Survey Dashboard
We have created a series of interactive dashboards so you can modify the view of the data to suit your research needs or line of enquiry.
Note: The dashboard can only be viewed on a desktop and tablet screens.
Data & Insights
Welcome to the insights, dashboard and report for the 2023 Skateboard Participation Survey. The data and insights from the survey are intended to aid and support the continued growth of skateboarding in New Zealand, now and into the future.
The survey and findings were designed, developed and are presented in partnership by Skateboarding NZ and Sport NZ | Ihi Aotearoa.
Survey Dashboard
We have created a series of interactive dashboards so you can modify the view of the data to suit your research needs or line of enquiry.
Note: the dashboard can only be viewed on a desktop and tablet screens.
Survey Report
View our in-depth analysis of the survey data, complete with breakdowns of each individual question.
Survey Report
View our in-depth analysis of the survey data, complete with breakdowns of each individual question.
High-level Findings
Skateboarding is recommended
9/10. On average, people gave a 9 out of 10 response when asked if they would recommend skateboarding to family and friends. This result gives skateboarding a Net Promoter Score of +61.
What the community wants
More events and competitions, and supporting and empowering communities to achieve better outcomes are some of the top items on the minds of the skateboard community.
Skateboard
all-year-round
65% of people skateboard all year round.
Skateboarding for life
59% of people surveyed have skateboarded for ten or more years.
5+ hours a week.
45% of people skateboard five or more hours a week.
More females are starting to skateboard
33% of the females surveyed were under 18.
The community’s view on skatepark design
Insights show that there is a very even spread across what obstacles people want in their skateparks, with no obvious outliers.
Design of skateparks for all levels
Design aspects of skateparks are critically important to the community. Skateparks and skate spaces must provide for beginner, intermediate, advanced and expert users and their different needs while working in harmony with the patterns of use of other user groups or codes.
Quality and maintenance of skateparks and skate spaces
We received a considerable volume of comments from across New Zealand about the provision, state and care of local skateparks and skate spaces. Topics ranged from suitability of design and quality of construction and finishing to varied or non-existent maintenance.
Lighting and all-weather cover
Lack of lighting at skateparks and the absence of indoor facilities in most cities are significant barriers to skateboarding in winter.
A huge opportunity for skateboard coaching
17% have received some type of coaching or instruction in the past year. Only 3% receive regular coaching or instruction. 55% of all people might or would use it if it were available to them. The number is much higher for those under 18 (78%) and even higher for under 12 (94%).
The community of skateboarding
While skateboarding is considered an individual activity or sport, engaging in it is all about connection and community. 66% of people said they skateboard with “friends”. Skateboarding is a social activity — 54% said they skate with “whoever is at the skate park or spot”.
Physical and mental benefits of skateboarding
The main reasons people currently skateboard are for fun (86%), health or fitness (56%), and wellbeing (53%). Skateboarding provides physical fitness without feeling forced. It can provide necessary moments of mental clarity in times of stress and anxiety. It can provide essential skills to build resilience and approach life’s challenges.
Skateboarding is for the neurodiverse
At least 34% of people surveyed identified as neurodivergent. The benefits of skateboarding, such as hyperfocus, clearing the mind or achieving a sense of escapism or respite, are suited to the neurodiverse. “Skating is perfect for ADHD. The hyperfocus pairs well with it.” “Skateboarding is my escape from depression and anxiety.”
Barriers to going skateboarding
Weather (65%) and injury (43%) are the highest and most influenceable factors that have stopped people from skateboarding in the last 12 months. 34% said that having nowhere to skateboard or that the park or spot was too far away stopped them from skateboarding.
Types of Skateboarding
Street skateboarding is by far the most popular discipline at 81%. Mini-ramp is the next favoured discipline at 59%. Bowl follows at 44%. Downhill and Vert disciplines have core followings at 17.5% and 14%, respectively. A significant portion (34%) skateboard as a form of transportation.
About the survey
Acknowledgements
Skateboarding New Zealand (SBNZ) designed and ran the survey with funding and guidance from Sport New Zealand | Ihi Aotearoa. The survey ran from 12 October 2023 to 11 December 2023 and included 2117 respondents. Screening reduced the number of eligible participants to 1997.
Using the survey data
If quoting data or insights from this report, you must credit the source as “Skateboarding New Zealand 2023 Skateboard Participation Survey.”
Skateboarding New Zealand and Sport New Zealand welcome the use of the data in this survey to help provide a better understanding of skateboarding and its needs and to help advocate for, fund and develop better facilities, services, partnerships and outcomes for skateboarders of all kinds in Aotearoa, New Zealand.
If you are looking for insights or information not captured in this report, have questions about any of the content, or if your usage requirements fall outside those stated above, don’t hesitate to contact us by email at support@skateboarding.nz.