The results of the 2020 edition of the Survey of Social Skateboarding Projects Worldwide by Skateistan and Pushing Boarders are now published, showing an increase in diversity amongst both project staff and participants. The survey, which includes data from 117 projects in 61 countries, gives a snapshot of the variety of projects which use skateboarding for development and social good.
Over 21,000 people are reached by the combined projects each week, showing the sector is growing year on year. The survey has been running since 2018 and this year has seen a weekly participant increase from 18,300 in 2019. 50% of participants are girls and 42% of the projects work with the LGBTQI+ community (up from just 27% in 2019).
This year’s report is special, however, because it provides a snapshot into how COVID-19 has impacted the social skateboarding sector. Unsurprisingly, 97% of projects surveyed were negatively affected by the pandemic. 17% of projects had to close permanently due to the ramifications of the pandemic, while 44% said it had affected funding. However many noted positive effects as well, with nearly one quarter of projects expanding their scope to support the basic needs of their participants.
The 2020 survey results also highlight how the vast majority of social skateboarding projects are reaching marginalized young people and communities who may otherwise be left behind.
Skateboarding has long been an alternative to more structured team sports or other after-school activities. With COVID-19 affecting organized sports, however, we are seeing a massive growth in skateboarding’s popularity worldwide, due to the ability for people to socially distance while skating – needing only some flat ground and a skateboard.
Rhianon Bader, Goodpush Alliance Program Manager at Skateistan said, “The survey results this year are really fascinating. On the one hand, we are seeing a really concerning fall-out from the pandemic, with 77% of projects saying that their programs have been disrupted and over 40% saying their funding has been affected as a result of Covid-19. On the other hand, we are seeing a real increase in the diversity of the community, both among project staff and participants, which is awesome news.
“Many people from many different walks of life have turned to skateboarding this year to help them through the lockdowns and stress that Covid has caused. As a community, it’s amazing to see how people have stepped up to adapt their programs to ensure no one is left behind. The results of the survey will further help us to shape our support for the social skate sector over the next year.”
Overview of Key Results:
Participants:
- The 117 projects combined work with approximately 21,000 participants weekly (up from 18,300 participants in the 2019 survey)
- 50% of these participants are girls
- 42% of projects in 2020 work with the LGBTQI community (up from 27% in 2019)
Staff diversity:
- 67% of the projects have at least one woman as staff (increase from 40% in 2019).
- 42% of projects have at least one person of color in their staff
- 31% of projects have at least one LGBTQ+ staff member
- 12% of projects have at least one person with a disability on staff
Budget:
In 2020 there was also a considerable decrease in the total combined budget for social skateboarding projects, from $9.9m in 2019 to $6.7m in 2020. This could be partly due to fundraising challenges related to COVID-19.
How were projects affected by COVID-19?
Only 3% of projects said that they were not affected by the pandemic. The other projects were affected in the following ways:
How did projects adapt?
Many social skateboarding projects developed COVID-19 safety measures for programs, shifted to online programming, revised their income model, or expanded support for basic needs (i.e. food security).
On a brighter note, some responders also shared some positive effects from the COVID-19 restrictions such as noting that more and more people were interested in skateboarding, or projects having more time to work on organizational and curriculum development, quick adapting to online programs and advocacy as well as distribution of a greater number of skateboards to children in need.
FIND THE FULL SURVEY REPORT HERE
The Goodpush Alliance is a Skateistan program which aims to support the social skate community worldwide. The survey results will help to shape how the Goodpush Alliance serves and supports the social skateboarding community in 2021 and beyond.
