What started as a group of students riding down a hill is now a full-blown organization. A small group of students have taken the initiative and started a group, SK8, dedicated to extreme sports.
“We started spring semester of last year. We just got some skateboards and rode down a hill,” said Colvin Scott, 19, a second-year broadcast journalism student from Atlanta.
SK8 is a student-run organization that specializes in extreme sports, primarily skateboarding, long boarding, and in-line skating.
Skateboarding is the method of choice for most members, but others do own and use long boards and rollerblades.
Extreme sports are entertaining to watch, but not exactly safe. Injuries are a common occurrence, and no one can avoid them. According to McGowan, it is very possible for even the most experienced veteran to fall and hurt himself.
“Extreme sports, by definition, are action sports,” said Darryl McGowan, 19, a second year engineering student from Chicago, Ill. “You run the risk of falling on your face in any action sport.”
Jonathan Smith, 19, a second-year mechanical engineering student from Sebring, said that he has seen and has suffered a few injuries.
“You see a lot of injuries. It really gets kind of gruesome when you are out there” said Smith.
Smith also said that even with the scrapes and bruises that come with the territory, experience could actually be the best teacher.
“They say that once you fall, it doesn’t hurt again,” said Smith.
Women have even found their way into the extreme sports arena as well.
“Girls like to skate,” Scott said. “They just want to have fun, and that s what we re about.”
“The skating atmosphere is growing rapidly, ” said Derrick Kearse, 21, a second-year computer science student from Ft. Myers.
SK8 isn’t only confined to FAMU’s campus. A group that started off with less than 10 members can now be seen with roughly 15 skating down hills all over Tallahassee.
“Members of SK8 emphasize having a fun and honing their craft. You get satisfaction every time you get on your board or put on your skates, ” Scott said.
While FAMU does not officially recognize SK8 as an official campus organization, there are plans to be recognized.
“We weren’t really expecting this to get big,” McGowan said. “But it is getting big, and since it s getting bigger, we’re forced to consider [expanding] and it’s pretty exciting.”
Students interested in joining SK8 can contact McGowan at 219-381-4003.