Community - Club

Depok Skateboard/ Photos: Depok SkateboardHumans have a variety of hobbies. Not just a hobby to an object, but there is also a hobby in an extreme game that can stimulate adrenaline, such as skateboarding.

Skateboarding has ever been popular in the 90s era; almost all young children in large cities may have skateboards. But now, the triumph of skateboarding does not really echo. But, like natural selection, it will filter the young people who really like skateboarding rather than just following the trend.

As for you who live in Depok and beyond, you might be familiar with this community. Moreover, this community has participated in various skateboard competitions. They are the Depok Skateboarders, who frequently practice at Margo City - Ozone Area and at the yard of Pancasila University.

They do extreme movements, because they sometimes jump over the barriers, like long iron bars, stairs, paving roads and chairs. Yet, they also have many members. About 50 skateboarders are recorded as members of Depok Skateboarder. They come from various backgrounds like university students, high school students, and employees.

"There are also some unemployed people who become members of Depok Skateboarder," Rio Sanjaya, coordinator of Depok Skateboarder said to TNOL at the opening ceremony of Skatepark in Sukatani, Cimanggis, Depok, on Sunday (2/13)

According to Rio, Depok Skateboarder was started since they used to meet and practice together at the yard of Pancasila University, Jakarta. Because they have the same vision and mission, they agreed to found the community named Depok Skateboarder in 2003.

"We were still separated in 1990," Rio said.

He explained, there are three important things in skateboarding, which are a good skateboard, excellent condition of the body, and most importantly is the courage. A skateboarder also needs talent and skill. If he has courage and talent, he will master the technique on skateboarding in 2 months.

However, the beginner should learn on how to balance his body and the board, and gets the feet in good position.

Wild

At a glance, many people consider these skateboarders as wild boys. In fact, they often accused of various bad manners like drugs by skateboarding.

"We don't use drug, because skateboarding requires high focus and excellent stamina. We can't concentrate and will be weak if we use drug," Rio explained.

He thinks, the bad impression on skateboarders is because many of them who skateboarding on public spaces. These skateboarders are also have tattoos in their body.

In fact, beyond this bad impression, they got many achievements. Some of them reached the gold medal in Asian skateboard competition in Shanghai, China.

"Skateboarding can also increase the self-confidence," he added.

Well, for you who are interested with this activity, you can join the Depok Skateboarder. If you don't have a skateboard yet, they will lend you. "We are skateboarding to make achievement. Since the sponsor will see us if we have achievements," Rio said.

Today, most of the members are youths. However, they do care about others. They even delivered donation for the survivors of Mt. Merapi eruption. "We delivered donations for the survivors," Rio said. (Subhan)