By: Andrew Tan

Across Australia, around 200,000 people have been taking up skateboarding and surfing since the pandemic began.

According to the Australian Sports Commission, most Aussies who had taken up skating (119,000) and surfing (196,000) between 2019 and 2021 were female and aged 15 and over. In addition, a report showed that many people have been using game consoles to work out. In 2019, the participants were fewer than 10,000; in 2021, their numbers rose to 935,000.

Furthermore, basketball, football, volleyball, and cricket have increased vastly. Many women became interested in skating or surfing after watching other people and becoming inspired. As Ella Smit wanted to learn how to skateboard, her mother was highly supportive and encouraged her to join any sport as long as she liked it.

According to Bernard Griffiths, Victorian Skateboarding Association president, “We ran sessions online with 80 to 100 people each – every session was full. A lot of people loved skating during the pandemic to keep active.”

Women have continued to take the lead in being physically active, and many people are starting to return to physical activity!