With a week to go before the rescheduled 2020 Tokyo Olympics, karate and surfing have been pipped by skateboarding as the most anticipated new sport at the games, according to nearly 1 in 5 (17 per cent) people from London, more than surfing (8 per cent) and karate (7 per cent).

The research, conducted by Habito and Skateboard GB, suggested that skateboarding is enjoying a resurgence, with over a third (34 per cent) saying they have tried or are looking to try skateboarding, and 65 per cent saying they would encourage others to have a go at the sport.

The research highlighted some of the far ranging benefits of skateboarding, from improving communities to benefiting youth mental health.

Over half (52 per cent) of those surveyed in London believe the presence of skateboarding culture can have a positive influence on local areas, with over 3 in 5 (62 per cent) believing that skateparks are able to transform otherwise ‘dead’ urban spaces into living ones.

Demonstrating the sense of community they promote, nearly 1 in 4 (38 per cent) said that the skateparks in their local area are treated like a ‘second home’ by those that use them, and 43 per cent view skateboarding as a beneficial way for young people to meet and interact with others.

More than half (57 per cent) of people in London said they believed that skateboarding offers a sense of belonging for those who feel outside of the mainstream, with 3 in 5 (59 per cent) believing that skateparks enable skaters to form ‘positive and healthy communities’.

The inclusivity of the sport was also highlighted in the research, with 54 per cent of Londoners believing that skateboarding has become more inclusive in the last 10 years – a decade which has seen female skateboarding increase by 20 per cent year on year. The research comes as 13 year old Sky Brown has been confirmed as Britain’s youngest summer Olympian, as she competes alongside 14 year old Skateboard GB teammate Bombette Martin at the Tokyo Games.

Abba Newbery, CMO at Habito commented: “We’re passionate about shining a spotlight on the sport and showing just how important skateboarding is in the regeneration and development of urban areas across the country. Our research has shown us that skateboarding plays a vital role in local communities, and how a flourishing skateboarding scene can add to an area’s community, to its culture and make somewhere a great place to live.

“We’re delighted that the nation is as excited as we are to see skateboarding featured as an Olympic sport for the first time this year, and we hope it will encourage many new audiences to give it a go.”

James Hope-Gill, Chief Executive at Skateboard GB, said: “Skateboarding brings a swathe of benefits to people and communities as both a professional and grassroots sport and we’re delighted to see that the nation is behind it as a new Olympics sport.

“The qualification of both Bombette and Sky to Team GB is an inspiration to other skateboarders out there, showing people that anything is possible, no matter your age. Their hard work has paid off and we wish Bombette and Sky the best of luck.”

Habito has been a Skateboard GB partner since 2019, as it sees skating as a way to build strong communities and bring neighbourhoods together. Habito is Principal Partner to the GB National Championships 2021.

The skateboarding team GB will be competing in Tokyo 2020 on:

Monday, July 26 – Men’s Street: Prelims and final (01:00-05:55)
Tuesday, July 27 – Women’s Street: Prelims and final (01:00-05:55)
Thursday, Aug 5 – Men’s Park: Prelims and final (01:00-05:40)
Friday, Aug 6 – Women’s Park: Prelims and final (01:00-05:40)