Skating their COVID worries away
Photo courtesy of ABIGAIL HONG
Junior Abigail Hong has been skateboarding to enjoy themselves outside, instead of being coped up indoors all day during the pandemic.
In the initial stages of quarantine, many students filled days with indoor activities like puzzles, DIY projects, gaming and art. Although enjoyable, as months pass, even the most engaging activities grow boring in the same, stale environment of one’s home.
Several Diamond Bar High School students looked to the outdoors for an activity that could alleviate their boredom while keeping safe from COVID-19, and settled on skateboarding.
Junior Abigail Hong started longboarding–an activity similar in practice to skateboarding, but using a different board–in August after her sister bought a longboard, inspiring her to buy one herself. She had learned how to skateboard in elementary school, and transitioned back into this hobby.
“The hardest part of skating is learning to just let go and not be afraid of getting hurt, but it’s also the best part as you get a rush of adrenaline once you do let go,” Hong said. “It’s a time for myself to see that life is actually more than stress.”
Unlike Hong, who is more experienced, junior Theo Chen just started skateboarding two months ago. He said that he is taking it slow, and his current goal is to become more comfortable on the board before he tries to learn any tricks.
“I think skateboarding is fun because it is more about conquering your fear and anxiety and to keep going forward if you are going to fall or get hurt,” Chen said.
Senior Carl Hong started skateboarding after seeing his friends with skateboards and RipStiks in middle school and it has been a passion of his for five years. Although he took a short break from the activity during high school, COVID-19 gave him the time to take the board back up. He bought a longboard in July, and often rides it in Pantera Park with friends.
Hong also learned how to “walk” on his longboard using TikTok and YouTube videos. He said the trick didn’t take a long time to learn, as he already had good balance on his board.
“I can just ride along the sidewalks without anyone telling me what to do and not care about a lot of things and I can be alone, listen to my own music, and go along my own course,” Hong said.
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