Skateboarding has seized headlines ever since it made its way to the Tokyo Olympics and it continues to make strides and build on its legacy that stretches back to the 1980s. But a few things have changed since. It’s no longer a men’s sport, as skating is rapidly growing among the other demographic. It has changed how the sport is looked at and perceived, and it has grown from rustic buildings and backyards to pulling maneuvers at the biggest sporting event on the planet.

Billy Tuchscher, the CEO of the Skateboarding Hall of Fame attracted everyone’s attention when he spoke with our beloved host, Trey Holder, in the latest segment of EssentiallySports Think Tank. Tuchscher has an eye for growing trends and the shift in the dynamics of the sports world. His stints with RollingStone Magazine and a long string of success stories building community-based ventures tell his expertise in realizing the gaps in a sector. Notably, he has a solid understanding of the skating world, which allowed him to point out how the average age of women’s skating event medalists was 14. That’s not it.

Tuchscher lays out for the host and the other notable guest and legendary skateboarder, Christian Hosoi, that women’s skating is the fastest-growing segment. In addition, Billy backs his argument with the recent changes in pop culture and commercialization, including fashion. He argues that women are adopting skate and the casual lifestyle of it. Hosoi, who has dedicated almost 5 decades to skateboarding, then chimes in and adds on to his co-guest’s view on women’s skating.

“Definitely, the women’s category in skateboarding has not only influenced skateboarding but has influenced the world in general. Because they are so young now skating. The Japan Olympics was like a precursor to what’s going on.” He then sheds light on Japan’s endeavors and efforts in promoting skating, which bore fruit in this year’s Olympics, as they swept gold in both male and female categories. The LA native then goes on memory lane, where he recalls how 10 years ago his father started sponsoring girls. He has carried on the same legacy, and the biggest sponsored members of his team are women. Why is it so?

Hosoi explains, “There is this fresh vibe happening in our sport where girls are excited to skate. Men are so jaded that they are just like all in competition. They have this, you know, egos going back and forth. But I think that women have now brought this camaraderie back to where we were back in the 80s to where we were just happy to be skating.” The Hosoi Skates CEO then steers the conversation around the positive impact women skaters have.

Christian Hosoi backs Arisa Trew to cut through the gender lines!

‘Holmes’ follows the conversation initiated by our host about the current state of skating’s culture. There is a feeling of camaraderie rather than competition, which Hosoi best explains with his own experience. The American professional skater admits, “I’m always encouraged when I see a girl rip. Because back in the day, we are always challenging each other. ‘Can you skate better than a girl?’ Back then that was okay to say. Now, you [say] ‘You skate like a girl,’ it’s a little bit sexist to say something like that for women.”

Hosoi then also gives the example of his prodigal rider, Arisa Trew, who wants to have a go at the boys of her age and defeat them. Notably, 14-year-old Arisa secured a gold medal at the recently concluded Paris Olympics. He continues, “Because now they are stepping up and they have the ability to really beat men. My litter rider Arisa says she wants to enter against the boys because she wants to challenge men at skateboarding.”

Christian Hosoi and Billy Tuchscher touch upon other aspects of skateboarding, from the evolution and growth of skateboarding in the 1980s and the recent changes. It’s all in the exciting interview, which you can catch up on now. EssentiallySports Think Tank initiative made all of this possible. The Think Tank aims to accumulate the greatest minds in sports and bring them directly to you. Taking hold of the reins, host and innovator Trey Holder engages in candid conversations with the guests to reveal every detail you would need to grow and learn about leadership and performance. This Is EssentiallySports Think Tank—Where Sports Meets Smart Content.