Asheville: A Thriving Hub for Downhill Skateboarding Enthusiasts
Western North Carolina’s mountainous terrain, with its sharp turns and sheer cliffs, might intimidate the average driver. Yet, for a growing number of downhill skateboarders, these roads serve as the ultimate raceway.
Griffen Adams, a local skater, likens the experience to “having a super power.” Speeding down these roads at 70 miles per hour, he describes the sensation as akin to being on a theme park ride, complete with the thrilling pressure of G-forces during tight turns.
Asheville has become a beacon for downhill skaters over the last ten years, drawing athletes like Adams who navigate these challenging paths with little more than a longboard and protective gear.
“It’s really been cool to be here the whole time and see the growth of it and witness, you know, what people are willing to do for their passion,” Adams reflected. “These are probably some of the most talented downhill skaters in the U.S., if not the world.”
This vibrant community is captured in a short film premiering this Thursday at Eulogy in downtown Asheville. The film explores the sport’s culture, the physical demands, and the personal stories that have made this region a downhill skating hotspot.
Director Thomas Richmond, a veteran skater, has witnessed the scene’s evolution firsthand. “Right now, it’s probably the biggest it’s ever been,” he noted, adding that many skaters are so captivated by a single visit that they relocate to Asheville.
Richmond estimates around 100 skaters currently reside in the area, arriving in groups of 10 to 30 at a time.
“There’s a high caliber of skill”
Despite the exhilarating experience, downhill skating is fraught with risks, including serious injuries like broken bones and road rash. Richmond, who has skated for over a decade, mentions a shoulder injury likely requiring surgery.
Skaters mitigate these risks with helmets, pads, and special gloves equipped with plastic discs, or pucks, to aid in slowing down. As a self-described “papa bear,” Adams emphasizes safety, ensuring skaters remain in proper lanes and communicate with spotters positioned along the route.
Adams acknowledges that while the sport may seem reckless, it requires significant skill and accountability. Nevertheless, skaters sometimes encounter drivers who react negatively to their presence on the road.
“I’ve had people swerve at me before, believe it or not,” Adams said, highlighting the misunderstanding that skating is illegal or unsafe.
Is road skating legal?
The legality of road skating in North Carolina is ambiguous, with no statewide ban but some local prohibitions in places like Marion and Polk County. Conversely, Asheville has embraced the sport, enacting a “micro-mobility” ordinance allowing skateboards on streets with speed limits of 30 mph or less.
Adams hopes for a shift in perceptions, noting that Asheville skaters actively engage in community clean-ups to foster goodwill.
“Asheville was always the goal”
Although road use remains a contentious issue, the sport’s popularity continues to rise. Downhill skating made its debut at the World Skate Games in Barcelona seven years ago, and in North Carolina, the sport is promoted by the North Carolina Downhill Skateboarding organization.
Griffen Adams hopes to see it become an Olympic sport, emphasizing the dedication required for a pursuit offering neither fame nor fortune.
One such dedicated skater is Marcella Delgado, who moved from Southern California to Asheville, drawn by the local roads.
“Asheville was always the goal,” she said. “As soon as I found out what it was like, the roads that they were skating on here, I moved here as soon as I could.”
Delgado believes Western North Carolina surpasses even California as a downhill skating haven, citing the dense concentration of skaters and roads.
Richmond concurs, noting the vast array of roads yet to be discovered by the local skate community, a testament to the area’s unique appeal.
