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The first time I tried it, I fell in love.
It was on a perfect-weathered weeknight during my middle school days. My best girl friend handed me a long wooden board with four wheels attached and proceeded to teach me how to balance, turn and stand on it. A year later, my cousin gave me my first Sector 9. Ever since, I've been addicted, despite the many inevitable falls and scars along the way.
The "it" I'm referring to is the fabulous pastime called skateboarding. In my hometown by the sea, skateboarding and surfing are more popular than football and soccer. Aside from its fun factor, skateboarding is a convenient mode of transportation whenever I'm late for class or going to a friend's place. Unlike its similar snowboarding and surfing counterparts, it can be done anytime, anywhere. Allow me to add that I am not a Tony Hawk prodigy - I cruise on easy downhill streets, not intense half-pipes.
For years, I've been able to enjoy this outdoor activity without much commentary from anyone.
Now that I am in college, however, I have since received ample feedback, generally of the yelling and honking variety, from complete strangers whenever I'm on my four-wheeled wonder.
The only explanation I can see for their openly obnoxious manners and vocalized actions is simple. One doesn't need to know statistics to notice the ratio of guys to girls who skateboard is disproportional.
The sight of a female riding a longboard is perhaps too much for the inhabitants of Newark to handle, and thus many feel compelled to verbalize their immediate, and often unintelligent, thoughts.
Exclamations such as "What's up, skater girl?," "Whoa, slow down!," "Look, she's on a skateboard!" and my personal favorite, "Hang ten!" - which I not-so-nicely responded with, "Actually that would be surfing," damper what would otherwise be a pleasant trip through town. Stating the obvious is unnecessary and avoidable. I don't ask for a play-by-play of my skateboarding, nor do I announce, "Look, he's walking!"
In addition to these public gestures, I have been harassed and even hit on, which I always find strange. I doubt any potential suitor can truly see me or appreciate my personality as I speedily glide past them. Plus, I usually wear a roomy hoodie, jeans and my Converse - all modest articles of clothing that leave plenty to the imagination.
I promise I'm not a completely spiteful person - I try to be as accepting as possible. I can ignore the frequent head turns, stares or creepy smiles. I can somewhat forgive the loud drunken behavior. On any given weekend night, Newark proves its college town reputation - anyone who has passed by Grotto Pizza on a Friday evening knows to expect personalized shouts.
What I don't understand, however, are the statements made during daylight hours from seemingly sober strangers. What is their non-alcoholic-related excuse? Are their remarks a product of their idiocy, lack of self-censorship or failure to be witty?
I wouldn't be complaining if I only heard a handful of comments or if skater boys got the same treatment, but this is far from the case.
One evening, a mere 40 minutes of riding with another female friend elicited more than 15 responses. We were so appalled, we decided to head home in order to prevent any further humiliation. Not only do I have to worry about avoiding cars, rocks and potholes, but now I also have to avoid boisterous strangers.
The demographic of the offenders range in ages from 15 to 25 and all have been male - minus the one woman who screamed something inaudible from the safety of her passing car. Not to be judgmental, but I think I see a pattern here.
If any gentleman has been annoyingly pestered or unsuccessfully romanced by random spectators while on his skateboard, please correct me. Prove this isn't a result of my gender and help me feel less like a museum exhibition open to unwanted criticism.
To all the ladies out there who ride, my heart goes out to you. Although I feel like the number of women who are partaking in male-dominated sports is increasing, we still have a long way to go before the entire general public finds it "normal."
To all the bothersome bystanders who candidly express themselves, try to overcome your initial shock and keep your probably dense opinions in the privacy of your mind.
I'm just an innocent girl who's coasting on a skateboard, while enjoying the lovely weather and smooth pavement.
This is nothing groundbreaking or spectacular and trust me - I'm not asking whether or not you think so.
Larissa Cruz is the Fashion Forward columnist for The Review. Her viewpoints do not necessarily represent those of the Review staff. Please send comments to lcruz@udel.edu.
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