AIR

AIR Art + Science of Skateboarding Understand and demonstrate movement concepts and principles in a variety of movement forms: Skateboarding requires self awareness, balance and physical control. Skaters learn to walk, push, glide, skate forward and backward, hop and jump (ollie), all of which demonstrate different movement concepts and principles. Momentum, inertia, friction, slope, incline and other concepts are learned naturally while skateboarding.

Cultivate interpersonal communication skills that respect differences and demonstrate responsible and social behavior: Skateboarders depend on one another, learn from each other, work on skills in a group and work independently.

Skaters learn to respect one another's physical capabilities and differences. Skateboarding as a group requires etiquette: responsible and social behavior. Respecting one another's physical space, learning not to skateboard into one another, enjoying the achievements of others, and learning to assist one another in mastering the skills increases the pleasure of skating. In skateboarding culture when a skateboarder falls in public or achieves a long sought skill others show respect.

Practice a physically active way of life and explore active opportunities for fun, self challenge, expression, stress reduction and employment through physical activities: Skateboarders participate in a physically active way of life on their own and at citywide skateboarding events.

Skateboarding is naturally enjoyable and fun. Learning it is challenging, and by increasing the skills learned, the skater is continually challenged to learn more. Skating encourages self-teaching at each skater’s own pace, allowing each to create unique choreography. The physical and mental focus required to skate well, along with the sensation of freedom felt gliding, reduces stress. Career and employment opportunities provided by skating are evident from relationships associated with skateboarding events, and through exposure to skating instructors.

Develop competency in physical skills with proficiency in several: Skateboarding requires competency in a variety of physical skills all at the same time. Skaters develop numerous physical skills on the skateboard, including standing, pushing, gliding, skating forward and backward, balancing on one foot, hopping, jumping, turning forward and backward, and navigating safely through the streets, parks, and playgrounds.

Practice safe and responsible personal and social behavior in physical activity settings: Skateboarders learn and practice safe behavior while using a skateboard in order to spend most of their time doing what they love, skateboarding. They learn to fall, to get up, to use and care for their equipment, and how to distinguish between safe and unsafe skateboarding behavior. All of the skills learned include the proper and safe way to execute each maneuver, with awareness of the possible consequences of not executing the maneuvers correctly. Skaters learn safe ways to avoid someone who has fallen, to avoid bumping into other moving skateboarders, and to respectfully alert other skaters who may not be aware of their proximity.

Words in italics are NY State Standards for learning in physical education. All other text copyright Open Road.