Professional skaters open up on stigma against skateboarding

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One of the participant showing off tricks at GrindBaru 8 event
SHAH ALAM - Over 3,000 people attended Malaysia’s first skateboarding festival, GrindBaru 8 at Shah Alam Extreme Park over the weekend to witness jaw dropping skills of rolling, tick-tacking, pushing, stopping, flipping while leaning to to watch them riding on the ramp.

Ahmad Syafiq, 19, said he has been skateboarding since five years old and is glad to see the skateboarding scene progressing over the years.

"I can see people are more involved in it now compared to my younger days,” he told Sinar Daily.

Ahmad Syafiq, 19
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However, he hopes the community will grow further with more youths taking part in the sporting event.

Asked on the stigma attached against skateboardes being rebellious, he said ‘they can say whatever they want’ as they do not understand the passion and the lesson behind skateboarding.

"In a way, skateboarding teaches us not to give up as we always keep trying a trick until we get it right.

"My advice would be to brace yourself for injuries during skateboarding practices,” he said.

Commenting further, Ahmad hopes Malaysia could start sending skateboarders for Olympics.

Mohd Faiz, 21
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Another skateboarder, Faiz, 21 said he has been skating for over 10 years and is looking for more room to improve his stunts and skills.

"It is very different from the time when I first started as there were not many people skateboarding then.

He also reminded that for those who are about to join the skateboarding world to be wary of injuries while learning the skill.