Spotlight: Dr Kirsty Smith and the Art of Skateboarding

Go Skate Day was created by the International Association of Skateboard Companies back in 2004 and encourages people from all skill ranges to pick up a board and just go skate! This year, it takes place on the 21st June so to celebrate, Dr Kirsty Smith (Senior Lecturer & Course Leader for BA (Hons) Fashion Media and Marketing) taught myself and Robbie Wills some of the basics and we chatted about the joys of skating and the value that can be found in the past time.

BE: How did you first get into skating?

KS: I started skateboarding with my brothers when I was around 12 or 13. We rode an old, battered Bart Simpson Argos board on the street outside our house, and it was so much fun! We spent the whole summer learning the basics. By the end of the holidays, the board had snapped, like most do. That was the end of skateboarding for me until I met my now partner, Leo Sharp, at university. Leo was studying photography and journalism and had been skateboarding most of his teenage life. His passion reignited my interest in skateboarding and the culture around it. Through Leo, I rediscovered my passion for skateboarding.

BE: Now, skating is a big part of your art practice, PhD research and your career. They're all kind of tied up which is so cool! Can you talk a bit about how this happened and what value you've found in it?

KS: My PhD emerged from a series of conversations within the skateboard community. Many skaters were becoming disillusioned with how skateboarding was portrayed by outsiders, feeling that these depictions lacked the depth to represent the culture. I wanted to respond to these concerns by understanding how skateboard media is produced and to grasp the creative process I had observed for years.

My research is deeply connected to my practice as a photographer and my profession in teaching media and marketing. I have been inspired by expert photographers and videographers who have perfected their craft in this field. Just as skateboarding requires dedication to practice and improvement, these experts have meticulously refined their techniques and knowledge of skateboarding to produce media that reflects their experiences within the culture. In my research, I aimed to explore this embodied process, highlighting their commitment to capturing media, which parallels the creativity of skateboarding.

Robbie's first time on a skateboard!

BE: Why do you think skateboarding is such a valuable hobby? What are some of the benefits to skating?

KS: As someone who has been involved in skateboarding for decades, both on and off the board, skateboarding has given me so much. It has given me a trusted and amazing group of friends from all walks of life. But the greatest lesson I've learned through skateboarding is the value of failure. Many people fear failure or feel pressured to achieve 110%.

Skateboarding, however, teaches you to fall and get back up literally and metaphorically. It's a lesson in resilience and determination that translates to every aspect of life. Skateboarding shows that failure can be fun and that embracing it allows you to gain far more than simply achieving something on the first try. It gives you a sense of empowerment—you don't give up. You keep going. You learn that it's okay to walk away without achieving something one day because you can return to it with fresh eyes and muscles the next day to nail the trick.

BE: I really like the repetition and the muscle memory of it all, it can be frustrating but it can also be really meditative, I think! For those looking to try skating, this Go Skate Day, what top tips would you give them?

KS: Find your community! Starting out with like-minded others who are also learning is a great way to get into skateboarding. There are lots of groups to join from all walks of life. I think being surrounded by supportive people can make the experience of skateboarding more enjoyable and less intimidating. Enjoy the experience of skateboarding, no matter your level. Remember why you wanted to start skating in the first place. Focus on the fun rather than the fear of being judged. Celebrate small victories and improvements rather than expecting to be perfect immediately. Recognise that progress takes time.

Beth trying to ollie

BE: Like you mentioned, it can be quite intimidating to practice when you are new to the sport, so how can you conquer the fear of being perceived - or being 'bad' at skating - whilst you're still picking up the basics?

KS: I don’t believe there is such a thing as a bad skater! We all have different abilities; some people take to skateboarding quickly, while others may take more time to develop their skills. My advice is to accept that everyone starts as a beginner. Even the best skaters had to learn, make mistakes, and improve over time. Focus on your progress rather than perfection. Celebrate small victories and improvements, no matter how minor they may seem.

BE: It's still fun even if you're not very good at it right!? So that definitely shouldn't put people off. I made a t shirt with a big red 'L' on it so people knew I was a learner! Then it felt okay that I was falling off the board all the time because I didn't expect people to have the pre-determined idea that I was a pro skater and that helped me get over the fear.

So once everyone's brave enough to start, where would you recommend skating - what's your favourite skate spot in Plymouth?

I took a hiatus from skateboarding while I completed my PhD, as I was scared of injuring myself and wanted to ensure I finished my thesis. After four years, I am just stepping back onto a board. Plymouth is not a spot I have skated regularly, having lived in Cornwall since moving south, but I know there are great spots from my previous year's visits.

Prime Skatepark is a fantastic place to start and meet people. Central Skatepark, Civic Centre and the Anchor Bank are all great places to meet up with other locals. I recommend finding a good flat area with a rail and a curb if you are starting out. The basics are the best way to start learning. A flat space is ideal for learning to roll and ollie. A curb helps with learning to ollie up and down, and a rail can be useful to hold onto while learning to flip your board. The simplest setups can really help you advance and gain confidence.

Best,

Beth Evans

Student Union President

Bordeaux Ethnographic Observations by Kirsty Smith

Check out Kirsty's website here to learn more about her research and practice.