known for something

Tampa Bay (and Tampa, specifically), have tried time and time again to figure out just what it is that they want to be known for. Wall St. South? Cigar City? Call Center Headquarters? Strip Malls and Strip Clubs? Tourist Mecca? It seems that nothing sticks.

But have the powers that be ever considered skating? Not ice skating, but sk8ing – rollerblades, roller skates, and yes, skateboarding.

There is already a truly world famous skate park here in Tampa. And of course, the historical Bro Bowl is in downtown Tampa. The Derby Darlin’s Roller Derby League continues to grow. I’m sure SPOT could tell us of more.

If the skateboarding rules were relaxed, we could even have conventions and the like…. Take that Art Museum, and turn all the concrete out front into a skate park. I don’t believe there is any de facto “skateboarding capital of the US.” Hey – it’s just an idea – thought I would throw it out there.

Of course, skateboarding is much too hip to draw the attention of old Tampa. After all, whenever a bunch of those sk8rs gather, they send the cops and arrest them for jaywalking. Individuals have been busted for “Unlawful Rollerskating.”

3 comments - add to the conversation! → “known for something”


  1. wifey

    2 years ago

    I watched a show on MTV about sk8rs and the Spot was the location for the tournament of the week. The show did a nice job showing off Tampa and the business. All of the kids at the Spot seemed well mannered and respectful. I was proud to know that was happening here.


  2. james

    2 years ago

    Tampa will be what the Good Ole Boys who live in “Swamp Tampa” want it to be.

  3. [...] With these guys in charge, we’ll never be the skateboarding capital of the world. [...]


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