Many people will argue that skateboarding is all about having fun and it is not about criticizing someone with their tricks, unfortunately, skateboarding is evolving whether we like it or not a lot of people around us will say something and some are critical by nature but we have to embrace it as criticism in skateboarding won’t just flag our weak points but it can also help us strengthen our skills as a whole - we can deal with criticism in a positive way and we can make improvements in areas that were not even addressed. According to The Guardian, if you think that you are always right but you do not want to get any feedback from someone else then how will you know that what you are doing is any good?
Here are some benefits:
Skateboarding Skills Development
We all make mistakes and as cliché as it may sound, it’s true that all of us are not perfect but learning from criticism in skateboarding allows you to improve and it will help you grow if you are willing to try. Oftentimes it is difficult to accept but that all depends on your reaction on how you will perceive it. Learning new tricks is one of the best gifts you can give to yourself and listening and acting carefully to critiques will tell you what is good and what you can do better once you landed the new tricks you just learned.
Ms. Dweck says In the New York Times Article:
“People who believe in the power of talent tend not to fulfill their potential because they’re so concerned with looking smart and not making mistakes. But people who believe that talent can be developed are the ones who really push, stretch, confront their own mistakes and learn from them.”
The quote perfectly described the skateboarding culture and we all know deep in our hearts that it is a competitive community whether you are playing a game of S.K.A.T.E with the homies for fun, joining skate competition or just practicing by yourself, it is making you push yourself to improve on your skating.
Wecking Ball is also a perfect example as he is making videos to point out what professional skateboarders are doing wrong in terms of their manual tricks. Many pros are not happy about it but it surely makes them even more aware that since they are top-notch in the game that shouldn’t count in their video parts. Skaters are now very careful in their manuals as they wanted to ameliorate the previous clips.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W9YGLsgHTs4&t=16s
Recognizing Sketchy Tricks
Skateboarders are willing to do whatever it takes to land tricks and it forces us to dig deeper and look confidently and courageously at sketchy skateboarding trick. In January 2003 Eric Koston's éS Game of S.K.A.T.E rules was just to land anything as long as there are no feet on the ground however, some of the tricks back then have toe drags. Then Battle at the Berrics updated their version and emulated Eric’s flat ground contest which everyone knows and memorized the rules after they have read it multiple times before the game starts which improved everyone’s skating. Critics on the internet or so-called trolls by some helped the skateboarders on being aware of what needs a redo and if you are a huge fan of Battle at The Berrics then you already know that criticism has a benefit on skateboarding.
SOTY Criticism
A recent video of Milton Martinez smashing his skateboard to a glass door backlashed on social media as if he was pissed off after he landed a gnarly boardslide down a kink hubba. Skaters were not happy with how he acted after the trick - the skaters on the comment section on BOARDWOLRD's Facebook Post are not criticizing his skills as a pro but his bad attitude. A lot of people disapprove of the skate video release due to promoting someone who destroys a private property intentionally. Milton may learn from this and moving forward will never break anything on purpose just to be cool because kids are also looking up to him.
Improved Products and Services
If someone has a criticism that means they want to provide feedback on what the company is doing for the consumers - which is a great opportunity to learn more about what the business needs to improve on and how to make a potential client convert into a satisfied customer. The reason why there is a lot of research and development that is being implemented in every business and just like what the CEO of Quilla Eunice Quilantang is doing is to make sure to allocate funds on research and development for an improved quality of any skateboarding products and services to become stronger.
“If you don’t create the kind of organization that will correct your errors, you could lead your firm right over a cliff.” -Jonathan Bendor Stanford professor
Conclusion
Language can be powerful and sometimes harmful, but what you should do is don't take it personally if someone doesn't like how you skate, your skate shop, or skateboard company. Even if you feel that you are being unfairly criticized, never retaliate but take a step back and try to see things from the other person’s point of view, perhaps ask your family or friends for their honest opinion and always use criticism wisely as a learning experience.
How about you? What benefit has criticism served in your skateboarding life?