Skateboarding has a unique scene in Athens compared to other athletics in the city. With the “Classic City” mainly focusing on collegiate sports, due to Athens being the home of the University of Georgia. Athens visitors might not realize skateboarding is another huge sport in Clarke County.
For instance, handmade skateparks also known as Do It Yourself (DIY) is one of the main reasons the Athens skateboarding scene so unique. The skateboarding community will get together and find abandoned parking lots or areas where buildings have been torn down and completely transform the area into a homemade skatepark. Residents in Clark County have built their own skateparks in their backyard and will host skateboarding events and live music. Skaters from all around including Atlanta, for example, will travel to Athens to experience handmade skateparks created by locals.
The city does not have a local skate shop, but skateboarder Nick Borlie operates his own mobile skate shop. Borlie will deliver to skaters in Athens and other areas around Georgia which has really helped the Athens skateboarding scene grow. Borlie has a huge passion for the sport and building its popularity in the city’s skateboarding community.
“A business is just a blessing to be able to contribute and be a part of the memories and growth.” – Nick Borlie owner of Mobile Skate Shop
Many passionate skaters in the community find it difficult to skateboard sometimes as the Athens Clarke County government has only built one skate park. Skaters in the community like Borlie have expanded the scene tremendously. People can skateboard in the following places around Clarke County: local backyard skateparks, the streets of Athens, parks or the DIY. “I’ve seen a lot of fearless kids that want to have fun. I’ve always enjoyed the skate scene there,” Borlie said.
The skate scene in Clarke County has been built from the ground up making it very unique. Kids all over town seem to enjoy skateboarding in various places. The unique style of skateboarding in the “Classic City” is what makes it special. Because access is limited to one skatepark in the area, locals in the community resort to building and starting their own businesses around the industry. Their passion for the sport has provided places and opportunities for it to continue to grow as an exciting sport that can be experienced by anyone at any time.
