Nuff said.
Contrary to popular belief, skateboarding according to statistics has lower rates of accident occurrences compared to our country’s favorite sport basketball.
Injuries in skateboarding usually happen within the first week when one is still trying to learn to balance. After that, rarely do you get injured, unless one goes over his abilities. Most skating injuries are broken wrists and sprained ankles.
Basketball, on the other hand, has the same sprain and basic injuries usually, but as a player does this sport over time, knee injuries such as torn ligaments will become an issue.
Aside from that, injuries occur because one collides with players, and other such factors that involve team sports.
I wish there were skate parks here in Dumaguete. Usually, public officials from around the Philippines do Barangay projects like putting up a new basketball court for the community.
I think the whole country is so saturated with courts. It is time for a change in attitude. This change in culture will hopefully uplift everyone for the better.
Change is not really change. I see it as adding to what we already have.
Skate parks would greatly benefit a city. These parks give a good venue for the youth promoting their health, and this wonderful recreational activity. It’s aesthetics are very pleasing even to non-skaters just to stroll around park with people enjoying the sensation of riding and gliding. Carving out in all kinds of pockets may it be big or small. Parks keep skaters off the streets to avoid vehicular accidents as well.
Next Friday and Saturday will be the 4th One Big Tuyok Longboarding event that will be held in line with the Founders Day at Silliman University. For those who are have not exposed themselves to the board riding culture, this is a great opportunity to see the community here in town, maybe even be a part of it.
There will be a downhill race in Bacong and a push race here in Dumaguete. For inquiries please call John Silva 0926-293-1346 or Franz Dinar 0916-488-9504.
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