Sound plays a significant and often poignant part of skateboarders' relationship with their sport, a new study shows. Skateboarders develop the skill to tune into the noise of urban surfaces. They both hear and feel noise and this means images and videos alone are a poor insight into the sport. They use sound to verify the success of their manoeuvres, judge the veracity and capacity of surfaces for use and as a social cue.
For some the sensory overload of skateboarding is therapeutic and it helps them connect with others skating nearby.
But the research also shows there is a "skatesound paradox" -- skateboarders are aware of the negative impacts of the sound they make on some people nearby and alter their behaviour in some circumstances to counteract this. Skateboarders who took part in the research described the sound of the sport as both unpleasant and lovely.
For some it was a critical part of the experience, and a therapeutic sensory aid to those who identified as neurodiverse. The findings demonstrate how the visually spectacular sport has a rich sensory world not accessible by just watching the sport. Skateboarders actually hear and feel what they are doing, and through skatesound can understand and appreciate what others are doing. Dr Paul O'Connor, from the University of Exeter, interviewed 18 adult skateboarders aged between 19 and The research also identifies how skatesound was an inclusive experience for some who may feel marginalised or uninspired by more rigid and institutionalised sports.
Three of the participants wore hearing aids, however only one used hearing aids while skateboarding. Four participants also reported some diagnosis that placed them on a sensory spectrum related to either autism or ADHD, or a combination of the two.
