Skateboarders often boast about their unique way of perceiving urban spaces, yet the conversation rarely delves deeper. While the skater’s perspective is undoubtedly special, what can we truly achieve with this viewpoint? This is where Duncan McDuie-Ra comes into the picture. Duncan, a professor of Urban Sociology at The University of Newcastle and a dedicated skateboarder, brings a unique lens to the study of urban environments. He’s recently published Skateboarding and Urban Landscapes in Asia: Endless Spots, and has another book, Skateboarding Video: Archiving the City from Below, on the way. We sat down with Duncan to explore the significance of the skater’s gaze in urban studies, particularly in Asia, and to discuss his upcoming book.
Urban Dynamics and Skateboarding in Asia
What inspired you, a skateboarder from suburban Australia, to focus your urban research in Asia?
I was drawn to Asia because of its dynamic nature. The region is constantly changing, and its cities are incredibly diverse. I believe that the future of urban life is unfolding in Asia.
Could you elaborate on what you mean by “the future of urban life is in Asia?”
Statistics reveal that Asia has the largest urban population globally, with significant growth still to come. In the 2000s, China became a magnet for skaters because of its infrastructure-heavy urban development, including the emergence of “ghost cities.” These were built in anticipation of population growth that was slow to materialize. The sheer scale is unparalleled in human history. Skaters flocked to cities like Shenzhen, Guangzhou, Foshan, Nanjing, and Shanghai, but numerous other cities experienced rapid expansion, creating unique spots. Despite China’s spots being somewhat “played out” in skate videos, they represent just a fraction of the available locations.
What prevents people from moving to these ghost cities and embracing the skate life?
Relocating is feasible; you’d require a proxy or landlord for subleasing. Purchasing property is more complex, requiring residency and employment, but with a good relationship with your proxy, a deal can be made. A skate house is achievable, but I’d caution against going full Emerica Mansion. Ghost cities are filling up, notably Ordos/Kangbashi. You might still have the Yujaipu Financial District outside Tianjin mostly to yourself. However, with the Evergrande collapse, the market is volatile, so quick action is necessary.
The Skater’s Unique Urban Knowledge
Why did you choose to specifically focus on spots in your research?
A core aspect of my project is highlighting the fact that skaters possess a unique form of urban knowledge that’s not shared by others worldwide. In areas with renowned spots, like major US cities, attention is often focused on places with cultural significance, such as China Banks, Pier 7, or EMB in San Francisco. However, when you explore a place where you’re unsure of any spots, you’re compelled to create a skater’s map of the city from scratch.
Are there any specific Asian cities, skaters, or brands that we should be paying attention to?
I believe that Thailand has a thriving skate culture at an ideal stage. The level of skating is exceptional, and Thai skaters have earned international recognition while also fostering strong local brands. I’m particularly impressed with the videos coming out of Thailand. Preduce Skateboards produces incredible videos that capture their fun and creativity. Their filming, music, and editing are top-notch, representing a local scene that rivals any globally. It’s interesting that Koston mentioned not seeing any skaters in Bangkok in his Menikmati part, yet only five years later, we see the first Preduce video. It wasn’t that the scene developed overnight; it was just less visible initially. This is certainly not the case anymore.
What’s the best approach to get acquainted with a skate scene you’re unfamiliar with?
The most effective approach is to locate a local skate shop and inquire about spots. This works in any language. Skaters at shops often draw maps, mark spots on online maps, or provide addresses on pieces of paper. I always try to buy something to acknowledge the information exchange. I’ve amassed a substantial collection of skate shop T-shirts from Kathmandu to Ho Chi Minh City. There are also spot maps online. In my book, I discuss a Shanghai spot map created by Erik Thorbeck. I find it fascinating because it’s a form of urban geography dedicated to the misuse of property. The map is color-coded for stairs, plazas, etc. It also includes crucial details such as “almost never” or “big bust,” highlighting the social aspect of each spot.
Cultural Sensitivity and Street Skating
Do you believe skaters need to be more conscious of the spots they skate when in foreign countries?
Some academics might call it culturally inappropriate, but culture isn’t as pristine and fragile as they make it out to be. You see Sean Malto skating in India in Gurus of the Ganges back in 2013. He’s captivated by India, and India is fascinated by him. Everyone involved gets something out of that interaction. It’s too simplistic to criticize skaters for being culturally insensitive. Conversely, it’s also too simplistic to label them as cosmopolitan individuals who understand a culture simply by skating in a location. Some skaters might just have a quick session and head back to their hotel, but most actively explore, meet locals, and other skaters. This interaction influences their understanding of different places and cultures. In a time filled with misinformation, being out in the streets and engaging with people is an important way to overcome divides, or realize they are smaller than perceived.
How significant will China be for skate culture going forward?
The speed of urban development in China means new spots are constantly emerging. I became fascinated with the hyperbole used to describe China’s urbanization, both in academia and in popular culture, with claims like “China has used more concrete in ten years than America has in all of the twentieth century.” In recent years, there’s been some fatigue with these perfect spots and the apparent ease of the footage coming from China. The period where Chinese cities were featured in almost every video part seems to be over. China is set to become more significant as a market for skateboards in the next decade than as a location for filming. More teams will visit to host demos and promote products, coinciding with a stronger local scene. We will likely see more content similar to Chickity China by Girl and Chocolate, with demos, hangouts, some tricks, and factory visits, in contrast to videos like Pretty Sweet or Fully Flared, where some of the best tricks were captured in China’s cities.
The Intersection of Skateboarding and Academia
Do you identify more with professors and academics or with skateboarders?
Definitely skateboarders. It’s not even a close call. However, I’ve started to merge these two worlds. I’ve met other amazing people around the world who are doing the same thing. It turns out universities are full of incognito skaters. Do a sticker-toss on any university campus and watch who jumps to grab that orange Western Edition logo sticker. It won’t be students. I worked at a different university in Sydney from 2004-2018, and the most surreal moment was seeing the campus in skate videos by Jack O’Grady, Jake Hayes, and Rowan Davis.
Do you believe that Academia is trying too hard to be involved in skating?
Academia tries to be involved in everything, including skating. I’m surprised there aren’t more academics studying skateboarding, as it has so much to teach us. However, I become cautious when people write about skating without having skated or without having skated in the past. This makes me wonder if people think the same about me. Therefore, I always wear shoes with holes in them. I spent decades researching cities, drawing from what skateboarding taught me while keeping it a secret, because I thought I wouldn’t be taken seriously. Things are different now, hence the surge in interest.
What insights have you gained from your close study of Asian spots and the skate scene?
This study highlights the spread of spots across Asia, including locations familiar to skaters and those that they may not have considered. It also draws attention to the filmers and skaters at these locations who create fantastic content. Skateboarding is undergoing a decentralization process away from the US (and Europe and Australia), spreading into numerous different hubs. Asia is home to various hubs as well as new spots and cities. I hope that this book expands our collective understanding of the skate universe.
With the Olympics, some places in Asia seemingly understand skating more now. Has the relationship between security and skaters changed? Is street skating more lenient?
The Olympics has encouraged Asian governments to invest more in public skate parks, to tolerate the construction of DIY spots, and in the case of major economies like Japan and China, to develop programs to cultivate top athletes. The relationship with security has evolved. It gives skaters more bargaining power to ask for more time because they are training for the Olympics. However, the response from security may be to redirect them to the skate park. Or perhaps the ghost city.
Do you think that China might ever create a city solely for skateboarding, similar to a giant Street League course?
I assume there is already one. I’m always on the lookout for it. Get on Google Earth and scroll west of Zhengzhou. Do you see what I see?
Interview by: Jenkem staff with additional help from James Turvey
Photos courtesy of: Duncan McDuie-Ra
Buy Skateboarding and Urban Landscapes in Asia: Endless Spots today!
