YouTuber and skateboarder Dale Decker recently opened up about a topic that’s been circling the skate community for a while now.
He talked about why it seems like skateboarding just isn’t hitting the same way it used to.
Decker used to run a skate shop back in the day. He said it was tough. A lot of shops were going under and struggling to stay open.
It wasn’t just a few, it was happening everywhere. Around that same time, big names in skateboarding were making big moves.
The Alien Workshop team that many people looked up to split up when Jason Dill and Anthony Van Engelen left to start FA World Entertainment. That shift had a huge impact and marked the end of an era for a lot of skaters.
He also touched on how YouTube changed things. Channels like Braille and Revive introduced skateboarding to a younger audience through tutorials and beginner-focused videos.
The YouTube sensation acknowledged that this helped grow interest but said it also changed how people get into skating. Instead of learning tricks at the park or from older skaters, a lot of kids are now learning everything from watching videos at home.
Another thing he pointed out was the shift from skate shops to online shopping.
It’s easier than ever to order a board, trucks, or shoes with just a few clicks. While that’s convenient, it’s also one of the reasons physical shops are shutting down.
Decker emphasized that skate shops used to be places where people would hang out, talk, watch skate videos together, and just build friendships.
Now that scene is slowly disappearing because people don’t need to go to the shop anymore.
He also mentioned how quiet his local parks have become.
He said he rarely sees anyone out skating where he lives. Of course, he added that he can’t speak for every state, but where he’s at, it definitely feels emptier.
He even wondered if there are just too many skateparks now, which might be spreading skaters out. But at the end of the day, he feels like something is different.
Decker made it clear that skateboarding isn’t gone. It’s just changing. And maybe it always goes through cycles. But for those who grew up skating in packed parks and hanging out at local shops, it can feel like something important is slipping away.
To hear more of what he said, check out Decker’s full video below. He breaks everything down with real honesty, and it might just explain what a lot of skaters have been feeling lately.
