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The Rotunda
Tuesday, July 15, 2025

Longwood ‘s Skate Krew

Do you love to grind – and not in the dancing or sensual kind of way? Long for an outlet to ollie all day long and just can't find the community awesome enough for you? Is a skateboard a constant means of transportation for you around campus? While Longwood ‘s Skate Krew has been around for two to four years now, it is still largely unknown.

If you love to skate, do your best to attend club meetings every Tuesday at 7 p.m. in Hiner 207 for Skate Krew, Longwood's skateboarding club that began this year with many hopes and much promise. "I think [Skate Krew began originally] because there was a time when no skateboarding was allowed on campus at all," stated vice president Sam Gallo. "It was completely shunned." The founding of Skate Krew began due to "people want[ing] to be able to practice their passions."

Even now, due to policy 7301 in Longwood's online administrative policies and procedures, there are still many restrictions placed on skateboarding on campus, including no skating on Brock Commons and no skating in streets. "I understand there's no trick riding allowed on campus and that makes a lot of sense," said Gallo.

Even so, members of Skate Krew are pushing for more skateboarding freedom by doing their best to provide a better image to skateboarders. When asked how people tend to view skateboarders, Treasurer Ryan Branch said people view them "probably like a thug or arson. I don't know. People have a really negative image of us, but we're nothing like that … We just try to improve our image, really, just try to make changes to the skateboarding community."    Skate Krew are also currently making plans to improve and make changes to the skateboard park located at Wilck's Lake Park on W. Third Street. Gallo reported, "We've done some research on how much it will cost to add onto the skate park …"

More than just hoping to improve social opinion on skateboarders and possibilities on where to skateboard, Skate Krew is also motivated to help the Longwood community be more informed on rules and regulations for skateboarders to prevent any infractions that could taint the image of Lancer skateboarders. "Not being informed isn't an excuse for when you get in trouble," said Gallo.

Some reality tips given to those who are thinking of taking up skateboarding are, "You have to persevere. It doesn't come the first day. And you will get hurt. And you gotta be ready to get back up and get back on. That's what separates people." Freshman Kellen Dunn attended his first meeting at Skate Krew this Tuesday, saying that his friend, Gallo, caused him to take a shot at being a club member. Already knowledgeable on skateboarding, Dunn said, "I've skated since summer after sophomore year in high school." Having friends who skateboard has been his biggest reason for continuing his riding passion. When asked if he had any additional tips to those who are interested in skateboarding, Dunn said, "Skate with people who know how to skate."

If you feel tempted to join, but are unsure if you're good enough or don't know where to start when it comes to what kind of skateboard to buy, no worries. "There are no requirements [to be a member]," said Branch. "If you like to skateboard, this is the group for you."

Look forward to potential events held by Skate Krew in the spring, including contests and demos. Also, be sure to check out further information on Skate Krew through their Facebook group. If interested in joining, ride on over to Tuesday meetings, skateboard master or not. 

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