I have a theory on why some of the most influential creative types have skated at some point in their lives. It isn’t about skate culture: the graphics, the clothes. It has to do with the fact that there isn’t a school skate team. There’s no assigned coach that will get on your ass for missing practice.
You have to be self-motivated. You have to squash your ego and fail countless times in order to acquire each skill. And you do this all while at the risk of eating it. Jade Baker won over some instant cred when she busted out her cruiser.