Dilemmas of a sport under-construction: an analysis of the letter section in the Overall magazine (1985 - 1990)

Abstract

This article aims to investigate the dilemmas surrounding skateboarding through the letters published in Overall magazine. This magazine had 19 issues between 1985 and 1990, and in all of them, 107 letters were published during this period. The 1980s can be understood as a key moment for the sportivization of this activity, however, it paradoxically marks the period in which ambivalent conceptions about skateboarding are triggered, especially about its practice on the streets. Such letters reflect this paradox, while many skateboarders felt confident that Overall existed as an element to foster this activity as a sport, others complained about the restrictions and prohibitions the practice entailed.