KOTA KINABALU: Despite experiencing two hospital admissions for broken bones, Hairie Farhan from here continues to pursue his love for skateboarding.
The 24-year-old salesman said that he has been engaged in extreme sports for almost seven years.
"It has become normal to fall multiple times while skating, but most enthusiasts have learned the basic safety aspects to minimise the impact of falls.
"In 2019, the Sabah Skateboarding Club was established to provide lessons for those interested in the sport," he said, noting a growing acceptance among parents for their children to skateboard.
The club has about 20 students in a year signed up for the skateboarding lessons. To date, the youngest participant was 6-year-old.
Skateboarders usually spend about RM1,000 annually to replace the wear and tear of their gears.
Hairie recalled that when he first started, he learned skateboarding from friends and YouTube channels.
He also said that the skateboarding scene in Sabah has been gradually gaining momentum, thanks to the presence of a designated park in Likas.
"There are now more public events, like today's (yesterday) where skaters gather to compete and showcase their tricks and formations.
"Another motivation for me in skateboarding is the sense of community with shared values," he said when met during the Ewan Lane festival at Hyatt Centric Kota Kinabalu here yesterday.
For 20-year-old Sitti Masikah Musri, who has been skateboarding for four years, the activity is an integral part of her personality.
"Many have told me that skateboarding is not suitable for women due to its toughness and potential for injuries.
"But it is not a problem for me. Since childhood, I have always been drawn to 'masculine' activities, and I love the feeling of skateboarding," said the social media influencer, who receives sponsorship from Mohle Skateboard.
Held for the second year, the one-day festival organised by Hyatt Centric also featured hip-hop dance battles, mural painting, live performances, among other activities.