‘Skatesound’: The remarkable role of noise in skateboard culture

EXETER, England —When most people think of skateboarding, they picture kickflips and ollies. But a recent international study suggests we’re missing half the story by focusing only on what we can see. For skaters, the sport’s soundtrack is just as crucial as its spectacular moves.

A study published in Sport in Society examined how 18 adult skateboarders experience and interpret skating sounds. Through extensive interviews, researchers discovered that participants have sophisticated relationships with what they term “skatesound” — everything from wheels clicking over sidewalk cracks to the screech of trucks grinding metal rails.

Most notably, every participant described experiencing an instinctive reaction dubbed the “head whip”—immediately turning toward any skateboarding sounds they hear. This universal response shows how deeply these sounds connect to skater identity and community, like a secret language that sparks immediate recognition.

The diverse study group included participants aged 19-51 from seven countries, bringing together voices from the UK, U.S., France, Canada, Sweden, and Germany. Their skating experience ranged from 3 to 36 years. The sample included people with hearing impairments, neurodivergent individuals, and participants across gender identities.

Lead researcher Dr. Paul O’Connor from the University of Exeter found that skaters described skating sounds in vivid terms: “clattering, the sound of drills and angle grinders, an irritant, the sound of beer bottle on beer bottle, of bone on concrete, rolling, rough, smooth tickling in my ear, and rough and in your face. Loud in the best way.”

This awareness of sound’s impact led many participants to adjust their behavior. Some avoided skating near homes or in echoing tunnels. Others felt overwhelmed by the constant noise in enclosed skateparks. This consideration challenges stereotypes about skaters being indifferent to their sonic impact on others.

One accomplished skater, Alfie, reported that tuning into skating’s rhythm helped him manage anxiety and become more aware of his neurodiversity. The consistent sounds and rhythms provided a form of sensory engagement that some found calming or focusing.

The study revealed that sound serves practical functions beyond emotional connection. Experienced skaters use audio cues like mechanics diagnosing engine problems. The specific sounds of wheels and wood help them assess their technique, evaluate surfaces, and anticipate terrain changes. This creates what O’Connor calls “a meditative calming of the modern malady of the wandering mind.”

When it came to adding external sounds through headphones, the community was split. Half opposed headphone use while skating, seeing it as antisocial and potentially dangerous. One participant, Gavin, felt so strongly about maintaining skating’s communal nature that he would approach headphone users and invite them to join group sessions.

Others used headphones strategically. Fiona wore them as a social barrier when skating alone as the only female participant. Steph used them to manage sensory overload in noisy indoor parks. The choice often reflected personal needs rather than skating preferences.

Two of three participants with hearing aids chose to skate without them, finding that amplified sounds interfered with their natural perception of skating cues. The third used a bone-conduction hearing aid that provided different sound qualities.

To help demonstrate skating’s rich sonic world, the research incorporated elements from co-author Max Boutin’s “texturologies” art installation. This interactive exhibit uses video, sound, and vibrating platforms to show how skateboards function as “ears beneath the feet,” constantly sensing and interpreting urban surfaces.

The findings challenge the notion that skateboarding can be fully understood through videos and photos alone. Sound creates connections between skaters, enhances performance, and provides therapeutic benefits for diverse participants. It’s an essential element of skating culture that deserves recognition beyond just noise complaints.