Perspective, freedom and skateboarding

When the average person looks at a skateboard they might see a means of transportation, but to 22 year-old Aric Johnson that piece of wood with wheels has taught him many life lessons. He grew up playing many organized sports but skateboarding was different.

“It differed from team sports because it was completely independent,” said Johnson “to me, that was fascinating. I had always felt restricted during team sports, but skateboarding was complete freedom.”

Over the years, the 22 year-old skater says he’s learned a lot of lessons from the board that he applies into his everyday life such as appreciating the small things in life, like skateboarding through piles of leaves in the fall. Another one is patience and the amount of attempts it can take to do one trick.

He reminisced on how it took him almost 3 months to land one of the most basic tricks, the Kickflip.

“I remember it being the most frustrating thing ever,” said Johnson “the difference is going back the next day and trying it again, because when you get it, it makes it all worth it.”

Although skateboarding has had positive impacts on his life, Johnson feels that in the public eye it was viewed as reckless and his worry about his self image had caused him to put down the board for a while. Now he believes the stigma still exists with the older population but the younger generation is becoming more accepting.

“The appropriation of skate culture helped greatly with this. Nearly everyone owns a Thrasher shirt now or wears Vans. Its quite ironic and I don’t necessarily approve of it, but at least they let me skate in peace,” said Johnson.

Skateboarding is now a hobby to Johnson as he studies business but to him it’s the ultimate stress reliever.

“It clears my head and makes me feel confident and refreshed. During the school year especially I have a lot going through my head and I think it’s important to let it out. Skateboarding allows me to do that,”