| Skateboarding is back in the UK and this time, after a | | | | Aggressive skating is also taking the UK by storm. The |
| couple of false starts since it first emerged in the USA | | | | days of those dodgy roller skates with four wheels |
| in the 50s, it looks like it is finally here to stay. It is bigger | | | | that you had to fasten red straps over your trainers or |
| and badder than ever before and has spread its | | | | pumps, as they were then, are long gone. They were |
| influence, not only into sports stores because of the | | | | replaced by roller boots. Those were big in the 70's |
| range of skateboarding equipment available but into | | | | and 80's when roller discos and ankle warmers were |
| UK fashion, music and language. Local councils across | | | | all the rage. Roller blades then began to become |
| the length and breadth of the British Isles are bowing to | | | | popular. These were recreational inline skates that |
| the growing pressure for more suitable skate parks to | | | | have retained a similar style ever since. Now, |
| be provided and the number of kids taking up street | | | | aggressive skates are also popular for those who |
| sports is growing. Since ESPN and other sports | | | | want to perform tricks. What has changed |
| channels have become more widely available in the | | | | dramatically is the aggressive style of skating and the |
| UK, it has fueled their interest further. | | | | ever daring tricks that the professional skaters pull off. |
| The main difference between the skateboards that | | | | The essentials of skateboarding equipment are now |
| first hit the UK and those being used now is the level | | | | more widely available than ever before. Prices have |
| of skill that the riders aspire to from watching | | | | dropped to the point that boards, helmets, pads, |
| professionals taking part in the X-Games and other | | | | aggressive skates and other accessories are within |
| extreme skateboarding championships around the | | | | the budget of UK teens. It is not just the skateboarding |
| world. We are finally catching up. Awesome! Ask any | | | | equipment that is on the shopping list but also the |
| self-respecting teen who Tony Hawks is and they | | | | clothing and music. No self-respecting boarder or |
| won't say he is the bloke off the insurance advert but | | | | skater would be without their cargo pants and beanies |
| more a modern god of professional extreme sports. | | | | and Linkin Park and Avril Lavigne are sure to be on |
| Among the hottest selling games for the various types | | | | their mp3 player. While most of the skate boarding and |
| of gaming consoles are those by the man himself and | | | | aggressive skating scene in the UK was imported |
| other titles that involve skateboarding. His range of | | | | from the States, our teens can be proud to know that |
| skateboarding equipment is, not surprisingly, highly | | | | they started the baggy clothing scene and it traveled |
| sought after by skateboarders and those who use | | | | Stateside. |
| aggressive skates, too. | | | | |