MARINE CORPS BASE HAWAII, KANEOHE BAY, Hawaii -- With the popularity of extreme sports sweeping our nation's youth, skateboarding is quickly becoming one of the most recognized adrenaline -- enhancing sports of them all. Even aboard Marine Corps Base Hawaii the sport is gaining popularity.
Skateboarding originated in the 1920s and 1930s when boards were simply made by nailing roller skates to pieces of wood. Today's skateboard is constructed using high-tech aerodynamic technology, as the original roller skate idea was hardly efficient.
A basic skateboard is 29 inches long, which is good for street use. Boards that are 27 inches are optimal for freestyle and stunts, while boards that are 30 inches are primarily used for vertical and downhill skating.
The average age of skateboarders ranges from 12 to 14, but the leeway on each side is increasing dramatically.
Ryan Lau, 22, a sales clerk at 808 Skate in Kailua, has been skateboarding for nine years. He skates at both skate parks and on the streets.
"I've always wanted to skateboard ever since I saw the movie, 'Back to the Future,'" said Lau.
Lau learned to skate mostly from watching others and meeting people at skate parks. Since surfing is similar to skateboarding, Lau took what he could from that sport as well.
Competitions are available around the island for skaters with more serious aspirations. Contests generally go by divisions and sometimes age groups. Lau has skated not only in the Hawaiian Islands, but also in California and Colorado.
"I don't really like going to the competitions for the mere fact that they can take all the fun out of the sport, said Lau. "A lot of the time, people get too competitive and then their ego just gets in the way."
Although skateboarding can be fun, caution and potential chance for serious injury should not be taken lightly. Safety is paramount. For the beginner, safety pads and helmets are a necessity. But even the most experienced skaters suffer severe injuries, so admitting defeat at the first attempt and taking the proper safety precautions is a smart thing to do regardless of one's skill level.
There are a series of skate parks on the island of Oahu. Along with the one on Kaneohe Bay, there are skate parks located at Hickam Air Force Base, Kapolei, Hauula, Manana Family Housing, and at Banzai, Waipahu, Kahuku and Kaneohe District Parks.
Not only is it just fun to perform tricks while skateboarding, but also the freedom involved with the sport gives a great feeling, said Lau.
"You can do whatever you want when you're out there on your board," he said. "It can take your mind off things, and you just end up making a lot of friends."
The X Games and other events involve skateboarding, they also put the sport on the rise for increased popularity. What was once thought of as a fun pastime is quickly becoming a highly recognized and respected sport.